In just the last month, there has been a lot news from Research In Motion, maker of the ubiquitous tool of the businessperson, the BlackBerry. The smartphone company has announced quite a few new plans for their handsets.
Some of the plans involve handsets and applications that will help to increase worker productivity. Other announcements from the Canadian company based in Waterloo, Ontario, seem to be directed at helping their customers make the most out of their downtime. Here are just a few announcements that have made the news recently:
AOL and BlackBerry
On September 10, 2008, RIM announced that they would be integrating AOL services into their BlackBerry devices. Smartphone users will be able to access AOL Mail, AIM and ICQ from their BlackBerry using a native program that provides a familiar interface. There is also integration between the BlackBerry's Address Book and AIM and ICQ buddy lists.
New BlackBerry Pearl Flip Phone
On September 10, 2008, RIM announced the BlackBerry Pearl 8220. This is their first smartphone that comes in a clamshell design. The phone is similar in function to earlier BlackBerry Pearl models. The biggest difference is the physical design.
New BlackBerry Curve 8350i
On September 10, 2008, RIM announced the first BlackBerry to feature Nextel's Direct Connect national push-to-talk service. The BlackBerry Curve 8350i gives users the ability to have group conversations with up to 20 other people through Nextel's service.
David Chamberlain, Principal Analyst with analyst firm In-Stat said in a press release, "The BlackBerry Curve 8350i with PTT capability rounds out Sprint's options to fill communications needs of many industries particularly those in the blue-collar segment of construction, field services, transportation and manufacturing."
TiVo Mobile Entertainment Services on BlackBerrys
On September 10, 2008, RIM announced a partnership with TiVo service. TiVo is a service for digital video recorders that allows users to easily record their favorite television programs.
Jim Balsillie, Co-CEO of Research In Motion said in a press release, "TiVo subscribers will soon be able to wirelessly control their TiVo DVRs using a BlackBerry smartphone - anytime, anywhere - and that is a powerful example of how our respective technologies can complement each other to serve our mutual customers."
Live Search for BlackBerry
On September 10, 2008, RIM announced a new search engine option for Blackberry users: Microsoft Live Search. In a statement Mark Guibert, Vice President of Corporate Marketing at Research In Motion said, "Offering Live Search on BlackBerry smartphones extends choice for our customers and allows users to conveniently and quickly search the Internet when they are mobile."
This BlackBerry news involving AOL, TiVo, Live Search and the new BlackBerry Pearl flip phone is just the tip of the iceberg. Watch for future articles updating you on the latest BlackBerry information.
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Zakiya Lathan - Zakiya Lathan has worked in broadcast news as a web producer and online journalist for CBS affiliate KTVA-TV in Anchorage, Alaska. She has ...
