This Could Be Really Cool!

[shaun0207]

I dont think RIM realizes this may kill allot of there business. I think it would have made RIM more money hooking up with Apple or something.



The best BlackBerry devices are Windows Mobile phones !
April 23, 2007 [General]
RIM - the maker of BlackBerry devices and operator of BlackBerry push e-mail service is announcing virtual BlackBerry software for Windows Mobile! Why would you like to buy BlackBerry device that can only run very limited Java-based applications if you can have Windows Mobile powered phone with full BlackBerry functionality and full power of Windows Mobile, including ability to run native 3rd party applications?


(on photo above from the left: CEO of RIM, Suzan DelBene from Microsoft)

Information from RIM follows.

* * * * *

RIM Announces New BlackBerry Application Suite for Windows Mobile-based Devices

New Software Will Deliver Virtual BlackBerry Solution

Research In Motion (RIM) today announced plans to expand its support for Windows Mobile-based devices with a new software application suite that will enable devices from third-party manufacturers to benefit from the popular BlackBerry software applications and services. RIM plans to begin offering the new software application suite later this year for select devices based on Windows Mobile 6. Once installed, the software will provide users with a virtual BlackBerry application experience, including support for BlackBerry email, phone, calendar, address book, tasks, memos, browser, instant messaging and other applications developed for the BlackBerry platform. Devices running the BlackBerry application suite will be able to connect to BlackBerry services via BlackBerry Enterprise Server as well as BlackBerry Internet Service.

“Extending BlackBerry applications to a broader range of devices is an important element of RIM's strategy to provide an open platform that supports industry standards and addresses the various needs of our customers and partners,” said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO at Research In Motion. “This new software will provide a range of important benefits, including easier support of Windows Mobile-based devices within BlackBerry Enterprise Server environments, a consistent user interface for BlackBerry applications across various devices, and the ability to run third-party applications developed for the BlackBerry platform.”

The new BlackBerry application suite will complement existing Windows Mobile 6 functionality and will appear as an icon on the screen in the same manner as other third-party applications. Upon clicking the BlackBerry icon, a suite of BlackBerry applications will load and will feature the familiar user interface of a BlackBerry smartphone. The device's existing Windows Mobile applications are preserved, allowing the user to easily and quickly switch between the Windows Mobile applications and the BlackBerry application suite.

"RIM's decision to expand its support for Windows Mobile will resonate well with customers, developers and carriers alike," said Carrie MacGillivray, Senior Analyst, Mobile Enterprise Network Services, IDC. "Security, manageability, usability, international coverage, network efficiency, mobile application support, back-end integration and device selection are all important considerations for a wireless platform and RIM continues to invest in the BlackBerry platform on all fronts."

"AT&T and RIM have enjoyed a long and successful history providing customers with innovative products and services. AT&T is a world leader in providing BlackBerry-based wireless solutions and we look forward to building on that momentum with RIM," said Michael Woodward, Executive Director, Mobile Professional Solutions, for AT&T. "The market for wireless email and other wireless applications is growing rapidly and we view RIM's broadening support for Windows Mobile, with new feature-rich and IT-friendly BlackBerry software, as another positive catalyst that will further expand the appeal of the BlackBerry platform with customers."

Key benefits of running the new BlackBerry application suite on a Windows Mobile-based device will include:

• The added benefit of BlackBerry applications, such as email, phone, text messaging, browser, instant messaging and organizer with a consistent user interface and messaging experience.
• BlackBerry “push” technology – messages and information updates can be delivered automatically to the Windows Mobile-based device, enabling users to be more responsive to colleagues, clients, friends and family.
• Support for BlackBerry Mobile Data System (BlackBerry MDS) allowing organizations to develop their own BlackBerry applications or deploy third-party BlackBerry applications that can run on Windows Mobile-based devices as well as BlackBerry smartphones. Support for various input methods, including QWERTY keyboards, 5-way navigation, touch screen and stylus operation so users can continue to use the unique hardware features of their Windows Mobile-based device.
• Support on BlackBerry Internet Service, which provides push-based email from up to 10 supported email accounts (including most popular ISP accounts), attachment viewing and web browsing with optimized wireless efficiency.
• Support on BlackBerry Enterprise Server, which tightly integrates with Microsoft Exchange, IBM Lotus Domino or Novell GroupWise to provide sync.

Original source of this story is here.

[shaun0207]

RIM Goes Global with CDMA + GSM BlackBerry

Today, 9:47 AM source: Research In Motion / Sprint
RIM today announced the BlackBerry 8830, RIM's first device to combine CDMA technology with GSM for global roaming. The 8830 is also RIM's first CDMA device with the company's new generation of hardware, featuring a thin design (0.55 inches), four-way trackball navigation, and a microSD memory card slot. Both Verizon Wireless and Sprint will offer the phone. The 8830 provides EVDO high-speed data on CDMA networks and GPRS data on GSM 900 / 1800 networks overseas. Bluetooth 2.0, GPS, media player, and a large QVGA display round out the feature set. Verizon Wireless announced it will offer the 8830 starting May 14 for business customers. Sprint will launch the 8830 in July, offering it with unlocked GSM so customers can use cheaper SIM cards when traveling, or the included Sprint SIM card to keep their own phone number.

[troutseth]

Originally Posted by shaun0207

RIM Goes Global with CDMA + GSM BlackBerry

Today, 9:47 AM source: Research In Motion / Sprint
RIM today announced the BlackBerry 8830, RIM's first device to combine CDMA technology with GSM for global roaming. The 8830 is also RIM's first CDMA device with the company's new generation of hardware, featuring a thin design (0.55 inches), four-way trackball navigation, and a microSD memory card slot. Both Verizon Wireless and Sprint will offer the phone. The 8830 provides EVDO high-speed data on CDMA networks and GPRS data on GSM 900 / 1800 networks overseas. Bluetooth 2.0, GPS, media player, and a large QVGA display round out the feature set. Verizon Wireless announced it will offer the 8830 starting May 14 for business customers. Sprint will launch the 8830 in July, offering it with unlocked GSM so customers can use cheaper SIM cards when traveling, or the included Sprint SIM card to keep their own phone number.

Does anyone know if any other PDA/Smartphones are going global? I am actually considering the BB (which i don't like) because of this functionality. I travel to Europe 3-4 times a year and it is a pain to get set up on another phone.

[Stealth]

Originally Posted by troutseth

Does anyone know if any other PDA/Smartphones are going global? I am actually considering the BB (which i don't like) because of this functionality. I travel to Europe 3-4 times a year and it is a pain to get set up on another phone.

Don't go to the Darkside of the Force (BB) Luke.......

[troutseth]

Originally Posted by Stealth816

Don't go to the Darkside of the Force (BB) Luke.......

haha . . actually I would prefer a WM device like my Q, but that is too damn tempting if no one else comes to market with a device.

[insider]

Originally Posted by troutseth

Does anyone know if any other PDA/Smartphones are going global? I am actually considering the BB (which i don't like) because of this functionality. I travel to Europe 3-4 times a year and it is a pain to get set up on another phone.

This phone featured in the photo does not have a camera. RIM is going to come out with a phone for Sprint that has a camera and that is smaller. It is not the pearl either. It will be a new phone.

[Pony99CA]

Originally Posted by troutseth

Does anyone know if any other PDA/Smartphones are going global? I am actually considering the BB (which i don't like) because of this functionality. I travel to Europe 3-4 times a year and it is a pain to get set up on another phone.

The Samsung i830 is a CDMA/GSM Pocket PC Phone on Verizon. It's not available for sale online, so it doesn't show up when you list phones, but you can find it if you search for it.

If you're really interested, call Verizon and ask them how to get it.

Steve

[troutseth]

Originally Posted by Pony99CA

The Samsung i830 is a CDMA/GSM Pocket PC Phone on Verizon. It's not available for sale online, so it doesn't show up when you list phones, but you can find it if you search for it.

If you're really interested, call Verizon and ask them how to get it.

Steve

Pony,

If I remember correctly, that SCh is still on WM 2003. I love WM, but that was a work in progress to say the least (had the old i600).

Do you know if you get the sprint version of the phone (unlocked) can you register it on Verizon? I kinda want the best of both worlds with Verizon in the states but unlocked for travel.

[Pony99CA]

Originally Posted by troutseth

If I remember correctly, that SCh is still on WM 2003. I love WM, but that was a work in progress to say the least (had the old i600).

According to PhoneScoop, it ran WM 2003 SE or WM 5 depending on the carrier. The Verizon image did seem to be pre-WM 5, though, so I guess that's WM 2003 SE.

I disagree that WM 2003 was a work-in-progress, though. I had an iPAQ 5550 running WM 2003 and it worked very well. It wasn't a phone, though, so I can't speak to WM 2003 Pocket PC Phone Edition or Smartphone.

Of course, the original i600 was running the original Smartphone OS, not WM 2003, so it may not have been designed with WM 2003 in mind.

However, many people do think WM 5 is a WIP.

Originally Posted by troutseth

Do you know if you get the sprint version of the phone (unlocked) can you register it on Verizon? I kinda want the best of both worlds with Verizon in the states but unlocked for travel.

I have no idea. I'd call Verizon and ask. Tell them you already have an i830 and want to switch to Verizon and ask if you can use the phone like that.

Steve

[gmardre]

Anybody tried the 8830? It looks pretty cool. can it do all that my Q can?

gm