| A permanent access to all your emails... You | | | | use the ironical term "crackberries" to name the |
| dream about it? Blackberry phone did it. The | | | | phenomenon. Also, most users are supposed to |
| BlackBerry is a wireless handheld device | | | | get BlackBerry devices to enhance their |
| introduced in 1999 which supports push email, | | | | productivity but their constant attachment to |
| mobile telephone, text messaging, internet faxing, | | | | email make it hard for them to concentrate on |
| web browsing and other wireless information | | | | other things when they are out of office. |
| services. Same size as a PDA, with a mini | | | | The professional Blackberry is a "all in one" |
| keyboard, BlackBerry device allows you to | | | | terminal, phone/PDA/messaging, which design is |
| receive and reply to emails. | | | | optimized to allow users to manage emails on the |
| How does it work? Connected to a cell phone | | | | go and to access various applications. The original |
| network (Cingular BlackBerry, T-Mobile BlackBerry, | | | | BlackBerry device had a monochrome display, but |
| Sprint BlackBerry, Nextel BlackBerry and Verizon | | | | all current handsets have color displays. |
| BlackBerry), terminal BlackBerry regularly query | | | | Most BlackBerry devices is equipped with a full |
| the email server of the user. When a new email | | | | QWERTY keyboard, The ease of keying in and |
| arrives, the terminal signals it. The user can then | | | | sending not only emails, but also SMS, is |
| read the message and reply. Innovation comes | | | | particularly practical, even if they do not have a |
| from the fact that synchronization of the emails | | | | BlackBerry. |
| with the messaging server is real time through | | | | However, the BlackBerry has no memory |
| the cell phone network it is connected and it | | | | extension, no 3G compatibility, no camera and not |
| supports both GSM, GPRS and UMTS. | | | | much style. What is more, multimedia functions |
| Of course, BlackBerry service is more specifically | | | | still remain low compared to other Symbian or |
| dedicated to companies. The devices are very | | | | Windows mobile. That is until today with RIM |
| popular with some businesses, where they are | | | | unveiling its first and brand new multimedia phone |
| primarily used to provide email delivery to roaming | | | | dubbed the new BlackBerry Pearl. But still |
| employees. To fully integrate the BlackBerry cell | | | | BlackBerry devices depend on mobile phone |
| phone into a company, the installation of | | | | service coverage and are not WIFI compatible |
| BlackBerry Enterprise Server is required. | | | | unlike similar handheld devices that are on the |
| But the popular device BlackBerry that allows | | | | market now. |
| reading emails using cell phone network is | | | | RIM BlackBerry is increasingly integrating instant |
| forbidden in some companies. Indeed, some | | | | messaging into their new devices and software. |
| security experts fear about communications being | | | | RIM offers its own proprietary BlackBerry Instant |
| intercepted. However, Research In Motion (RIM), | | | | Messenger, but also offer a Yahoo Chat and |
| editor of BlackBerry, claims that all the traffic is | | | | Google Talk clients and probably an upcoming |
| encrypted from start to end by the Blackberry | | | | BlackBerry MSN Messenger client. |
| servers installed in companies. In fact it has the | | | | According to RIM, BlackBerry PDA is used by |
| exact same security level as a traditional VPN if | | | | about 5.5 million users worldwide. |
| correctly configured. | | | | Blackberry is used by almost 3 million users in |
| A Blackberry handheld allows users to fulfill their | | | | America. Some sources say about 1 million |
| need of communication but also give them the | | | | government employees are regular users. Canada |
| feeling of control that a phone conversation | | | | is another one of the key market of the |
| doesn't offer. More and more professionals often | | | | company. |
| work in mobility situation and need to permanently | | | | While including the usual PDA applications such as |
| be connected to computing system of the | | | | address book, calendar, to-do lists, etc... you can |
| company. | | | | always download more BlackBerry software like |
| According to a recent study, one third of business | | | | games, ringtones, themes, webclient and other |
| users show signs of BlackBerry addiction almost | | | | applications. |
| similar to those of alcoholism. Some people even | | | | |