name
logo	Blackberry Logo in Black.svg
logosize	150px
manufacturer	Research In Motion (RIM)
networks	GSM 850/900/1800/1900GPRS/EDGE/UMTSCDMA/1xEV-DOiDEN
size	50 × 106.7 × 14.5 mm
weight	87.9 to 155 g depending on model
os	BlackBerry OS
cpu	ARM XScale
memory	64 MB – 768 MB reserved application memory, 4 GB media memory on Storm models, expandable to 32 GB via microSD
display	640 × 480 pixels(Bold 9900/Bold 9930)480 × 360 pixels(Curve 8900/Tour 9630/Bold 9650/Bold 9700/Bold 9780)360 × 480 pixels (Storm 9500/Torch 9800 )480 × 320 pixels (Bold 9000)360 × 400 pixels (Pearl 3G)320 × 240 pixels (8300/8500/8700/8800/Curve 3G)240 × 260 pixels(7100/8100 series)240 × 160 pixels (7200/7300 series)
ringtone	Polyphonic, MP3, MIDI
connectivity	microSD, USB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, NFC }}

BlackBerry is a line of mobile e-mail and smartphone devices developed and designed by Research In Motion (RIM) since 1999.

BlackBerry phones function as a personal digital assistant and portable media player. They are primarily known for their ability to send and receive (push) Internet e-mail wherever mobile network service coverage is present, or through Wi-Fi connectivity. They support a large array of instant messaging features, including BlackBerry Messenger.

BlackBerry commands a 14.80% share of worldwide smartphone sales, making it the fifth most popular device manufacturer after Nokia, Samsung, LG, and Apple. The consumer BlackBerry Internet Service is available in 91 countries worldwide on over 500 mobile service operators using various mobile technologies.

Modern GSM-based BlackBerry handhelds incorporate an ARM 7, 9 or ARM 11 processor, while older BlackBerry 950 and 957 handhelds used Intel 80386 processors. The latest GSM BlackBerry models (9100, 9300 and 9700 series) have an Intel PXA930 624 MHz processor, 256 MB (or 4 GB in the Torch 9800) flash memory and 256 MB SDRAM. CDMA BlackBerry smartphones are based on Qualcomm MSM6x00 chipsets which also include the ARM 9-based processor and GSM 900/1800 roaming (as the case with the 8830 and 9500) and include up to 256MB flash memory. The CDMA Bold 9650 is the first to have 512MB flash memory for applications. All BlackBerrys after OS 5 support up to 32 GB microSD cards.

History

The first BlackBerry device, the 850, was introduced in 1999 as a two-way pager in Munich, Germany. In 2003, the more commonly known smartphone BlackBerry was released, which supports push e-mail, mobile telephone, text messaging, Internet faxing, Web browsing and other wireless information services. It is an example of a convergent device. The original BlackBerry devices, the RIM 850 and 857, used the DataTac network.

BlackBerry first made headway in the marketplace by concentrating on e-mail. RIM currently offers BlackBerry e-mail service to non-BlackBerry devices, such as the Palm Treo, through its BlackBerry Connect software.

The original BlackBerry device had a monochrome display, but all current models have color displays. All models, except for the Storm, series had a built-in QWERTY keyboard, optimized for "thumbing", the use of only the thumbs to type. The Storm 1 and Storm 2 include a SureType keypad for typing. Originally, system navigation was achieved with the use of a scroll wheel mounted on the right side of phones prior to the 8700. The trackwheel was replaced by the trackball with the introduction of the Pearl series which allowed for 4 way scrolling. The trackball was replaced by the optical trackpad with the introduction of the Curve 8500 series. Models made to use iDEN networks such as Nextel and Mike also incorporate a push-to-talk (PTT) feature, similar to a two-way radio.

The newest device, BlackBerry Torch was introduced in August 2010 and is one of the company's favourite smart phones, along with the Bold 9700. The Torch is the first slider phone which also features the full QWERTY keyboard which BlackBerry are famous for.

Operating system

The operating system used by BlackBerry devices is a proprietary multitasking environment developed by RIM. The operating system is designed for use of input devices such as the track wheel, track ball, and track pad. The OS provides support for Java MIDP 1.0 and WAP 1.2. Previous versions allowed wireless synchronization with Microsoft Exchange Server e-mail and calendar, as well as with Lotus Domino e-mail. The current OS 5.0 provides a subset of MIDP 2.0, and allows complete wireless activation and synchronization with Exchange e-mail, calendar, tasks, notes and contacts, and adds support for Novell GroupWise and Lotus Notes. The Blackberry Torch 9800 and Bold 9780 feature Blackberry 6.

Third-party developers can write software using these APIs, and proprietary BlackBerry APIs as well. Any application that makes use of certain restricted functionality must be digitally signed so that it can be associated to a developer account at RIM. This signing procedure guarantees the authorship of an application but does not guarantee the quality or security of the code. RIM provides tools for developing applications and themes for BlackBerry. Applications and themes can be loaded onto BlackBerry devices through BlackBerry App World, Over The Air (OTA) through the BlackBerry mobile browser, or through BlackBerry Desktop Manager.

Supported software

BlackBerry Messenger

Newer BlackBerry devices use the proprietary BlackBerry Messenger, also known as BBM, software for sending and receiving instant messages via BlackBerry PIN. Blackberry Messenger is one of the fastest messengers on a smartphone.

Third-party software

Third-party software available for use on BlackBerry devices includes full-featured database management systems, which can be used to support customer relationship management clients and other applications that must manage large volumes of potentially complex data.

BlackBerry devices will be able to run Android applications when RIM brings QNX and the Android App Player to BlackBerry.

CPU

Early BlackBerry devices, such as the BlackBerry 950, used Intel 80386-based processors. BlackBerry 8000 series smartphones, such as the 8700 and the Pearl, are based on the 312 MHz ARM XScale ARMv5TE PXA900. An exception to this is the BlackBerry 8707 which is based on the 80 MHz Qualcomm 3250 chipset; this was due to the PXA900 chipset not supporting 3G networks. The 80 MHz processor in the BlackBerry 8707 meant the device was often slower to download and render web pages over 3G than the 8700 was over EDGE networks. In May 2008 RIM introduced the BlackBerry 9000 series which are equipped with XScale 624 MHz processors. The BlackBerry Curve 8520 features a 512 MHz processor, while the Bold 9700 features a newer version of the Bold 9000's processor, but is clocked at the same speed. High-End OS7 devices introduced in August 2011 feature a Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8260 CPU clocked at 1.2 Ghz, entry level models a Marvell PXA940 clocked at 800 Mhz.

Connectivity

BlackBerry Enterprise Server

BlackBerry handhelds are integrated into an organization's e-mail system through a software package called BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES). Versions of BES are available for Microsoft Exchange, Lotus Domino and Novell GroupWise. Google has made a Connector for BES which makes BES available for Google Apps as well. While individual users may be able to use a wireless provider's e-mail services without having to install BES themselves, organizations with multiple users usually run BES on their own network. Some third-party companies provide hosted BES solutions. Every BlackBerry has an ID called a BlackBerry PIN, which is used to identify the device to the BES. BlackBerry now provides a free BES software called BES Express.

BES acts as an e-mail relay for corporate accounts so that users always have access to their e-mail. The software monitors the user's local Inbox, and when a new message comes in, it picks up the message and passes it to RIM's Network Operations Center (NOC). The messages are then relayed to the user's wireless provider, which in turn delivers them to the user's BlackBerry device.

This is called push e-mail, because all new e-mails, contacts, task entries, memopad entries, and calendar entries are pushed out to the BlackBerry device automatically and instantaneously (as opposed to the user synchronizing the data manually or having the device poll the server at intervals). BlackBerry also supports polling email, through third party applications. The messaging system built in to the BlackBerry only understands how to receive messages from a BES or the BIS, these services handle the connections to the user's mail providers. Device storage also enables the mobile user to access all data off-line in areas without wireless service. When the user reconnects to wireless service, the BES sends the latest data.

An included feature in the newer models of the BlackBerry is the ability for it to quickly track your current location through trilateration without the use of GPS, thus saving battery life and time. Trilateration can be used as a quick, less battery intensive way to provide location-aware applications with the co-ordinates of the user. However, accuracy of BlackBerry trilateration is less than that of GPS due to a number of factors, including cell tower blockage by large buildings, mountains, or distance.

BES also provides handhelds with TCP/IP connectivity accessed through a component called MDS (Mobile Data System) Connection Service. This allows for custom application development using data streams on BlackBerry devices based on the Sun Microsystems Java ME platform.

In addition, BES provides network security, in the form of Triple DES or, more recently, AES encryption of all data (both e-mail and MDS traffic) that travels between the BlackBerry handheld and a BlackBerry Enterprise Server.

Most providers offer flat monthly pricing for unlimited data between BlackBerry units and BES. In addition to receiving e-mail, organizations can make intranets or custom internal applications with unmetered traffic.

With more recent versions of the BlackBerry platform, the MDS is no longer a requirement for wireless data access. Starting with OS 3.8 or 4.0, BlackBerry handhelds can access the Internet (i.e. TCP/IP access) without an MDS – formerly only e-mail and WAP access was possible without a BES/MDS. The BES/MDS is still required for secure e-mail, data access, and applications that require WAP from carriers that do not allow WAP access.

BlackBerry Internet Service

The primary alternative to using BlackBerry Enterprise Server is to use the BlackBerry Internet Service. BlackBerry Internet Service, or BIS is available in 91 countries internationally. BlackBerry Internet Service was developed primarily for the average consumer rather than for the business consumer. BlackBerry Internet Service allows POP3 and IMAP email integration for an individual personal user. BlackBerry Internet Service allows up to 10 email accounts to be accessed, including many popular email accounts such as Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo and AOL. BlackBerry Internet Service also allows for the function of the push capabilities in various other BlackBerry Applications. Various applications developed by RIM for BlackBerry utilize the push capabilities of BIS, such as the Instant Messaging clients, Google Talk, ICQ, Windows Live Messenger and Yahoo Messenger. Social Networks Facebook, Myspace and Twitter's notification system is accessed through BIS, allowing for push notifications for them.

Phones with BlackBerry e-mail client

Several non-BlackBerry mobile phones have been released featuring the BlackBerry e-mail client which connects to BlackBerry servers. Many of these phones have full QWERTY keyboards

AT&T; Tilt

HTC Advantage X7500

HTC TyTN

Motorola MPx220, some models

Nokia 6810

Nokia 6820

Nokia 9300

Nokia 9300i

Nokia 9500

Nokia Eseries phones, except models Nokia E66, Nokia E71

Qtek 9100

Qtek 9000

Samsung t719

Siemens SK65

Sony Ericsson P910

Sony Ericsson P990

Sony Ericsson M600i

Sony Ericsson P1

samsung

The BlackBerry Store

In December 2007 a BlackBerry Store opened in Farmington Hills, Michigan. , it is the only BlackBerry store in existence, but it was not the first. There were three prior attempts at opening BlackBerry stores in Toronto, London, and Charlotte, but they eventually folded. The store offers BlackBerry device models from AT&T;, T-Mobile, Verizon, and Sprint, the major U.S. carriers which offer smartphones.

Models

Early pager models: 850, 857, 950, 957

Monochrome Java-based series: 5000, 6000

First color series: 7200, 7500, 7700

First SureType phone series: 7100

Modern BlackBerry series (2006–2008): 8000–8830 including: BlackBerry 8800, BlackBerry Pearl, BlackBerry Pearl Flip and BlackBerry Curve 8300

Latest BlackBerry models (2008–2009): 8900+ GPS Wi-Fi series: BlackBerry Bold (9000), BlackBerry Curve 8900, BlackBerry Tour (9630), BlackBerry Storm (9500/9530), BlackBerry Curve 8520/8530

BlackBerry Storm 2 (9520/9550) (2009): BlackBerry Storm2

BlackBerry Bold series (2009): BlackBerry Bold 9700

BlackBerry Bold series (2010): BlackBerry Bold 9650

BlackBerry Bold series (2010): BlackBerry Bold 9780

BlackBerry Bold series (2011): BlackBerry Bold 9900/9930

BlackBerry Pearl series (2010): BlackBerry Pearl 3G 9100/9105

BlackBerry Torch series (2010): BlackBerry Torch 9800

BlackBerry Torch series (2011): BlackBerry Torch 9810

BlackBerry Torch series (2011): BlackBerry Torch 9850/9860

BlackBerry Curve series (2010): BlackBerry 9300

BlackBerry Style 9670 (2010):

BlackBerry PIN

BlackBerry PIN is an eight character hexadecimal identification number assigned to each BlackBerry device. PINs cannot be changed manually on the device (though BlackBerry technicians are able to reset or update a PIN server-side), and are locked to each specific BlackBerry. BlackBerrys can message each other using the PIN directly or by using the BlackBerry Messenger application. BlackBerry PINs are tracked by BlackBerry Enterprise Servers, and the BlackBerry Internet Service, and are used to direct messages to a BlackBerry device. Emails and any other messages, such as those from the BlackBerry Push Service, are typically directed to a BlackBerry's PIN. The message can then be routed by a RIM Network Operations Center, and sent to a carrier, which will deliver the message the last mile to the device.

RIM patent infringement litigation

In 2000 NTP sent notice of its wireless email patents to a number of companies and offered to license the patents to them. NTP brought a patent-infringement lawsuit against one of the companies, Research In Motion, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. This court is well-known for its strict adherence to timetables and deadlines, sometimes referred to as the "rocket docket", and is particularly efficient at trying patent cases.

The jury eventually found that the NTP patents were valid, that RIM had infringed them, that the infringement had been "willful," and that the infringement had cost NTP $33 million in damages (the greater of a reasonable royalty or lost profits). The judge, James R. Spencer, increased the damages to $53 million as a punitive measure because the infringement had been willful. He also instructed RIM to pay NTP's legal fees of $4.5 million and issued an injunction ordering RIM to cease and desist infringing the patents. This would have shut down the BlackBerry systems in the US. RIM appealed all of the findings of the court. The injunction and other remedies were stayed pending the outcome of the appeals.

In March 2005 during the appeals process, RIM and NTP tried to negotiate a settlement of their dispute; the settlement was to be for $450 million. Negotiations broke down due to other issues. On June 10, 2005, the matter returned to the courts. In early November 2005 the US Department of Justice filed a brief requesting that RIM's service be allowed to continue because of the large number of BlackBerry users in the US Federal Government.

In January 2006 the US Supreme Court refused to hear RIM's appeal of the holding of liability for patent infringement, and the matter was returned to a lower court. The prior granted injunction preventing all RIM sales in the US and use of the BlackBerry device might have been enforced by the presiding district court judge had the two parties been unable to reach a settlement.

On February 9, 2006, the US Department of Defense (DOD) filed a brief stating that an injunction shutting down the BlackBerry service while excluding government users was unworkable. The DOD also stated that the BlackBerry was crucial for national security given the large number of government users.

On February 9, 2006, RIM announced that it had developed software workarounds that would not infringe the NTP patents, and would implement those if the injunction was enforced.

On March 3, 2006, after a stern warning from Judge Spencer, RIM and NTP announced that they had settled their dispute. Under the terms of the settlement, RIM has agreed to pay NTP $612.5 million (USD) in a “full and final settlement of all claims.” In a statement, RIM said that “all terms of the agreement have been finalized and the litigation against RIM has been dismissed by a court order this afternoon. The agreement eliminates the need for any further court proceedings or decisions relating to damages or injunctive relief.” The settlement amount is believed low by some analysts, because of the absence of any future royalties on the technology in question.

Certification

BCESA (BlackBerry Certified Enterprise Sales Associate, BCESA40 in full) is a BlackBerry Certification for professional users of RIM (Research In Motion) BlackBerry wireless email devices.

The Certification requires the user to pass several exams relating to the BlackBerry Device, all its functions including Desktop software and providing technical support to Customers of BlackBerry Devices.

The BCESA, BlackBerry Certified Enterprise Sales Associate qualification, is the first of three levels of professional BlackBerry Certification.

BCTA (BlackBerry Certified Technical Associate)

BlackBerry Certified Support Associate T2

More information on certifications is on the Blackberry.com website.

The BlackBerry Technical Certifications available are:

BlackBerry Certified Enterprise Server Consultant (BCESC)

BlackBerry Certified Server Support Technician (BCSST)

BlackBerry Certified Support Technician (BCST)

Use

The encryption features make it extremely safe and Blackberry devices suitable for use by state forces

The use by government forces

An example is the British police, which has allowed the increase in the presence of agents along the streets and a reduction in public spending, given that each agent could perform the work desk directly via the mobile device, as well as in several other areas and situations.

President Barack Obama's use

The President of the United States, Barack Obama, became known for his dependence on a BlackBerry device for communication during his 2008 presidential campaign. Despite the security issues, he insisted on using it even after inauguration, becoming the first President of the United States to use mobile email. This was seen by some as akin to a "celebrity endorsement," which marketing experts have estimated to be worth between $25 and $50 million.

Competition

The primary competitors of the BlackBerry are smartphones running Android, iOS, webOS, and Windows Phone 7. Blackberry users have defended its utility over the iPhone, supporting its physical keyboard, secure e-mail, and applications such as BlackBerry Messenger. RIM reported in June 2010 that they had sold up to 100 million BlackBerry phones, including record sales in their first trimester.

During 2010, RIM sold 47.5 million mobile phones, an increase of 38 percent year-on-year. The performance in Q4 2010 was particularly strong in Indonesia, United Kingdom, and the Netherlands.

Government regulation

Some countries have expressed reservations about BlackBerry's strong encryption and the fact that data is routed through Research In Motion's servers, which are outside the legal jurisdictions of those countries. The United Arab Emirates considering the BlackBerry as a "security threat" for this reason, with the former having earlier been reported as trying to get users to install an "update" on their BlackBerry devices, ostensibly for performance enhancement, but which turned out to be spyware that allowed phone call and email monitoring. The update and subsequent performance deteriorating spyware were reportedly generated by UAE company Etisalat, about which it commented minimally. When questioned in a BBC ''Click'' interview about how Research in Motion has responded to the demands of India and other governments in the Middle East, RIM co-CEO Mike Lazaridis objected to the questioning and said the interview was over.

Other countries threatening to ban the use of the BlackBerry Messenger include Algeria, Indonesia, India, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

United Arab Emirates

On August 1, 2010 Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (TRA) of The United Arab Emirates officially announced the suspension of BlackBerry Messenger, BlackBerry Email, and BlackBerry Web browsing services in the country as of October 11, 2010. This measure was taken due to failed attempts in having the service hosted locally as per the UAE Telecommunication regulations.

On October 8, 2010 the TRA officially announced that the BlackBerry services such as BBM, email, and web browsing will continue to work as before.

Indonesia

On January 10, 2011 RIM agreed to install web filters in the Indonesian market, following the request by Indonesia's Ministry of Communication and Information Technology to filter pornographic websites. On January 17, 2011 RIM met Indonesia's Communications and Information Technology minister and signed a commitment to abide the law. The deadline was January 21, 2011. Shortly before the deadline, Blackberry filtered all adult content in Indonesia. Furthermore, RIM is in discussions with the Indonesian Ministry of Information to build a local server network of aggregrators to cut communications costs, to hire more local workers, and plans to establish 40 service centers in Indonesia.

India

Indian authorities have asked RIM to provide means to access the encrypted data for calls to, from, or within India, following concerns that it could be used by terrorist and rebel groups to carry out attacks on India. In the November 2008 Mumbai attacks, terrorists used mobile and satellite phone technologies after which security agencies and the Indian government have become more strict and alert towards communication within the country. BlackBerry has indicated willingness to set up a server in India by October, 2010 and giving the country limited access to its encryption technology. However, this will only apply to personal devices which route via RIM's infrastructure: organisations providing their own BlackBerry Enterprise Server will continue to have encrypted message flow, to which even RIM themselves will not have access. On January 31, 2011 India refused a limited access offer and demanded full access.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has since reportedly continued its service of BlackBerry Messenger. Saudi Arabia has also threatened to ban the service, but it was reported close to reaching an agreement with RIM to set up a server for the service inside the Kingdom.

Barbados

In 2010 the government officials of Barbados announced a sharp increase in crime due to thefts of cell phones, with BlackBerrys being the usual target. The Commissioner of police in the country announced steps were being taken to make stolen BlackBerry devices less attractive in the country.

Nicknames

BlackBerry is widely referred to as "CrackBerry" in Canada and the United States, which alludes to its excessive use by its owners and is a reference to the addictiveness of crack cocaine. Use of the term CrackBerry became so widespread that in November 2006 Webster's New World College Dictionary named "crackberry" the "New Word of the Year." Jeremy Clarkson from Top Gear, usually refers it as a "Raspberry".

See also

Comparison of smartphones

Index of BlackBerry OS-related articles

Science and technology in Canada

T9 (predictive text)

Notes

References

Research In Motion Reports Fourth Quarter and Year-End Results For Fiscal 2005

Research In Motion Fourth Quarter and 2007 Fiscal Year End Results

Vodafone provides BlackBerry Services in India

Cunningham, S & Turner, G (2006) ''Media and Communications in Australia'', Southwood Press Pty Ltd, Australia, pp. 259–278.

Levinson, P (2004) ''Cellphone'', Routledge, New York, pp. 15–33.

Rheingold, H (2002) ''Smart Mobs: the Next Social Revolution'', Perseus, Cambridge, Massachusetts, pp. xi–xxii, 157–182.

Connell O'Neill, 'The Battle over BlackBerry, Patent Trolls and Information Technology' (2009) ''Journal of Law, Information and Science'' 95.

External links

Blackberry apps

* Category:Research In Motion mobile phones Category:Personal digital assistants Category:Information appliances Category:1999 introductions Category:Canadian brands Category:Canadian inventions Category:Goods manufactured in Canada Category:C++ software

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