'Bold' With 3G BlackBerry 9000-

Sweepstakes Monday and the familiar business-oriented BlackBerry design is crammed with improved features and includes new consumer elements that will place it in competition with Apple's iPhone. RIM is calling the device the BlackBerry Bold, although a few users already know it as the BlackBerry 9000.

AT&T already has exclusive U.S. rights to Apple's iPhone and a new high-speed version of the Apple handset is expected to be unveiled next month. Both devices are slated to operate on 3G high-speed UMTS/HSDPA networks.

RIM trumpeted the consumer features of the Bold, noting its 2 megapixel camera and video recording capability.

"While it is designed to meet the extensive requirements of the business professional during the day, the BlackBerry Bold smartphone also caters to the business person's consumer side," RIM's announcement stated. In a nod to Apple, RIM observed that BlackBerry Bold Media Sync users can sync with Apple's iTunes. The RIM handset also features several multimedia elements. The handset has dual stereo speakers and includes Roxio Media Manager and Roxio PhotoSuite 9 LE.