AT&T to Sell BlackBerry Z10 Starting March 22

If you have always wanted a BlackBerry device but just couldn't stomach giving up your AT&T contract to sign one with a carrier that carries BlackBerry devices then you will be pleased to know that AT&T is finally getting its very own BlackBerry device with the launch of the BlackBerry Z10 on March 22, 2013.

AT&T just announced that the touch-screen device will be available for pre-order starting March 12 and will officially go on sale in AT&T stores and online beginning on March 22. The smartphone will cost $199.99 with a new two-year contract with AT&T.

The BlackBerry Z10 is the very first smartphone to launch with the all new BlackBerry 10 software and is also the first BlackBerry product to operate on AT&T's 4G LTE network. The phone, which is a touch-screen, comes with a 4.2" high-resolution display and an 8MP camera that records 1080p HD video.

The launch of this device is actually a pretty big deal considering the fact that there is so much riding on its success. BlackBerry, which had previously dominated smartphone sales in the United States, has fallen significantly in favor in the U.S. over the last couple of years, due in no small part to the huge success of the iPhone and Android devices.

RIM has been working on the new BlackBerry 10 software in an effort to take on competitors, like Apple and Samsung, though the company has been hit hard by a long series of delays. However, RIM was finally able to debut the BlackBerry Z10 and the BlackBerry Q10 at an event in January. The BlackBerry Q10 comes with a physical keyboard whereas the Z10 does not.

The success of the Z10 in the U.S. market will give RIM a strong indication of the company's prospects. However, the Z10 does have some strong competition coming at it in the next couple of months, like the HTC One and the upcoming Galaxy S4 from Samsung.

In addition to AT&T, the BlackBerry Z10 will also be available on Verizon and T-Mobile. Sprint is not expected to be selling the smartphone and is instead expected to be offering the BlackBerry Q10, which comes with RIM's iconic QWERTY keyboard. The Q10 is expected to launch about a month after the Z10.

Source: CNET - BlackBerry Z10 goes on sale March 22 at AT&T