BlackBerry Storm2, Bold 9700 Get November Releases

It's about time.

After months of leaked images, pre-release reviews and video walkthroughs, Research In Motion (RIM) has finally acknowledged one of its worst-kept secrets of 2009: the BlackBerry Storm successor, the Storm2.

And that's not all. T-Mobile Germany also listed the BlackBerry Bold 9700, the latest in the RIM's business-oriented Bold lineup, on its website. That device should be available to the German market in November, according to the site, and even though RIM has yet to officially announce the Bold 9700, the development suggests an official statement and release isn't far off.

RIM posted images and details of the Storm2 on its BlackBerry.com website, and the handset-maker also issued a joint press release with U.K. carrier Vodafone acknowledging the new Storm2 9520. Though no specific launch details are available just yet, Vodafone customers in seven European countries including Germany, the Netherlands and Spain, will be able to purchase the Storm2 in time for the holidays," Vodafone says.

Vodafone's U.S arm, Verizon Wireless, should get the Storm2 9550 soon as well, especially since the company's CEO recently touted the new smartphone to the press, hinting that it would be available soon.

Barring any unforeseen delays, the BlackBerry Bold 9700 should land in the United States on T-Mobile U.S.A., AT&T or both, shortly after the T-Mobile Germany launch and just in time for the 2009 holiday season--Engadget.com pegs the date as October 21.

Last month, I brought you the first official marketing image of the Bold 9700 from T-Mobile U.S.A., confirming the device's imminent launch on that carrier.

And RIM's big developer show, the BlackBerry Developer Conference, start November 9, so the company will likely use the event to show off its new wares.

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