Monday, May 5,2008 @ 8:15am
RIM developing 2G-only BlackBerry 9000?
Research in Motion is reportedly developing a close variant of the BlackBerry 9000 that will be scaled down for legacy networks, says BGR. The device codenamed "Niagra" will drop its HSDPA-based 3G Internet access in favor of the EDGE on most current BlackBerries; the design will also be slightly less exotic with a thicker, non-chrome trim and a different back.
RIM is still expected to give the new model most of the remaining features of the full 9000 model, with Wi-Fi and potentially GPS included alongside a full headphone jack. A release date for the simpler BlackBerry isn't available but isn't expected to appear before the 9000; the phone may appear as a T-Mobile device to accommodate the current lack of HSDPA on that network, and may also serve as a lower-cost alternative to the 9000 on some other networks.
