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Verizon this week launched the BlackBerry 8703e, the carrier's version of Research In Motion's (RIM) most recent QWERTY thumb-keyboard wireless handheld. Although variations on the 8700 series have been shipping for about a year, Verizon's is the first CDMA model, and it is 3G enabled.

For Verizon that means compatibility with its EV-DO network for data transfers between 400 to 700 kbps. Much faster than the 135 kbps EDGE speeds available with Cingular's 8700c or T-Mobile's 8700g. The only 3G-enabled BlackBerry available from a GSM carrier - the UTMS-compatible 8707v - is shipping from Vodafone in Europe.

In addition to accessing the Web, corporate network, and e-mail from their handheld, 8703e users have the option to connect their BlackBerry via a USB cable to a laptop to take advantage of EV-DO to do the same. This service costs an additional $15 per month with a qualifying voice and unlimited (often expensive) data plan or $30 with just an unlimited data plan sans voice.

Before the 8703e, Verizon customers only choice for EV-DO in a BlackBerry was the 7130e, which lacks a keyboard, relying instead on a keypad/keyboard hybrid plus RIM's SureType predictive text technology to accurately predict what words you're typing. It isn't to everyone's taste.

The BlackBerry 8703e goes for $250 with a new two-year contract or $400 for one year. After it becomes available via the Web next Sunday, Verizon’s business sales channels will ship it on September 18. It won't hit retail outlets until October.

Other than the aforementioned differences, the 8703e is very much similar to previous 8700 series models.

As with all BlackBerrys, corporate customers can access the behind-the-firewall BlackBerry Enterprise Server, which tightly integrates with Microsoft Exchange, IBM Lotus Domino and Novell GroupWise for push-based, wireless access to e-mail and other corporate data. For individuals and smaller businesses, BlackBerry Internet Service allows users to access up to ten corporate and personal e-mail accounts.

The handheld measures 4.3 x 2.7 x 0.77 inches and weighs 4.7 ounces (135 grams). It runs on 64 MB of flash memory, 16 or RAM and a 312 MHz XScale processor.

Additional hardware includes RIM's signature 35-key QWERTY thumb-keyboard, of course, plus a QVGA (320 x 240 pixel) resolution display that supports over 65,000 colors.

The BlackBerry 8700 series incorporates intelligent light sensing technology that automatically adjusts both the LCD and keyboard lighting to provide an optimized view in outdoor, indoor and dark environments.

Call management features include "send," "end" and "mute" keys plus a speakerphone, microphone, smart dialing, conference calling, speed dialing and call forwarding. There's Bluetooth for connecting to wireless headsets.

The removable/rechargeable lithium battery is supposed to last up to 3.3 hours talk and 8 days standby time.