BlackBerry Q10 smartphone to hit stores on May 1; major carriers to stock model

The Canadian Press

TORONTO - BlackBerry says the keypad version of its new smartphone will arrive in Canadian stores on May 1.

The BlackBerry Q10 will first be stocked by carriers Rogers (TSX:RCI.B), Bell Mobility (TSX:BCE) and Telus (TSX:T).

The new model, which sports both a keypad and a touchscreen, has been highly anticipated by some longtime BlackBerry fans.

When the Waterloo, Ont.,-based smartphone maker revealed its new phones in January, several analysts were critical of BlackBerry's decision to stagger the release of the touchscreen and keypad versions.

A date for a U.S. release for the Q10 hasn't been announced, though it's expected sometime in May or June.