BlackBerry® Handheld Devices

Company Description

The BlackBerry handheld device introduced in 1999. It supports e-mail, mobile phone, text messaging, internet faxing, web browsing and other wireless information services. Developed by Research In Motion (RIM), it delivers information over the wireless data networks of mobile phone service companies.

The BlackBerry made headway in the marketplace because it was among the first to concentrate on e-mail. It includes the usual PDA applications like address book, calendar, to-do lists etc. The newer models also have mobile phone functions.

Its built-in keyboard is optimized for ‘thumbing’ - the use of only the thumbs on the keys. The trackwheel, a scrolling wheel, makes system navigation easy. Currently, BlackBerry handhelds produced for use with networks like Nextel, TELUS and iDen, have a two-way radio.

BlackBerry handhelds depend on mobile phone service coverage and are not wi-fi savvy.

BlackBerrys integrate into an organization's e-mail system through a software package called "BlackBerry Enterprise Server" (BES). Individual users can often use e-mail services provided by a wireless provider and therefore may not be required to install a BES server on their local network.

The BlackBerry Pearl™ handheld is the latest offering from RIM. Earlier models have a full but tiny QWERTY keyboard, where the ALT key is used to enter numbers and special characters. The BlackBerry Pearl has a keyboard with lesser keys. It uses a technology known as "Sure Type" which facilitates the use of one key for the representation of multiple letters, numbers, and symbols.

Headquarters

Research in Motion (RIM)
295 Phillip Street
Waterloo, Ontario
N2L 3W8
Canada

Website: www.rim.net
Contact Research in Motion: Product Support

Top Competitors

• Nokia
• Dell
• Hewlett-Packard
• Palm
• Microsoft
• Good Technology
• Seven Networks

Additional Info about Research in Motion

RIM currently offers BlackBerry e-mail service to non-BlackBerry devices, such as the Palm Treo, through the BlackBerry Connect software. The original BlackBerry PDAs had a monochrome display, but all current models have color displays.

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