While Research In Motion won't be unveiling the BlackBerry Bold/Torch 9800 slider for another hour or so, the FCC has decided to go ahead and give us a sneak peek.  The 9800 appeared on the FCC's site this morning and, while it's great to see the device closer to being unveiled, there isn't much in the filing that we didn't already know.  We did learn that the device will have a 480x320 touchscreen and a physical keyboard underneath, confirming the slider form factor.  Other specs include 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth, and 3G on the 850 MHz and 1900 MHz bands.

Continuing with the BB slider news, a Spanish Google search ad shows that the device may end being called the Torch.  As seen in the photo below, the 9800 is already showing up in Google's search ads.  While this may not be the most official reveal, it's not a terribly surprising move by RIM.  After all, this slider is a complete departure from the other devices in the Bold line of phones, and like the Storm, Peal, and Pearl Flip before it, the 9800 deserves its own name, as well.  The 9800 slider has been one of RIM's worst kept secrets, and while leaks are always nice, I'll be glad when the phone is finally unveiled later today at the company's event with AT&T.  Then we can move on and begin focusing on a whole new leaked 'Berry.  The RIM/AT&T shindig is slated to start at 11:00 AM eastern, so check back with PhoneDog later in the day for all of the news from the event!

Via Engadget, MobileCrunch, IntoMobile