Mobility Phones - Mobile Phones

“Research In Motion’s BlackBerry doesn’t make anyone’s list of top-selling cell phones.”

Research In Motion (RIM) today announced plans to launch a new annual developer conference. The BlackBerry Developer Conference will provide commercial and corporate developers from around the world with opportunities to advance their skills and knowledge in building powerful, world-class applications on the market-leading BlackBerry platform. The BlackBerry Developer Conference is planned for the week of October 20, 2008 in Santa Clara, California.”Based on growing demand from the BlackBerry development community, we are very pleased to announce a new conference focused on developing consumer and business applications for the BlackBerry platform,” said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO at RIM. “The new annual BlackBerry Developer Conference in the fall will complement the successful Wireless Enterprise Symposium held each spring and will provide a dedicated forum to help developers keep pace with advances in the latest hardware, software, tools and best practices for developing on the BlackBerry platform.”

The BlackBerry Developer Conference will feature keynote presentations by thought leaders and innovators in mobile technologies, general sessions, roundtable discussions, hands-on workshops, networking opportunities and exhibits, enabling a broad range of developers, from novices to seasoned experts, to learn more about developing applications and services for the BlackBerry platform.

Topics planned for this year’s conference include:

- Building Powerful Enterprise Applications on the BlackBerry Platform - It has never been easier for corporate developers to extend business systems to the mobile workforce. Participants can learn about the latest tools, techniques and frameworks for building native, integrated BlackBerry smartphone applications that leverage the security, manageability and push-based features of the BlackBerry platform.

- Creating Captivating Applications & Services for Consumers - With growing interest in consumer applications for BlackBerry smartphones, the BlackBerry Developer Conference will help participants learn best practices for building media-rich, easy-to-use, lifestyle applications.

- Latest Development Tools - Find out what’s new with the latest releases of the BlackBerry Java Development Environment (JDE), BlackBerry JDE Plug-in for Eclipse, BlackBerry Plug-in for Microsoft Visual Studio, and BlackBerry MDS Studio. Get hands-on training and learn about the most recent advancements in BlackBerry and Java APIs, and simulation and testing tools.

- Rich Internet Application Development - Learn about the latest advancements in developing Rich Internet Applications (RIA) for BlackBerry smartphones and how to take advantage of AJAX, streaming video, SVG, GPS, and other advanced features of the BlackBerry Browser.

- Integrating Location-Based Services - Learn about the possibilities for integrating location data with web-based and native BlackBerry applications.

For updates and more information about the new BlackBerry Developer Conference, including upcoming details on how to register, visit www.blackberrydeveloperconference.com.

Visit www.blackberry.com/developers for the latest news, information and updates for BlackBerry developers. Also, visit the new BlackBerry Developer Video Library at www.blackberry.com/go/developervideolibrary to view a variety of instructional videos.

For customers seeking a smartphone that makes a bold statement, Research In Motion (RIM) today introduced the admirable BlackBerry Bold smartphone. Crafted from premium materials, inside and out, that radiate elegance with a dramatic presence, the BlackBerry Bold is designed to give business professionals and power users unprecedented functionality and performance in an intuitive BlackBerry smartphone. It is the first BlackBerry smartphone to support tri-band HSDPA high-speed networks around the world and comes with integrated GPS and Wi-Fi, as well as a rich set of multimedia capabilities. From its lustrous black exterior, satin chrome finished frame and stylish leather-like backplate, to its stunning display, sophisticated user interface and newly designed full-QWERTY keyboard, the BlackBerry Bold smartphone is a symbol of accomplishment and aspiration.SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE

The BlackBerry Bold smartphone’s support for tri-band HSDPA and enterprise-grade Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g) networks and its next-generation 624 MHz mobile processor make short work of downloading email attachments, streaming video or rendering web pages. The BlackBerry Bold also includes 128 MB Flash memory plus 1 GB on-board storage memory, as well as and a microSD/SDHC memory card slot that is conveniently accessible from a side door. It comes with the renowned BlackBerry productivity applications, including phone, email, messaging, organizer and browser, and works with thousands of mobile business and lifestyle applications, making it easier than ever to stay connected, productive and entertained. With this powerful new smartphone, users can even talk on the phone while sending and receiving email or accessing the web, and download Word, Excel or PowerPoint files and edit them directly on the handset using the preloaded DataViz Documents to Go suite.

STUNNING DISPLAY

The BlackBerry Bold smartphone comes with the most vivid and bold display ever introduced on a BlackBerry smartphone. Its half-VGA (480×320 resolution) color LCD is fused to the undersurface of the lens, making images leap out with stunning definition and clarity. Pictures are vibrant and razor sharp, while videos play smoothly and web pages, documents, presentations and messages snap with exceptional quality and contrast.

DESKTOP-STYLE WEB PAGES

With its newly enhanced, high performance browser and high-resolution, ultra-bright display, the BlackBerry Bold smartphone gives users an on-the-go web browsing experience with desktop-style depiction. The trackball mimics a mouse, making it easy to navigate sites in “Page View” or “Column View” or to zoom in on specific parts of a web page, while various emulation settings allow users to choose between the full desktop-style HTML content and layout or the mobile version. Attachments can also now be downloaded from within the browser and there is support for watching streaming videos (RTSP - real-time streaming protocol).

RICH MULTIMEDIA

While it is designed to meet the extensive requirements of the business professional during the day, the BlackBerry Bold smartphone also caters to the business person’s consumer side during evenings and weekends. It features a 2 megapixel camera with video recording capability, built-in flash and 5x digital zoom. The enhanced media player can display pictures and slideshows quickly, play movies smoothly in full screen mode, and manage an entire music collection. Audio can be played over the handset’s dual speakers in rich, stereo sound, and when using wired headphones or external speakers, the media player gives the user an equalizer with 11 preset filters — like “Lounge”, “Jazz” and “Hip Hop” — that boost or soften audio ranges to create the perfect ambiance.

For managing music and video, the BlackBerry Desktop Manager software includes Roxio Media Manager for BlackBerry as well as Roxio Photosuite 9 LE, which makes it easy to enhance pictures and create photo albums on the computer. For users that manage their collection with iTunes, the new BlackBerry Media Sync application provides a simple way to sync iTunes digital music collections with the smartphone***. Support for High Speed USB 2.0 allows all files to be transferred quickly from a desktop computer to the BlackBerry Bold smartphone.

POWERFUL WI-FI & GPS

For even broader high-speed network coverage, the BlackBerry Bold smartphone supports the 802.11 a/b/g Wi-Fi standards, ideal for use in enterprise or campus wireless LAN deployments, over Wi-Fi hotspots and on wireless home networks. A new “Push Button Setup” is included, making it faster for users to connect to protected wireless networks that require a sign on process.

Through its integrated GPS, the BlackBerry Bold smartphone can pinpoint its exact location, supporting applications like BlackBerry Maps and other location-based applications or services. With its improved rendering capabilities, faster download speeds and ability to support simultaneous voice and data, the BlackBerry Bold smartphone even allows users to navigate while on a call.

FIRST CLASS PHONE

The BlackBerry Bold smartphone features a new acoustic design that increases the size of the phone’s audio sweet spot, improving listening quality and clarity. It also comes with numerous premium phone features including Speaker Independent Voice Recognition (SIVR) for Voice Activated Dialing (VAD), Bluetooth 2.0, with support for hands-free headsets, stereo headsets, car kits (including car kits that adhere to the Bluetooth Remote SIM Access Profile) and other Bluetooth peripherals. It is a quad-band EDGE and tri-band HSDPA handset that supports global roaming**** and features dedicated ’send’, ‘end’, and ‘mute’ keys, smart dialing, speed dialing, conference calling and call forwarding. It also features noise cancellation technology that offsets background noise, a powerful speaker phone and support for polyphonic, mp3 and MIDI ring tones.

ROBUST EMAIL & MESSAGING

Like all BlackBerry smartphones, the BlackBerry Bold gives users the industry’s leading mobile messaging solution. It works with BlackBerry Enterprise Server, which enables advanced security and IT administration within IBM Lotus Domino, Microsoft Exchange and Novell GroupWise environments, as well as BlackBerry Professional Software for small businesses. It also works with BlackBerry Internet Service, which gives users access to up to 10 work or personal email accounts (including most popular ISP email accounts), and the BlackBerry Unite! software for SOHO and home users.

CONVENIENT ACCESSORIES

The BlackBerry Bold smartphone comes with a variety of convenient accessories including a stereo headset, travel charger, carrying case or sleeve and USB cable. Users will also be able to personalize their BlackBerry Bold smartphone by purchasing replaceable leather-like backplates that come in a range of colors. The removable / rechargeable 1500 mAhr battery provides multi-hour usage with a target talk time of approximately 5 hours and 13 days standby time.

Accessories for BlackBerry smartphones, including leather holsters and totes, charging pods, premium earphones, the BlackBerry Remote Stereo Gateway and Bluetooth headsets, are available through retail outlets or online at: www.shopblackberry.com.

AVAILABILITY

The BlackBerry Bold smartphone (model number: 9000) is scheduled to be available from wireless carriers around the world beginning this summer.

* Keyboard also available in AZERTY and QWERTZ configurations to support different language groups.

** MicroSD/SDHC memory cards are available today in configurations of up to 8GB and the BlackBerry Bold is expected to support upcoming 16GB microSD/SDHC cards.

*** Certain music files may not be supported, including files that contain digital rights management technologies.

**** Check with service provider for roaming services.

AT&T Inc. and Research in Motion announced today the availability of BlackBerry Professional Software for AT&T’s small business customers, which provides a wireless communications and collaboration solution with advanced security features designed specifically for small and midsize companies.BlackBerry Professional Software is a logical and intuitive wireless communications and collaboration solution that provides small business-focused features, security performance and support options in an easy-to-use solution, supporting up to 30 wireless users. It enables wireless access to e-mail, calendar, contacts, business data and Internet access while helping owners and office managers focus on running their business. This new solution helps them to respond quickly to their customers and provides employees with the ability to accomplish more each day by using their BlackBerry smartphones from AT&T.

“BlackBerry Professional Software will allow our small business customers to more easily afford and implement BlackBerry service so that they have many of the controls and security features and the productivity benefits of staying connected that large business customers enjoy,” said Michael Woodward, AT&T vice president, Business Voice/Data and Wireless Products. AT&T is the world’s largest BlackBerry service provider.

BlackBerry Professional Software provides a simplified installation process and the full suite of advanced security features and IT policies that come with the BlackBerry Enterprise Server software, such as sophisticated end-to-end encryption to protect communications and information — but with simplified administration. With pre-defined IT policies, it is also easy to control content protection strength from content on the handset, owner-information settings, password use, password complexity, timeouts and more. A lost or stolen smartphone can be locked down, and proprietary business information can be erased immediately.

BlackBerry Professional Software also provides control over the company’s BlackBerry smartphones, allowing the owner or office manager to limit certain features on an employee’s smartphone, and the solution enables data to be backed up wirelessly. Changes to control settings can occur in seconds as IT policies are “pushed” to the smartphone over the air.

BlackBerry Professional Software is designed to be logical, intuitive and straightforward, so a small business owner or office manager can install it easily on an existing e-mail server (IBM Lotus Domino, Microsoft Windows Small Business Server or Microsoft Exchange). A pre-install assistant streamlines the simple installation process, and configuration is automatic. Controlling security and device-management functions, such as the examples cited above, is quickly and easily accomplished through wizards and quick links.

If a small business grows beyond 30 users, the BlackBerry Professional Software solution can be upgraded to BlackBerry Enterprise Server, and the BlackBerry Professional Software Client Access Licenses (CALs) can be used with the BlackBerry Enterprise Server.

AT&T’s small business customers can rely on the BlackBerry Professional Software to grow with their business at home. They can also rely on AT&T’s industry-best wireless international footprint to keep them connected on their BlackBerry smartphones, with voice calling in more than 200 countries and wireless e-mail and Internet access in more than 145 countries.

PRICING AND AVAILABILITY

The BlackBerry Professional Software package that supports five wireless users out of the box is priced at $499, with a 10-user version priced at $849. These packages include the server software along with CALs. Additional CALs can be purchased individually, in five-packs and in 10-packs to grow the deployment as the small business grows. Special introductory promotional pricing for software and CALs, as well as a large portfolio of BlackBerry smartphones, is available through AT&T’s small business account representatives or the Key Contact Center at 866-768-8406.

BlackBerry small business customers also can take advantage of AT&T’s new BusinessTalk voice plans, which start at $60 a month for five users and 700 Anytime Minutes and can be expanded for $9.99 a line to accommodate up to 40 users and 20,000 Anytime Minutes. Companies may choose BusinessTalk with either unlimited Mobile to Mobile or Push To Talk features.

Jott Networks, a voice-to-text service offering mobile professionals simple organization and communications solutions, today announced the ability to reply to emails using its voice-to- text technology on BlackBerry smartphones from Research In Motion (RIM). The new application offers mobile professionals a fast, easy way to verbally reply to email messages.BlackBerry smartphone customers with Jott accounts can download a small application file from the Jott.com website by pointing the BlackBerry Browser to www.jott.com/bb. Once the application has been successfully installed, “Reply with Jott” will appear in the full email reply menu. When ready, the customer selects “Reply with Jott” and simply speaks his or her message. The reply is converted to text by Jott, and is then seamlessly integrated into the email and sent to the intended recipient(s). Jott for BlackBerry is currently in free Beta and available for BlackBerry 8800, BlackBerry Curve(TM) and BlackBerry Pearl(TM) Series smartphones. Jott.com currently works with all major mobile carriers in the U.S. and Canada.

Jott Networks CEO John Pollard commented, “Staying on top of email is beneficial for people on the move. Reply with Jott can dramatically increase the speed and richness of replying to email, and frees up time for other things. Reply with Jott is consistent with our goal to provide mobile professionals with simple organization and communications solutions that fit within their workflow.”

As global competition increases, the need for speed and productivity in business continues to grow. Reply with Jott allows for quick and comprehensive replies. Reply with Jott enables mobile professionals to accomplish more in less time.

Nokia has been ranked at the top of the latest Vendor Matrix released by ABI Research.Research in Motion (RIM) and Samsung claimed the second and third spots in the company’s most recent evaluation of worldwide smartphone vendors.

Vice president and research director Stuart Carlaw comments, “Nokia’s commitment to driving smart OS into a wider range of devices, and the success of its N series devices, especially the N95, gives it a huge market presence. Looking to the future, this segment will become increasingly crowded as Linux-based new entrants try to erode Nokia’s position.”

The Vendor Matrix is an analytical tool developed by ABI Research to provide a clear understanding of vendors’ positions in specific markets.

Vendors are assessed by ABI Research on the important parameters of “innovation” and “implementation” across several criteria unique to each vendor matrix, such as customer wins, contract awards, global reach, market share, patents, R&D spending, time to market, and first movers, among others.

For this particular matrix, under “innovation,” ABI Research examined user interface customization, handset differentiation, patent portfolio, battery life, handset size, support for third party application developers, the presence of a common and concise API, and operating system source code licenses.

Under “implementation,” ABI Research scrutinized the following criteria: smartphone shipments, brand equity, the number of smartphone models in the range, choice of OS, the company’s first-to-market status, its smartphone market share, its smartphone average selling prices (ASP), its distribution network, operator relationships, manufacturing facilities, ODM partnerships, overall handset ASP, and overall handset market share.

3G Americas, a wireless trade association, will host the HSPA Mobile Broadband Pavilion at CTIA, April 1-3, 2008, in the Las Vegas Convention Center with the participation of 19 other companies. Pavilion guests will see, feel and experience true mobile broadband services and applications on a broad variety of HSPA devices and learn about the evolution path to LTE. HSDPA is the leading mobile broadband technology commercially available today on 182 networks in 79 countries, with more than 400 devices available from 90 suppliers.The HSPA Mobile Broadband Pavilion will allow attendees to put themselves in real-life scenarios and interact with products and applications that are available today to revolutionize their lives — at work, at home, in the classroom and on the move. Guests will see many of the 400 different HSDPA devices currently available. Additionally, viewer-selected videos and presentations will be available for technology tutorials and real operator success stories worldwide. The future migration to LTE is exhibited as well as a roadmap to the numerous displays featuring live LTE demonstrations throughout CTIA.

Some of the demonstrations planned for the Pavilion include services that might be used “At Home” such as the “three-screen revolution,” using an HSPA femtocell to integrate the home IPTV experience with a mobile device and a PC. “On the Move” applications to be showcased include a file download and upload, laptop Internet browsing, streaming video, IP meetings and group calls. “In the Classroom” will feature an instant communications application, and “At Work” will showcase live video-sharing between a mobile device and a PC. Another application solution to be shown adapts video streams from off-deck broadband sites for delivery on HSPA devices.

“HSPA is a global reality. We invite you to visit the HPSA Mobile Broadband Pavilion at CTIA and experience the vibrant HSPA ecosystem here today,” said Chris Pearson, President of 3G Americas. “At the same time, there is another growing ecosystem for LTE evolving rapidly with its recent 3GPP standards specifications approval. This is an ecosystem of vendors as impressive as that of HSPA, with operators already announcing their future LTE deployments.”

Many members of 3G Americas will be present in the Pavilion to demonstrate or discuss HSPA and/or LTE technology. Members of the 3G Americas Board of Governors include: Alcatel-Lucent, AT&T, Cable & Wireless, Ericsson, Gemalto, HP, Motorola, Nortel Networks, Nokia, Openwave, Research in Motion (RIM), Rogers, T-Mobile USA, Telcel, Telefonica, and Texas Instruments.

The HSPA Mobile Broadband Pavilion is located in the Central Hall between the North Hall and South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center at CTIA in the ‘Road to 4G’ zone. The Pavilion will be open Tuesday and Wednesday, 9am to 5pm and Thursday, 9am to 3pm (April 1-3). Media and analysts are encouraged to visit and contact 3G Americas for a private briefing and demonstrations.

HSPA, High Speed Packet Access, provides compelling advantages over competing technologies today, including the ability to support simultaneous voice and data services on the same radio spectrum, while also being backwards-compatible and enabling roaming across 220 countries worldwide. Some network operators report HSDPA users can expect average throughput rates of 600-1400 Kbps on the downlink. HSUPA users, on 31 commercial networks worldwide, can today experience peak achievable rates close to 1 Mbps in the uplink under favorable conditions. HSPA Evolution (HSPA+), with volume deployments scheduled for 2009, will more than double HSPA capacity as well as reduce latency below 25 milliseconds.

LTE, Long Term Evolution, an approved 3GPP standard specification, is a high data rate, low latency wireless technology based on OFDMA technology, and the next evolutionary step for GSM operators after HSPA+. It will match or exceed the capabilities of any other OFDMA mobile standard. For LTE, with advanced enhancements (MIMO), 3GPP reports peak theoretical network throughput rates of up to 326 Mbps and 86 Mbps respectively for the downlink and the uplink in 20 MHz of spectrum.

AAA, today announced that AAA Mobile is now available for download on the BlackBerry 8830 World Edition and BlackBerry Pearl 8130 smartphones from Research In Motion (RIM) — the first smartphones compatible with the award-winning navigation and local search application from AAA.AAA Mobile subscribers, whether they are AAA members or non-members, can now use a BlackBerry smartphone to receive visual and audible directions to any travel destination in the U.S.; locate AAA Approved points of interest (POIs), including Diamond Rated hotels and restaurants; and search more than 100,000 locations that offer AAA Show Your Card & Save member savings. AAA Mobile subscribers can review detailed AAA descriptions for POIs on their smartphone, receive a map showing a destination on the mobile phone screen, receive audible turn-by-turn navigation to the destination, and bookmark locations as favorites for quick recall in future.

If AAA members experience vehicle difficulties, AAA Mobile streamlines access to AAA’s member roadside assistance service. The press of a single button on the BlackBerry smartphone sends the member’s GPS location to AAA and connects the member with AAA for reliable roadside assistance services.

“Now business travelers can use a BlackBerry smartphone to search for a AAA Diamond Rated restaurant or hotel, and members can send AAA their GPS location if they require roadside assistance,” said Marshall L. Doney, Vice President, Automotive at AAA.

Powered by the industry-leading Networks In Motion (NIM) location-based services platform, AAA Mobile is available for download onto the BlackBerry 8830 World Edition and BlackBerry Pearl 8130 smartphones for a monthly subscription price of $9.99.

Worldwide sales of mobile phones to end users surpassed 1.15 billion units in 2007, a 16 per cent increase from 2006 sales of 990.9 million, according to Gartner, Inc. Mobile phone sales at the end of the year were consistent with the yearly trend, as fourth quarter sales reached 330 million units.”Emerging markets, especially China and India, provided much of the growth as many people bought their first phone,” said Carolina Milanesi, research director for mobile devices at Gartner, based in Egham, UK. “In mature markets, such as Japan and Western Europe, consumers’ appetite for feature-laden phones was met with new models packed with TV tuners, global positioning satellite (GPS) functions, touch screens and high-resolution cameras.”

“After another strong year, we expect the growth in sales of mobile devices to end users will decelerate in 2008 and fall to about 10 per cent growth as mature markets become more saturated,” added Ms Milanesi. “However, the global mobile devices market will remain relatively immune to a recession in the US and Western European economies as the majority of growth in 2008 will come from emerging markets. The mature Western Europe and North America markets are driven by operator contract terms and replacement cycles and will account for just 30 per cent of the global mobile devices market in 2008.”

Nokia achieved its long-term target of 40 per cent market share in the fourth quarter of 2007 when it sold slightly more than 133 million phones across the world. Despite some component shortages, Nokia increased its market share sequentially in all regions except North America, which remains a challenging market for the vendor. In emerging markets, products such as the 1110, the 1600 and the 2630 were in demand by consumers, while in mature markets such as Western Europe high-end phones like the N95, N82 and N73 were sought-after devices. In 2008, Nokia will need to continue to improve its portfolio, offering not only more applications and functions, but also novel designs and improved user interfaces.

In the fourth quarter of 2007, Samsung maintained second position, and although its market share slipped slightly, the gap widened between it and third-placed Motorola. Its success relied on its Ultra and Ultra II family of products. In 2008, Samsung needs to diversify its portfolio further with more form factors and colours so that single products stand out from the overall line-up.

The problems that beset Motorola in the third quarter of 2007 continued through the fourth quarter, and it recorded sales of 39 million phones across the world, taking 11.9 per cent of the market. It retained second place in terms of annual sales to end users in 2007, largely thanks to the inventory it disposed of in the first half of the year. Nevertheless, the extent of Motorola’s troubles can be seen in the 9.7 percentage-points market-share drop in its fourth quarter of 2007 result from the same period in 2006.

Sony Ericsson ended 2007 with another positive performance, growing its market share on a quarterly basis to 9.0 per cent from 8.7 per cent. Its Cyber-shot and Walkman products, such as the K850i, K610i, W910i, K550i and W300i, remained popular among consumers around the world. As Sony Ericsson widens its reach, adding features such as Wi-Fi and GPS, as well as more low-tier products, it will stay competitive in the coming quarters.

LG’s mobile phone sales totalled 23.5 million units in the fourth quarter of 2007, maintaining its 7.1 per cent market share despite the increase of more than three million in sales volumes. The success of the Viewty, the Venus and the Voyager helped LG gain brand awareness across the world as well as improve its margins. Ms Milanesi commented: “In 2008, LG will need to continue strengthening its high-end portfolio for mature markets as well as its mid tier. In the low tier, LG will increasingly be challenged by vendors such as ZTE, which has already been eroding its market share in key markets such as India.”

The market saw three new entrants into the top ten in the fourth quarter of 2007. These vendors included Research In Motion (RIM), ZTE and Apple. “On one hand, we have aggressive pricing and a focus on emerging markets (ZTE), and on the other, RIM with targeted functions and Apple with brand and design,” said Ms Milanesi.

“Phone manufacturers need to continuously adapt their portfolios to respond to operators’ demands for open platforms, lower pricing and more personalisation,” recommended Ms Milanesi. “They should also try to meet consumers’ desires for fashionable, easy-to-use phones.”

Regional Analysis

In Asia/Pacific, 112 million mobile devices were sold in the fourth quarter of 2007, representing 9.6 per cent growth over the previous quarter. Over the holiday season, operators and distributors offered a wide range of mobile phone options at reasonable prices, tempting new users to sign up to service plans. “Driving factors for growth in emerging markets in Asia/Pacific included huge numbers of new subscribers, lower-priced phones based on wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) technology, as well as ultra-low-cost CDMA phones and low-cost global system for mobile (GSM) phones,” said Ann Liang, Gartner principal research analyst for mobile terminals, based in Taipei.

Sales in the Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa region remained strong in the fourth quarter of 2007 and reached 61.8 million units. Mobile operators continued to add new subscribers to their networks, especially in Africa where countries such as Nigeria, Egypt, Algeria and South Africa saw healthy net new additions.

In Japan, sales to end users numbered 12.5 million units in the fourth quarter of 2007, a decrease of 3.6 per cent year-on-year. Strong sales in the early part of the year brought total sales in 2007 to a record high of 52.3 million units — more than in 2003, when many Japanese bought their first camera phones. “In 2007, music player functions and embedded TV-tuners with large, high-resolution displays persuaded users to replace their devices,” said Nahoko Mitsuyama, principal analyst for mobile communications research at Gartner, based in Tokyo.

In Latin America, sales reached 38.8 million units in the fourth quarter of 2007, a 12.5 per cent increase from the same period in 2006. “In December, the holiday season, along with accompanying promotions, meant sales hit a new record level,” said Tuong Nguyen, analyst for mobile terminals at Gartner, based in Arlington, Virginia.

The fourth quarter of 2007 was another record quarter in North America, as sales to end users continued at a rapid pace, reaching 49 million units, an increase of 9.2 per cent from the fourth quarter of 2006. “AT&T and Verizon Wireless continued to be the strongest performing operators, while Sprint Nextel lagged,” said Hughes De La Vergne, principal analyst for mobile terminals research at Gartner, based in Dallas, Texas. “Replacement devices continued to dominate sales and growth in new subscribers slowed down as penetration rates climbed.”

In the fourth quarter of 2007, mobile phone sales in Western Europe totalled 55 million units, up 2 per cent from the fourth quarter of 2006. Features such as music players, GPS and cameras proved to be significant attractions. In the same quarter, operators in Germany, the United Kingdom and France introduced Apple’s long-awaited iPhone to the market. Although sales have been small, this iconic device renewed consumers’ interest in high-end phones, which in most Western European markets are still heavily subsidised by operators.

Research In Motion Limited (RIM) provided an update on forecasted net subscriber account additions for the fiscal fourth quarter ending March 1, 2008.RIM now expects net subscriber account additions for Q4 to be approximately 15-20% higher than the 1.82 million net subscriber account additions forecasted by RIM on December 20, 2007. The total BlackBerry subscriber account base is expected to be approximately 14 million at the end of the quarter.

“BlackBerry smartphones proved to be a big hit throughout the holiday selling season and we’re pleased to see RIM’s business momentum continuing in the new year,” said Jim Balsillie, Co-CEO at RIM. “The seasonal slowdown in net subscriber account additions that we expected in the new year did not occur and our focused execution with partners has continued to produce strong results within both enterprise and consumer segments.”

RIM continues to expect Q4 revenue and earnings per share to be within the ranges previously forecast in December. Revenue for the fourth quarter is expected to be in the range of $1.80 - $1.87 billion. Earnings per share for the fourth quarter are expected to be in the range of $0.66 - $0.70 per share diluted.

The number of net subscriber accounts and net subscriber account additions is a non-financial metric and should not be relied upon as an indicator of RIM’s financial performance. The number of net subscriber accounts and net subscriber account additions does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by U.S. GAAP and may not be comparable to similar metrics presented by other companies.

RIM will report actual Q4 financial results, including actual net subscriber account additions, and hold its quarterly and year end results conference call, on April 2, 2008.

Vodafone UK today announced that it has completed a deal with Neverfail, a leading global software company providing affordable continuous availability and disaster recovery solutions. Vodafone will now offer business customers a high availability and disaster recovery service for mobile email using the Neverfail software.In today’s business environment access to email whilst on the move is a key requirement for many organizations. Losing email access, even for a short time, can have drastic consequences for businesses. The Vodafone Neverfail High Availability Service for BlackBerry will provide uninterrupted availability of BlackBerry services to Vodafone business customers.

The Vodafone Neverfail High Availability Service for BlackBerry monitors the health of the entire email environment, including the server hardware, the network infrastructure, the application and the operating system. If any anomalies are identified, Neverfail will immediately take action to prevent loss of service. It will either automatically attempt to restart applications before they fail, switch over to a secondary server, or alert the IT staff so that no downtime or loss of service is experienced. Once the issue is resolved, they are automatically switched back to the main servers and neither users nor administrators are required to restart their applications.

“As market leader in the UK in providing BlackBerry services, it was important to be able to offer robust access to email. By adding Neverfail’s solution into our Managed Service portfolio, we can offer enormous service expertise to protect critical parts of our customers’ IT infrastructure,” said Curt Hopkins, Head of Enterprise Mobility Solutions, Vodafone UK. “Neverfail has an enviable reputation for protecting mission-critical systems with its continuous availability solutions and we have selected them as our preferred provider for high availability and disaster recovery for BlackBerry and email implementations.”

“Vodafone as a company relies on continuous mobile access to email and we have also selected the Neverfail solution to use within our own organization,” continued Hopkins. “Having complete confidence that email will be available 24/7 365 days a year is a significant advantage as many key staff depend on access via Blackberry devices in order to fulfil their roles.”

“Vodafone is well ahead of the general telecommunications market. Rather than just providing handsets and airtime minutes, Vodafone is offering strategic services, such as high availability, to support the entire BlackBerry platform,” said Richard Ruddlesden, EMEA Channel Director, Neverfail. “We are very pleased that Vodafone has selected us to offer its customers an exceptional communications experience that is the best in the industry.”

Vodafone Managed Services will work in partnership with Neverfail in the UK to offer customers advanced capabilities such as continuous availability for mobile devices and communications solutions from RIM, Microsoft and IBM Lotus Notes.

Alcatel-Lucent today announced plans to develop and distribute a prepaid option to operators in the wireless market for use with the BlackBerry platform.Customized for BlackBerry smartphones, the real-time, volume-based charging solution will be hosted by Alcatel-Lucent and will seamlessly integrate with operators’ existing networks. This option will enable BlackBerry smartphone users to track the minutes and data they have used against the prepaid amount remaining in their account so they can easily refill their account as needed.

“In line with Alcatel-Lucent’s strategy to provide extensive expertise in managed communication services, we are proud to develop and provide customers with prepaid options for BlackBerry smartphones. We hope this solution will enable more operators in high-growth economies to greatly expand their business opportunity”, said Michel Rahier, President of Alcatel-Lucent’s Carrier business.

“We are proud of the work that has been done in partnership with Alcatel-Lucent to bring the BlackBerry solution to new markets and we look forward to expanding this relationship,” said Jim Balsillie, Co-Chief Executive Officer at Research In Motion. “We believe a prepaid option enabled by Alcatel-Lucent will add significant value for our operator partners and further broaden customer interest in BlackBerry smartphones.”

The partnership between Alcatel-Lucent and RIM has already led to distribution of the BlackBerry solution in several countries across Eastern Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia, including China, the world’s largest wireless market.

“In a statement, RIM said a “data service interruption” was resulting in “intermittent service delays for BlackBerry subscribers in North America.” The company said voice and text messaging services were not affected.”

Research In Motion (RIM) today announced a series of updates for its market-leading BlackBerry platform that include enhanced messaging and collaboration, simpler management, enhanced security and expanded application development support. These updates will benefit users, IT groups and developers and will enable organizations to increase mobility, productivity and return on investment.Enhanced Messaging and Collaboration

The BlackBerry Enterprise Solution is a complete, end-to-end wireless platform that extends the benefits of an organization’s messaging and collaboration environment to mobile users. Updates to the BlackBerry Enterprise Server and BlackBerry device software(1) will enable customers to further enhance usability and increase end-user productivity.

- Document Downloading and Editing - As a result of the integration of the ‘Documents To Go by DataViz’ software with the BlackBerry platform, users will be able to edit Microsoft Office Word, PowerPoint and Excel files(2) directly on their BlackBerry smartphone.

- Remote Search for Messages - Users will be able to search for and retrieve email messages from their email server even if the message is no longer stored on their BlackBerry smartphone.

- Free-Busy Calendar Lookup - Users on the go will be able to check the availability of colleagues before sending a meeting request.

- HTML and Rich Text Email Rendering - BlackBerry smartphone users will be able to view HTML and rich text email messages with original formatting preserved including font colors and styles, embedded images, hyperlinks, tables, bullets and other formatting.

- Advanced Enterprise Instant Messaging and Presence - New features for users running IBM Lotus Sametime and Microsoft Live Communications Server will include improved address book integration, IM contact “click to call”, IM session “convert to call” and advanced emoticon support, allowing co-workers to collaborate and communicate more effectively using their BlackBerry smartphones.

Simpler Management and Support

BlackBerry Enterprise Server provides IT groups with industry-leading management and support capabilities. New features will further improve and simplify the administration of BlackBerry deployments.

- BlackBerry Monitoring Service - A new software component of the BlackBerry Enterprise Server will help organizations maintain high availability and high performance of their BlackBerry infrastructure by providing administrators with enhanced monitoring, alerting, troubleshooting and reporting capabilities. BlackBerry Monitoring Service will be included in the next release of BlackBerry Enterprise Server(3).

- BlackBerry Web Desktop Manager - A web-based device management console has been designed to increase deployment flexibility and simplify software upgrades by reducing the number of BlackBerry software components installed on end-user workstations. BlackBerry Web Desktop Manager enables users to install software and manage their BlackBerry smartphone from any browser-enabled computer. The software is available now as a free download from: www.blackberry.com/go/webdesktop.

- Over-the-Air Device Software Upgrades(4) - Organizations will be able to update a user’s BlackBerry device software wirelessly, delivering a fast, cost-effective method for remotely supporting users and managing BlackBerry device software lifecycles.

- Expanded Systems Compatibility - BlackBerry Enterprise Server v4.1.5 is certified with Microsoft Exchange 2007 SP1 and supports IBM Lotus Domino versions 7.03 and 8.0.

Enhanced Security

Security is a cornerstone of the BlackBerry Enterprise Solution and today there are over 400 IT policy settings and controls that an administrator can set to centrally manage and enforce security policies. Newly introduced IT policies further enhance the security and control of a BlackBerry deployment(5).

- Encrypted Attachment Viewing - Users will be able view attachments within encrypted PGP and S/MIME messages.

- Increased Control over GPS - Administrators will have the ability to control which applications access GPS functionality on BlackBerry smartphones.

- Increased Bluetooth Controls - Administrators will have the ability to enable or disable certain Bluetooth profiles as well as set the allowable ‘discoverable time’.

Expanded Application Development Support

RIM continues to expand the opportunities for software developers to create innovative and powerful wireless applications that leverage the inherent security, network efficiency, reliability and push capabilities of the BlackBerry platform and take advantage of new BlackBerry smartphone features. With the recent release of the BlackBerry Java Development Environment (JDE) v4.3.0, new Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) have been added to the thousands previously available, enabling developers to offer even more robust and exciting business and lifestyle applications to the more than 12 million BlackBerry subscribers around the world. In addition, support for the following Java Micro Edition APIs is also now available:

- JSR 205: Wireless Messaging 2.0 (MMS Support) - provides the ability to send and receive messages that include images, sound and video via Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS).

- JSR 211: Content Handler API (CHAPI) - allows applications to invoke other applications, including native BlackBerry applications, to handle specific content types.

- JSR 238: Internationalization - allows developers to easily create a single application for multiple languages and regions across the globe with proper location-specific language, time conventions, currencies, and number formats.

- JSR 172: Web Services - enables developers to quickly develop and deploy applications that act as web services clients.

These new BlackBerry platform enhancements are scheduled to be phased in to new software releases during the first half of 2008 and will be showcased at Lotusphere this week.

1) Requires BlackBerry Enterprise Server v4.1.5 and BlackBerry device software v4.5 or above.

2) Microsoft Office Word and PowerPoint files will be supported in conjunction with BlackBerry device software v4.5 and Microsoft Excel files will be supported in conjunction with a subsequent software release expected later in the year.

3) Included in BlackBerry Enterprise Server v4.1.5 for Microsoft Exchange and IBM Lotus Domino, and included in BlackBerry Enterprise Server v4.1.4 for GroupWise.

4) Requires BlackBerry Enterprise Server v4.1.4 and BlackBerry device software v4.5 or above.

5) Requires BlackBerry Enterprise Server v4.1.5 and BlackBerry device software v4.5 or above.

Obopay, Inc., the pioneering service provider for payments via mobile phones, today announced Obopay will be available for BlackBerry smartphones from Research In Motion (RIM). The new Obopay application for BlackBerry users provides fast, customizable access to Obopay’s full suite of mobile payment services.”The typical BlackBerry user epitomizes our need for convenience as professionals and consumers. This merges perfectly with Obopay’s commitment to giving people everywhere expedient means to send and receive money and pay for goods and services,” said Obopay Chief Executive Officer, Carol Realini.

Obopay takes full advantage of the BlackBerry wireless solution’s features. With Obopay, users can send and receive money, check their balance and payment history, and purchase goods and services. The customized application gives users an elegant experience, including a simple mechanism for users to send money to individuals directly from their BlackBerry Address Book.

Verizon Wireless and Research In Motion (RIM) announced the Nov. 3 online availability of the BlackBerry Pearl 8130 at www.verizonwireless.com. The BlackBerry Pearl 8130 will be in Verizon Wireless Communications stores on Nov. 8. For the customer who wants to balance work and play, the world’s first CDMA-enabled BlackBerry Pearl gives Verizon Wireless customers wireless broadband connectivity to the office while enabling them to stay connected with family, friends and colleagues.The new smartphone builds upon the highly acclaimed and iconic BlackBerry Pearl design with new features and functionality to provide customers with powerful communications, rich multimedia and support for high-speed EV-DO networks in a style that goes from day to evening in one slim and small package.

Available to Verizon Wireless customers in an exclusive silver color and backed by the power of the nation’s most reliable wireless voice and data network, the BlackBerry Pearl 8130 offers powerful communications with premium phone features, e-mail and messaging and more. With its built-in navigation capability, the BlackBerry Pearl 8130 can take customers wherever they want to go with mapping, audible turn-by-turn navigation and access to information on more than 14 million points of interest. In addition, the BlackBerry Pearl offers the following capabilities and features:

* Wireless broadband (EV-DO) connectivity for high-speed data transfers, perfect for fast Web browsing and downloading large attachments

* A sleek, compact design in an exclusive silver color finish; measures 4.2″ x 2.0″ x .55″ and weighs only 3.4 oz

* Open and view e-mail attachments with support for the most popular formats

* Premium phone features including Voice Activated Dialing, speakerphone and noise and echo cancellation technology for clearer calls

* 2.0 megapixel camera, with flash and 5x zoom, able to record video

* Video and picture messaging capable Built-in navigation to support the location-based application, VZ NavigatorSM, developed by Networks in Motion, with map data provided by Navteq

* Advanced media player and enhanced desktop media manager software allowing a customer to easily manage music and pictures between their PC and the BlackBerry Pearl 8130

* 3.5 mm stereo headphone included in the box

* Externally accessible microSD/SDHC memory card slot for additional storage (up to 8 GB) * An enhanced user interface with new font-rendering technology that makes text easier to read and Web pages visually richer

* Enhanced Web browser delivering a fast, rich browser experience and support for streaming video from sites like m.youtube.com (3GPP RTSP streaming protocol over EV-DO)

* SureType keyboard technology that makes typing and dialing fast and easy and includes a new word completion capability, easier editing of misspelled words, and built-in spell checker * Bluetooth 2.0 in support of hands-free headsets, stereo headsets (Bluetooth stereo audio profile A2DP/AVRCP), car kits and other Bluetooth accessories * A removable and rechargeable battery, rated for up to 220 minutes of talk time and up to 216 hours of standby time

The BlackBerry Pearl 8130 will be available online and in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores, including those in Circuit City, for $249.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement. With the launch of the BlackBerry Pearl, Verizon Wireless is also introducing new Nationwide E-mail and Web for BlackBerry customers providing them with unlimited data for an additional $29.99 per month on top of a voice plan. Customers who choose a data only plan pay $34.99 per month. Both plans provide access up to 10 POP3 and IMAP e-mail accounts via BlackBerry Internet Service.

Research In Motion (RIM) today launched Facebook for BlackBerry Smartphones, an exciting new BlackBerry software application that enables fast, streamlined and optimized mobile access to the popular Facebook social utility using a BlackBerry smartphone. The application leverages the push-based BlackBerry system architecture and Facebook Platform to create an unparalleled mobile experience for Facebook users. T-Mobile USA has been selected to be the first carrier to provide the new software application to its customers.With the Facebook for BlackBerry Smartphones application, Facebook users can wirelessly send and view messages, photos, pokes and Wall posts. The rich, native application goes beyond browser-based access, automatically pushing notifications to the user’s BlackBerry smartphone as friends and colleagues send notes, Wall posts or pokes. The application allows users to take a photo, upload it to the site with captions and tags; quickly and easily invite friends; manage events; manage photo albums; and manage their status while on the go.

“Facebook is one of the fastest growing web destinations among BlackBerry smartphone users and it has become an important element in the evolving fabric of personal communications,” said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO at Research In Motion. “Facebook and RIM share a vision for enhanced mobile communications and social networking based on open, standards-based platforms and this has allowed us to produce a rich mobile application for Facebook users that leverages the push-based architecture, multimedia features and industry-leading usability of the BlackBerry solution.”

“T-Mobile is focused on helping people effortlessly connect with those who matter most by providing our customers with meaningful ways to stick together,” said Leslie Grandy, vice president, Product Development, T-Mobile USA. “We are pleased to be the first wireless carrier in the U.S. selected to offer this innovative service that gives customers another compelling way to stay in touch.”

“The worlds of wireless communication and social utilities, such as Facebook, continue to converge. As people look for new ways to stay connected and network with peers and colleagues, true mobile access to these types of utilities can only become more popular,” said Jill Aldort, Sr. Analyst, Consumer Research at Yankee Group. “Even at this nascent stage of the market, 19% of adult consumers who access social networks on their PCs also regularly access these same sites on their mobile phones.”

Facebook for BlackBerry Smartphones, which will be available as a free download(i), makes it faster, easier and more convenient for users to stay wirelessly connected with their Facebook friends and colleagues. The application allows users to:

- Receive notifications and messages automatically - Leveraging the BlackBerry platform’s push-based architecture, notifications and messages are automatically sent to the user; the user can also set a unique alert (vibration and/or ringtone) for Facebook related content

- Quickly access essential features - Convenient onscreen icons let users quickly change their Status, upload a photo, add a friend, poke someone, write on a Wall, or send a message. Users can also quickly scroll through messages and notifications as they do with email messages

- Invite friends to join Facebook and accept new friend requests

- Quickly snap and post pictures along with a caption and tags - The photo upload feature is also integrated with the BlackBerry smartphone camera and photo management applications on the smartphone

- View the Status of friends

- Read, compose and reply to messages even while offline - If the user is out of wireless coverage, messages are queued until the user returns to an area of coverage

Facebook users will be able to download the application at www.facebook.com from their PC or BlackBerry smartphone beginning later today.

(i) Wireless data charges may apply. Check with wireless service provider.

Research In Motion (RIM) today introduced the BlackBerry Pearl(TM) 8130, the first BlackBerry Pearl smartphone to run on CDMA networks. The new model stays true to the highly acclaimed style and compact design of the BlackBerry Pearl and comes packed with new features including communications enhancements, a striking new software interface, rich multimedia capabilities, built-in GPS and support for high-speed EV-DO networks.”With its unique blend of functionality and design, the BlackBerry Pearl smartphone has been turning heads and winning praise from business users and consumers alike,” said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO at Research In Motion. “The new BlackBerry Pearl 8130 builds on all the great features and aesthetic design that people love about the BlackBerry Pearl and offers an exceptional new choice for CDMA customers that are looking to upgrade their mobile phone.”

The BlackBerry Pearl 8130 includes all of the features that have made BlackBerry smartphones popular among mobile users, including unrivaled email and messaging (SMS, IM, MMS(i)), web browsing, organizer and more. The new smartphone also expands on its communications and multimedia features and presents the entire offering with a striking new software interface.

ULTRA-SLEEK & STYLISH DESIGN

The BlackBerry Pearl 8130 features a sleek, compact design measuring just 4.2″ x 1.97″ x .55″ and weighing only 3.38 oz. It provides an intuitive user experience through its trackball navigation system and RIM’s popular SureType(TM) keyboard system. SureType - which allows a narrower handset design while maintaining easy phone dialing and message typing - has been enhanced to allow word completion, easier editing misspelled words and a built-in spell checker.

ENHANCED SOFTWARE INTERFACE

The BlackBerry Pearl 8130 features an updated visual interface and integrates a new font rendering technology that displays characters beautifully, with enhanced legibility at even the smallest point sizes. The new technology is evident throughout the visual interface, complementing the new look of the BlackBerry email client, calendar, address book, task list, memo pad and web browser, while also enhancing other applications.

The BlackBerry Browser is further improved with a new “Page View” option that displays a full web page on the screen along with a magnifying glass that allows the user to quickly and accurately point and zoom in on a specific area of the web page. Users can also press and hold the trackball to toggle between the “Column View” (which presents the web page in a continuous column for easy reading and scrolling on the go) and the “Page View.” The new BlackBerry Browser also provides quicker access to Bookmarks and History, and supports the 3GPP RTSP Streaming protocol via EV-DO, so users can view streaming video from sites like m.youtube.com.

RICH MULTIMEDIA FEATURES

The BlackBerry Pearl 8130 comes with a 2 megapixel camera with 5x digital zoom and enhanced flash. The new camera also supports video capture in two resolutions: 240×180 or 176×144 for sharing via MMS.

The media player now allows users to create and edit playlists right on the handset. Alternatively, users can manage their media files from their PC with the Roxio Media Manager for BlackBerry, which is included with the BlackBerry Desktop Manager software. The Roxio software was developed with Sonic and is based on the award-winning Roxio Easy Media Creator 9, making it easy for users to search for media files on their computer, view and organize them, create MP3 music files from CDs, add audio tags, album art, create playlists and convert files for optimal playback.

Roxio Photosuite 9 LE is also included - this comprehensive tool makes it easy to edit pictures and create photo albums. Pictures can also be cropped, rotated and straightened, redeye can be removed, and brightness, contrast and saturation levels can all be changed.

The BlackBerry Pearl 8130 supports the Bluetooth stereo audio profile (A2DP/AVRCP), and comes with a 3.5 mm stereo headset jack so users can plug in their preferred headphones or speakers. The handset also provides the convenience of an externally accessible microSD/SDHC memory card slot for additional storage of music, videos and pictures.

BUILT-IN GPS AND NAVIGATION

The BlackBerry Pearl 8130 includes built-in GPS to provide out-of-the-box support for location-based applications and services(i). BlackBerry Maps, which can conveniently guide users to their destination, now includes a local search capability that allows users to find local businesses, such as banks, hotels and restaurants, within a short driving distance. The local search feature in BlackBerry Maps was developed with support from Google(TM).

ADVANCED PHONE FEATURES

The BlackBerry Pearl 8130 offers many convenient phone features including Speaker Independent Voice Recognition (SIVR) for Voice Activated Dialing (VAD), Bluetooth 2.0 support for hands-free use with headsets, car kits and Bluetooth peripherals, dedicated ’send’, ‘end’, and ‘mute’ keys, smart dialing, speed dialing, conference calling, call forwarding, a low-distortion speakerphone for hands-free conversations and support for polyphonic, mp3 and MIDI ring tones.

The smartphone also includes new features that enhance phone audio quality including enhanced background noise, wind and echo cancellation for better performance in loud environments like airports, restaurants or busy downtown streets. An ‘enhance call audio’ feature also allows the user to boost the phone audio’s bass or treble while on a call.

ACCESSORIES

The BlackBerry Pearl 8130 also comes with a variety of accessories, including a stereo headset, travel charger, carrying pouch and USB cable. Additional accessories for BlackBerry handsets, including premium leather holsters and totes, an automotive charger, and Bluetooth headsets are available through retail outlets or online at www.shopblackberry.com.

The BlackBerry Pearl 8130 is supported on BlackBerry Internet Service, giving users access to up to 10 supported business or personal email accounts (including most popular ISP email accounts), as well as BlackBerry Enterprise Server, enabling advanced security and IT administration within IBM Lotus Domino, Microsoft Exchange and Novell GroupWise environments.

The BlackBerry Pearl 8130 will be available in two colors - silver and amethyst - from CDMA carriers in North America beginning in November 2007.

For more information, visit www.blackberrypearl8130.com

(i) Check with carrier for supported services.

T-Mobile USA, Inc., and Research In Motion (RIM) announced the Wi-Fi-enabled BlackBerry Curve(TM) 8320, the first BlackBerry handset available in the U.S. that supports T-Mobile HotSpot @Home(SM) over a Wi-Fi connection and great in-home mobile coverage.Available in two distinct finishes — titanium and pale gold — the BlackBerry Curve 8320 from T-Mobile strikes a unique balance of design, features and functionality that’s as perfect for staying close to friends and family as it is for a busy day at work. Available from T-Mobile in the U.S., the BlackBerry Curve 8320 features RIM’s smallest and lightest full-QWERTY handset design.

With built-in support for T-Mobile HotSpot @Home, customers can enjoy great mobile coverage and, with the HotSpot @Home Add-On Plan, customers can enjoy unlimited calling over a Wi-Fi network as well as unlimited Wi-Fi calling at nearly 8,500 T-Mobile HotSpot locations nationwide. When you leave home or a T-Mobile HotSpot, calls are seamlessly transferred onto T-Mobile’s wireless network, and the same is true for transferring calls from T-Mobile’s network onto Wi-Fi networks. T-Mobile introduced its HotSpot @Home service in June.

The BlackBerry Curve 8320 provides advanced multimedia capabilities including a two-megapixel camera, a music and video player, a 3.5mm stereo headset jack and a microSD card slot for expandable memory storage. Access to personal and corporate e-mail accounts and Web browsing is fast and easy thanks to the powerful BlackBerry platform, Wi-Fi connectivity and T-Mobile’s robust nationwide EDGE network.

Key features of the BlackBerry Curve 8320 from T-Mobile include(a):

* Impressively small and lightweight design at 4.2′’ x 2.4′’ x 0.6′’ and approximately 3.9 oz.

* Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g) connectivity for expanded coverage, as well as faster Web browsing and file downloading

* Support for T-Mobile HotSpot @Home add-on plan

* Enabled for T-Mobile’s myFaves(SM) so customers can stay in touch with those who matter most with quick, one-click access via instant message, e-mail, or by calling or texting their five favorite contacts from the home screen

* Popular instant messaging clients: AOL, Yahoo! Windows Live, Google and ICQ

* 2-megapixel camera with 5x digital zoom, built-in flash, self-portrait mirror and full-screen viewfinder

* Advanced media player with search capabilities, full-screen video playback, stereo Bluetooth support (A2DP/AVRCP), 3.5mm full-size stereo headset jack and dedicated volume controls - supports MP3, AAC, WAV, WMA audio and MPEG4, H.263 and WMV video formats

* Roxio Media Manager for BlackBerry (included with BlackBerry Desktop Manager software), which allows customers to easily search for media files on their comput