Here’s the deal — we’ve heard now from two independent sources that T-Mobile will be launching a 3G-enabled 8900-style BlackBerry around September. This looks to be the much-rumored BlackBerry Driftwood. One of our sources said it was Onyx, one said Driftwood. We’re going with Driftwood only because of our other intel here (Driftwood was the only device with UMA support) but who knows. Here’s a recap of the specs:

• AWS 1700MHz + 2100MHz UMTS/HSDPA
• 3.2 megapixel autofocus camera
• GPS
• Wi-Fi
• QWERTY keyboard
• Optical trackpad
• 480×360 screen
• Carbon fiber-esque back battery cover (the whole back is a carbon fiber pattern apparently)
• Much sexier than the BlackBerry 8900

We don’t have pricing or anything like that, but we couldn’t imagine this going for more than $199 on a 2-year when September rolls around. This will be T-Mobile’s first 3G BlackBerry device and definitely not their last. 8520, your move.

UPDATE: CrackBerry got some more shots of the Onyx and we’ve got some more information… We just heard that the device will launch as part of the 96XX-series. So, we could be looking at the BlackBerry 9600! And, let me reiterate that the device will have an optical trackpad at launch.

Alain Segond von Banchet, Channel Sales manger for RIM in the Netherlands, reportedly spoke freely about the BlackBerry Storm 2 during the TeleVisie 2009 Expo in the Netherlands yesterday. Segond von Banchet supposedly revealed that the Storm successor will launch in late 2009 or early 2010 with KPN, a move away from the exclusive Vodafone launch seen with the original Storm. He also confirmed that the Storm 2 will contain an improved touch input method, which we spoke of yesterday, so consider this a third source of confirmation. Now here’s where things get sketchy. Segond von Banchet supposedly also claimed that RIM will be slowing down the release schedule for devices in 2009 with no new devices except for the Storm 2. Considering we all know the Niagra alone is well on its way to two US carriers, at least one confirmed in 2009, this report loses a bit of credibility lest he was speaking only about the local market in the Netherlands. Either way, RIM and its partners seem a bit loose lipped regarding the unannounced Storm 2 — very, very uncharacteristic.

[Via Unwired View]

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So… one of our ninjas just hit us up with some really interesting BlackBerry info. While the specs of the following codenames are confirmed, releases are not, and as such, this should be used for information sake. Here’s what we got:

BlackBerry Onyx:

• GSM/GPRS/EDGE/UMTS device
• GPS
• Camera
• Wi-Fi (no UMA support)
• QWERTY keyboard
• 480×360 resolution screen
• Confirmed carriers: AT&T

BlackBerry Driftwood:

• GSM/GPRS/EDGE/UMTS device
• GPS
• Camera
• Wi-Fi with UMA
• QWERTY keyboard

BlackBerry Magnum:

• GSM/GPRS/EDGE/UMTS device
• GPS
• Camera
• Wi-Fi (no UMA support)
• QWERTY keyboard
• 480×360 resolution screen
• Confirmed carriers: AT&T

Now, those are three different devices with practically the same rough specs. We’d wager than the BlackBerry Magnum and Driftwood are the same device just meant for different carriers. Possibly the Driftwood for T-Mobile let’s say, and the Magnum for AT&T (who doesn’t offer UMA). Is that the BlackBerry with touch screen and physical QWERTY? Probably.

Also, we learned that RIM might be slowly refreshing the Bold with a UMA-capable version. Again, we’re not sure if that’s just a version meant for T-Mobile or maybe Rogers or this will be a global refresh (we doubt the last part).

Remember the BlackBerry Gemini? Well, it seems as if that’s not just one device, but rather an entire line of devices. Don’t get too excited, though. We’re told it could possibly just be a refresh of the Curve line-up. (Low cost handsets). The same could also be done with the Pearl line-up.

To recap: the Onyx, Driftwood and Magnum devices are all in the 9000-series family, all have 3G, and all should be absolutely delicious.