Research In Motion has announced that its newest BlackBerry will launch in the UK first, initially on the O2 network. 

The BlackBerry 7130g is an upgrade to the 7100x and features the same 'candy bar' form factor as its predecessor.

The new model is targeted at business users and consumers that want to access email on the move but prefer traditional phone-style designs rather than the larger form-factor of other BlackBerry devices.

The keyboard features only two letters per key, rather than the normal three on a traditional mobile phone, and uses SureType, similar to predictive text, for input.

It features a 312MHz Intel XScale processor combined with 64MB of Flash memory and 16MB SDRAM. 

RIM said that the 240 x 260 colour screen adjusts automatically to ambient light providing the best display settings both indoors and outside.

The device offers quad-band (850/900/1800/1900MHz) network support and integrated Bluetooth for wireless communication.

The 7130g can be used with the BlackBerry Internet Service for individual and small business users, and the BlackBerry Enterprise Solution for larger organisations.

"The BlackBerry 7130g is a powerful addition to the range of popular BlackBerry devices already available through O2," said Peter Rampling, head of SME marketing at O2.

"We are confident that the enhanced features of this all-in-one handset will appeal to both the business and individual user."

The new model will be available only on O2 initially, with other networks following shortly.

Price will depend on contract, but the handset will be free for individual users on a £39.75 a month tariff paying an additional £12.77 for 5MB of internet mail usage.