because there is no need for it. The essex will take care of trackpad and wifi the tour doesnt have, and the curve2 8530 will fill the void for the entry level set. Curve2 vs atlas would only have 3.2mo camera and higher resolution screen. not much difference.
Perhaps they are hoping that true blackberry addicts are going to ditch the tour and buy at RRP or close to the "essex".
They wont be able to upgrade to it, being say only 6 months ish into a new contract, so if they want it they will have to buy it.
more money for RIM instead of a knock down prices for the carriers.
I'm pretty sure this device is still on schedule to come out in 2010. It was first thought that it would be only for East Asian markets, but this isn't the case. It will also be available for Europe.
RIM actually has some fairly big plans for this device. It's cross-breed between the Bold and Curve. RIM is working on some new network technology for the device as well, which should make it a good seller.