RIM Launches Blackberry 8820 Smart Phone

In response to shareholders questions to how the RIM management felt about the launch of Apple’s iPhone, at its annual general meeting. Research in Motion’s Co- CEO, Mike Lazaradis simply replied with a comment that it was a welcomed development due to the awareness and increase in expectation by smart phone users. He was quoted as “Hats off to Mr Jobs for growing the industry”


The meeting provided a platform for Mike to highlight what seems to be a likely business version of the Apple iPhone with features such as Thinnest smart phone design, full QWERTY keyboard, 320 x 240 display, trackball navigation (as on Pearl, Curve and other 88xx devices) ,Dual mode: GSM/EDGE and WiFi with UMA support for UMA based carriers, UMA = seamless handoff between WiFi and EDGE .WEP, WPA and WPA2 WiFi security , 64MB Flash embedded memory; expandable to 32GB via microSD memory cards ,SD to 2GB, SDHC to 32GB (when available) ,GPS with support for A-GPS interfaces ,Voice-activated dialing, conference calling, speed dialing and call forwarding, Media player ,Roxio Media Manager for Blackberry , Allows full management of media files via PC , Stereo audio output (supports Bluetooth stereo audio profile) , Video management with automatic video transcoding. Advanced conversion options and full screen mode. Email support for up to 10 email accounts, 1400 mah battery


It is viewed as a business version of iPhone because it combines both the above features with that of Blackberry’s business ecosystem like. Push email, Over 100,000 Blackberry Enterprise Server installations, Blackberry's inherent full security, only approved wireless device for secure government communications use in U.S., U.K., Canada, NATO, amongst others, Secure WiFi access to corporate networks via VPN's. Open development platforms (no hackers required) ,over 500 third party business applications , several thousand personal applications ,over 125,000 registered developer downloads of developer environment .New Blackberry Mobile Voice System allows single number access to any mobile or fixed device with simultaneous ring, seamless switching (based on technology acquired via Ascendants Systems acquisition) .Supported by 300 carriers in 140 countries .Focus on quality not only of hardware but also of user experience.


Mr Lazaradis also made known that "The Blackberry 8820 is an extraordinary business phone for people who really care about mobile communications and productivity. It features all the renowned power and usability of the Blackberry platform with executive class styling and unprecedented connectivity features, including cellular, Wi-Fi and built-in GPS," said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO at RIM. "The Blackberry 8820 complements our carrier partners' cellular networks with the added ability to stay connected via Wi-Fi at home, through hotspots and corporate campuses." Other features include


Managed battery life for longer times between recharges, apparently they have experienced up to 5 hours talk time on a WiFi connection, Ease of use , It just works as expected of a phone: no frequent freezes and reboots!


While answers are needed for questions such like if the Blackberry 8820 supports YouTube Video, if carrier plans for supporting UMA, and why both RM and Apple are holding 3G capability.


For now only AT&T in the US and Rogers I Canada will be providing this services.