RIM

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.

Via

Vodafone Malta and Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM) are pleased to announce the launch of the BlackBerry® Bold™ smartphone in Malta.  The BlackBerry Bold smartphone is a top-of-the-line handset that comes with tri-band support for HSDPA high-speed networks around the world and includes integrated GPS and Wi-Fi®, as well as a rich set of multimedia capabilities. Featuring a lustrous black exterior, satin chrome finished frame and stylish leather-like backplate, the BlackBerry Bold is a symbol of accomplishment and aspiration. The stunning display, sophisticated user interface and newly designed full-QWERTY keyboard make the BlackBerry Bold a ‘must have’.

Vodafone Malta Ltd Chief Executive Officer Inaki Berroeta commented, “Now that the BlackBerry Bold is available in the Maltese market, professionals have the opportunity to manage their business dealings and operations in a manner that is fast and flexible.”

The BlackBerry Bold smartphone provides wireless access to email, phone, web and multimedia applications, as well as many other business and lifestyle applications. Through its integrated GPS, the BlackBerry Bold can pinpoint its exact location, supporting BlackBerry® Maps and other location-based applications and services.

“The BlackBerry Bold is an exceptionally powerful smartphone that seamlessly blends performance, usability and design,” said Mark Guibert, vice president of Corporate Marketing, RIM. “We are delighted to be working with Vodafone Malta to bring the BlackBerry Bold to customers in Malta.”

The battle over the BlackBerry Storm in Canada is sure to heat up now that we’ve been given details outlining a synchronized launch on both Bell and Telus.  With Vodafone UK launching the Storm last Friday and Verizon Wireless in the US launching this Friday, the buzz is building and expectations are at an all-time high.  The good news here is that customers will be the biggest winners when Bell and Telus launch the Storm in December since both companies plan on offering the lowest price and best incentives.

Friday a memo was sent to all bell retail managers revealing that both of the Canadian carriers will ironically be releasing the Storm on the exact same day. All employees must complete mandatory training by December 8th leading many to believe that this is the actual launch date. The leak went on to say he, “received emails stating that our current Bell BlackBerry live demos (currently stores either have the 8130 or 8330) all will be replaced with Storms on or around the 5th of December.  No actual release date, but with demo units shipping the 5th we should see it in Canada by the 10th of December.”

Bell is very exited to add the Storm to their powerful 3G BlackBerry lineup. Testing on the Bell network has already started taking place. The BlackBerry storm will be launching in Canada shortly after the US release on November 21st. Training as outlined in the memo consists of the following:

Training

In preparation for this much-anticipated launch, several training tools will be released for Sales Consultants. These tools will provide Sales Consultants with the ability to:
* Understand what the Blackberry Storm can offer valued clients.
* learn why the Blackberry Storm is better with bell, and
* win the sale!

The Table below outlines the training tools that will be available on the Bell Training site (bell.ca/training) in the ‘What’s New’ section, along with training delivery dates, and completion due dates

1. Job Aid: Getting the Right 3G Blackberry for your Clients
Delivery Date: 11/14/2008
Completion Due Date: 11/21/2008

2. Job Aid: Blackberry Competitive Comparison
Delivery Date: 11/19/2008
Completion Due Date: 11/26/2008

3. Job Aid: Blackberry Storm
Delivery Date: 11/19/2008
Completion Due Date: 11/26/2008

4. Web Based Training: Blackberry Storm Online Training
Delivery Date: 11/21/2008
Completion Due Date: 12/05/2008

5. Video: Blackberry Storm Video
Delivery Date: 12/01/2008
Completion Due Date: 12/08/2008

All Management level

Via BGR

On December 1st, Vodafone Australia will launch the BlackBerry Storm free on the company’s Internet Data Cap plans from $69 per month on 2-year service agreements.  Unfortunately those unlimited data plans will have a bit of fine print that might hinder your browsing habits.  According to Cnet Australia, Vodafone’s unlimited data is only available when used through the native BlackBerry Browser and does not include video streaming or large file downloads.

So what happens if I want to use data outside of the BlackBerry Browser?  Well here is where things get hairy, according to Vodafone’s PR those customers looking to access data outside these terms of use will be charged $0.50 per megabyte, or can opt to take a 100MB data plan for an additional $9.95 per month.  If you are still interested in taking the world by Storm in Australia December 1st, Vodafone is currently taking pre-registrations on their website with 8GB microSD cards included.

Vodafone Australia BlackBerry Storm pre-registration

President elect Barack Obama’s CrackBerry addiction is no secret, but with the legal implications that would allow his email to be subpoenaed by Congress and courts, an electronic detox might be in order.  At the moment Obama’s transition officials haven’t made a decision on what device the new President will or will not carry, but many say he’s unlikely to carry his BlackBerry.

“This is a decision President-elect Obama will have to face,” said former Bush press secretary Scott McClellan, who added that Obama’s legal advisers will probably recommend against an e-mailing president.

For a bit of comparison, a few days before President Bush took office in 2001 he sent an email to a few dozen close friends saying that he would no longer use email: “Since I do not want my private conversations looked at by those out to embarrass, the only course of action is not to correspond in cyberspace. This saddens me.”

In an age when email is an essential aspect of business and personal life, it’s hard to imagine the President does not have access to high-grade encryption with algorithms no legal team could decipher.  Unfortunately any risk to the President’s personal information is worth protecting and a no email policy will be in order.  Looks like you can safely say you’d never find us running for President anytime soon.

BlackBerry users can now join in on the social networking fun via MySpace mobile starting today.  With the MySpace mobile experience BlackBerry users will be able to send and recieve MySpace mail, Update their Status and Mood, View and send Bulletins, Add comments, post photos and much more.  The application is available free of charge, but you will need a data plan and network connection to use the software.  BlackBerry requirements include 64MB of onboard memory with 100KB available memory

To download MySpace for your BlackBerry Smartphone direct your web browser to www.blackberry.com/myspace or you can download to your computer and install using your USB cable by clicking here.

When the iPhone 3G was released, iSuppli estimated the cost to be $174.33, which at the time seemed pricey.  Fast forward to today and iSuppli’s breakdown for the BlackBerry Bold is reportedly costing RIM $169.41 to build.  With the announcement of the building cost, many analysts are turning more bullish on RIM because they were expecting a $200 price point to match the iPhone 3G.

iSuppli’s teardown also gives insight into RIM’s stable of suppliers. The most costly component is a chip from Marvell Technology (MRVL) that handles both the wireless communications and the applications running on the device and costs a little more than $34. The second-most costly component is the screen, supplied by Samsung, which costs $16. Samsung also supplied memory chips that cost another $10.45. The handset’s internal camera came from OmniVision Technologies (OVTI) and cost a little less than $10. Two parts from Texas Instruments (TXN) cost a combined $7.72, while SiRF Technology (SIRF) supplied a $5 GPS chip.

The big question is whether or not RIM will maintain the $299 price tag currently being offered for the Bold when At&t launches the device this year.  The combinations of delays and a higher price tag have many Bold hopefuls (including ourselves) starting to rethink the purchase.

Via BusinessWeek

The $199 price point has shifted the war in the next-generation gaming consoles in favor of the Xbox 360.  With many BlackBerry users also owning Xbox 360’s, a new app titled XBerry Live has now been released in beta form.  Xberry Live allows you to view your Xbox Live friends list to see which friends are online, what games they are playing and even check anyone with an Xbox Live Gamer Tag.

The XBerry Live app will work with any BlackBerry smartphone that is running on OS version 4.2.1 and up, it is available on 81xx, 83xx, 87xx, 88xx, and 9000. To get this new BlackBerry Xbox Live Beta “XBerry Live App” just type in this URL http://jxl.me/xberry/xberrylive.jad into your web browser.

Via IntoMobile

The rumors that Orange UK would be pulling the BlackBerry Bold off shelves now seem a bit more real thanks to an internal memo leak this afternoon.  According to the memo, the BlackBerry Bold has seen reports of software issues across various mobile operators and Orange UK is taking the necessary steps to stop the madness.  All shipments of the device in the UK by Orange will now be suspended until they receive feedback from RIM.  I guess At&t’s BlackBerry Bold delays are a little bit of a relief despite the agonizing wait.

“Following reports of software issues with the BlackBerry Bold handset across a variety of mobile operators, Orange has decided to act in the interest of its customers by suspending shipments of the device in the UK. We are currently awaiting feed back from RIM as to when an industry wide fix for these issues will be in place, and expect this suspension to be an interim measure.We apologise for any inconvenience this issue may cause you.”
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