RIM will be launching the BlackBerry 8707 handset model with Vodafone UK shortly. The new device, with the traditional full QWERTY design will be the first ever 3G (UMTS) enabled BlackBerry. The new model has the same 320x240 colour LCD display present on the BlackBerry 8700 and incorporates Bluetooth, speakerphone and 64MB of memory. The dedicated Send and End keys remain which, like the 8700, makes it the perfect middle ground between the traditional keyboard of the BlackBerry 7200 series devices and the phone style keyboard of the 7100 BlackBerry series.

The key addition with this model has to be the embedded 3G modem however, which really shows true device convergence. In the days of old BlackBerry was a data centric device, and with the BlackBerry 7100 series we saw voice creep in to the equation. With the 8707 a user has the potential for a tolerable internet connection speed, making this model the email and PIM data, voice, and internet based unit all in one.

The beta versions we've seen so far (some of which have included models with the finished plastics as shown in this image) felt similar to use to an 8700 BlackBerry. Spacing on the keys is virtually identical despite smaller Send and End keys. You also have the additional programmable key on the left of the body, which of course was a new addition on the 8700. The location where the models were demonstrated to us lacked 3G coverage, so we couldn't test the speed of the internet connection, but we are told it should work around 300kbps and will connect via Desktop Manager if using as a modem for a laptop. As the BlackBerry 8707 can connect via USB, we're looking for compatibility with popular laptops like the 12" Apple Powerbook G4 that are currently unable to use traditional 3G Data Card modems because they lack the necessary PCMCIA slot. Like the 8700 BlackBerry, the 8707 will also ship with the latest 4.1 firmware.