First EDGE-Enabled BlackBerry Handset Offered Exclusively On Largest, Fastest
National Wireless Data Network in U.S.
ATLANTA and WATERLOO, Ontario, Nov. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- BlackBerry(R) is
going high-speed as Cingular Wireless and Research In Motion (RIM)
(Nasdaq: RIMM) (TSX: RIM) today introduced the BlackBerry 8700c(TM), the first
BlackBerry device to support high-speed EDGE network technology. The new,
sleek BlackBerry 8700c features a completely re-engineered device platform
that is optimized for breakthrough performance and usability. It will be
available in the U.S. exclusively from Cingular Wireless beginning
November 21.
The EDGE-enabled BlackBerry 8700c is an eagerly anticipated addition to
Cingular's popular BlackBerry portfolio that provides users with best-in-class
performance for email, phone, browsing and corporate data applications in a
lightweight, all-in-one device. With the dramatically enhanced device
platform and integrated EDGE capabilities, BlackBerry 8700c users will
experience noticeably faster Web browsing, application performance and
attachment viewing; the ability to store and run more powerful enterprise, and
personal productivity applications; as well as comprehensive, smoothly
integrated phone features in a light and compact design.
The BlackBerry 8700c operates on Cingular's EDGE network -- the largest
and fastest national wireless data network in the U.S. with availability in
13,000 cities and towns and along nearly 40,000 miles of major highways.
Customers can use the quad-band BlackBerry 8700c with Cingular service in more
than 170 countries for voice and over 90 countries for data. With the
BlackBerry 8700c from Cingular, customers will have the choice of using two
browsers: the BlackBerry Browser(TM) for HTML Internet browsing and a browser
optimized for Cingular's popular MEdia(sm) Net wireless Internet access
service.
"The BlackBerry 8700c represents another innovative development in the
close collaboration and long-standing relationship that Cingular has had with
RIM while becoming the leading BlackBerry provider," said Kent Mathy,
President of Cingular's business-to-business organization, the Business
Markets Group. "For over a decade, Cingular and RIM have worked together to
provide companies with a point-of-entry into the world of wireless data. Now
these customers want to do even more wirelessly and the EDGE-enabled
BlackBerry 8700c from Cingular Wireless is the perfect tool to deliver an
outstanding data and voice experience, while extending even more critical
business processes into mobile environments."
"The new BlackBerry 8700c provides the ultimate balance of performance,
design and function. When you combine our newly optimized BlackBerry platform
with Intel's powerful processor and Cingular's high-speed EDGE network, you
get impressive results," said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO at Research
In Motion. "Early customer reactions confirm our confidence in this product.
The handset looks and feels great. The phone is excellent. The screen is
striking. The performance is exceptional. Put simply - the BlackBerry 8700c is
another winner from RIM and Cingular."
Unrivaled email and browsing performance
Operating on Cingular's high speed wireless network and featuring an
enhanced BlackBerry device platform, a powerful Intel(R) processor, 64 MB
flash memory and 16 MB SRAM, the BlackBerry 8700c delivers a dynamic, highly
responsive, Cingular-exclusive user experience for browsing the Web, running
applications and viewing email attachments and graphics. In addition, the
device provides exceptional resolution and ample workspace for viewing email,
web pages, applications and other information. The BlackBerry 8700c also
features a backlit, ergonomic, full QWERTY keyboard that allows for quick,
comfortable and accurate message typing and data entry.
Smoothly Integrated Phone Features
The stylish BlackBerry 8700c from Cingular Wireless provides customers
with an outstanding converged voice and data experience. The handset is light,
comfortable and well designed to allow loud and clear phone calls. It blends
high-end phone features including quad-band GPRS/GSM and EDGE network support;
"send," "end" and "mute" phone keys; and other intuitive call management
features including smart dialing, conference calling, speed dialing and call
forwarding. It also delivers Bluetooth(R) support to ensure wide
compatibility with hands-free accessories and car kits, as well as a built-in
speakerphone for conference calls and hands-free use.
Brilliant LCD with Auto-Sensing Technology
The BlackBerry 8700c features a bright, high-resolution, landscape QVGA
(320x240) LCD. The display supports over 65,000 colors and utilizes active
matrix transmissive technology to deliver vivid graphics. The display also
incorporates intelligent light sensing technology that automatically adjusts
both the LCD and keyboard lighting to provide an optimized view in outdoor,
indoor and dark environments.
Intel Processor
The BlackBerry 8700c utilizes the Intel XScale(R) architecture and the
Intel PXA901 cellular processor (codenamed "Hermon") to enable exceptional
EDGE communications capabilities, as well as industry-leading application
performance, without compromising battery life requirements. The Intel XScale
architecture provides users of the BlackBerry 8700c with the increased
processing power needed to enjoy a rich user experience while running a
variety of applications.
"Cingular is a pioneer in driving new devices, new services and new
features into the mobile market and RIM is the company that made mobile email
real and tremendously compelling," said Sean Maloney, Executive Vice President
and General Manager of Intel's Mobility Group. "BlackBerry has now become a
cultural icon. Using Intel's XScale-based communications processor technology,
the new BlackBerry 8700c from Cingular Wireless adds to this heritage by
delivering a leap forward in performance, all in an incredibly sleek and
compact design."
BlackBerry and Cingular - For Both Enterprises and Individuals
Another important and distinguishing feature of the BlackBerry 8700c is
the proven and popular BlackBerry platform, which provides individuals and
companies of all sizes with the necessary architecture and infrastructure to
provide a superb "push" email experience and a solid foundation for other
mobile data applications.
For corporate customers, BlackBerry Enterprise Server(TM) software tightly
integrates with Microsoft(R) Exchange, IBM Lotus(R) Domino(TM) and Novell
GroupWise(R) and works with existing enterprise systems to enable secure,
push-based, wireless access to email and other corporate data. Enterprise
customers also can take advantage of BlackBerry MDS(TM) to enable secure,
wireless access to other back-office applications.
For individuals and smaller businesses, BlackBerry Internet Service(TM)
allows users to support up to 10 corporate and personal email accounts from a
single device. These include Microsoft Exchange, IBM Lotus Domino and most
popular ISP email accounts.
Pricing and Availability
The new EDGE-enabled BlackBerry 8700c will be available only through
Cingular beginning November 21 in retail stores, via http://www.cingular.com, and
through Cingular's B2B sales organization and authorized Cingular dealers.
The BlackBerry 8700c is available for as low as $299.99 with a two-year
contract and mail-in rebate. BlackBerry monthly data plans - with a qualified
voice plan - are $34.99 for 4 MB of data, $44.99 for unlimited domestic data
service and $64.99 for unlimited domestic and international data usage.
For more information go to http://www.cingular.com/blackberry or
http://www.blackberry.com.
Note to Editors: Cingular Wireless and Research In Motion will be holding
an audiocast regarding this announcement today at 11:30 a.m. ET, which can be
accessed at the following URL:
http://www.videonewswire.com/event.asp?id=31167. This audiocast will be
available for replay for 90 days.
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.
About Cingular Wireless
Cingular Wireless is the largest wireless carrier in the United States,
serving 52.3 million customers. Cingular, a joint venture between SBC
Communications Inc. (NYSE: SBC) and BellSouth Corporation (NYSE: BLS), has the
largest digital voice and data network in the nation -- the ALLOVER(SM)
network - and the largest mobile-to-mobile community of any national wireless
carrier. Cingular is the only U.S. wireless carrier to offer Rollover(R), the
wireless plan that lets customers keep their unused monthly minutes. Details
of the company are available at http://www.cingular.com. Get Cingular
Wireless press releases emailed to you automatically. Sign up at
http://cingular.mediaroom.com.
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.
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SOURCE Cingular Wireless
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Related links:
http://www.cingular.com/blackberry
http://www.cingular.com http://www.blackberry.com
http://www.rim.com
http://www.videonewswire.com/event.asp?id=31167
CONTACT:
Media, John Kampfe of Cingular Wireless,
+1-908-696-4536, or wireless, +1-908-432-3473, or
john.kampfe@cingular.com; or Jessica Shorter of Brodeur,
+1-617-587-2851, or jshorter@brodeur.com, for RIM; or RIM
Investor Relations, +1-519-888-7465, or
investor_relations.@rim.com
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