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March 2008

March 31, 2008

Blackberry 9000


Verizon Curve at last!

03/31/2008













Click to download


LAS VEGAS, BASKING RIDGE, NJ, AND WATERLOO, ONTARIO
— Ahead of CTIA WIRELESS 2008, Verizon Wireless, the owner and operator
of the nation’s most reliable wireless voice and data network, and
Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM), a global leader in
wireless innovation, today announced the BlackBerry® Curve™ 8330
smartphone will be available in May. Packaged in a liquid
silver-colored finish with chrome highlights, smooth edges and soft
curves, the BlackBerry Curve 8330 is backed by Verizon Wireless’
high-speed Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) network. This small and
light smartphone has rich multimedia capabilities and is VZ
Navigator(SM) capable. VZ Navigator is Verizon Wireless’ location-based
service that offers customers mapping, audible turn-by-turn navigation
and access to information on more than 14 million points of interest.

The BlackBerry Curve 8330, RIM’s smallest and lightest
full-QWERTY smartphone, combines stylish looks with the tools people
need to manage their professional responsibilities, maintain personal
communications and entertain their senses.

The BlackBerry Curve 8330 offers the following capabilities and key features:

  • Small and light design that is easy to handle and use; measures 4.2” x 2.4” x 0.6”and weighs only 4 ounces
  • Large, vibrant 320 x 240 display, with light sensing technology
    that automatically adjusts brightness for optimal viewing in outdoor,
    indoor, and dark environments
  • Responsive, highly-tactile full-QWERTY keyboard and RIM’s intuitive trackball navigation system
  • Premium phone features including: noise cancellation technology to
    offset background noise, Speaker Independent Voice Recognition (SIVR)
    for Voice Activated Dialing (VAD), dedicated “send,” “end,” and “mute”
    keys, low-distortion speakerphone, and Bluetooth® 2.0, with support for
    hands-free headsets, stereo headsets (Bluetooth stereo audio profile
    A2DP/AVRCP), car kits and other Bluetooth accessories
  • 2.0 megapixel camera with support for video recording*, self-portrait mirror, enhanced flash and 5X zoom
  • Easy access to the popular Facebook® for BlackBerry® Smartphones application
  • 3.5 mm stereo headphone jack and dedicated volume controls
  • Advanced media player and enhanced desktop media manager software
    that makes it easy to move media files between a PC and the BlackBerry
    Curve 8330 – USB Data Cable comes in-box
  • MicroSD™/SDHC memory card slot, providing plenty of additional storage (up to 8 GB)
  • HTML web browser delivers a fast, rich browsing experience and
    supports streaming video from sites like m.youtube.com (3GPP RTSP
    streaming protocol over EV-DO)
  • A removable, rechargeable battery, rated for up to 260 minutes of talk time and up to 11 days of standby time
  • In-box accessories include: a stereo headset, travel charger and premium tote sleeve

The BlackBerry Curve 8330 smartphone is supported by BlackBerry®
Internet Service that gives customers access to up to 10 supported POP3
and IMAP personal and corporate e-mail accounts, including most popular
ISP e-mail accounts. It is also supported by BlackBerry® Professional
Software for small businesses and BlackBerry® Enterprise Server for
enterprise deployments, enabling advanced security and IT
administration within IBM® Lotus® Domino®, Microsoft® Exchange and
Novell® GroupWise® environments.


The BlackBerry Curve 8330 smartphone will be available at www.verizonwireless.com
and in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores, including those in
Circuit City, for $269.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a new
two-year customer agreement. An additional $100 credit toward the
purchase of the handset is available for customers who sign up for
qualifying voice and data plans at the time of purchase. Customers who
purchase a Verizon Wireless Nationwide voice plan can also subscribe to
the E-Mail and Web for BlackBerry plan for an additional $29.99 per
month while those opting for a data-only plan can pay $34.99 per month
for unlimited e-mail and access to the Internet.

For more information about 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 should contact a Verizon Wireless Business Sales Representative directly at 1-800-VZW-4BIZ.

* Video recording requires a microSD memory card, sold separately.

(Editor's Note: High-resolution images of the BlackBerry Curve 8330 are available by clicking on the “Image Library” link at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia).

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless
operates the nation’s most reliable wireless voice and data network,
serving 65.7 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J.,
with 69,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture
of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD).
For more information, go to: www.verizonwireless.com.
To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and
high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the
Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

About Research In Motion (RIM)
Research In
Motion is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative
wireless solutions for the worldwide mobile communications market.
Through the development of integrated hardware, software and services
that support multiple wireless network standards, RIM provides
platforms and solutions for seamless access to time-sensitive
information including email, phone, SMS messaging, Internet and
intranet-based applications. RIM technology also enables a broad array
of third party developers and manufacturers to enhance their products
and services with wireless connectivity to data. RIM’s portfolio of
award-winning products, services and embedded technologies are used by
thousands of organizations around the world and include the BlackBerry®
wireless platform, the RIM Wireless Handheld™ product line, software
development tools, radio-modems and software/hardware licensing
agreements. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM
operates offices in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. RIM is
listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market (Nasdaq: RIMM) and the Toronto Stock
Exchange (TSX: RIM). For more information, visit www.rim.com or www.blackberry.com.

Forward-looking statements in this news release are made
pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used herein, words such
as "intend" and similar expressions are intended to identify
forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on
assumptions made by and information available to Research In Motion
Limited. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements
involve risks and uncertainties. Important factors that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by
such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, possible
product defects and product liability, risks related to international
sales and potential foreign currency exchange fluctuations, the
initiation or outcome of litigation, acts or potential acts of
terrorism, international conflicts, significant fluctuations of
quarterly operating results, changes in Canadian and foreign laws and
regulations, continued acceptance of RIM's products, increased levels
of competition, technological changes and the successful development of
new products, dependence on third-party networks to provide services,
dependence on intellectual property rights, and other risks and factors
detailed from time to time in RIM's periodic reports filed with the
United States Securities and Exchange Commission, and other regulatory
authorities. RIM has no intention or obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.

The BlackBerry, Research In Motion and RIM families of related
marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks
of Research In Motion Limited. RIM, Research In Motion and BlackBerry
are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and may be
pending or registered in other countries. All other brands, product
names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties
of their respective owners. RIM assumes no obligations or liability and
makes no representation, warranty, endorsement or guarantee in relation
to any aspect of any third party products or services.

March 28, 2008

WIFI in Cars!

As state laws continue to become more stringent with regards to safe driving practices, Chrysler appears to be going a different route. Sure, Chrysler’s upcoming wireless internet service offering is more geared towards passengers as opposed to the driver but you know as well as we do, plenty of people will want to take advantage of that high speed data while commuting. According to Frank Klegon, Chrysler’s head of product development, a new WiFi connectivity option will become installable on the automaker’s lineup at some point this year and will later be added to assembly line production. The new system will make use of high speed cellular data networks and as such, customers will need to subscribe in order to make use of the offering. We’re not yet sure which carrier(s) Chrysler will be dealing with for its in-car WiFi service. The connectivity service announcement comes on the same day Chrysler CEO Robert Nardelli made it known that Chrysler will be stepping up its game as far as Mopar parts and accessories are concerned. Special editions and accessory packages will kick off the effort, such as a Wrangler sporting an off-road navigation system, chrome grill, heavy duty bumper and beefed up sound system. It looks like money in the car-manufacturing business isn’t what it used to be. Those of us already packing high speed connectivity solutions such as HSDPA laptop cards or JoikuSpot might not be running out to purchase a Chrysler as a result of WiFi integration, but it certainly is progressive in terms of opening up a host of new service options for the everyman.

Thanks Boygenius!

Verizon Blackbery Curve 8330

VzwbbI think it is safe to say, there will be a Sprint Blackberry Curve 8330.  We've seen the images, we've seen the "memos."  But what of Verizon?  This photo recently surfaced on BBthemes and what seems like a great photo, and great news from a "reliable source" leaves a question in this Blackberry users mind....The name.  Correct me if I am mistaken here, but do the US Cellular companies not get slightly different names and/or numerals to distinguish them from one another? 

March 24, 2008

XM & Sirius a GO!

Justice Department gives OK for XM-Sirius merger!

March 13, 2008

Apple Airport Utility update

Check out software update, you'll find a nice new update for 2008 for the Airport and related products.

March 07, 2008

Helio dying a slow death



The release of the iPhone SDK provided a lot of answers, but has also raised a number of questions, many of which will not be answerable until the iTunes App Store launches in June 2008.

The general sentiment, however, has been quite positive with most expectations being exceeded. The addition of numerous enterprise features has removed many hurdles for corporate iPhone adoption, though it may still be an uphill battle against RIM which many businesses have already heavily invested in both servers and training.

The significance of a native iPhone version of Epocrates for health care professionals can not be overstated. In my experience, it alone has been significant driver in Palm sales amongst physicians, and its absence on the iPhone has been a significant hurdle for physician adoption of Apple's phone.

Developer reaction has also been generally positive. Despite lengthy MacRumors reader debates about the 70%/30% fee structure of the iTunes App Store, public developer response has been generally accepting. A notable comment by id Software's John Carmack suggests that the "iTunes distribution channel is really a more important aspect than a lot of people understand".

As expected, Apple is exerting editorial control on applications that appear on the iTunes App Store. Explicit restrictions are quite reasonable with limitations on illegal, abusive and offensive applications. Some are concerned, however, that Apple may have other restrictions that are not as clear-cut. Still, that hasn't prevented some from predicting that this marks the beginning of an enormous opportunity for Apple with the belief that "what Microsoft and Windows was to the desktop, Apple and Touch will be to mobile."

Thanks - macrumors.com


March 03, 2008

Apple Thursday

Well, we're always talking about what will Apple due on Tuesday. Tuesday, being the day that we seem to see new announcements or products from our good buddies. Well, this week, it is all focused on Thursday, the day we learn about the infamous Iphone SDK. What will it permit, what it won't permit. Who knows, maybe they will drop us a hint about when we will see 3G on AT&T, or even more importantly, when they will buyout that lame AT&T contract and open up the device to the rest of us in the CDMA world.

March 01, 2008

Blackberry 8330 - SOON!

Ok so here’s the final word on the upcoming and long awaited CDMA BlackBerry Curve 8330. According to a great tipster from RIM the Curve 8330 will be seen before WES in May and should make an apperance within the next month or so. It will NOT be a World Edition and will only feature GPS no Wi-Fi. Verizon, Sprint, Telus and Bell will all see the Curve 8330 shortly, some sooner than others (sorry that’s all we can say for now…) but we promise you will see it rushed out soon.

Thanks for the info, Blackberrysync.com

RIM Patents Slider BlackBerry!

A device is disclosed for use in two different orientations. In one orientation, the keyboard is exposed to the user. This orientation is named the landscape orientation because the device will be positioned such that its width is larger than its height. The user would opt for the landscape orientation for tasks that require the keyboard, such as inputting data, drafting emails, sending emails, and other functions typically associated with a standard computer. The other orientation is named the portrait orientation because the device will be positioned such that its height is larger than its width. In addition, the keyboard is not used in this orientation and therefore hidden away. The user would opt for the portrait orientation for tasks such as making and receiving telephone calls and for reading documents and emails. The device detects the orientation positioned by the user and modifies the elements shown on the display screen so that they are presented in the correct orientation to the user.