RIM has pushed back the release date of its upcoming 3G smartphone, codenamed Meteor and known as both BlackBerry 8900 and 9000-series, from June to August 2008, according to people close to the company and its carrier partner, AT&T.  While the delay is yet to be confirmed, the suspicion is that AT&T had concerns about the handset’s call quality.  However, some are speculating that the decision owes more to AT&T’s strategic intentions than it does their quality control, and that in fact the carrier is looking to space out the release of the 9000-series and Apple’s upcoming 3G iPhone.

The general consensus is that Apple will announce the updated iPhone at their Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 10th.   Meanwhile, analysts have suggested that the handset itself will be released on June 27th, the nearest Friday to the original iPhone’s June 2007 launch.  That original launch saw masses of media, industry and public attention, and AT&T are likely hoping for a repeat; in among all that, the new BlackBerry could easily get lost.

RIM’s 3G BlackBerry is known to use HSDPA for high-speed cellular data, and is believed to also feature GPS and WiFi.  It’s powered by a 624MHz processor and has a 480×320 screen (with a touchscreen version rumored for later).  The company has also reworked the OS, giving it a more modern appearance.

[via iPhone Buzz]