Research In Motion Ltd. is developing its next-generation BlackBerry to have touchscreen capabilities, pitting the popular messaging device directly against Apple Corp.’s popular iPhone.

According to a research note written by GMP Securities analyst Ray Sharma, a recent patent filed by RIM engineers strongly indicates that RIM will release a touchscreen BlackBerry in the near future.

“The oft rumored RIM touchscreen device has lofty prospects,” wrote Mr. Sharma.

In a patent filed to the United States Patent and Trademark Office last June, the new BlackBerry device will have a keyboard that retracts into the device in order to create more room on the screen, Mr. Sharma says. It will also have what is called tactile response mechanism akin to Nintendo’s Wii controller that vibrates based on input from the user.

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Here’s the first gorgeous shot of an Google Android prototype in the wild. It looks HTC-ish in build, similar to the grainy versions we’ve seen in the official videos and the renderings in the SDK emulator. Our source, a Giz reader, had some feedback to add to the prototype, which he used for a day: Even in early form, it’s light and fast, much faster than the desktop emulator at times. And as a long time programmer, he think it’s a lot more put together than Window Mobile 5 on the back side of things. It’s a prototype so things will obviously change, but these are all great signs. I just pray that hardware by other makers is a lot more adventurous. In my mind, those HTC designs remind me a little too much of WM and will for a long time.

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As if anyone actually cares…Nevertheless, we’re here to bring everything we know to you, and what we do know, is that the Treo 755p will be making the rounds to Verizon Wireless on December, 17th. That’s going to be an online and telesales only affair, with the full release for brick-and-mortar stores happening on January, 7th. Doesn’t it feel like yesterday when we were eagerly awaiting the Treo 700w on Verizon? You ready for the price? I said, are you ready for the price? A whopping $449.99 with a 2-year agreement! Wowbawuah! The 1-year price is $519.99, and retail pricing is $569.99. For that kind of pricing you’re better off buying some plane tickets to the VZW headquarters and slapping them upside they heads. At least you’ll actually be satisfied. Click on for the SKUs and pricing for all the accessories, if you dare!

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Google and RIM have been working together rather well as of late. A recent update to the integrated BlackBerry Google Chat client in October brought a host of nice features with a great UI, and the Gmail / BIS integration just keeps getting better with BES-like syncing features that make using Gmail with your Berry an incredibly pleasant experience. Just when you thought things couldn’t get any better, Google dropped the latest bomb. Google Calender is now fully syncable with your on-board BlackBerry datebook. Simply download a small program from Google, enter all of the relevant details, and you’re as good as synced. Best of all, as with most Google services, this won’t cost you a penny. Hit the link and enjoy!

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In a piece carried by the Wall Street Journal detailing the Jon Rubenstein-era shake-up at Palm, we get the first confirmation of Wednesday’s layoff rumor. According to the WSJ, “Yesterday, Palm made some reassignments and staff reductions.” The article does not cite specific numbers. Regardless, our hearts go out to those who received this unfortunately timed news. Given Palm’s long, steady trudge towards obscurity, couldn’t this have waited just a few more weeks?

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Remember the “any day now” claim slapped on that alleged Treo 680 update for AT&T back in October? Well, it’s out now, which means that “any day now” works out to… oh, about 50-odd days in AT&T lingo. Fortunately, it may have been worth the wait; it seems every rumored feature has made the cut, meaning 680 owners are now entitled to goodies like push-to-talk, integrated IM, SDHC support, and the all-important AT&T branding (seriously, who wants to be seen walking around with a Cingular device these days?). Grab the update now straight from Palm’s site.

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Google’s recent introduction of its “My Location” non-GPS geo-locater system was a fantastic development for anyone sporting a handset not equipped with a GPS chip. One glaring omission from the announcement, however, was the lack of support for Palm OS-based devices. While this could have stood a yet another reason not to purchase a Garnet-based device, it seems that there may be some relief in sight for the Palm faithful. Apparently, the API needed to identify cell towers (a necessary component of the My Location service) does exist, it just simply hasn’t been made public. Realizing the error of their ways, Palm is planning on releasing that API to developers sometime next month, which should clear the way for My Location support in future revisions of Google Maps for Palm. Phew.

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Even though the Samsung BlackJack II is only a refresh of the original BlackJack, it is greatly improved with a larger capacity battery (1700-mAh) while maintaining the slim form factor and the addition of GPS and the Front Jog wheel, doubling as a D-Pad, makes it easy to use while on the move.

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Since when did Sprint become part of the technological avant garde? Its investment in WiMax, what it’s branding Xohm, is beginning to pay off, with the company rolling out the wireless broadband service in D.C., Baltimore and Chicago in the coming weeks. Speeds of 2-5mbps are expected, which is more or less the typical home broadband speed, but the expected range for the signal is now around 3-5 miles, down from the original predictions of 30 miles.

But how about this: with broadband everywhere, wouldn’t it be conceivable for companies to make VoIP cellphones without the “cell” part?VoIP-only phones, usable anywhere and everywhere? Maybe throw in a little Android action and you could well have yourself a truly decent phone.

Wouldn’t that be nice, a decent phone without having to deal with the stupid phone companies?

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In a move that could give them the boost they’ve been looking for, Sony has revealed that the company is looking into making direct-to-PSP game downloads a reality. This is a logical progression of the current system that now allows users to download PSP games from both their PC and PS3. They’re apparently testing a working model of the download system, but still are working out some security kinks. As such, we’re not exactly sure when the service might go live, but we’ll keep our ears to the street on this one, ’cause it sounds like this could be enough to sway some folks towards the PSP during the upcoming holiday season.

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