NEW YORK, Aug 15 — With the BlackBerry 9720, a brand new device that runs on an old version of the BlackBerry operating system (7.1), the smartphone manufacturer hopes to appeal to consumers in emerging markets.

The new phone features a 2.8-inch touchscreen with 480x360 pixel resolution, a 5MP camera and a battery boasting seven hours of talk time and 18 hours in standby mode.

BlackBerry has not released details on pricing and availability for the new model, which by all accounts appears to be designed for emerging markets.

The new launch coincides with a difficult period for BlackBerry, which is struggling to compete with its competitors in the smartphone market, in which analysts recently estimated the Canadian manufacturer’s share at just three per cent.

The company is currently examining its options and seeking a way out of financial crisis, which may even require a buyout. — AFP-Relaxnews