New Slider 9800 RIM's Answer to iPhone

(NewsCore Reports) - BlackBerry maker Research in Motion is expected to unveil its long anticipated competition for Apple’s iPhone next week, Reuters reported Wednesday.

The Slider 9800 touch screen handheld device will be introduced at a BlackBerry-AT&T event next Tuesday, according to the report.

"The earlier they are going to say it is going to be available on the shelves the better," Reuters quoted Avian Securities analyst Matt Thornton as saying. "They don't want to miss one of the key seasons," referring to the back-to-school period, typically a boon for retailers.

AT&T, which analysts expect to get initial exclusive carrier rights to the device, was also the exclusive carrier of the iPhone when it was launched in 2007.

Apple said it sold 8.4 million iPhones during its third quarter.