[ZombieBerry]

TORONTO – BlackBerry announced its third smartphone of the year at the Canadian smartphone maker’s annual tech conference in Orlando, Florida.

The BlackBerry Q5 will run the new BlackBerry 10 operating system. It features a QWERTY keyboard and comes in a variety of colours.

“BlackBerry is excited to bring a new BlackBerry QWERTY smartphone, the BlackBerry Q5, to our customers in selected markets around world,” said Heins in a press release.

“It is for youthful fans that are passionate, confident and bold, and it makes it easy for them to have fun, create, share and stay connected.”

The phone will be available in selected markets only, including Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The phone is not available in Canada.

According to a press release from the Waterloo, Ont. based company the phone will be available beginning in July.

BlackBerry launched the first much-delayed touchscreen and keyboard versions of its BlackBerry 10 smartphones earlier this year.

Heins has said he wants Blackberry to create a portfolio of smartphones that expands beyond the higher-priced models into both a mid-priced and entry-level version of the device.

Source: BlackBerry Press release files via Canadian Press