The BlackBerry Torch may not just be AT&T's newest BlackBerry, created to replace a line of aging Curves and Bolds. It may also be the operator's safeguard in the event that Apple releases its iPhone on competitor Verizon Wireless' network.  Indeed AT&T ( T - news - people ) told Forbes it considers the Torch its most significant non-iPhone launch this year. The sliding touch-screen BlackBerry, which was unveiled Tuesday and will go on sale on Aug. 12 for $199, is the result of 20 months of intense collaboration between Research In Motion ( RIMM - news - people ) and AT&T, said Michael Woodward, AT&T's vice president of mobile devices.  The alliance began in December 2008, when a delegation of six AT&T executives, including wireless chief Ralph de la Vega, visited RIM's Waterloo, Canada, headquarters. AT&T's goal, said Woodward, was to create a phone that would "revolutionize the entire BlackBerry market" and launch in mid-2010.  That first trip lasted three days. It was followed by four or five more cross-border visits and was augmented by biweekly webcast meetings, said Woodward. De la Vega attended most of the sessions, as did David Christopher, AT&T's head of wireless product marketing. The company says the phone represents thousands of hours of joint work.  Such partnerships are unusual in the mobile industry, where handset makers typically design devices in-house, then shop around near-final phones to multiple operators in hopes of attracting interest and marketing support. Close tie-ups are limited to the most significant flagship products, such as Apple's ( AAPL - news - people ) iPhone, another AT&T device.  AT&T, in fact, may have commissioned the BlackBerry Torch to reduce its reliance on the iPhone. Over the past three years Apple's smartphone has lured millions of subscribers to AT&T's network. Apple, however, is widely believed to be considering expanding the iPhone's availability to other U.S. operators, such as Verizon Wireless or T-Mobile, as soon as year's end. Stocking another hotly anticipated smartphone, like the Torch, would lessen the blow to AT&T if and when it comes.  AT&T does not address iPhone-related rumors, but the company is candid about its ambitions for the Torch. "This is our loudest launch so far this year, apart from the iPhone," said Woodward. AT&T views the two phones as "complementary," he added. AT&T is also clear about wanting the Torch to debut before the end of the year. Finishing the device on time was "pretty stressful," Woodward admitted.  During Tuesday's press conference AT&T marketing chief Christopher said the company will support the Torch with a national marketing campaign including television, online, print and outdoor ads, as well as special kiosks in AT&T stores. To encourage developers to create applications for the phone, AT&T is also sponsoring BlackBerry developer events and allowing Torch users to charge purchases to their wireless bills.  RIM is also believed to have chosen its partner well. Analysts note that iPhone availability at a second U.S. carrier, such as Verizon, is a threat to RIM as well as AT&T. "RIM will lose its grip on the Verizon channel when both the iPhone and Android are available there," wrote Gleacher & Co. analyst Mark McKechnie in a recent report. He estimates a Verizon iPhone could cost RIM 3 million to 5 million phone sales during its next fiscal year.
Flashy new BlackBerry may help AT&T and RIM retain customers if the iPhone moves to another U.S. carrier.