BlackBerry support, BlackBerry tips and review

BlackBerry Security Issue Still Unresolved in India

2008-04-18T09:13:00.003-07:00

A solution to the security concerns by the Indian government over BlackBerry services still has to be hammered out. RIM has gone ahead and asked for more time from the Indian government to come up with the solution. It is reported that they have asked until the end of the month to explain their position and address the outstanding issues.

RIM Executives, Indian government officials and various reps from security agencies met Tuesday for the second time after India raised more concerns that the BlackBerry may be used by terrorists because emails can not be intercepted by the government.

India has asked rim to route all calls and emails through servers based in India to allow better security, and to intercept messages in an emergency.

There’s no telling when this will end, as all was looking rosy at the end of March… But the saga continues here and I can only hope that both parties come to an amicable solution.

From: India PR Wire

RIM is a Profit Machine

2008-04-18T09:13:00.001-07:00

RIM reported their 4th quarter numbers yesterday, and boy were they good. Profits have more than doubled in comparison to the fourth quarter of the previous year.

The thing that blew me away was the number of new subscribers that were reported: 2 million new subscribers! That’s a whole lot of new subscribers, data plans, and well, just a heck of a lot of money coming to RIM and all of the carriers.

Jim Balsillie reported that the results were led by continuing to diversify the base of BlackBerry users. 38% of the subscriber base are now individuals and not enterprise users.

Retail sales were also huge in the 4th quarter. No doubt all of the pearl promotions that were running around Christmas time had a huge effect. More pearl users = less enterprise users, so I’m not surprised at all that 38% of the new subscribers are non-enterprise. RIM has really taken a jump into the consumer market and it looks like they’re doing well. It’s not just a business device anymore!

Blip GPS Tracking App from BlackLine GPS

2008-04-18T09:12:00.003-07:00

Using Blip, you, your friends, family and co-workers can all show your current location to everyone in your group. Blip is created by BlackLine GPS. The app allows you to control who can see your location information. No one will be able to ’see’ you unless you have previously approved them.

Note to self, don’t let the boss add this to your BlackBerry. ‘Big Brother’ really would be watching you at that point

Blip can also show the current direction you are traveling, AND the speed you are traveling. Blip is a free application and can be installed OTA. For more information and to get your copy, visit BlackLine GPS.

RIM Announcing Q4 and 2008 Results via Webcast and Conference Call

2008-04-18T09:12:00.001-07:00

According to the latest press release from RIM, they will be having a webcast and conference call to announce their 4th quarter and 2008 fiscal year end results. This will take place on April 2nd. The conference call will begin at 5PM EST. You can access it by dialing 416-640-1907 (conference call) or by logging-on at www.rim.com/investors/events/index.shtml.

A replay of the call will be available at 7PM EST by dialing 416-640-1917 and entering passcode 21221696#. The replay will be available until midnight EST on April 16th.

Some of you out there might be interested in this… Although I have to admit I’ve never listened in to one of these calls!

From: RIM

Indian Government To Potentially Shut Down BlackBerry Network in India

2008-04-18T09:11:00.000-07:00

All over the web we’ve been reading reports that the Indian Government wants RIM to decrypt all incoming and outgoing messages in India. They want the ability to see what everyone in their country is emailing each other. Rumor has it they have also threatened to shut down the BlackBerry network all across India if they don’t get their way!

The parties involved (RIM, carriers and Indian Government officials) will be meeting soon, and are going to try and come up with a solution on or before the 14th of March. Lets hope things go well.

The next week or so should be a very interesting one. We’ll stay on top of things here and keep you updated.

From: CrackBerry.com

Review: Berry Locator with GPS…Find your Lost BlackBerry

2008-04-18T09:10:00.000-07:00

Berry Locator is an application that helps you recover your lost BlackBerry. You install it on your device, and it waits patiently and quietly in the background in case you ever need it. In my opinion, it is a necessity for every device.

It works like this…you’ve lost your BlackBerry, searched all over the house, and you have no idea where you left it. But you have Berry Locator installed, so you send yourself an email with a special phrase in the subject line. Your BlackBerry receives it and basically goes nuts, flashing, blinking, buzzing, and ringing to help you find it. Pick it up and touch a key, and you’ll see the text of the email message displayed. So you could for example, send a message with contact instructions to your BlackBerry, in case you aren’t the one who finds it.

And best of all, if your BlackBerry is GPS-enabled, it emails you back with a link to a google map showing the location of your BlackBerry. Beautiful. So from the map, you can see if you’ve left it in your house, or back at the office, or if it dropped out of your pocket on that long afternoon bike ride.

Berry Locator Map Showing Lost BlackBerry

Berry Locator is a $5 application, which means that it could quickly pay for itself. Imagine a company with 20 BlackBerrys deployed among its employees. Now I’d bet that over the course of a year, 2 or 3 of those BlackBerrys will get lost and have to be replaced. A new device without a new contract could run $500, not to mention the cost of the time lost getting the new device set up, and the security concerns that must be addressed. All of which could be avoided by installing a little $5 app on every device.

Berry Locator can be purchased from www.mobireport.com.

Interview with Digby CEO, Dave Sikora

2008-04-18T09:06:00.000-07:00

With the addition of Intel Processor power, is the new BlackBerry 8700g still all work and no play?

It seems that in today's competitive microprocessor world Intel are on their way to clawing back dominance of the market, almost every week we hear about a manufacturer that has switched to Intel; Apple, Palm are the most famous. Research in Motion the manufacturers of the BlackBerry have also taken to Intel with the introduction of the new BlackBerry 8700g communications device. For Research in Motion the choice of processor from Intel is the Xscale; this is the same processor already used in Pocket PCs and smartphones and recently in the Palm Treo 650 and Treo 700w models.

Both Apple Computer and Palm made great use of the Intel processor speeding up their systems and giving us new opportunities like the ability to run Windows and Microsoft Pocket PC operating systems (I’m writing this article on an iMac running XP), so what has Research in Motion done with their Intel processor?

RIM has a successful business class product in the BlackBerry communication devices, as we've written before these devices excel in the area of instant e-mail and contact management, they are tough and workmanlike but most importantly they are dependable. What they lack is the pizzazz and fun factor that you get from a Microsoft or a Palm device, there are no fun games or fancy movie players and they'll never replace your iPod but they will sit in your pocket and fetch each and every e-mail that you need.

The new BlackBerry 8700g from T-Mobile is available right now for a price of $299 with mail in rebate and instant savings, they are really $399 without. The contract required to keep your BlackBerry talking is just $30 per month and that includes EDGE GPRS in the package.

Design and Ergonomics

This latest BlackBerry has its sights set on a bit more pizzazz, whilst the old model was very basic and functional this new model has taken a little from the design of the candy bar versions of the BlackBerry, the 7105t for example with glitzy silver edging and an attractive midnight blue case. The keys are black and shiny and as with previous BlackBerry devices there is a full set so that you can type quickly with two thumbs. A welcome feature to this model is a pair of dedicated phone keys to hang up and place calls above the keyboard - much like its peers already have.

At just 4.7 ounces the new BlackBerry has shed 0.2 ounces from the previous 7290 model (now available for $99 from T-Mobile). The weight saving comes from shedding a little size, now at 4.3 x 2.7 x 0.77 inches (fractions of an inch down from the previous model but down nonetheless) and from dropping a little in quality, more of that in a moment. The reduced weight and slight reduction in size of the unit means it’s even more pocket-able than before, easily sitting in a shirt pocket without feeling like you're carrying around a paperweight.

Whilst the general layout with the thumbwheel on the side is carried over from the previous model, let me tell you now that the display is not and that it is a very good thing. The new screen is beautifully bright, has fantastic contrast and boasts a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels with 65536 colors. They've taken the opportunity with the increased resolution to improve the quality of the icons, suddenly this thing is looking a lot less like the agricultural functional Blackberries of the past and much more like the “Showy” Pocket PC that it is competing against.

Deals and Shopping

Our store price:

	Carrier	Price Today	Price after T-Mobile rebate
BlackBerry 8700g		$0	You make $50!

Amazon.com

On the desk and in pictures the new BlackBerry looks great but if you wish to avoid disappointment it's probably best to keep it there because unfortunately, in the design of the new model, perhaps to save weight I'm not sure, they have compromised on one of the great strengths of the previous model; the quality and feel of the unit. It's not that it doesn't work or that it might break, it's just that it feels as though it might… easily. It seems that they've changed the molding technique and to be honest I can only describe it by comparing it to a cheap toy that you might find in a McDonald's happy meal. It sounds cruel but picture a typical plastic toy from the happy meal, look at the plastic and you see that it's very hard and quite shiny; you're looking at the new model BlackBerry.

Once you've picked up the BlackBerry in your hand and you've got over the fact that it feels like it just came out of a machine at the fairground, it does work, the thumbwheel works well, once you get the hang of the double press to get things done, you'll be navigating between e-mails, calendar, contacts and the phone application with ease. One thing that does show through in this design is that whilst the software underneath has been completely recompiled to run on an Intel processor the usability and functionality remain exactly the same, they are so “the same” that seasoned users can actually roll the wheel, counting the clicks and select the appropriate function without actually looking at the screen! You can identify BlackBerry power users as they usually have a small callous on their wheel finger!

The 35-key keyboard is still good, it has a responsive enough feel. The keys are now raised like the Treo and actually feel very similar. However, the weak case construction often induces a ‘creak’ with each key press. On the side can be found a nice standard mini-USB connector for charging, upgrades and desktop sync; There’s also a compact charger complete with US, Euro and UK adapters reinforcing the world-traveler feel.

The kit no longer includes the ‘desktop stand’, it wasn’t a docking station and was decidedly low rent, I'm not sad to see that go. It does come with the familiar belt holster for the device, still just as functional and still just as unfashionable.

Phone Features and Reception

A carryover from the previous model but an improved one is the Quad band GSM radio. This gives the unit a truly World Traveler capability offering reception in any country with the appropriate plan from T-Mobile. The radio electronics now incorporate EDGE GPRS functionality; this means that the BlackBerry can take full advantage of T-Mobiles high-speed wireless network. Not as fast as competing services from Verizon and Cingular, the service offers data speeds of typically 50Kbps with peaks of 140+Kbps. This speed is more than fast enough for synchronizing e-mail and browsing the Internet on the included Web browser.

There’s no Wi-Fi radio in this unit so bypassing T-Mobile and using products such as SKYPE are out of the question.

The previous model suffered from a less than perfect mobile phone module, ergonomically it was difficult to reach, it was really an afterthought, some software added just because they could use the radio that they'd already incorporated for push e-mail… that's how it felt anyway. With the new model the telephone module is much more accomplished, it’s gained dedicated buttons on the front of the unit but more importantly the electronics appear to have been improved. Where the previous model would have dropped calls and had difficulty finding a signal the new model is the match of any mobile phone. Call quality is good; the integrated speaker is very clear and loud. With the slight reduction in the size of the unit and a change to a more trendy appearance you certainly feel less conspicuous holding a box to your ear than you did with the previous model, with your hand placed carefully you can pretty much pull off the trick of having it look looking like a regular phone – your geek cred. goes down though. The phone interface has been enhanced in this model; visually it is a lot more pleasing to the eye and of course it still maintains the functionality of the previous model. You can easily place calls from e-mails or from contacts directly. The speakerphone on this model worked well, a little crackly at times but not bad, it's okay for occasional use.

Having a phone combined with your daily organizer and e-mail always means that there is less stuff to carry around and that’s a good thing, now that the radio performance is up to scratch I think that you can really do this with the 8700g.

Horsepower and Performance

The new processor and screen has really kicked up the performance of the BlackBerry, the unit feels snappy and responsive with menus and icons being drawn quickly. Most of the time it feels as though it's waiting for you rather than like the old model where you spent a lot of time waiting for it.

Inside the box is a 312Mhz Intel Xscale processor with 64MB flash memory and 16MB of SDRAM. Attached to that is a 320 x 240 display. Those of you watching the whole Pocket PC/Smartphone/Palm world might spot something very familiar with this specification; this is the same specification you might find in a typical Microsoft smartphone. Whilst manufacturers want to differentiate their product from the competition, the cost of creating a bespoke platform is very high and like Palm BlackBerry have chosen to follow the pack, to use the cheapest platform and differentiate themselves on the package and the software. I'm all in favor of this; I don't need to spend extra money just so I can have a different CPU to everyone else.

In day-to-day operation the extra performance is very welcome, most particularly in the performance of the phone application. Many devices like this sacrifice the responsiveness of the phone application to provide multimedia functions, it is very frustrating when you miss an incoming call because your pocket device is too busy pausing the media player and sorting itself out to answer the call in time. This doesn't happen on the BlackBerry for a couple of reasons, firstly performance is focused towards phone operation and secondly, there is no media player!

The storage on this unit might seem a bit small compared to Pocket PC devices however, for storage of e-mail, calendar and contacts it is more than sufficient, there is even a little spare for the odd extra application that you might have. There’s no external storage option, no memory cards here.

Display, Gaming and Multimedia

I joked that on the previous version of the BlackBerry the only games it came with were e-mail, calendar and contacts! Unfortunately, this is pretty much still the case. The good news is that the Free IM client from RIM is now included in the base software plus there is a game in there too; another Tetris like clone. There’s a good selection of business apps out there if you take the time to look. The big let-down is that this machine is still strictly business; there’s still no media player; the closest we get is the MP3 ring tones that it now supports.

I think that RIM missed an opportunity here; if they’re tending towards commodity hardware; where’s the storage option and where’s the stereo headset option? That’s all we’re missing now to turn this into a multimedia gem. The display is well up to the task and the CPU could cruse through MPEG 4 decoding… What are you waiting for?

Bluetooth

Bluetooth support is 2.0 and paired quickly and easily to headsets and to the car. They’ve retained the old and odd ‘I trust this device’ feature that had to be selected in order for the device to pair without interruption as soon as you switched on your headset. It's a small thing and easy to get around.

Unfortunately, the one thing that I couldn't get around was calling upon the BlackBerry as a Bluetooth modem so that I could use the EDGE capability from my laptop. At the moment the cost of using the BlackBerry service is $30 compared to $20 for unlimited EDGE GPRS access through the T-Mobile network, I'm paying an extra $10 and losing access through my laptop, not good.

Battery Life

Another knock-on advantage of switching to the Intel platform shows itself in the battery life. Previous blackberries were always good, especially the models that preceded the telephone feature ones, these were devices like the Palm pilots of old that would run seemingly forever on a single charge. The radio electronics demand quite a bit of juice and so performance is typical of a reasonable phone in this area, four hours talk time maximum however, the Intel Xscale processor really cuts back its appetite when it comes to focusing on being a PDA alone, with just a regular battery this device can turn in a 16 day standby time and that I can actually vouch for seeing that in battery life tests that I carried out. In typical usage, placing a few calls a day this BlackBerry can run for days between charges.

Email Synchronization

The BlackBerry works by connecting to the BlackBerry Servers, not, as is often thought, your server. To get email, contacts, calendar and tasks to the handheld you have to send them to BlackBerry for onward transmission. Out of the box, the included desktop software allows you to synchronize with most desktop PIMs though only email is synchronized over the air; calendar, contacts and tasks require that you sync with the included USB cable. Don’t forget though that to sync email your PC must be left on and logged in so it’s no good for laptop users! In this mode, a BlackBerry can be used by anyone but really, the BlackBerry was groomed for the corporate world and whilst you can use web mail and sync from your desktop, an investment in BlackBerry Enterprise server is the way to go. Using software that runs on a Windows Server, the Enterprise software will collect mail, calendar, tasks and contacts from Microsoft Exchange or Lotus Notes and deliver it to the BlackBerry system for delivery to your handheld. In this mode the BlackBerry works; as an IT manager you can add a user to the Enterprise server, have them pick up a BlackBerry wherever they are and simply enter their email address and password and they’re off, there’s little in IT that’s simpler than that. A home user is not going to get that level of simplicity and convenience, another area in which I feel that BlackBerry sell themselves short.

Always-on Push Email

The one thing that people know about Research in Motion is their always-on push e-mail service; most people also know that Research in Motion recently had to take drastic measures to fight off a patent battle that threatened their business. The good news is that they won and rightfully so in my opinion.

It is neat to watch email arriving in real-time but, it’s only ‘neat’ I’m not totally sold on its real advantages, my Pocket PC devices check each hour during the day and with time flying by I seem to have new messages each time I look so I wouldn’t rule anything out that didn’t do ‘Push’ email.

Other than PIM functionality the BlackBerry doesn’t include any additional software, however look outside and you’ll find a whole raft of business oriented applications to boost functionality.

Conclusion

Research in Motion have again evolved the BlackBerry. There's no denying that this is a better BlackBerry than yesterday's, even with the dreadful construction quality. I'm going to assume that the next BlackBerry will rectify that backward step. I am fearful for research in motion and their future though, I don't think that they are evolving fast enough; I think this is a good product but it is a year old already.

In the enterprise market the BlackBerry still has a solid and faithful following but in the company that I am responsible for I have already replaced BlackBerry with Pocket PC and the reason for that comes down to the exchange server that I run, my Pocket PCs, smartphones and PalmOne Treos can synchronize with exchange directly, they don't need the costly BlackBerry Enterprise Server to help them out. By choosing Pocket PC over BlackBerry I'm just saving money, improving reliability, adding features and cutting out another step that I must provide and support, it's as simple as that.

If you're a BlackBerry die hard you'll like this new model but if you're a pragmatist I think you might conclude that the rest of the world has overtaken the BlackBerry. RIM, we thank you for the Push email; we’ll always remember you for that.

RIP

Pros:
• Push Email
• Qwerty keyboard
• Great screen
• Battery life

Cons:
• Disposable toy feel
• No multimedia or storage card slot
• Last year’s features at today’s prices

Price: $299 to $399 with contract

Web sites: www.t-mobile.com, www.BlackBerry.com

Shopping: Where to Buy

Specs:

Display: 64K color transflective TFT color LCD. Screen size diagonally: 2.65 ". Resolution: 240 x 320, supports both portrait and landscape modes.

Battery: Lithium Ion rechargeable. Battery is user replaceable.

Performance: Intel XScale 312 MHz processor.

Size: 4.3 x 2.7 x .77 inches. Weight: 4.7 ounces.

Phone: GSM quad band world phone supporting the 850/900/1800/1900MHz bands (locked to T-Mobile, which means you must use a T-Mobile SIM). EDGE and GPRS for data.

Networking: Bluetooth 2.0.

Software: RIM's own operating system and basic application suite including messaging/email, PIM applications and web browser. Push email requires BlackBerry Enterprise Server or BlackBerry desktop software.

Expansion: None.

Input and Navigational Aids: 35-key QWERTY thumb keyboard and thumb operated trackwheel and escape key on right side of unit.

BlackBerry 7290 review

2008-04-18T09:04:00.000-07:00

Add Bluetooth and an extra radio band to an established line up of solid corporate messaging device and you have the Blackberry 7290 from Research in Motion. For those who missed the Blackberry mobile revolution, the Blackberry is the quintessential mobile messenger. Long before Microsoft, Nokia et al dreamt of combining phone and PDA RIM was peddling their own unique blend of PDA coupled to an always on data connection over the air-waves. The early units, in the late 80's, relied on the slower paging networks but still created the same always-on email experience that the newer phone-based units offer.

This Blackberry comes from T-Mobile at a cost of $349 plus $30-80 per month for the plan, the 7290 adds $50 to the previous non-Bluetooth model. The 7290 is also available from Cingular with similar pricing. Is it worth the extra cash? That depends one whether you use the phone features. Read on…

Design and Ergonomics

Today's Blackberry owes its design more to a long and proven linage of screen and keyboard combo than any new-age art inspired design; it's a corporate device and as I'll say a few times in this review is born of that goal; to be a mobile messenger in a corporate world. Its high points are that it's been refined and refined to such a height that it's no surprise that it works so well ergonomically. Every button has its purpose, there are no extra buttons, switches, dials or 'flappy' bits to break off. This year's model features a lighter smarter metallic blue-grey color finish than the Black and Blue models of last year. It retains a smooth curved form that fits the pocket far better than many 'stylish' phones and PDA's that feature sharp squared off edges. It spreads its weight out evenly over its size to ensure that no part presses into you; a neat trick that hides its 139g/4.9oz weight giving the impression of a much lighter unit.

The Blackberry 7290 works well in both the left and right hands; navigation is via a side mounted scroll-wheel and most operations can be completed single-handedly; the optionally backlit screen is just enough at 240x160 (65mm diagonal) resolution but there's no touch screen so many operations require a few intuitive pushes of the wheel to get the desired action. Heavy users may develop a small callous on the wheel finger!

The keyboard is great, it has a responsive enough feel without too much resistance and flat keys that allow the thumbs to slide from key to key; not as fancy as Palm or HP keyboards but more efficient for it.

Deals and Shopping

Our Store

	Carrier	Price Today	Price after rebate
BlackBerry 7290 Cingular		Free!	Free!

Amazon.com

Cingular:

T-Mobile:

The plastic construction is tight and solid, the door to the removable battery fits closely and the lack of touch screen frees the 7290 from that fragile, 'don't scratch my screen!' feel that Pocket PC's have and lends to the units overall 'pocket-ability'.

On the side you'll find a nice standard mini-USB connector for charging, upgrades and desktop sync; There's also a compact charger complete with US, Euro and UK adapters reinforcing the world-phone feel.

The kit includes a 'desktop stand', this isn't a docking station but incorporates a inset where you can press in the included USB sync cord. It's decidedly low rent.

Also of questionable need is the belt holster; it features a magnet and switch that causes the Blackberry to switch modes for Ringer and notification when holstered. However, in the holster on your hip I don't think that you're necessarily making the right fashion statement.

Phone Features and Reception

The difference between this model and the previous is all in the radio department; Quad-band GSM ensures better coverage across both of the US GSM frequencies; 850 and the older 1900Mhz plus full coverage in Europe on the 900 and 1800Mhz bands, but here is where later Blackberry's had a chance to win the Phone/PDA combo battle… but lost. There are a couple of problems with the Blackberry's Phone feature, the first is a weak radio and the second a poor phone user interface. It's a shame as I'd consider the Blackberry my only device if it were stronger in this area. In the US where GSM coverage is still light there are areas where I can pull in enough of a signal on most phones and PDA/Phones to hold on but the Blackberry is noticeably weak. I've tried a few units so don't feel this to be mine alone. The problem is that it's too far under the bar to rely on, it doesn't handle calls in the car and at home where I have usually one to two bars the Blackberry is 'Searching…'. Careful positioning gives me a bar to receive my email with but that's no use for calling. Unless you're in a great area and don't plan to take calls whilst traveling this isn't a device that you can conduct telephone business on.

On a recent trip to the UK, where five bars are the norm, the Blackberry made the grade with call quality on a par with most phones and better than some; the larger case affords a reasonable speaker giving depth and volume. No speaker phone though. So if you plan a trip around Europe, you could get away with packing only one device… along with your tooth-brush.

The user interface for the phone is not strong; it is, like the rest of the software a bit, well, 'agricultural'. In a world of icons and animation the Blackberry is a little 'MSDOS' for want of a better term. I don't mean to say that I don't like it, it's actually a little retro but its heavy text based displays and its limited navigation options leave it bereft of the now expected neat features like T9 dialing and an easily accessible speed-dial. I do believe that these features could be implemented.

The BlackBerry 7290 and HP iPAQ 6515 Mobile Messenger

Where the interface claws back some ground is that you can call contacts from the Contacts feature as well as from email and web pages. Once on a call an optional Bluetooth headset works well allowing you to hold the unit either in front of you so that you can tap in notes about the call, or in my case above your head at a 73.5 degree angle by the back window where I get a signal.

The GSM phone also hosts the GPRS data connection required to receive email; at fast modem speeds it's not EDGE, EVDO or Wi-Fi throughput but that doesn't matter as the email flows in continuously and is very compressed. Web pages on the integrated browser strain the bandwidth the most but again they're compressed and well, you're on a tiny pocket device; it's good enough!

Horsepower and Performance

Want to know why the battery life is so good? A. The CPU is as fast as a Tortoise… but, that's ok, it is, as Rolls-Royce would say when asked about the horsepower from their engines "sufficient". The only time I could outrun it was whilst carrying out a full re-sync of all my mail, contacts and calendar, only then where key presses unresponsive. In day-to-day operation it does make very good use of the CPU, one thing that you don't immediately notice is that it is always on, the display never goes off, the CPU is always running, constantly receiving messages, something that you just can't do with a fast and power hungry processor. When needed the operating system has its priorities right too, when a call comes in the unit instantly comes alive and switches to the Phone application, something that some other Phone/PDA's struggle with.

Storage is integrated only (no expansion slot); 32Mb of usable memory for emails (plain-text), calendar and contact information. It is, 'sufficient' for thousands or contacts and a month of emails.

Display, Gaming and Multimedia

Gaming? The Blackberry comes with a whole host of games; 'Email', 'Calendar', 'Contacts' to name but a few. Each one performs very well and, they even throw in a Tetris type game for when you've finished emailing… oh wait a minute no, how about we SMS a few more times? One thing the Blackberry doesn't need is a suite of games; it hasn't the CPU or display to keep up. I was pleasantly surprised though to discover just how much extra business software titles you can get for the Blackberry; there are RSS readers, enhanced word processors and even financial charting packages. One of my favorite add-ons is the Instant Messenger application from RIM themselves; the always-on GPRS connection really makes IM work on a mobile device.

Guess what software you can't get for the Blackberry? Answer: anything multimedia. As there is no storage option there is no where to store MP3's and video so the hardware has never supported it. It's a shame as a little mini-SD slot and a nice music player would be a great touch.

The screen is 65mm (2.5") diagonal and has a resolution of 240x160; it's just enough for emails and the built in fonts make good use of that modest resolution. The strong point for the display is that it can operate without its backlight in all but the dimmest light. This adds battery life and simplifies use; you don't have to press a button to read email, you just glance at it.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth support in the 7290 is new to this form factor Blackberry having first seen the light of day in the more phone like 71xx series. It's again a bit of a text based implementation but, it works and works well. Support for Headset and Hands-Free is good… it works which is more than can be said of the Microsoft Stack in the PocketPC and Smartphone. It has an odd additional switch for each paired device; 'Trust' that set to the default 'No' requires user confirmation when any device tries to attach, a small problem.

The Bluetooth implementation doesn't support OBEX so we can't send contacts yet. Nor does it offer itself as a Dial-up device so it won't add GPRS to your laptop.

Battery Life

With a modest battery that looks about 750mAh you'll get a good 4 hours talk time and a week on standby, and remember that standby includes receiving emails… Now do you want that fast processor? No, I didn't think so. It's quite liberating to know that I can take a two day trip over the weekend without taking the charger. A spare battery will not break the bank and nor would a simple 5-volt car charger.

In typical day-to-day use the Blackberry should see the charger every couple of days, more to avoid disappointment should that disaster occur that keeps you on the phone for hours than for the Blackberry's benefit. If you don't use the phone feature, you could probably charge it at weekends only!

Software

As shipped the unit came with an older OS, a free update to Blackberry firmware 4.0.2.32 can be downloaded and applied.

The Blackberry works by connecting to the Blackberry Servers, not, as is often thought, your server. To get email, contacts, calendar and tasks to the handheld you have to send them to Blackberry for onward transmission. Out of the box, the included desktop software allows you to synchronize with most desktop PIMs though only email is synchronized over the air, calendar, contacts and tasks require that you sync with the included USB cable. Don't forget though that to sync email your PC must be left on and logged in so it's no good for laptop users! In this mode, a Blackberry can be used by anyone but really, the Blackberry was groomed for the corporate world and whilst you can use web mail and sync from your desktop, an investment in Blackberry Enterprise server is the way to go. Using software that runs on a Windows Server, the Enterprise software will collect mail, calendar, tasks and contacts from Microsoft Exchange or Lotus Notes and deliver it to the Blackberry system for delivery to your handheld. In this mode the Blackberry works; as an IT manager you can add a user to the Enterprise server, have them pick up a Blackberry where ever they are and simply enter email address and password and they're off, there's little in IT that's simpler than that. A home user is not going to get that level of simplicity and convenience, another area in which I feel that Blackberry sell themselves short.

Always-on Push Email

Blackberry make a lot of their always-on push email service and it is neat to watch email arriving in real-time but, it's only 'neat' I'm not totally sold on it's advantages, my Pocket PC devices check each hour during the day and with time flying by I seem to have new messages each time I look so I wouldn't rule anything out that didn't do 'Push' email.

Other than PIM functionality the Blackberry doesn't include any additional software, however look outside and you'll find a whole raft of business oriented applications to boost functionality.

Conclusion

If you're looking to loose your phone and PocketPC or Palm powered PDA in exchange for a Blackberry, you may be disappointed, especially if you're any kind of power user; you'll miss the MP3 player, the word processor and the ability to load up fancy GPS software. If you plan to keep your mobile phone but need to add remote email and calendaring to your life and especially if you're the type that buys technology for the job rather than for fashion then you're in luck; the Blackberry offers strong email, calendar and contact management in a tough and pocket-able form that doesn't need a tech-head in tow to keep it running and, having recently seen them in the hands of the FAB-5 and George Clooney you might hit the fashion note too.

Price: ~ $349 with contract with T-Mobile and $249 to $299 with Cingular

Web Site: www.blackberry.com , www.tmobile.com, www.cingular.com

Shopping: Where to Buy: Cingular or T-Mobile

Specs:

Display: 2.5" 65k color display. Resolution: 240 x 160 pixels.

Battery: Lithium Ion rechargeable. Battery is user replaceable. 900 mA. Claimed talk time: 4 hours. Claimed standby: 9 days.

Performance: 32 MB Flash ROM and 4 megs RAM.

Size: 4.5 x 2.9 x 0.9 inches. Weight: 4.9 ounces.

Phone: Quad-band: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM for voice and GPRS for data.

Audio: Built in speaker and mic (for phone use) and 2.5mm standard headset jack. Supports vibrating alerts, on-screen notifications and LED flashing.

Networking: Bluetooth, supporting headset and hands free profiles.

Expansion: None.

Input and Navigational Aids: Backlit 33-key QWERTY thumb keyboard and thumb operated trackwheel and escape key on right side of unit.

BlackBerry Investor FAQ

2008-04-18T09:03:00.000-07:00

Investor FAQ

Corporate FAQ

When was Research In Motion (RIM) founded?
RIM was founded in 1984 by Mike Lazaridis, current President and Co-CEO, and Douglas Fregin. Jim Balsillie, Co-CEO, joined the Company in 1992.

How many employees does RIM have?
RIM's employee base has grown significantly since 1998, from approximately 200 people to 6,200 by the end of fiscal 2007. This number continues to grow as RIM expands further into the global wireless market. See a list of currently advertised positions.

Where is RIM's corporate office?
RIM's corporate offices are located at 295 Phillip Street, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3W8, Canada. See a complete list of RIM office locations worldwide.

What is the difference between each of the BlackBerry smartphones?
Detailed specifications about BlackBerry® smartphones can be found on the BlackBerry web site at http://na.blackberry.com/eng/devices.

Where are RIM shares traded?
RIM's common shares are listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market (Nasdaq: RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RIM).

When did RIM begin trading on the stock exchanges?
RIM's IPO on the Toronto Stock Exchange was October 28, 1997. RIM began trading on the Nasdaq on February 4, 1999.

What has been RIM's financing activities to date?
RIM's financing to date has included a $35 million CDN private placement, a $100 million CDN initial public offering and listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange, a listing on the Nasdaq and $1.6 billion USD in follow-on offerings.

Can I buy shares directly from RIM?
RIM does not sell shares directly. Please contact your broker to purchase shares.

Does RIM have a Dividend Reinvestment Policy (DRIP)?
RIM currently does not participate in a Dividend Reinvestment Program.

When is RIM's Fiscal Year-end?
RIM's current year, fiscal 2008, will end on March 1, 2008.

How many shares are outstanding?
As of RIM's last fiscal year-end, March 3, 2007, there were approximately 185.9 million shares outstanding (190.6 million diluted shares outstanding). On August 20, 2007, RIM shares split 3-for-1. The number of shares outstanding as of the last fiscal year-end, adjusted for the 3-for-1 split, were approximately 557.6 million shares outstanding (571.8 million diluted shares outstanding).

What is RIM's official accounting currency?
In fiscal 2000, as a result of RIM's increased economic activity in the U.S., the U.S. dollar was adopted as the reporting currency of the Company. In the first quarter of fiscal 2004, RIM commenced reporting its consolidated financial results in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

Has RIM split its stock?
RIM has split its stock twice; the first split was a 2-for-1 stock split that occurred on June 4, 2004; the second split was a 3-for-1 stock split that occurred on August 20, 2007.

How does RIM generate revenue?
RIM generates revenue primarily from the sale of hardware, licensing of software and providing services to our carrier partners. Service revenue is generated through a monthly access fee charged to the carrier for each of their end users that have a subscriber account with an active status. In exchange, RIM gives the end user access, via the carrier, to the BlackBerry architecture for the wireless transmission of data. The carrier owns the relationship with the end user.

How does RIM recognize revenue?
Hardware revenue from the sale of BlackBerry smartphones is recognized when title is transferred to the customer and all significant contractual obligations that affect the customer's final acceptance have been fulfilled. Provisions are made at the time of sale for warranties, royalties and estimated product returns. For hardware products for which the software is deemed not to be incidental, the Company recognizes revenue in accordance with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Statement of Position 97-2, Software Revenue Recognition ("SOP 97-2").

Service revenue is recognized rateably on a monthly basis when the service is provided. In instances where the Company bills the customer prior to performing the service, the pre-billing is recorded as deferred revenue.

Revenue from licensed software is recognized at the inception of the license term and in accordance with SOP 97-2. Revenue from software maintenance, unspecified upgrades and technical support contracts is recognized over the period that such items are delivered or that services are provided.

Please see RIM's Management, Discussion and Analysis of Financial Statements (PDF) for a more detailed discussion.

How is the BlackBerry subscriber base calculated?
The BlackBerry subscriber base is the total of all subscriber accounts that have an active status at the end of a reporting period. The carrier instructs RIM to create subscriber accounts and determines whether the subscriber account should have an active status. That carrier is charged a service fee for that subscriber account each month. Any subscriber that RIM is being paid for by the carrier has service made available and is counted as a subscriber account, regardless of the amount of data traffic the subscriber passes over the BlackBerry architecture.

If a carrier informs RIM that an end user no longer wants to utilize the BlackBerry service and deactivates the subscriber account, then RIM would no longer include that subscriber account in its BlackBerry subscriber base. On a quarterly basis, RIM estimates the number of pending deactivations for carriers that are not on RIM's current automated provisioning system and therefore have not historically been timely in reporting the change in status to RIM. It is, however, the carrier's responsibility to report the change to the subscriber account status on a timely basis to RIM as they own the relationship with their end user.

On occasion, when a particular carrier has informed RIM that it has changed a block of subscriber accounts from having an active status relating to past quarters, RIM segregates these accounts from quarterly subscriber account additions and reduces the subscriber base in its quarter-end reports. The number of subscriber accounts is a non-financial metric and is intended to show the growth in RIM's subscriber base only and should not be relied upon as an indicator of RIM's financial performance. The number of subscriber accounts also does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and is unlikely comparable to similar metrics presented by other companies.

Who are RIM's auditors?
Ernst and Young LLP
Chartered Accountants
515 Riverbend Drive
P.O. Box 9458
Station C
Kitchener, Ontario
N2G 4W9

How can I obtain a copy of RIM's annual and quarterly reports?
Annual and quarterly reports are available at http://www.rim.com/investors/reports/index.shtml.

How can I obtain a copy of documents filed by RIM with Canadian securities commissions and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the U.S.?
RIM files documents electronically with the Canadian Securities Administrators SEDAR database and with the SEC on EDGAR. To access RIM's public securities filings, either visit the SEDAR web site at http://www.sedar.com and do a public database search under Research In Motion Limited or go to http://www.sec.gov to view RIM's EDGAR filings.

What is the CUSIP number for Research In Motion Limited?
The CUSIP number for RIM's common shares is 76097510-2.

Who is RIM's transfer agent and how can I reach them?
You can reach our transfer agent, Computershare Investor Services Inc., at:

Computershare Investor Services Inc.
100 University Avenue, 9th Floor
Toronto, Ontario, M5J 2Y1
Tel: 1-800-564-6253
service@computershare.com

How do I obtain or modify information regarding my shareholder account? How can I transfer ownership of my shares?
Please contact RIM's transfer agent, Computershare Investor Services Inc., or your broker.

If my RIM share certificate has been lost, stolen or destroyed, how do I arrange to replace it?
If your RIM share certificate has been lost, stolen or destroyed, please contact Computershare Investor Services Inc. A Computershare representative will send you the necessary documentation to arrange for a replacement certificate.