Smallest and Lightest Full QWERTY BlackBerry Handset Features Enhanced
Multimedia Capabilities With AT&T's Industry-Leading Coverage for Wireless
Data Services
ATLANTA and WATERLOO, Ontario, May 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AT&T
Inc. (NYSE: T) and Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today
announced the introduction of the BlackBerry(R) Curve(TM), the smallest and
lightest full QWERTY BlackBerry handset. AT&T will be the first wireless
carrier in North America to offer the BlackBerry Curve in wireless retail
and business channels beginning tomorrow, Thursday, May 31.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070530/AQW057)
Available in the U.S. exclusively from AT&T, the BlackBerry Curve can
be used by AT&T customers within the broadest domestic and international
coverage area for wireless data services of any U.S. carrier. The
BlackBerry Curve measures just 4.2" x 2.4" x 0.6", weighs approximately 3.9
oz. and builds on the proven and popular BlackBerry handset experience to
offer innovative features and enhanced multimedia capabilities while
maintaining exceptional battery life. The BlackBerry Curve is the first
BlackBerry handset to offer a 2 megapixel camera and spell checker for
e-mail. It gives AT&T customers the personal productivity and flexibility
they want and keeps them connected to the important people and content in
their lives with messaging, music and other capabilities.
Fashioned in a liquid silver finish with chrome highlights, smooth
edges and soft curves, the BlackBerry Curve strikes a unique balance of
features, usability and design. It combines the renowned BlackBerry e-mail
and messaging capabilities, premium phone features, comprehensive organizer
and fast Internet browser with a new 2 megapixel camera with zoom, enhanced
media player and new desktop media manager, microSD expandable memory slot
and RIM's intuitive trackball navigation system. The BlackBerry Curve from
AT&T also includes AT&T Music(TM) subscription services, TeleNav(R)
Maps(TM) to provide users with maps and driving directions and integrated
Push to Talk (PTT) for enhanced communications.
"The BlackBerry Curve has all of the qualities of a winner that will
resonate with a broad segment of AT&T customers," said Kent Mathy,
president of AT&T's Business Markets Group. "Business professionals and
consumers alike will gravitate to its iconic look, industry-leading
coverage both here in the U.S. and abroad, robust e-mail and Web browsing
capabilities, and powerful entertainment offerings."
"We continue to make BlackBerry handsets smaller, thinner, lighter and
more powerful while staying focused on delivering a quality user
experience," said Mike Lazaridis, president and Co-CEO of Research In
Motion. "The BlackBerry Curve, with its full QWERTY keyboard and sleek new
design, is a perfect choice for people who want enhanced multimedia
features together with an uncompromising communications experience."
The BlackBerry Curve represents another first for AT&T, which is the
leading provider of BlackBerry services worldwide. AT&T was the first
carrier* in the world to introduce the BlackBerry wireless solution in 1999
and has since continued to lead the way with the introduction of
groundbreaking BlackBerry handsets, including the BlackBerry(R) 8700c,
BlackBerry(R) 8800 and the red BlackBerry(R) Pearl(TM).
The BlackBerry Curve is powered by AT&T's nationwide** EDGE network,
the largest high-speed national wireless data network in the U.S. with
availability in more than 13,000 cities and towns and along some 40,000
miles of major highways. The quadband BlackBerry Curve from AT&T keeps
users who are abroad connected with wireless data services in more
countries -- more than 130 -- than any other U.S. carrier. The new
BlackBerry Curve from AT&T also features:
* A large, ultrabright 320-by-240 display that supports more than 65,000
colors, complete with light-sensing technology that automatically
adjusts backlighting for indoor, outdoor and dark environments.
* The first BlackBerry handset to offer a built-in spell checker with
user-customizable dictionary to help ensure the accuracy of e-mail and
other text entries.
* 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(R) (2.0) support for
hands-free use with headsets, car kits and Bluetooth peripherals.
* AT&T Push to Talk (PTT), running on the largest PTT network in the U.S,
so customers can use the service to stay connected with individual
colleagues, friends or family or to set up groups for broader
communication.
* A 2 megapixel camera with 5x digital zoom, built-in flash,
self-portrait mirror and a full screen viewfinder. The camera can
capture images in up to three picture quality and size resolutions that
can be quickly shared by e-mail, MMS, BlackBerry Messenger or
Bluetooth. Photos can also be set as a unique caller ID or home screen
image.
* A powerful new media manager application, which is included as part of
the BlackBerry Desktop software. The Roxio(R) Media Manager for
BlackBerry, which was developed with Sonic(R) and based on the
award-winning Roxio Easy Media Creator(R) 9, introduces a new level of
simplicity, allowing users to easily search for media files on their
computer, view and organize them; create MP3 music files from CDs; add
audio tags; create playlists; and automatically copy or convert
pictures, music and videos for optimal playback on the BlackBerry
Curve.
* A 3.5 mm stereo headset jack, support for Bluetooth stereo audio
profile (A2DP/AVRCP) and dedicated volume controls.
* AT&T Music, an integrated, on-the-go music experience that delivers
"your music, your way" by providing simple access to a robust
collection of music content, including access to online subscription
music content from eMusic, XM Satellite Radio and more.
* TeleNav Maps(TM), a free mapping application that can help users find
addresses and provide step-by-step directions with the ability to
upgrade to TeleNav GPS Navigator(TM). TeleNav GPS Navigator can be
used with a Bluetooth-enabled GPS accessory to provide audible turn-by-
turn driving directions, local points of interest or the latest traffic
information -- all for a low monthly subscription.
* Support for polyphonic, MP3 and MIDI ringtones.
* BlackBerry Internet Service support that allows access to up to 10
personal and corporate e-mail accounts, including most popular ISP
e-mail accounts.
* BlackBerry Enterprise Server support for enterprise deployments,
integrating with IBM Lotus(R) Domino(R), Microsoft(R) Exchange and
Novell(R) GroupWise(R) environments and features a new set of IT policy
controls for managing the handset's features and usage.
* A variety of in-the-box accessories, including stereo headset, travel
charger and USB cable. Additional accessories for BlackBerry handsets,
including premium leather holsters and totes, an automotive charger,
and Bluetooth headsets are available online and through retail outlets.
Pricing and Availability
The BlackBerry Curve will be available for as low as $199.99 with a
two-year contract and mail-in rebate beginning May 31 in AT&T (formerly
Cingular Wireless) retail stores, online at http://www.cingular.com, through
select national retailers and various AT&T business channels. Customers who
want personal e-mail access and Web browsing with BlackBerry Internet
Service can choose the BlackBerry Personal Unlimited plan for as low as
$29.99 a month with a qualified voice contract. Unlimited corporate e-mail
access via BlackBerry Enterprise Server is as low as $44.99 a month when a
qualified voice plan is also chosen or when customers who travel overseas
can have unlimited e-mail access internationally for as low as $64.99 a
month with a qualified voice plan. Unlimited Cingular Push to Talk service
is available for an additional monthly charge of $9.99 per device and
$19.99 for Push to Talk Family. AT&T Push to Talk also features a
pay-per-use option of $.15 a minute. TeleNav GPS Navigator monthly service
is available for $5.99 for 10 trips or $9.99 for unlimited trips. As
features within AT&T Music, XM Satellite Radio and MusicID require monthly
subscription fees of $8.99 and $3.99, respectively.
Note: This AT&T release and other news announcements are available as
part of an RSS feed at http://www.att.com/rss.
About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is a premier communications holding company. Its
subsidiaries and affiliates, AT&T operating companies, are the providers of
AT&T services in the United States and around the world. Among their
offerings are the world's most advanced IP-based business communications
services and the nation's leading wireless, high speed Internet access and
voice services. In domestic markets, AT&T is known for the directory
publishing and advertising sales leadership of its Yellow Pages and
YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations, and the AT&T brand is licensed to innovators
in such fields as communications equipment. As part of its three-screen
integration strategy, AT&T is expanding its TV entertainment offerings.
Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services
provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at
http://www.att.com.
(C) 2007 AT&T Knowledge Ventures. All rights reserved. AT&T and the
AT&T logo are trademarks of AT&T Knowledge Ventures. For more information,
please review this announcement in the AT&T newsroom at
http://www.att.com/newsroom.
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(R) wireless platform, the RIM
Wireless Handheld(TM)
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 http://www.rim.com
or http://www.blackberry.com.
* Through AT&T and predecessor companies.
** Not available in all areas.
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. The Company 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 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
liability and makes no representation, warranty or guarantee in relation to
third party products or services.
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