RIM introduces the BlackBerry Curve 9320 (Canada)
Research In Motion announced a stylish new smartphone for socially-connected customers. The new BlackBerry Curve 9320 smartphone features all the core BlackBerry messaging and social-centric features that keep people connected, and it offers global 3G connectivity backed by long battery life to allow users to make the most of their day.
Carlo Chiarello, EVP, Smartphone Business at Research In Motion, said that the new BlackBerry Curve 9320 is designed to make it incredibly easy for users to stay socially-connected. The new BlackBerry Curve 9320 will be especially popular with customers upgrading to a smartphone for the first time and existing Curve customers looking for a step up in speed and functionality.
The BlackBerry Curve 9320 has everything a customer needs to stay in touch with the people and things that matter most to them. It features a dedicated BBM key, bringing the power of RIM’s popular mobile social network up in an instant, as well as the best keyboard in its class for quick and easy typing. It includes a built-in FM radio, allowing users to tune into their favorite local stations, and listening to the FM radio does not require a data plan or use data services. Designed to allow both 3G connectivity and long battery life, customers can get up to 7 hours of talk time or up to 30 hours of FM radio listening or music playback with headphones.
Customers can easily interact with their social network in real time, using preloaded apps for Facebook and Twitter. The new Social Feeds 2.0 app is also preloaded, allowing users to post updates to multiple social networks simultaneously and capture updates from news sources (RSS), social apps and instant messaging apps all in one consolidated view. The integrated camera includes a flash and supports video recording, and pictures can be tagged with their location thanks to the smartphone’s built-in GPS.
The BlackBerry Curve 9320 comes with the new BlackBerry 7.1 OS, which supports features such as Mobile Hotspot and Wi-Fi calling where available. Parental Controls is a brand new, on-device feature that provides parents and guardians with simple options to help protect children by restricting access to specific functions, features and applications.
RIM unveils first look of BlackBerry 10 platform (Canada)
Research In Motion (RIM) unveiled its vision for the BlackBerry 10 platform at the BlackBerry World conference in Orlando, Florida and released the initial developer toolkit for native and HTML5 software development.
As per the company, Alec Saunders, Vice President, Developer Relations and Ecosystems Development, said that BlackBerry 10 builds upon the core values and exceptional user experiences that have attracted more than 77 million BlackBerry customers around the world today. Developers building for BlackBerry 10 will be able to easily create the kind of cutting-edge apps that deliver truly engaging experiences and ‘wow’ customers, whether through integration with native features and other apps like BBM or by leveraging the new signature design elements of this new and powerful mobile computing platform.
Christopher Smith, Vice President, Handheld Application Platform and Tools at Research In Motion, said that there is tremendous interest, anticipation and momentum building toward the launch of BlackBerry 10 devices, and they are extremely excited to release the BlackBerry 10 developer beta tools for general use. Developers can use this first beta of the tools to get started building apps for BlackBerry 10 and as the tools evolve over the coming months, developers will have access to a rich API set that will allow them to build even more integrated apps. The toolkit they are delivering also meets developers on their own terms. Whether using the powerful Cascades framework, writing direct native code or developing in HTML5, BlackBerry 10 will empower developers to create attractive and compelling apps that excite customers.
The toolkit includes the BlackBerry 10 Native SDK with Cascades, which allows developers to create graphically rich, high performance native applications in C/C++ using Qt. The Native SDK for BlackBerry 10 has a rich set of APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) that give developers access to core device features and a range of BlackBerry application services, such as Push and Payment services. Cascades is a powerful native application development toolset that allows developers to easily build visually stunning applications without having to write complex, low-level graphics code.
Developers and top brands are already beginning to commit to the BlackBerry 10 platform for their mobile application development. At BlackBerry World, Research In Motion (RIM) revealed endorsements from a number of key partners who have already confirmed their excitement for the upcoming launch of the BlackBerry 10 platform.
Martyn Mallick, Vice President, Global Alliances and Business Development at Research In Motion, claims that the level of enthusiasm among developers for BlackBerry 10 is amazing. The platform has been built to give developers the ability to create amazing content and a great user experience. The support and excitement they already see from developers is both rewarding and encouraging. They are hearing every day from partners who want to start building and showcasing their work on BlackBerry 10.
RIM looks towards Asian markets to cover declining margins (Asia)
Canada based BlackBerry maker, Research In Motion (RIM) is looking at the Indian market for the launch of its new BlackBerry mobile phone, which is targeted at the lower-end users, according to a report by Reuters.
As per the report, RIM is following a parallel approach: building the high-end next generation platform and devices, while coming up with cheaper phones that can prod some of the vast majority of its users to trade up. Patrick Spence, RIM’s global sales chief, told Reuters that they’re really trying to build on and help those people who are moving from feature phone to smartphone. They believe they can be successful in that.
RIM has launched its new handset, the Curve 9220 in India, with other markets to follow. A RIM spokesman said the company would launch in Indonesia, one of its most lucrative markets, in the coming weeks.
RIM doesn’t break down its sales by region, but has reported that sales outside the U.S., Britain and Canada accounted for 68 percent of total revenue in its fourth quarter, up from 61 percent in the previous three months. Those markets include India, South Africa, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, which RIM says are all targets for this year’s sales blitz.
Wireless carriers begin trials for RIM’s PlayBook (Canada)
Wireless carriers in US and around the world have begun testing the PlayBook 3G and 4G with OS 2.0.1 according to a report by Berry Review. The report reveals that the launch has been scheduled for May around the same time that RIM (Research In Motion) would be hosting BlackBerry world 2012.
As per the report carriers AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless have begun testing the PlayBook in the Unites States; while Rogers, Bell Mobility and Telus have begun trials in Canada. Further, Orange UK and StarHub Singapore are also rumoured to be involved in the trials.
Mobile payments to see major growth in coming years
With the increasing demand for mobile payment services, mobile operators along with big companies such as Google, Visa and PayPal are reportedly working towards establishing themselves in this market. According to reports, mobile operators in the US, AT&T, Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile are spending large amounts of money in an attempt to strengthen their foothold in the mobile money market.
Further, sources claim that while Google launched its mobile wallet service in the US this year, enabling consumers to use a NFC (Near Field Communications) enabled handset to make payments; Visa and PayPal are expected to offer their services by the next year.
As reported by Wireless Federation earlier, Spanish mobile giant Telefonica announced the trial of its mobile wallet service, in collaboration with BlackBerry maker Research In Motion (RIM). Further, industry analysts believe that in the next five years, mobile payments are going to become the norm and may replace a large part of the traditional payment methods.
RIM plans new business solution supporting multiple devices (Canada)
BlackBerry maker, Research In Motion (RIM) has reportedly come out with a new software solution for its business customers which will enable them to manage different devices running on Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android along with BlackBerry devices.
According to reports, Alan Panezic, vice president (platform product management), RIM, has said that the BlackBerry Mobile Fusion, as the device-management software is known, will be available in the first quarter and can run alongside or replace the BlackBerry Enterprise Server networks, RIM now operates for companies and government agencies. He added that this is a really, really important strategic move and that RIM is conducting trials with financial- services, manufacturing and pharmaceutical companies.
However, as per sources, industry analysts believe that while this is a very good solution for the corporate houses, where the BlackBerry is rapidly being replaced by iPhones and Android powered smartphones, to manage their services from a single web console; the solution may still not address RIM’s primary concern of declining sale volumes.
Telefonica and RIM to offer wallet services on NFC enabled BlackBerry phones (Spain, Canada)
Telefonica Digital is reportedly launching a pilot programme for its Telefonica wallet services for BlackBerry smartphones, in collaboration with Canada based Research In Motion (RIM). According to reports, Telefonica plans to roll out the Telefonica wallet for about 350 employees at its Spain headquarters. Sources believe that this service will enable users to make payments in a convenient manner by simply tapping their BlackBerry smartphone against a reader.
As per sources, Julio Linares, COO, Telefónica, S.A has said that they have chosen the BlackBerry solution for this pilot because of the security that the platform brings. Further, Matthew Key, Chairman & CEO Telefonica Digital, has said that they are getting closer to the point where customers will be able to take the contents of their wallets and put them on their mobiles. He added that such trials are an important step towards ensuring a great customer experience and that they look forward to seeing the launch of commercial wallet services in several markets next year.
Telefonica works towards improving services for users with sensory needs (UK)
Telefonica UK, a leading telecommunications company, has reportedly partnered with Telenomics in an attempt to enhance services for people with sensory needs. As per reports, the company has trained its staff on how mobile can help people with visual impairment as well as people who are hard of hearing, in their daily routine.
Reports suggest that the staff has received its training from premier organisations such as, Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), Apple, BlackBerry maker – Research In Motion (RIM), and application developers such as Code Factory.
According to sources, the detailed training enables them to recommend specific smartphone features and functions, along with the different applications that can help improve the daily lives of individuals with sensory needs.
