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RIM unveils new dual-mode BlackBerry 8820

By Stevie Smith Jul 18, 2007, 13:31 GMT

Canadian wireless device company Research in Motion (RIM) has this week pulled the covers of expectation from its latest BlackBerry 8820 smartphone, which the Ontario-based specialist is lauding as its thinnest handset and also its very first dual-mode BlackBerry entrant.In terms of appealing features, the new BlackBerry 8820 comes equipped with the likes of a full and "highly tactile" QWERTY keyboard, a large and bright 320 x 240 display screen, a user-friendly trackball navigation system, and also "best-in-class" voice and data functionality.The BlackBerry 8820’s specific points of attraction include a built-in global positioning system (GPS) providing "out-of-the-box" support for a wide selection of location-based applications and services, which includes BlackBerry Maps. Then there are RIM’s latest media player additions, and also a memory expansion port for microSD (up to 2GB) and microSDHC (from 4GB to 32GB). More importantly, however, is that the 8820 arrives as the first dual-mode BlackBerry to enter the mobile market, bringing the user EDGE/GPRS/GSM cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity for data access and voice support via unlicensed mobile access (UMA) for fixed-mobile convergence (FMC) throughout varied international wireless carriers."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," enthused Mike Lazaridis, Research in Motion’s president and co-CEO. "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 packed into the BlackBerry 8820 include:* Advanced noise reduction for enhanced audio performance, Speaker Independent Voice Recognition for Voice Activated Dialing (VAD), smart dialing, conference calling, speed dialing, and call forwarding. * A high-quality and low-distortion speakerphone with Bluetooth 2.0 for hands-free headsets, car kits, and other Bluetooth accessories. * Polyphonic, MP3, and MIDI ringtone compatibility. * Support for 802.11 a/b/g Wi-Fi standards for business, public, and home-based access to the wireless network.* Compatibility with BlackBerry Enterprise Server and BlackBerry Internet Service while switching between cellular and Wi-Fi networks for easy access to e-mail, instant messaging, organiser, Web browsing, and other mobile data applications.* The BlackBerry 8820 also supports the Bluetooth stereo audio profile (A2DP/AVRCP) and is equipped with the most recent BlackBerry media player enhancements, giving users the ability to play music and search by simply typing the title, genre, artist or album name. Video files can also be played in full-screen mode. * New Roxio Media Manager developed with Sonic and based on the award-winning Roxio Easy Media Center 9.* Compliant with Wi-Fi security protocols including WEP, WPA, WPA2, and also Cisco Compatible Extensions for "simple, secure connectivity with Cisco wireless solutions."* Businesses requiring Wi-Fi access to the corporate network via VPN can take advantage of IPSec-based software that supports many VPN gateways.* Removable ultra-thin, high capacity battery.Research in Motion’s new BlackBerry 8820 smartphone will be available from select international wireless carriers in the coming weeks. Consumers in the United States can expect to receive the 8820 via AT&T before the close of the summer.

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matthewJul 18th, 2007 - 14:52:24

At&t???

come on!

when is t-mobile getting there device! with wifi

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Jim T.Jul 18th, 2007 - 17:03:05

More importantly, when will Verizon offer it?

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DustinJul 18th, 2007 - 17:36:25

Who's carrying the wireless service?

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mattyJul 18th, 2007 - 17:54:42

call me crazy, but wouldn't adding a video option including support for mp4, divx, xvid put this over the edge?

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QuijoteJul 18th, 2007 - 18:36:30

'enthused Mike Lazaridis, Research in Motion’s president and co-CEO.'

I beg you parden.

You can't have a 'co chief executive officer' - either the buck stops here or it doesn't!

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gadgetgeekJul 18th, 2007 - 18:37:53

Dustin, read the last sentence. AT&T will have it at the end of the summer.

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spawnJul 18th, 2007 - 19:33:27

Why is Tmobile alway the last carrier to get the latest cell phone technology??? It's seems AT&T always get the latest & greatest smart phone first. Definitely something wrong here. I'm seriously considering switching my line...

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Steve RaganJul 18th, 2007 - 20:13:41

@Quijote
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Lazaridis
www.rim.net/newsroom/media/executive/index.shtml
Lazaridis is co-CEO

The 8820 is not currently planned for Verizon according to the rep I just talked to. Aside form answering questions on here, I also asked about the 8820 on Verizon because I just got an 8830 from there. I love the 8830, but the 8820 with the WiFi support would help me when dealing with clients.

Best,
Steve

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NitroJul 18th, 2007 - 20:15:52

All I can say is that it won't be out sson enough! W00T for RIM!!

IPhone might have had some excellent marketing, but I think this phone will offer tons more funtionality to 'serious' business people. Plus, I like the fact one can still program for the BB's. The IPhone really lost its luster when people found out individuals couldn't code for it (well, except for web-based apps that still would have pretty limited appeal). So much for the glam phones... let the true tech revolutionists live strong!

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JerryJul 19th, 2007 - 08:18:03

Verizon will be available at the end of this year...

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