Digital Journal TV: Can BlackBerry Bold Go Where No Smartphone Has Gone Before?

Can the BlackBerry Bold rival the features and functionality of Apple's iPhone 3G? In light of today's Canadian launch of the fastest BlackBerry available yet, Digital Journal TV tested the new device to see if it's the summer's hottest smartphone. Digital Journal — The BlackBerry Bold is now available in Canada, giving Canucks the first chance to try out the fastest BlackBerry device in North America. The Bold runs on Rogers' fast 3G network (the first time a BlackBerry has worked on such a network) and its speed doesn't disappoint. Just a month after bringing Apple’s iPhone 3G to Canadians (see our video review of the iPhone 3G here), Rogers Wireless partnered with Research in Motion to unveil the Bold on Thursday. John Boynton, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Rogers Wireless, said in a press release: "The much awaited BlackBerry Bold smartphone is a ‘must have’ for connoisseurs of premium products and mobile workers who want to remain connected and productive no matter where their jobs may take them." The Bold is available for $399 on a three-year plan with Rogers. So what’s so great about the Bold? Its screen offers impressive definition and clarity housed in an elegant 114mm x 66mm x 15mm design. It runs on the 3G network as well as Wi-Fi. A built-in GPS comes with BlackBerry Maps and Documents To Go, and lets users edit Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents while travelling. 1GB of on-board memory is more than previous generations, and memory card slots can expand the storage capacity to up to 16 GB. A 2-megapixel camera rounds out the device, and also offers video recording (unlike the iPhone 3G). Syncing music and video to the Bold via iTunes is simple, which should appeal to heavy multimedia users who want to stick with the BlackBerry brand. Digital Journal TV was on location at the Canadian launch for the Bold, and we spoke to Research in Motion and Rogers Wireless to find out how this smartphone compares to its predecessors…and why it may elevate to iPhone-killer status. Maybe.