Paris, France and Waterloo, Canada – SFR and Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced the availability of the BlackBerry® Storm™ smartphone in France. Purpose built for SFR, the BlackBerry Storm will be available exclusively from SFR with pre-orders accepted from November 20th on the SFR online store (www.sfr.fr) and with in store availability beginning December 3 in all SFR shops. The BlackBerry Storm will be available from €99 (sales price of €149 in store with a €50 discount), and comes with two new Illimythics 3G+ plan options specially designed for the BlackBerry Storm.
A revolutionary touch-screen technology
The BlackBerry Storm smartphone’s revolutionary SurePress™ touch-screen, which depresses ever so slightly when the screen is pressed, dramatically enhances the touch interface for both typing and navigation. The virtual keyboard on the BlackBerry Storm responds much like a physical keyboard to allow easy and precise typing and the interface also supports single-touch, multi-touch and gestures for intuitive and efficient navigation. The BlackBerry Storm can be used in portrait or landscape mode thanks to its built in orientation sensor (accelerometer). When in portrait mode, users can type out a quick instant message or dial a number using either RIM’s SureType® keyboard system or a 12-key multi-tap keyboard layout. When the handset is rotated to landscape, the user is presented with a full AZERTY keyboard.
Powerful communications and multimedia features, global connectivity and all the personal productivity advantages of the BlackBerry® platform
The BlackBerry Storm smartphone is a perfect choice for both consumers and business users looking for a state-of-the-art multimedia device. The BlackBerry Storm boasts exceptional performance, a stunning display and rich features including 3G (HSPA) network support, GPS, desktop-style web pages, advanced multimedia, a first class phone, camera and robust messaging capabilities – all designed to give users a fast and powerful mobile experience.
The BlackBerry Storm smartphone’s built in media player can handle a number of music formats. Music fans will be able to download their favourite music files directly from Music section of the Vodafone Live! Portal and their music can also be synchronised with iTunes®* thanks to BlackBerry® Media Sync.
Through its integrated GPS which supports “SFR Find & Go”, SFR’s geolocalisation and navigation service, the BlackBerry Storm can pinpoint its exact location, has the ability to search for points-of-interest (restaurants, cinemas, subway stations, etc.), offers pedestrian navigation and can deliver real time guidance for road navigation in France and the rest of Europe.
New SFR service plans to make the make the most of the BlackBerry Storm smartphone SFR will be launching two new limited run service plans for BlackBerry smartphones. The Illimythics 3G+ Special « GPS – Mail » plans will be available from 19th November 2008 to 20th January 2009.
2H Illimythics 3G+ Special GPS – Mail: This plan will be available from €44,90 per month on a 24 months contract (€49,90 per month on a 12 months contract). This special offer will be available for a limited time.
Includes: * Unlimited GPS Navigation ‘SFR Find & Go’, email service with attachment download capability (Business Mail), mobile Internet, Mobile TV and SMS
* Unlimited phone calls from 21h30 to 00h
* Two hours of phone calls
* 10 singles without DRM to be downloaded for free from 19/11/08 to 20/01/09
3H Illimythics 3G+ Special GPS – Mail: The plan described above will also be available in a 3 hours version from €61,90 per month on a 24 month contract (€66,90 per month on a 12 months contract). This special offer will be available for a limited time.
* Certain music files may not be supported, including files that contain digital rights management technologies.
For more information please visit www.blackberry.com/storm or www.sfr.fr/blackberrystyorm
Media can access images and video of the BlackBerry Storm smartphone at www.rim.mediaseed.tv.