New leaked BlackBerry Touch (aka Monaco/Monza) details revealed

By Andrew Couts April 1, 2011

A wealth of new details has emerged about Research In Motion’s alleged next-generation touchscreen handset in a hands-on courtesy of BGR. The device, code-named “Monaco” and “Monza,” appears to be a vast improvement over RIM’s first touch-only device, the BlackBerry Storm.

The different code names are said to correspond with two different versions of the device, one for the Verizon Wireless CDMA network (Monaco) and another (Monza) for the global GSM model.

The new handset will supposedly launch with the name BlackBerry Touch. Unlike it’s predecessors in the BlackBerry Storm family, the Touch does not include the derided SurePress feature. The phone is also markedly thinner and faster than previous touchscreen devices from RIM. The Touch is said to run on the BlackBerry 6.1 operating system, which supports multi-touch functionality similar to that found in the BlackBerry Storm 2.

The updated OS version is quite similar to version 6.0, says BGR, with the most major difference with 6.1 residing with how the device handles syncing. Rather than require users to type in a numeric PIN code, BlackBerry Touch users will be asked to set up a BlackBerry ID that will be used to log into the BlackBerry network.

According to Electronista, the new OS will bear a “strong resemblance” to Google’s Android OS, and will likely be connected to the BlackBerry Project, which provides backup support as well as a tracking service for lost phones.

The BlackBerry Touch is said to come come loaded with a 1.2GHz processor and sport a 480×800 screen, which is larger and more crisp-looking than previous RIM touchscreen handsets.

In addition to the Touch, RIM is allegedly planning to release three other new devices in 2011: The BlackBerry Bold Touch, BlackBerry Curve Touch and the BlackBerry Tourch 2. The Touch device is said to hit stores sometime in May.

Check out BGR‘s full photo gallery of the BlackBerry Touch here.

Editors' Recommendations

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Features Editor for Digital Trends, Andrew Couts covers a wide swath of consumer technology topics, with particular focus on…

Mobile

BlackBerry Key2 LE: Everything you need to know

The BlackBerry Key2 LE is back home at Verizon, but only for business types

BlackBerry Key2 LE Hands On

The BlackBerry Key LE is a lower-cost version of the Key2, doing away with some of the more high-tech features seen on the expensive sister phone, and cutting costs by using different materials for the body, to create a more affordable but still distinctly BlackBerry smartphone.

You can check out our Key2 LE review to learn more about what it's like to live with the phone, but in the meantime, here are all the technical specs, details, and availability options.
Updates
The BlackBerry Key2 LE is available to buy at Verizon, but only to business and enterprise customers, according to reports. Verizon's selling the Key2 LE for $450 without a contract, or for $100 if you sign up for a two-year plan. The phone does not show up on Verizon's non-business store, so there does not seem to be the option to buy the phone for this price without a business plan.

Mobile

The Google Pixel 8a is the Pixel phone I’ve been waiting for

A render of the Bay blue Google Pixel 8a.

It's that time of year once again -- time for a new Google Pixel phone. Google officially announced the Pixel 8a this week, and the phone is exactly as the rumors predicted. It has a slightly refined design, a new chipset, and an improved display.

At first glance, the Google Pixel 8a might come off as a bit boring. It's a budget smartphone that's technically inferior to its Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro siblings from 2023, and compared to the Pixel 7a, it's not all that different. It can be easy to dismiss the Pixel 8a, but when you consider all of its specs, features, and unchanged price, I don't think there's anything boring about it. In fact, I think it's pretty damn exciting.
Subtle (but important) upgrades

Mobile

The 4 best Whoop alternatives in 2024

Someone wearing a Whoop 4.0 and an Apple Watch Ultra 2.

If you’ve been looking for a top-shelf fitness tracker, one of the best brands in the business is Whoop. Having developed quite the reputation over the years, professional athletes and everyday gym-goers are glad to stand behind Whoop’s advanced tracking capabilities, and so are we! But Whoop equipment doesn’t come cheap. That’s why it’s always good to have alternatives when you’re shopping for a new consumer tech device.

To that end, your pals at Digital Trends have got you covered. As experts on health and fitness gear, we’ve gone ahead and rounded up the four best Whoop alternatives to track your workouts in 2024.