When it comes to RIM’s smartphones these days, most eyes are on the recently-announced BlackBerry 9900 Bold, but there are still a bunch more of OS 7, NFC-packing handsets in the works. Among them is a big-screen touch slate code-named Monaco or Monza (depending on GSM or CDMA model). Recently, it’s been rumoured that 9850/9860 will be going to market as the Volt, and failing that, it may default to the established Torch brand. Though Storm is the classic name RIM has given to their touchscreen slates, those devices used a clicking touchscreen that left many sour, and even an association by name may cast a shadow on RIM’s next-gen devices.

Based on leaked roadmaps, we’re expecting the BlackBerry 9850/9860 will have a 1.2 GHz processor, 3.7-inch 800 x 480 display, 5 megapixel camera, Wi-Fi b/g/n with mobile hotspot, GPS, and 3G. The magnetic compass and near-field communications chip found in the Bold 9900 should also be included, enabling augmented reality apps and tap-and-go mobile payments. OS 7 will provide support for improved OpenGL 3D handling, and presumably the new “Liquid Graphics” rendering engine RIM has been talking up lately.

RIM is also set to launch a smaller-screen device called the Curve Touch, which will have slightly lower-end specs, but does suggest that we may just as well see the 9850/60 launching as the Touch. It’s all pre-release now, in any case, so it’s hard to say just which direction RIM’s marketing people would go. What would you like to see RIM’s next touchscreen slate smartphone called?