BlackBerry Tour to rival iPhone 3G S

Research In Motion is adding another smartphone to its BlackBerry lineup as it aims to win marketshare among both executives and mainstream consumers despite tough economic conditions.The new model is known as the BlackBerry Tour and falls somewhere between the BlackBerry Curve, which has proved very popular with consumers, and the BlackBerry Bold, which RIM has aimed at high-end corporate users.

RIM co-Chief Executive Jim Balsillie said in an interview that the new device will soon launch with Verizon and Sprint in the United States and Telus and BCE's Bell unit in Canada.

Even though the device isn't drastically different from many other BlackBerry handsets in appearance -- it has the familiar candy-bar shape with a full keyboard -- Balsillie said the Tour is a "big step forward".