RIM Introduces the Sleek New BlackBerry 8800 Smartphone

[BESadmin]

RIM Introduces the Sleek New BlackBerry 8800 Smartphone
13th Feburary 2007

Research In Motion today introduced the highly anticipated BlackBerry® 8800 in the US - a feature-rich and finely tuned smartphone that is both functionally and visually inspiring.

The BlackBerry 8800 is the thinnest BlackBerry handset yet and is designed to satisfy the most demanding mobile professionals. Equipped with a full, highly tactile QWERTY* keyboard and RIM's user-friendly trackball navigation system, it also includes built-in GPS (Global Positioning System), multimedia features and a microSD expandable memory slot.

“The BlackBerry 8800 smartphone offers another winning combination of superior hardware, software and service embodied by an extremely elegant industrial design,” said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO at Research In Motion. “We spent a tremendous amount of effort refining the BlackBerry 8800, inside and out, and that effort will be evident to customers. From the premium finish to the vivid screen to the exceptional sound quality and the unmatched usability, the BlackBerry 8800 is a standout choice for mobile professionals.”

The quad-band GSM/GPRS and EDGE-enabled BlackBerry 8800 offers best-in-class performance with smoothly integrated support for voice and data applications, including phone, email, text messaging, web browser, organizer, multimedia and more. Powering its robust performance is an ultra-thin, high-capacity battery that further extends the uncompromising battery life for which BlackBerry handsets are renowned.

Through its built-in GPS, the BlackBerry 8800 can pinpoint its location and provide "out-of-the-box" support for a wide variety of location based applications and services, including BlackBerry Maps. BlackBerry Maps provides driving directions -- with the ability to track the route via GPS -- and integrates with other BlackBerry applications, so users can generate a map from an address in their BlackBerry Address Book and send maps via email from their BlackBerry 8800.

The BlackBerry 8800 is a world-class mobile phone with advanced and easy-to-use phone features including noise cancellation for enhanced audio performance, Speaker Independent Voice Recognition for Voice Activated Dialing (VAD), intuitive call management functions such as smart dialing, conference calling, speed dialing and call forwarding, as well as dedicated “send”, “end” and “mute” keys. It also features a high quality, low-distortion speakerphone and Bluetooth® 2.0 for use with hands-free headsets, car kits and other Bluetooth peripherals. Support for polyphonic, mp3 and MIDI ringtones is included.

With the large, bright, high resolution (320 x 240) landscape display, images appear vivid and crisp for viewing emails, attachments, pictures, videos, web pages, business applications and games. Built-in light sensing technology automatically adjusts the screen, keyboard and trackball brightness for optimized visibility in various lighting environments. The vibrant display, coupled with the BlackBerry 8800’s innovative trackball navigation, delivers a user experience that is dynamic and intuitive.

The BlackBerry 8800 also comes with a media player and stereo headset jack. Its expandable memory capability allows users to store their favorite music and videos on a microSD card to enjoy while on the go. Music and video are delivered with rich sound and vivid color.**

The BlackBerry 8800 can operate with BlackBerry® Internet Service, giving users the ability to manage up to 10 supported personal and corporate email accounts, as well as BlackBerry® Enterprise Server, which includes IT policy controls for managing the handset's features and usage.

The BlackBerry wireless platform gives customers the capability to deploy a variety of applications. Hundreds of business solutions from third party software providers can further extend the BlackBerry platform to support various business needs such as CRM, sales force automation, field services, business intelligence, supply chain management and continuity of operations, as well as a broad range of industry-specific applications for sectors including health care, law enforcement, government, financial services, insurance, pharmaceutical, professional services, real estate, manufacturing, wholesale and retail.

The BlackBerry 8800 comes with a complement of accessories in the box, including a headset, travel charger and USB cable. Additional Authentic BlackBerry Accessories, including premium leather holsters and totes, desktop and automotive chargers, Bluetooth® headsets and other peripherals, are available online at www.shopblackberry.com.

The BlackBerry 8800 will be available from a variety of carriers worldwide beginning in February 2007.

For more information about the BlackBerry 8800, please visit www.blackberry8800.com.

* Keyboard also available in AZERTY and QWERTZ configurations to support different language groups.
** Supports MP3 and ACC music files and MPEG4 and H.263 video files.

[BESadmin]

BlackBerry 8800 Getting Started

Resources

• Getting Started Guide
• User Guide
• Safety and Product Information Booklet

Setting up your smartphone

Whether you’re using BlackBerry® Enterprise Server or BlackBerry® Internet Service, setting up your BlackBerry® smartphone is simple and can be done completely over-the-air.

Not sure whether to set up your smartphone for BlackBerry Enterprise Server or BlackBerry Internet Service? Follow these guidelines:

BlackBerry Internet Service

Use this option if one or more of the following apply:

• You purchased your smartphone in a store
• You want to set up a new email account for use with your smartphone
• You want to send and receive email messages on your smartphone from one or more existing email accounts

BlackBerry Enterprise Server

Use this option if one or more of the following apply:

• You want to receive messages from your corporate Microsoft® Outlook®, IBM® Lotus® Notes® or Novell® GroupWise® email account
• A system administrator is managing BlackBerry Enterprise Server within your company
• A system administrator has confirmed that you are permitted to use the BlackBerry Enterprise Server
• You subscribe to a wireless service that supports account setup using the BlackBerry Enterprise Server

For instructions on setting up your email with BlackBerry Enterprise Server or BlackBerry Internet Service, please refer to the Getting Started Guide. Or take a look at additional email setup instructions for BlackBerry Internet Service.

Before setting up your email with BlackBerry Enterprise Server, you will need to contact your IT department to request:

• That an account be set up for you on your organization’s BlackBerry Enterprise Server
• Your enterprise activation password

[BESadmin]

Image Gallery

[Panfa2]

Looks and sounds like a winner. However, I'll stay withthe Pearl. I don't need GPS (I have one) and now that I am used to it, the Pearl's text entry system is good enough for short emails - even up to several sentences, really.