While the smartphone world is moving toward touchscreen technology, Research in Motion on Monday partnered with T-Mobile to announce the first BlackBerry flip phone.

The Pearl Flip 8220 boasts multimedia capabilities, including RIM's mobile push e-mail solution, text and picture messaging, mobile Web browsing, and built-in W-Fi that targets consumers who frequently share pictures, check sports scores, and access social-networking sites.

Beyond the flip design, the new model also boasts advanced multimedia capabilities through video recording and playback, a 2.0-megapixel camera with digital zoom, stereo Bluetooth support, and an external memory card slot.

"The BlackBerry Pearl Flip takes all the advanced features and refined usability that customers have come to expect from BlackBerry smartphones and makes them available in a friendly and innovative design