Speaking with the Associated Press, RIM co-CEO Mike Lazaridis explained that the company’s BlackBerry Bold is still undergoing the certification process.

Lazaridis said that AT&T is running extensive tests in order to ensure the compatibility of the device with its wireless network.

BlackBerry Bold was already released in several markets and the phone was expected in the United States this summer.

However, after Apple’s iPhone has run into some problems with the 3G capability, RIM decided that it’s better to do some more tests.

The good news is that BlackBerry Bold 9000 is that AT&T spokesman Mark Siegel has confirmed that the phone will be out until the end of this year. However, he didn’t offer any other details.
The BlackBerry Bold is a high-end smartphone featuring built-in GPS and Wi-Fi, a new 624 MHz mobile processor, 1GB of memory and a much clearer 480 by 320-pixel color display.

Last month is was rumored that BlackBerry Bold will retail for around $299.99 from AT&T’s retail stores, from the carrier’s website and select national retailers.

Also, in September, RIM announced its first first ever flip smartphone, the BlackBerry Pearl 8220. The flip BlackBerry Pearl 8220 will become available this fall only through Deutsche Telekom AG’s T-Mobile USA.

[Thanks: http://www.efluxmedia.com]