RIM launches BlackBerry Torch 9810, Torch 9860 and Bold 9900

Research In Motion (RIM) today announced plans to launch 5 new BlackBerry smartphones based on the BlackBerry 7 Operating System (OS).  RIM, in conjunction with carriers and distribution partners around the world, is rolling out two new BlackBerry Bold models and three new BlackBerry Torch models, all running the powerful new BlackBerry 7 OS.

The new BlackBerry Bold 9900 and 9930 are RIM’s thinnest smartphones ever, each offering a large keyboard and brilliant touch display. The new BlackBerry Torch 9810 smartphone builds on the popularity of the BlackBerry Torch 9800 and combines a large touch display with a convenient slide-out keyboard. The BlackBerry Torch 9850 and 9860 introduce an all-new, all-touch design featuring the largest display on a BlackBerry smartphone to date.

Next-Generation BlackBerry 7 OS

BlackBerry 7 introduces a next generation BlackBerry browser with a significantly faster, more fluid web browsing experience that is among the best in the industry. Combining the dramatically improved performance of the advanced WebKit browser engine together with the powerful hardware enhancements found in the BlackBerry 7 based smartphones delivers browsing  results that are up to 40% faster than BlackBerry 6 based smartphones and up to 100% faster than BlackBerry 5 based smartphones*.  Additional enhancements to this next generation BlackBerry browser have also optimized zooming and panning for smoother web navigation and optimized HTML5 performance for incredible gaming and video experiences.

RIM’s new BlackBerry 7 based smartphones also feature Liquid Graphics technology, with each smartphone combining a dedicated high-performance graphics processor with a blazingly fast CPU and stunning high resolution display to deliver a highly responsive touch interface with incredibly fast and smooth graphics.

In addition, BlackBerry 7 based smartphones continue the tradition of delivering the world’s best mobile communications experience with a highly refined and integrated suite of phone, email, messaging and social apps to keep users connected and productive throughout the day. Recent enhancements include the newest release of BBM (BlackBerry Messenger) which now extends the real time BBM experience to a range of other apps (see separate announcement on July 28, 2011). The updated Social Feeds (2.0) app has been extended to capture updates from media, podcasts, and favorites all in one consolidated view. The new Facebook for BlackBerry smartphones (2.0) app introduces features like Facebook chat and BBM integration that makes it easier for users to connect with their Facebook friends in real time.

A New Performance Driven Platform

RIM’s line up of next generation BlackBerry smartphones are built on a new performance driven platform powered by the latest BlackBerry software and hardware. In addition to supporting the new BlackBerry 7 OS, each smartphone also features a range of powerful hardware enhancements including a 1.2 GHz processor, HD video recording, 24-bit high resolution graphics, and advanced sensors enabling new augmented reality applications such as Wikitude that can be seamlessly integrated with BBM 6 – all designed to deliver the ultimate in communications, multimedia and productivity for users around the world.

BlackBerry Bold 9900 and 9930 Smartphones with Touch Display and Keyboard

The BlackBerry Bold 9900 series is the thinnest BlackBerry smartphone yet (at only 10.5mm) and the first to offer the perfect union of a high performance keyboard and touch display integrated within the iconic BlackBerry Bold design. The new BlackBerry Bold 9900 and 9930 are also the first BlackBerry smartphones to include built-in support for NFC (Near Field Communications), a new technology that is  enabling many new and exciting capabilities, including the ability to pair accessories or read SmartPoster tags with a simple tap of the smartphone. Distinguished by its beautiful design, amazingly effective keyboard and brilliant touch display, the BlackBerry Bold 9900 series is crafted with premium materials including a brushed stainless steel frame that puts the finishing touch on a truly outstanding smartphone.

BlackBerry Torch 9810 Smartphone with Touch Display and Slide-Out Keyboard

Building on the popular design of the BlackBerry Torch 9800, the new BlackBerry Torch 9810 is faster and more fluid with high performance hardware features and the new BlackBerry 7 OS delivering an enhanced multimedia experience. Featuring a large 3.2”, high resolution touch display and a distinctive BlackBerry keyboard that easily slides out to allow faster typing, the BlackBerry Torch 9810 truly delivers the best of both worlds.

All-Touch BlackBerry Torch 9850 and 9860 Smartphones

The BlackBerry Torch 9850 and 9860 smartphones offer the fast, fluid BlackBerry 7 experience in a stylish new all-touch design. With a spectacular new 3.7” display, the largest ever on a BlackBerry smartphone, the new all-touch BlackBerry Torch 9850 and 9860 smartphones are optimized for displaying web pages, photos, videos, and powerful gaming experiences and still deliver the real-time communication and collaboration experience loved by millions of BlackBerry smartphone users around the world.

Availability

The next generation of BlackBerry smartphones will begin to be available from carriers around the world starting later this month. Availability dates for specific devices from specific carriers will be announced in conjunction with RIM’s partners.

Source:- BlackBerry

 

Continue Reading →

RIM Launches New Developer Tools and Services for BlackBerry Tablet OS and BlackBerry Smartphones

Research In Motion (RIM) launched the beta version of the BlackBerry WebWorks SDK for Tablet OS and new services and developer tools for BlackBerry smartphones at BlackBerry DEVCON Asia.

BlackBerry WebWorks Platform Enables Web Developers to Build Robust Applications for the BlackBerry PlayBook Tablet That Also Support BlackBerry Smartphones BlackBerry Smartphone Platform Gets New Releases: Payment Service SDK in Beta, BlackBerry Push Service SDK v1.0.1 and BlackBerry Java Plug-in for Eclipse v1.3 (for Windows and Mac)

BlackBerry WebWorks SDK for Tablet OS

Based on robust web standards and drawing on continued collaboration with the open source community, the BlackBerry WebWorks platform will allow web and mobile developers to use the SDK in combination with their web development tools of choice to create compelling and deeply integrated applications for the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet that also support BlackBerry smartphones running the BlackBerry 6 operating system.

With features that include access to core functionality in the BlackBerry PlayBook, as well as extensibility and robust security, the BlackBerry WebWorks SDK for Tablet OS provides many benefits to developers including:

• RIM's powerful WebKit web rendering engine (which is at the core of WebWorks) supporting the latest web technology standards including HTML5, CSS and JavaScript
• Deep access to device capabilities and components such as native dialogs, application invocation and system information
• A simple command-line tool that allows developers to use their favorite web development environment to develop WebWorks applications
• The capability to automatically transform a W3C widget archive file containing web assets into a BlackBerry WebWorks application package

In order to provide an opportunity for WebWorks developers to qualify for the previously announced ‘free BlackBerry PlayBook offer, RIM is extending the offer to March 15, 2011. Starting today, web developers can download the BlackBerry WebWorks SDK for Tablets OS, build BlackBerry PlayBook applications and qualify for a free BlackBerry PlayBook. For more details about the offer including the Terms and Conditions visit www.blackberry.com/developers/blackberryplaybookoffer.

Download the SDK at www.blackberry.com/developers/tabletos/webworks.

A new webcast series to help developers create BlackBerry WebWorks applications for the BlackBerry PlayBook will start on February 1, 2011. Developers will get first hand details on how to install tools, set up development environments, create their first application, and test applications on the simulator. Please visit
www.blackberry.com/developers/tabletos/webworkswebcasts

New Services and Tools for BlackBerry Smartphones

At BlackBerry DEVCON Asia, RIM is also launching the BlackBerry Payment Service SDK in Beta, as well as an update of the BlackBerry Push Service SDK (v 1.0.1) and a new release of the BlackBerry Java Plug-in for Eclipse (version 1.3).

Integrated into an application as a library, the BlackBerry Payment Service offers new ways to monetize applications by allowing developers to incorporate options such as subscriptions, feature unlocking and pay per use. For more details on the BlackBerry Payment Service SDK visit www.blackberry.com/developers/paymentservice.

The latest update to the BlackBerry Push Service SDK improves the management of Push operations for Content Providers through a new Subscription Check API, offers simpler Statistics Gathering and Query Capabilities as well as Installer enhancements.  The new Subscription Check API provides the ability to check the registration status of a smartphone with the specific application via a server-side framework, ensuring Push only occurs to currently subscribed users of the application. For additional details visit www.blackberry.com/developers/pushservice.

The BlackBerry Java Plug-in for Eclipse version 1.3 includes many enhancements and new features that help making Java development more productive on the BlackBerry platform.

For more information on the latest version check out www.blackberry.com/developers/java for Windows and www.blackberry.com/developers/javamac for Mac.

Continue Reading →

RIM Unveils BlackBerry BBX and QNX

At BlackBerry DevCon Americas 2011, Research In Motion (RIM) today unveiled BlackBerry BBX, its next generation mobile platform that takes the best of the BlackBerry platform and the best of the QNX platform to connect people, devices, content and services.

In addition, RIM announced a series of developer tool updates, including WebWorks for BlackBerry smartphones and tablets, the Native SDK for the BlackBerry PlayBook and a developer beta of BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 with support for running Android applications. RIM also provided direction for developers on how to best develop and monetize their BlackBerry applications for today and for the future.

BlackBerry BBX

BBX is the next generation platform for BlackBerry smartphones and tablets. It combines the best of BlackBerry and the best of QNX and is designed from the ground up to enable the powerful real-time mobile experiences that distinguish BlackBerry products and services.

The BBX platform will include BBX-OS, and will support BlackBerry cloud services and development environments for both HTML5 and native developers. BBX will also support applications developed using any of the tools available today for the BlackBerry PlayBook - including Native SDK, Adobe AIR/Flash and WebWorks/HTML5, as well as the BlackBerry Runtime for Android Apps - on future BBX-based tablets and smartphones.

BBX will also include the new BlackBerry Cascades UI Framework for advanced graphics (shown for the first time today), and bring "Super App" capabilities to enable many advanced capabilities including deep integration between apps, always-on Push services, the BBM(TM) Social Platform, and much more.

BlackBerry WebWorks

Developers who want to support both existing smartphones (running BlackBerry 6 and BlackBerry 7 OS) and BlackBerry PlayBook tablets can monetize apps on both platforms today with BlackBerry WebWorks, which supports apps built on HTML5, CSS and JavaScript. The latest release, BlackBerry WebWorks SDK 2.2 (supporting both smartphones and tablets), is now available and includes updates for the new PlayBook OS SDK, PlayBook Simulator and more.

The BlackBerry WebWorks APIs are supported by the Ripple Emulator, a standalone, high-fidelity browser-like emulation tool that allows developers to test and debug their applications on multiple platforms and devices without having to compile or launch simulators. Starting today the Ripple Emulator is available in beta and can also be downloaded from RIM's WebWorks Developer site at: http://developer.blackberry.com/html5 .

Native SDK - Content Rich, Fast and Smooth Running Applications

RIM also announced today the immediate availability of the Native SDK for the BlackBerry PlayBook (1.0 gold release). The Native SDK allows developers to build high-performance, multi-threaded, native C/C++ applications and enables developers to create advanced 2D and 3D games and other apps with access to OpenGL ES 2.0 and Open AL, as well as device specific APIs. Applications developed with the Native SDK will run today on the BlackBerry PlayBook and will be forwardly compatible on BBX-based tablets and smartphones.

The Native SDK includes support for C/C++ POSIX library and compliance, device events like gesture swipes and touch screen inputs, access to code management systems using industry standard Eclipse CDT (C/C++ Development Tools) and advanced debug and analysis tools. QNX Momentics Tool Suite, an Eclipse-based integrated development environment, is included. It provides memory profiling, application debugging, and memory usage statistics to help developers debug sophisticated programs, including hardware accelerated OpenGL applications.

The Native SDK makes the development and porting of game applications to the BlackBerry PlayBook an extremely attractive proposition for developers. Well known game publishers, developers and major game engine companies have already started to bring their game titles and applications to the platform.

Scoreloop, the largest and fastest growing cross-platform social gaming ecosystem on mobile, is now available in beta for the Native SDK through BlackBerry(R) Beta Zone. The Scoreloop SDK provides everything a developer needs to easily integrate social capabilities into their native PlayBook applications and includes support for Leaderboards, Game Challenges, Awards & Achievements, and Player Profiles. Scoreloop's fully customizable and cross-platform technology empowers developers to add as many or as few features as they want, from a simple leader-board to more extensive player achievements. It makes mobile games more social and profitable.

BlackBerry Cascades - Create Visually Stunning Interfaces

RIM today showcased BlackBerry Cascades, a rich user interface framework coming to a future release of the Native SDK. Cascades unleashes a new breed of design centric mobile applications and provides developers with an exceptional feature set for creating visually stunning interfaces with custom layouts, animations, effects and 3D graphics. These features, combined with a strong set of built-in core user interface components, will make it easy to build beautiful native applications with innovative user interfaces for the current BlackBerry PlayBook and future BBX-based tablets and smartphones. Cascades is scheduled to be made available in beta later this fall.

Adobe AIR 3.0 Support

Adobe Flash enables developers to produce visually stunning, highly functional applications for the BlackBerry PlayBook that can integrate with the underlying OS and will be supported on future BBX-based tablets and smartphones.

The BlackBerry PlayBook now supports the recently announced Adobe AIR 3.0 runtime. Among the supported features are Encrypted Local Store that gives developers the ability to use the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) to encrypt and securely store sensitive information on the device, as well as store passwords, keys or credit card information safely within the app; StageText that allows developers to take advantage of native text controls and the native interaction behaviors of those controls; Multitouch and Gestures built into applications to provide great usability; and more.

PlayBook OS 2.0 - Developer Beta

RIM introduced today the Developer Beta version of the BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0. The Developer Beta includes the BlackBerry Runtime for Android Apps and the BlackBerry Plug-In for Android Development Tools (ADT), allowing developers to quickly and easily bring Android applications to BlackBerry PlayBook tablets.

The BlackBerry Plug-In for ADT (an Eclipse plug-in) extends a developer's existing Eclipse Android development environment to support the PlayBook, and includes the BlackBerry PlayBook Simulator for developers to test and debug their apps before submitting them to BlackBerry App World(TM). Developers can also test and debug their apps on a PlayBook running the BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 - Developer Beta.

Android developers can also repackage Android apps for the BlackBerry PlayBook online by using the BlackBerry Packager for Android Apps. The web tool guides developers through a step-by-step process, allowing them to test their apps for compatibility with the PlayBook, and repackage and sign their apps for submission to BlackBerry App World, all without downloading any tools.

BlackBerry Runtime for Android Apps and the associated tools allow Android developers to easily expand their market to include BlackBerry PlayBook users, and hence increase their apps' market potential.

The BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 - Developer Beta also supports Adobe Air 3.0 and Adobe Flash 11, as well as WebGL, a new web technology that brings hardware-accelerated 3D graphics to the browser without installing additional software. Developers will be able to generate rich, interactive 3D graphics within their BlackBerry WebWorks application.

For more information about the BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 - Developer Beta and BlackBerry Runtime for Android Apps and associated tools, visit For more information about the BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 - Developer Beta and BlackBerry Runtime for Android Apps and associated tools, visit: https://bdsc.webapps.blackberry.com/android/bpaa/ .

Increased Developer Productivity with Open Source Libraries on the BlackBerry PlayBook OS

RIM also announced the BlackBerry Open Source Initiative to port popular Open Source libraries to the BlackBerry PlayBook platform. Libraries already available include physics engines like Bullet Physics and Box2DX, scripting languages like Lua, multimedia libraries like OpenAL and SDL, gaming frameworks like Cocos2DX and general-purpose libraries like Boost and Qt. Also available under an Open Source license are a range of code samples that developers can use to get started quickly, as well as GamePlay, a new 3D native gaming framework.

[PRESS RELEASE]

Continue Reading →

BlackBerry Torch 9850 and Bold 9930 coming to Sprint this fall

Sprint announced an expansion of its robust portfolio of BlackBerry smartphones with the fall availability of America’s first two BlackBerry 7 smartphones – BlackBerry Bold 9930 and BlackBerry Torch 9850 from Research In Motion (RIM). Specific pricing and availability will be provided closer to availability.

At just 10.5mm thick, the BlackBerry Bold 9930 smartphone is the thinnest BlackBerry smartphone ever. It features a 2.8-inch capacitive touchscreen display, the widest QWERTY keyboard available on a BlackBerry smartphone and a trackpad for easy navigation.

Key features of BlackBerry Bold 9930 include:

• BlackBerry service with access to up to 10 supported business and personal email accounts, plus BlackBerry Enterprise Server support for corporate email installations
• DataViz Docs To Go Premium suite preloaded, for editing Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint files from anywhere
• BlackBerry App World, the official app store for BlackBerry smartphones offering customization, fun and productivity
• BlackBerry Playbook support with BlackBerry Bridge (Bridge is available as a free download on BlackBerry App World)
• Near Field Communications (NFC) support for a secure exchange of information between NFC-enabled devices over a very short distance
• Augmented Reality using the built-in compass (magnetometer) to support augmented reality applications

The sleek BlackBerry Torch 9850 smartphone will be the first full-touch BlackBerry smartphone from Sprint. It features a spectacular, new 3.7-inch capacitive touchscreen display, the largest ever on a BlackBerry smartphone, and trackpad for easy navigation.

Key features of BlackBerry Torch 9850:

• BlackBerry service with access to up to 10 supported business and personal email accounts, plus BlackBerry Enterprise Server support for corporate email installations
• DataViz Docs To Go Premium suite preloaded, for editing Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint files from anywhere
• BlackBerry App World, the official app store for BlackBerry smartphones offering customization, fun and productivity
• BlackBerry Playbook support with BlackBerry Bridge (Bridge is available as a free download on BlackBerry App World)
• Augmented Reality using the built-in compass (magnetometer) to support augmented reality applications

Source:- Sprint

Continue Reading →

BlackBerry Style 9670 Now Official Available from Sprint for $99.99 on Oct 31

Sprint and Research In Motion (RIM) today announced the much-anticipated BlackBerry Style 9670 smartphone. BlackBerry Style is an elegant, new flip smartphone featuring a full QWERTY BlackBerry keyboard, the new BlackBerry 6 operating system and a wide range of advanced communications and multimedia capabilities. It will be available in the United States only from Sprint beginning on Oct. 31.

The BlackBerry Style features a full QWERTY BlackBerry keyboard that makes email, messaging and real-time chats with BBM (BlackBerry Messenger) incredibly easy. It also comes with many advanced features, including a 5MP camera with flash and support for video recording, built-in GPS for location-based apps and geo-tagging, Wi-Fi for faster connectivity and extended data coverage, and an expandable memory slot for up to 32GB of additional storage.

“The beautiful and compact flip form factor on the BlackBerry Style smartphone makes it quite unique within the BlackBerry lineup,” said Fared Adib, vice president – Product Development, Sprint. “Customers will appreciate that the flip form factor is extremely easy to use for calls, and with a full QWERTY keyboard, it provides the same attractive features enthusiasts have come to expect from their smartphone. Also, with the enhancements available through BlackBerry 6, Sprint customers will love the new user interface and the enhanced Web browsing experience.”

The attractive new smartphone includes an optical trackpad for fluid navigation and boasts two large displays, an external screen for quickly viewing notifications and messages, and a high-resolution internal display that makes Web browsing or watching videos a pleasure. The BlackBerry Style smartphone will also be available in two fashionable colors – Steel Grey and Royal Purple.

“The flip form factor appeals to a very distinct but sizable set of consumers in the U.S., and we're pleased to work with Sprint to bring this unique new BlackBerry smartphone to their customers,” said David J. Smith, vice president of Product Management, Research In Motion. “The new BlackBerry Style smartphone is a feature rich, premium BlackBerry smartphone that makes the perfect choice for Sprint customers who love the flip form factor but want advanced smartphone features and a full QWERTY keyboard.”

First Sprint Smartphone with BlackBerry 6

BlackBerry 6 features a redesigned interface that retains the familiar and trusted features that distinguish the BlackBerry brand, while delivering a fresh, approachable and engaging experience that’s powerful and easy to use. It includes expanded messaging capabilities with intuitive features to simplify the management of social networking and RSS feeds (Social Feeds) and provides integrated access to BBM, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and various instant messaging applications that are preinstalled on the BlackBerry Style smartphone.

BlackBerry 6 also integrates a new and rich WebKit-based browser that renders HTML Web pages (as well as HTML email) quickly and beautifully for a great browsing experience. It features tabs for accessing multiple sites simultaneously, mouse-like navigation with the optical trackpad and a zoom feature that intelligently auto-wraps text in a column, while maintaining the placement of a page's key elements for easy viewing and navigation.

Universal search allows users to search through email, messages, contacts, music, videos and more on the smartphone, as well as extend searches to the Internet or to discover applications on BlackBerry App World. The BlackBerry Style also includes a preinstalled YouTube app and Podcasts app.

Worry-Free Pricing

The BlackBerry Style smartphone will be available nationally on Oct. 31 for $99.99 (after a $100 mail-in rebate) with a new line or eligible upgrade and two-year service agreement with activation on a Sprint Business Advantage Messaging and Data plan or Everything plan with data. Sprint’s industry-leading Everything Data or Business Advantage Messaging and Data plans include unlimited Web, texting and calling on the Nationwide Sprint Network to every mobile in America with Any Mobile, AnytimeSM. Everything Data plans start at $69.99 per month (excluding taxes and surcharges).

With the Sprint Free Guarantee, customers can take advantage of the BlackBerry Style smartphone for 30 days. If not completely satisfied, customers may return the device within 30 days to get reimbursed for the device purchase and activation fee, get both the early termination and restocking fees waived, and receive a full refund for the monthly service plan charges.1

Sprint is also offering customers an opportunity to reserve the Steel Grey BlackBerry Style smartphone for purchase beginning Tuesday, Oct. 19, while supplies last. The Royal Purple BlackBerry Style smartphone will be available in November.

Customers can reserve their smartphone for purchase at www.sprint.com/bbstyle.  Customers who reserve the BlackBerry Style smartphone will be able to complete their purchase beginning Sunday, Oct. 31, and must complete their purchase no later than 6 p.m. local time on Monday, Nov. 1. Through the reservation process, customers will be able to reserve their new BlackBerry Style smartphone online, pick it up in a Sprint Store and receive the full retail experience, including Sprint’s Ready Now service.

Application developers will have a chance to learn more about BlackBerry 6 at Sprint’s 10th annual developer conference. The Sprint Open Developer Conference, Oct. 26-28 in Santa Clara, Calif., is open to all attendees and will feature information on developing applications for a range of platforms, including BlackBerry 6. Developers can register for the conference at http://developer.sprint.com/devcon2010.

Continue Reading →

Verizon Wireless and RIM launch a New Model of the popular BlackBerry Curve 3G Smartphone

 

  Verizon Wireless and Research In Motion (RIM) today announced a new 3G addition to the popular BlackBerry Curve family of smartphones. Running on the nation’s largest and most reliable wireless voice and 3G data network, the new BlackBerry Curve 3G smartphone (model 9330) will be available in business sales channels beginning Sept. 16. It will be available online at www.verizonwireless.com and in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores in the coming weeks.

The BlackBerry Curve 3G smartphone (model 9330) will be available in business sales channels on Sept. 16, and it will be available online and in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores in the coming weeks for $29.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement on a voice plan with an Email and Web feature or an Email and Web for BlackBerry plan. Data plans for the BlackBerry Curve 3G smartphone begin at $29.99 when added to any Nationwide voice plan. Customers will receive the mail-in rebate in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted.

Colors: Charcoal or Fuchsia Red

Key features and specifications:

• Stylish new design (4.3” x 2.4” x .55” and 3.7 oz.) with face finished in a mirror-like trim; black, soft-touch sides; and textured back for a comfortable, secure feel in the hand
• 35-key full QWERTY backlit keyboard for fast, accurate typing and optical trackpad for easy and fluid navigation
• Dedicated media keys integrated along the top of the smartphone, so music lovers can easily access their tunes while on the go
• BlackBerry Media Sync to easily sync music as well as photos with the smartphone
• 512 MB Flash memory and microSD/SDHC slot that supports up to 32 GB memory cards for media storage
• Built-in GPS with support for geo-tagging and location-based applications, including VZ Navigator, which provides audible turn-by-turn directions to millions of points of interest and the option to share the directions with others
• Built-in Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g) for fast browsing; smooth music streaming; and the ability to talk on the phone while browsing the Web, instant message with BBM (BlackBerry Messenger), and share location with friends on popular social networking sites
• Camera with video recording (requires a separately sold microSD card)
• Industry-leading BlackBerry e-mail and messaging capabilities
• Easy mobile access to Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and Flickr as well as popular instant messaging services
• Support for BlackBerry App World, featuring a broad and growing catalog of third-party mobile applications developed specifically for BlackBerry smartphones
• Premium phone features, including voice-activated dialing, speakerphone, and Bluetooth (2.1)

BlackBerry 6 ready:

  The BlackBerry Curve 3G smartphone ships with BlackBerry® 5 and is BlackBerry® 6 ready. BlackBerry 6 is a new operating system for BlackBerry® smartphones that retains the trusted features that distinguish the BlackBerry brand while delivering a fresh and engaging experience that is both powerful and easy to use.BlackBerry 6 is expected to be available for the BlackBerry Curve 3G, upon network certification, in the coming months.

Pricing and availability:

  The BlackBerry Curve 3G smartphone (model 9330) will be available in business sales channels on Sept. 16, and it will be available online and in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores in the coming weeks for $29.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement on a voice plan with an Email and Web feature or an Email and Web for BlackBerry plan. Data plans for the BlackBerry Curve 3G smartphone begin at $29.99 when added to any Nationwide voice plan. Customers will receive the mail-in rebate in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted.

For more information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com. Business customers can contact their Verizon Wireless Business Sales Representative at 1-800-VZW-4BIZ.

To learn more about the new BlackBerry Curve 3G smartphone, visit www.blackberry.com/curve3G. For more information about BlackBerry 6, go to www.blackberry.com/6.

Continue Reading →

BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 now Available for Download

Research In Motion (RIM) announced that the new BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 will be released for download today. You can check for updates via settings on your tablet. Read BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 features after the break.

BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 features:

• Integrated email client with a powerful unified inbox: With BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 you have the option to use a  unified inbox that consolidates all messages in one place, including messages from Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, as well as personal and work email accounts.
• Social Integration with Calendar and Contacts apps:  The built-in calendar harnesses information from social networks and makes it available where and when users need it.  Contact cards are also dynamically populated with updated information from Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to create a consolidated view of contacts.
• Updated BlackBerry Bridge app: BlackBerry Bridge is a unique app that provides a Bluetooth connection between your BlackBerry PlayBook and core apps on your BlackBerry smartphone (including BBM, Email, Contacts, Calendar and Browser) in order to let you view the content on the larger tablet display. With BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0, it’s easier and quicker than ever to take documents, web pages, emails and photos that appear on your BlackBerry smartphone and display them on your BlackBerry PlayBook for an optimized viewing and editing experience. The updated BlackBerry Bridge app also provides a new remote control feature that allows a BlackBerry smartphone to be used as a wireless keyboard and mouse for a BlackBerry PlayBook.
• Improved mobile productivity: Updated document editing functions, the new Print To Go app, and increased control and manageability of corporate data with BlackBerry Balance  allow you to get more out of your BlackBerry PlayBook every day. Plus, an updated virtual keyboard with auto correction and predictive next word completion learns how you type to enable faster, more accurate typing.
• New apps and content: Thousands of new apps are being added to BlackBerry App World today (including a range of Android apps that will run on the BlackBerry PlayBook). A new BlackBerry Video Store is launching today. Enhanced web browsing capabilities are also available with BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0.

In conjunction with the release of BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0, RIM is making available an initial release of BlackBerry Mobile Fusion that will include support for managing BlackBerry PlayBook tablets and BlackBerry smartphones in an enterprise. The full release of BlackBerry Mobile Fusion (with mobile device management capabilities for iOS and Android devices) is planned for general availability in late March 2012.

Continue Reading →

All-Touch BlackBerry Torch 9860 and Bold 9900 coming to AT&T on November 6th and Curve 9360 on November 20th

AT&T today announced the price and availability of the BlackBerry Bold 9900, the all-touch BlackBerry Torch 9860 and the BlackBerry Curve 9360.

BlackBerry Bold 9900

The new, premium BlackBerry Bold 9900 smartphone is distinguished by its iconic Bold design and delivers best-in-class productivity for people who want the industry's leading full QWERTY keyboard while enjoying the convenience of a touch screen. The thinnest BlackBerry smartphone ever at just 10.5 mm, the BlackBerry Bold 9900 boasts 4G speeds, a brilliant 2.8-inch touch screen, 1.2 GHz processor, Liquid Graphics technology, which delivers a highly responsive touch interface with incredibly fast and smooth graphics, 768 MB RAM, 8GB of onboard memory (that you can expand to a total of 40 GB with a 32 GB media card), HD video recording and dual-band Wi-Fi.

BlackBerry Torch 9860

The BlackBerry Torch 9860 smartphone is AT&T's first all-touch BlackBerry smartphone and delivers the largest screen on any BlackBerry. The 3.7-inch display makes your photos, videos, games and apps come to life in incredible detail for a rich multimedia experience. Similar to the BlackBerry Bold 9900, the all-touch Torch BlackBerry smartphone also boasts 4G speeds, a 1.2 GHz processor, Liquid Graphics technology, 768 MB RAM, and HD video recording.

BlackBerry Curve 9360

The new BlackBerry Curve 9360 smartphone is slim, stylish and ergonomically designed with a comfortable keyboard for fast, accurate typing and an optical trackpad for easy, one-handed navigation. The BlackBerry Curve 9360 features a 2.44-inch hi-resolution display and includes a 5MP camera with flash and video recording so that memories can be captured and instantly shared on social networks. Customers will welcome the increased productivity and enhanced user experience delivered by the faster processor, increased memory, and up to 2x the network speed of previous BlackBerry Curve models from AT&T. A non-camera version will also be available for purchase.

Price and Availability

The BlackBerry Bold 9900 will be available starting November 6th for $199.99 with a two-year contract online and in company-owned retail stores. The all-touch BlackBerry Torch 9860 will be available online the same day for $99.99 with a two-year contract. The BlackBerry Curve 9360 will be available for $29.99 with a two-year contract starting November 20th in company-owned retail stores and online. The BlackBerry Curve 9360 will be available to business and government customers on November 14 while the BlackBerry Bold 9900 and all-touch BlackBerry Torch 9860 will be available in those channels starting November 7th.

 

Continue Reading →

RIM Announces BlackBerry Mobile Fusion

Research In Motion (RIM) today introduced BlackBerry Mobile Fusion – next-generation enterprise mobility solution and RIM’s entry into the multi-platform Mobile Device Management (MDM) marketplace. BlackBerry Mobile Fusion will simplify the management of smartphones and tablets running BlackBerry, Google Android and Apple iOS operating systems.

RIM is the leading provider of enterprise mobility solutions with over 90 percent of the Fortune 500 provisioning BlackBerry devices today. The enterprise market for smartphones and tablets continues to grow in both the company-provisioned and employee-owned (Bring Your Own Device or BYOD) categories. BYOD in particular has led to an increase in the diversity of mobile devices in use in the enterprise and new challenges for CIOs and IT departments as they struggle to manage and control wireless access to confidential company information on the corporate network. This has resulted in increased demand for mobile device management solutions.

BlackBerry Mobile Fusion brings together the market-leading BlackBerry Enterprise Server (version 5.0.3) for BlackBerry smartphones; new management capabilities for BlackBerry PlayBook tablets built on BlackBerry Enterprise Server technology; and mobile device management for smartphones and tablets running Android and iOS operating systems.
BlackBerry Mobile Fusion will provide the following mobile device management capabilities for all supported mobile devices*:

• Asset management
• Configuration  management
• Security and policy definition and management
• Secure and protect lost or stolen devices (remote lock, wipe)
• User- and group-based administration
• Multiple device per user capable
• Application and software management
• Connectivity management (Wi-Fi, VPN, certificate)
• Centralized console
• High scalability

BlackBerry smartphones will continue to benefit from the many advantages of the end-to-end BlackBerry solution including the same advanced IT management, security and control available with BlackBerry Enterprise Server 5.0.3, which is part of BlackBerry Mobile Fusion. These advanced features include BlackBerry Balance technology supporting the use of a single device for both work and personal purposes without compromising the organization’s need to secure, manage and control confidential information; over 500 IT policies; over-the-air app and software installation and management; high availability; and much more. BlackBerry Mobile Fusion will also introduce new self-service functionality for employees to secure lost or stolen BlackBerry smartphones and BlackBerry PlayBook tablets.

BlackBerry Mobile Fusion is currently in early beta testing with select enterprise customers. RIM is now accepting customer nominations for the closed beta program which will start in January, and general availability is expected in late March.

Continue Reading →

RIM unveils BlackBerry Bold 9790 and BlackBerry Curve 9380

RIM today announced two new smartphones based on the BlackBerry 7 operating system (OS) – the BlackBerry Bold 9790 and BlackBerry Curve 9380.

BlackBerry Bold 9790 Smartphone with Touch Display and Keyboard

True to the BlackBerry Bold brand, the new BlackBerry Bold 9790 smartphone is powerful, full-featured and built with premium materials and finishes. It combines a high-resolution and highly responsive touch display with a highly tactile keyboard and a precise optical trackpad, but comes in a narrow design that is easy to carry and exceptionally comfortable to hold.  With the BlackBerry 7 OS and powerful 1 GHz processor, the BlackBerry Bold 9790 delivers fast, smooth performance for browsing the web, running apps, working with documents, and enjoying multimedia. It includes 8GB of onboard memory and an expandable memory card slot that supports up to 32 GB of additional storage.

All-Touch BlackBerry Curve 9380 Smartphone

The finely crafted BlackBerry Curve 9380 is the first all-touch smartphone in the BlackBerry Curve family. It features a highly responsive and brilliant 3.2” high resolution display and comes with preinstalled social networking apps, including BBM (BlackBerry Messenger), Facebook, Twitter and Social Feeds apps, that offer a fun, easy and smoothly integrated mobile experience. This compact and stylish handset also features a 5MP camera with flash and video recording, allowing users to easily capture and share their favorite moments with family, friends and colleagues.

The BlackBerry Bold 9790 and BlackBerry Curve 9380 smartphones will begin to be available from various carriers around the world over the coming weeks.

 

Continue Reading →

RIM Launches BlackBerry 10 Platform

Research in Motion (RIM) unveiled its vision for the BlackBerry 10 platform at the BlackBerry World conference in Orlando, Florida and released the initial developer toolkit for native and HTML5 software development which is available in beta as a free download.

The toolkit includes the BlackBerry 10 Native SDK with Cascades, which allows developers to create graphically rich, high performance native applications in C/C++ using Qt. The Native SDK for BlackBerry 10 has a rich set of APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) that give developers access to core device features and a range of BlackBerry application services, such as Push and Payment services. Cascades is a powerful native application development toolset that allows developers to easily build visually stunning applications without having to write complex, low-level graphics code.

The toolkit also includes support for HTML5 application developers with the BlackBerry 10 WebWorks SDK, allowing them to create native-like applications using common web programming technologies. The BlackBerry 10 WebWorks SDK allows developers to use HTML5 and CSS for building apps and provides JavaScript bindings to native device APIs along with RIM’s open source UI toolkit, bbUI.js, to create applications with native-like capabilities. In this initial release of the BlackBerry 10 WebWorks SDK, developers have access to a core subset of the full WebWorks APIs, including Identity, Application and App events, System and system events.

Applications created with any of the BlackBerry 10 tools will run on BlackBerry 10 smartphones as well as BlackBerry PlayBook tablets when the new platform becomes available for the PlayBook. All of the SDKs will be updated to give developers access to more of the BlackBerry 10 unique capabilities over the coming months.

Download (free)

NDK for BlackBerry 10 | The BlackBerry 10 WebWorks SDK

 

Source:- BlackBerry Developer

Continue Reading →

RIM to Host BlackBerry World Conference form May 3-5

Research In Motion (RIM)  will host the BlackBerry World conference from May 3-5, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. BlackBerry World delivers the latest information surrounding the BlackBerry platform to business leaders, IT professionals, BlackBerry Channel Partners, software vendors and solution providers.

Over 150 sponsors from across the industry are expected to be on hand to demonstrate and discuss their products and services within the Solutions Showcase. BlackBerry World attendees will also have opportunities to gain valuable hands-on experience with the latest BlackBerry products, including the new BlackBerry PlayBook tablet.

The BlackBerry Alliance Summit will also be held in advance of BlackBerry World on Monday May 2, 2011 and is an exclusive event for BlackBerry Alliance Members.  BlackBerry Alliance Members will receive updates on the BlackBerry platform, and will have the opportunity to connect with RIM business development teams. BlackBerry Alliance Members include ISVs, content providers, developers, system integrators, hosters, professional services providers, and platform partners.

BlackBerry World

 

Continue Reading →

BlackBerry Curve 9370 coming to Verizon on January 19

Verizon Wireless today announced the new BlackBerry Curve 9370 smartphone will be available in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online on January 19.

The slim and stylish BlackBerry Curve 9370 delivers the ultimate mobile communications and social experiences with a highly refined and integrated suite of phone, email, messaging and social apps to keep users connected and productive throughout the day. It is ergonomically designed with a comfortable and iconic keyboard for fast, accurate typing and an optical trackpad for easy, one-handed navigation.

The new BlackBerry Curve 9370 is also the first Global Ready  BlackBerry Curve for Verizon Wireless. Running on the Verizon Wireless 3G network and powered by the new BlackBerry 7 operating system, customers will experience features such as the newest release of BBM (BlackBerry Messenger version 6) and an updated Social Feeds app. The premium version of Documents To Go is also included at no additional cost, offering customers enhanced document editing features as well as a native PDF document viewer.

Additional features:

• 3G coverage on the nation’s most reliable network
• Global Ready – Quad-band with support for GSM, GPRS and EDGE, allowing customers to enjoy wireless voice and data service in more than 200 countries
• Support for Near Field Communications (NFC), enables many capabilities, including the ability to pair accessories or read SmartPoster tags with a simple tap of the smartphone
• 5-megapixel camera with flash
• 2.44-inch display
• Wi-Fi b/g/n
• Bluetooth 2.1
• GPS
• microSD card slot with support for up to 32 GB cards
• 2 GB microSD card pre-installed

Pricing and availability:

• BlackBerry Curve 9370 smartphone will be available for $99.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement. Customers will receive the rebate in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted.
• Customers that purchase a BlackBerry Curve 9370 smartphone will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk plan beginning at $39.99 monthly access and a smartphone data package starting at $30 monthly access for 2 GB of data.

BlackBerry 7.1 Update

BlackBerry 7.1 will soon be available for the BlackBerry Bold 9930 smartphone and the BlackBerry Torch 9850 smartphone. Customers will be able to take advantage of mobile hotspot capabilities on both smartphones. Customers will be able to share their 3G connection with up to 5 Wi-Fi enabled devices. The BlackBerry Curve 9370 will also be upgraded to 7.1 in an upcoming software update.

 

Continue Reading →

Mobile Payment Debut Nationally at Starbucks

Starbucks announced the launch of mobile payment in all U.S. company-operated stores, allowing customers to pay for in-store purchases with select smartphones. Building on the earlier introduction of Starbucks Card Mobile App for select BlackBerry smartphones, iPhone and iPod touch and a successful mobile payment test program, customers now have access to the largest mobile payment program in the U.S and the fastest way to pay at Starbucks. This national program now includes nearly 6,800 company-operated stores and more than 1,000 Starbucks in U.S. Target locations.

In addition to engaging a loyal base of several million cardholders with the offering, Starbucks anticipates mobile payment will be a draw for customers looking to experience the speed, ease and convenience of paying with their mobile phone. "Today, one in five Starbucks transactions is made using a Starbucks Card and mobile payment will extend the way our customers experience and use their Starbucks Card," said Brady Brewer, vice president Starbucks Card and Brand Loyalty. "With mobile payment, the Starbucks Card platform further elevates the customer experience by delivering convenience, rewarding loyalty and continuing to build an emotional connection with our customers."

To experience mobile payment at Starbucks, customers just need to download the free Starbucks Card Mobile App for select BlackBerry smartphones, iPhone or iPod touch mobile devices. More than one-third of U.S. Starbucks customers use smartphones, of which nearly three quarters use BlackBerry smartphone or iPhone mobile devices. In addition to the mobile payment capability, the app allows customers to manage their Starbucks Card account, check their card balance, reload their card with any major credit card (iPhone users can also use the PayPal feature), check their My Starbucks Rewards status and find a nearby Starbucks store with the store locator feature.

Customers can pay with their smartphone by holding their mobile device in front of a scanner on the countertop and scan the Starbucks Card Mobile App's on-screen barcode to make a purchase. Customers have successfully adopted this technology in test markets in Seattle, Northern California, New York and more than 1,000 Starbucks in U.S. Target stores.

Mobile payment is built on the Starbucks Card platform, which continues to experience significant customer adoption. Customers loaded more than $1.5 billion on Starbucks Cards in 2010, an increase of 21 percent over 2009, driven in part by the My Starbucks Rewards program which provides benefits to customers who pay with a registered Starbucks Card at participating stores. With the introduction of the quick and easy Starbucks Card Mobile App and the mobile payment feature, customer will find yet another reason to use their Starbucks Card for payment.

To download the Starbucks Card Mobile App and check out mobile payment, BlackBerry smartphone users can text the word "GO" to 70845 or visit http://www.starbucks.com/coffeehouse/mobile-apps/starbucks-card-mobile-bb from their device (Standard message and data rates apply.). It's available for a variety of BlackBerry smartphones including BlackBerry 8800 series; BlackBerry Bold series; BlackBerry Curve series; BlackBerry Storm; BlackBerry Storm2 and BlackBerry Tour.

iPhone and iPod touch users can download the app from the App Store at www.itunes.com/appstore/.

Visit www.starbucks.com/coffeehouse/mobile-apps for more information about the Starbucks Card Mobile app and payment system for select BlackBerry smartphones and Apple iPhone, iPod touch.

Continue Reading →

BlackBerry PlayBook to get Video Chat and Facebook Apps in May

Research In Motion (RIM) today announced the availability of the BlackBerry PlayBook Video Chat and Facebook application.

Video Chat application - an easy and fun way for friends and family to place and receive video calls between BlackBerry PlayBook tablets over an internet connected Wi-Fi network.

Key features of the PlayBook Video Chat application include:

• One-Click Video and Voice over Wi-Fi Calls
• Incoming Call Notifications
• Powerful In-Call Functions.
• Friends List

The BlackBerry PlayBook Video Chat application is expected to be available on May 3 and will be distributed to existing BlackBerry PlayBook customers through an over-the-air software update and will also be available on BlackBerry App World

Facebook for BlackBerry PlayBook -- a new app that delivers popular features of Facebook, optimized for the 7" high resolution, multi-touch LCD display of the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet.

Key Features of Facebook Apps for BlackBerry PlayBook

• View and add Friends
• Enjoy seamless photo and video viewing
• Connect with friends using Facebook Chat
• View and interact with the News Feed

The Facebook for BlackBerry PlayBook application is expected to be available on BlackBerry App World in May.

Continue Reading →

BlackBerry 4G PlayBook Coming to the Sprint 4G

Research In Motion (RIM) and Sprint today announced plans to launch a new BlackBerry PlayBook tablet model featuring connectivity to the blazingly fast Sprint 4G network. The BlackBerry 4G PlayBook will be the first BlackBerry PlayBook model to include wide area wireless connectivity, featuring Sprint 4G to give customers download speeds up to 10 times faster than 3G. This new 4G model is expected to be available from Sprint in the summer.

The BlackBerry 4G PlayBook is a professional‐grade tablet that's set to redefine the possibilities of mobile computing, giving users an ultra‐portable design with industry leading performance, uncompromised web browsing, true multitasking and HD multimedia, as well as advanced security features and out‐of‐the‐box enterprise support. Together, the BlackBerry 4G PlayBook and the Sprint 4G network will provide a high performance platform that will enable a mobile services revolution for both application developers and customers.

In addition to Wi‐Fi support, the BlackBerry 4G PlayBook features a 1 GHz dual‐core processor, 1 GB of RAM and the new BlackBerry Tablet OS. The ultra portable, ultra thin tablet will offer an uncompromised, high‐fidelity web experience with support for Adobe Flash Player 10.1, Adobe Mobile AIR and HTML‐5 enabling customers to enjoy all of the sites, games, media and richness of the full Internet, delivered at 4G speeds.

For more information about the BlackBerry 4G PlayBook, visit
www.blackberry.com/playbook or www.sprint.com/4Gplaybook.

 

Continue Reading →

BlackBerry 7 and 7.1 OS Achieve FIPS 140-2 Certification

RIM today announced that BlackBerry smartphones running on the powerful new BlackBerry 7 and BlackBerry 7.1 Operating Systems (OS) have been awarded FIPS 140-2 certification by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Communications Security Establishment Canada (CSEC). FIPS (Federal Information Processing Standard) 140-2 is recognized by the U.S. and Canadian governments and is required under the Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002 (FISMA).

All BlackBerry smartphones running BlackBerry 7 and BlackBerry 7.1 benefit from this certification, including the BlackBerry Bold 9900, 9930 and 9790, BlackBerry Torch 9850, 9860 and 9810, and BlackBerry Curve 9350, 9360, 9370 and 9380

Continue Reading →

Thorsten Heins, RIM's new President and CEO

The Board of Directors of BlackBerry maker Research In Motion (RIM) today officially named Thorsten Heins as President and Chief Executive Officer. Read the full press release from RIM after the break.

The Board of Directors of BlackBerry maker Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced that, acting on the recommendation of its Co-Chief Executive Officers to implement the succession plan they previously submitted to the Board, it has unanimously named Thorsten Heins as President and Chief Executive Officer.  Mr. Heins was also appointed to RIM’s Board. The Board acted after conducting its own due diligence. Both appointments are effective immediately.

Mike Lazaridis, former Co-Chair and Co-CEO, has become Vice Chair of RIM’s Board and Chair of the Board’s new Innovation Committee. As Vice Chair, he will work closely with Mr. Heins to offer strategic counsel, provide a smooth transition and continue to promote the BlackBerry brand worldwide.

Mr. Heins said he looks forward to continuing to work with Mr. Lazaridis, globally recognized as a technology pioneer. He said, “Mike created a whole new way of communicating and I look forward to continuing our close collaboration.”

On the transition to CEO by Mr. Heins, Mr. Lazaridis said, “There comes a time in the growth of every successful company when the founders recognize the need to pass the baton to new leadership. Jim and I went to the Board and told them that we thought that time was now.  With BlackBerry 7 now out, PlayBook 2.0 shipping in February and BlackBerry 10 expected to ship later this year, the company is entering a new phase, and we felt it was time for a new leader to take it through that phase and beyond.  Jim, the Board and I all agreed that leader should be Thorsten Heins.”

Jim Balsillie remains a member of the Board. “I agree this is the right time to pass the baton to new leadership, and I have complete confidence in Thorsten, the management team and the company,” he said. “I remain a significant shareholder and a Director and, of course, they will have my full support.”

Mr. Lazaridis said that he decided to move from Co-Chair to Vice Chair of the Board in order to return the public’s focus to what is most important: “the great company we have built, its iconic products, global brand and its talented employees.” 
Mr. Lazaridis added, “Thorsten has demonstrated throughout his tenure at RIM that he has the right mix of leadership, relevant industry experience and skills to take the company forward.  We have been impressed with his operational skills at both RIM and Siemens.  I am so confident in RIM’s future that I intend to purchase an additional $50 million of the company’s shares, as permitted, in the open market.”

Mr. Heins said he believes that RIM has tremendous potential.  He joined RIM from Siemens Communications Group in December 2007 as Senior Vice President for Hardware Engineering and became Chief Operating Officer for Product and Sales in August 2011.

“Mike and Jim took a bold step 18 months ago when RIM purchased QNX to shepherd the transformation of the BlackBerry platform for the next decade,” Mr. Heins said.  “We are more confident than ever that was the right path. It is Mike and Jim’s continued unwillingness to sacrifice long-term value for short-term gain which has made RIM the great company that it is today.  I share that philosophy and am very excited about the company’s future.”

Mr. Heins said that RIM has a strong foundation on which to build. “We have a strong balance sheet with approximately $1.5 billion in cash at the end of the last quarter and negligible debt.  We reported revenue of $5.2 billion in our last quarter, up 24% from the prior quarter, and a 35% year-to-year increase in the BlackBerry subscriber base, which is now over 75 million.”

Mr. Heins said, “BlackBerry 7 has been well received.  We are very excited about PlayBook 2.0 and BlackBerry 10.  The reception of our products at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show was encouraging.”

He continued, “RIM earned its reputation by focusing relentlessly on the customer and delivering unique mobile communications solutions. We intend to build on this heritage to expand BlackBerry’s leadership position.”

Mr. Heins said that RIM has grown quickly. “As with any company that has grown as fast as we have, there have been inevitable growing pains,” he said. “We have learned from those challenges and, I believe, we have and will become a stronger company as a result.

“Going forward, we will continue to focus both on short-term and long-term growth, strategic planning, a customer- and market-based product approach, and flawless execution. We are in the process of recruiting a new Chief Marketing Officer to work closely with our product and sales teams to deliver the most compelling products and services.”

Barbara Stymiest, who formerly served as a member of Royal Bank of Canada’s Group Executive and has been a member of RIM’s Board since 2007, has been named the independent Board Chair. John Richardson, formerly Lead Director, will remain on the Board.  Prem Watsa, Chief Executive Officer of Fairfax Financial Holdings, also was named to the Board, expanding it to 11 members.

Speaking on behalf of the Board, Ms. Stymiest said:  “We believe that Thorsten is the right executive to succeed Mike and Jim.  He has 27 years of telecommunications experience, including four years at RIM in senior management positions.  As a Board, we have been impressed with his outstanding management skills, his leadership and his accomplishments within the company.”

Ms. Stymiest also expressed the Board’s respect and admiration for Messrs. Lazaridis and Balsillie, the company they built, and the steps they have taken to position RIM for the future.

“They created RIM, nurtured it, and in the process not only built an iconic brand, but literally pioneered the smartphone industry,” she said.  “It is Canada’s largest tech company and one of the largest in the world.”

About Thorsten Heins

Thorsten Heins, 54, is a respected business leader with 27 years of broad experience and expertise in wireless networks and consumer electronics devices. Mr. Heins has a global reputation for his organizational and leadership skills and his ability to build successful organizations that deliver on their commitments. Prior to today’s announcement, Mr. Heins was one of RIM’s two Chief Operating Officers and, before that, Senior Vice President for the Handheld Business Unit.  He played key roles in the creation of RIM’s product portfolio. Mr. Heins came to RIM in December 2007 from the industrial conglomerate Siemens AG.  He joined Siemens in 1984 after graduating from the University of Hannover in his native Germany.  At Siemens, Mr. Heins rose through the ranks of R&D customer service, sales and product management positions.  After serving as Chief Executive Officer of various business divisions in the communication business, Mr. Heins moved to Chief Technology Officer and member of the Group Board of the Siemens Communications Group. He came to RIM after being impressed by the level of innovation displayed by founders Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie. Mr. Heins is married with a daughter and a son. Away from RIM, he is usually outdoors bicycling, motorcycling, skiing or hiking.

About Barbara Stymiest

Barbara Stymiest has served as a director of RIM since March 2007.  She has an HBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business, University of Western Ontario, and an FCA from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario.  Ms. Stymiest joined Royal Bank of Canada in 2004, where she served as a member of RBC’s Group Executive, which is responsible for the overall strategic direction of the company.  Prior to that, she held positions as Chief Executive Officer at TSX Group Inc., Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer at BMO Nesbitt Burns and Partner of Ernst & Young LLP.  Ms. Stymiest is currently a Director of George Weston Limited, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, the Royal Ontario Museum.

About Prem Watsa

Prem Watsa is the Chairman of the Board of Directors and the Chief Executive Officer of Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited, a financial services holding company whose corporate objective is to achieve a high rate of return on invested capital and build long-term shareholder value, since 1985. He is also Vice President of Hamblin Watsa Investment Counsel Ltd. since 1985. Mr. Watsa formerly served as Vice President of GW Asset Management from 1983 to 1984 and in various positions, ultimately as a Vice President, with Confederation Life Investment Counsel from 1974 to 1983.

Continue Reading →

Chit Chat for Facebook now available for the BlackBerry

Chit Chat for Facebook is one of the most widely used Facebook IM app which lets lets you communicate with other Facebook chat users and now BlackBerry users can use Chit Chat for Facebook on their BlackBerry.

I’ve not tried this app, so I can’t say more about this app but looking at the UI in screenshot, I can say it is simple and easy to use app and the best part is, it support BlackBerry OS 4, 5 and 6--so, their is a bright chances that it supports your BlackBerry. If you’re very addicted to facebook (which I’m not), you definitely need to try this app which is available for $1.99.

Supported Blackberry models: 9780, 9700, 9650, 9520, 9550, 9530, 9500, 9000, 8530, 8520, 8900, 8800, 8820, 8330, 8320, 8330, 8320, 8220, 8100, 8110, 8120, 8130

Source:-BlackBerry Chit Chat

 

Continue Reading →

Boost Mobile to Unveil New Unlimited BBM, Talk and Text No-Contract Plan for BlackBerry Curve 9310

Boost Mobile, to introduce industry first, BBM Unlimited, which features worldwide unlimited access to BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) and talk and text with payments that shrink to as low as $30 a month, this offer is available beginning on July 10 exclusively with the BlackBerry Curve 9310 smartphone, which is launching the same day for $99.99 (excluding taxes).

Similar to other monthly unlimited plans offered by Boost Mobile, the $45 BBM Unlimited plan provides customers the opportunity to be rewarded for simply making on-time payments. For every six on-time payments, customers will see their monthly payment shrink by $5, eventually getting down to as low as $30 a month for unlimited nationwide talk and text and worldwide BBM access. Payments do not need to be consecutive to qualify for these saving milestones.

Messaging on BlackBerry Curve 9310 is made easy with a full QWERTY keyboard and optical trackpad. In addition to real-time chat with BBM, customers can share large multimedia files (up to 6MB), including pictures, voice notes, calendar entries and locations. The smartphone is also Wi-Fi enabled, giving users the opportunity to enjoy unlimited data.

BlackBerry Curve 9310 features:

• Dedicated BlackBerry Messenger key
• Text and email (supports Yahoo!, Gmail and Hotmail)
• 3.2MP camera with flash
• Speedy Web browsing
• BlackBerry 7.1 OS
• Access to thousands of apps and games on BlackBerry App World
• Easy Access to Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, YouTube and more
• Stereo Bluetooth support
• Wi-Fi and GPS enabled
• Built-in FM radio
• Great battery life (up to eight hours talk time or 18 days standby; up to 70 hours of music playback with headphones)

BlackBerry Curve 9310 will be available at Boost Mobile exclusive retail stores, select independent wireless dealer locations nationwide and at www.boostmobile.com with free shipping. It will also be available at select Best Buy locations next month.

Continue Reading →