* NEW
Attachment Viewing Software
for the BlackBerry
Latest News
Updated:
04/21/2003
Mapopolis
Launches GPS for Handspring Treo
VOIP's
Time Has Arrived
eWEEK
Excellence Awards: Desktop & Handheld Hardware
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GPRS
now available
Go
With More Than One Device
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Windows
USB data connectivity
New
Wireless Options Aplenty, But Users Wary
Inching
Toward Mobile IM
A
Multimodal Wireless PDA
Voice
and Wireless Data from Palm
Wireless
Security: Create Your Own VPN
RIM Blackberry 5810
Retail Price: $499 with VoiceStream service
| Available Carriers: | |
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Click here for reviews of the Blackberry 5810
Research In Motion Limited (RIM) has introduced the first wireless handheld ready to support GSM/GPRS networks in North America. The new Java-based handheld, named the BlackBerry 5810, allows corporate customers to manage their important information and communications from a single integrated device. The BlackBerry 5810 integrates the award-winning features of the secure BlackBerry wireless email solution with the convenience of a built-in phone. This breakthrough in wireless convergence delivers email, phone, SMS, browser, and organizer features in a single, sleek handheld that is "Always On, Always Connected." The BlackBerry 5810 also incorporates Java 2 Micro Edition (J2ME) as its core operating system, providing a secure and open platform for customers, carriers, and developers.
In the United States, both AT&T Wireless and VoiceStream are now accepting orders for the BlackBerry 5810.
In related news, RIM and IBM Global Services will extend their relationship to include RIM's GSM/GPRS products, making IBM the first IT services provider to offer business consulting and systems integration services for BlackBerry 5810 handhelds.
End-To-End BlackBerry Solution
RIM Blackberry is comprised of hardware, software and wireless services that are designed to meet the needs of both end users and IT departments. The BlackBerry 5810 incorporates powerful hardware and software features in an easy-to-use handheld. BlackBerry software enables easy configuration and management as well as back-end integration with corporate systems and end-to-end security. Advanced GSM/GPRS networks provide voice services and allow always-on connectivity for accessing data easily and quickly.
Handheld Design
The BlackBerry 5810 offers “Always On, Always Connected”
operation with integrated voice and data features. Based on RIM's existing
palm-sized form factor, the BlackBerry 5810 is sleek (4.6” x 3.1”
x 0.7”) and lightweight (4.7 oz) with an embedded RIM wireless modem
and internal high performance antenna allowing users to carry and use
the handheld comfortably. It features RIM's popular “thumb-typing”
keyboard, navigation trackwheel, large screen, intuitive interface and
a headset jack for optional phone services. Both the screen and keyboard
are backlit for easy reading and typing day and night.
Quicktime Movie demo of the Blackberry 5810 |
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Review of attachment viewing software for the Blackberry device |
Wireless Email
BlackBerry 5810 users will enjoy a secure, wireless extension to their
existing enterprise mailbox. BlackBerry's “push architecture”
enables email to be automatically delivered. Users can read, compose,
forward, reply, file or delete messages at their convenience and synchronize
their inbox and folders between their BlackBerry 5810 and PC. A
variety of third-party applications even allow the user to view, print
and fax email attachments using their handheld.
The following illustration provides an overview of the system architecture. The key pieces of the BlackBerry solution are highlighted in the diagram – the RIM Wireless Handheld, the Blackberry Enterprise Server and the wireless data network. Since BlackBerry supplies the software at both ends of the link, implementing end-to-end encryption is simple. Without the Blackberry Enterprise Server, users must leave their desktop computers running. (A password protected screen saver is recommended for security.)
There is no difference between a message that is sent from the handheld and a message that is sent from Outlook – they both originate from the user’s corporate email address and a copy is placed in the user’s Sent Items folder.
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IT departments benefit, because administration and control of mobile email is centralized. Even though message redirection is administered in the IT Department’s back room, a user can continue to configure email redirection through the BlackBerry Desktop Manager. This component manages non-email features to enable a user to load applications on the handheld, backup and restore the handheld contents and synchronize desktop and handheld PIM. The BlackBerry Desktop Manager is also where users configure email redirection features such as filters and handheld security. |
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With the BlackBerry
Enterprise Server, users benefit since they don’t have to
leave their computer running and laptop users are supported. |
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Integrated Phone
The built-in, high-quality phone supports GSM voice services and
other optional features such as call waiting, call answer, conference
calling and call forwarding. It includes an earpiece
and microphone that easily attaches for convenient, hands-free conversation
allowing users to read, type or retrieve information while they talk.
SMS
Short Messaging Service (SMS) enables short text messages to be
quickly exchanged between BlackBerry 5810 handhelds and other SMS-enabled
devices (including cell phones) without adding email messages to an inbox.
The specially designed keyboard on the BlackBerry handheld is ideal for
typing SMS messages quickly.
Browser
An increasing variety of optional wireless Internet services are
available that allow fast access to select information on the web including
news, travel, business and entertainment updates. BlackBerry 5810 users
can use the BlackBerry browser to access their carrier’s WAP portal
and other WML sites.
Organizer
A full-featured connected organizer is included with calendar,
address book, memo pad and task list applications for maximum productivity.
With RIM’s unique wireless calendar synchronization† features,
the user’s online calendar and handheld calendar can be automatically
and wirelessly synchronized without need for a cradle. This means that
the user can initiate, accept or decline meeting requests using their
BlackBerry handheld and their online calendar will also be updated for
the benefit of colleagues and assistants trying to schedule new appointments.
Application Integration
The BlackBerry 5810 features exceptional hardware and software
integration making it very easy to use. A single integrated address book
and inbox serve all email, voice and SMS applications. And you can even
click on an email address, telephone number or URL inside a message to
automatically invoke an email message, call the telephone number or connect
to the URL.
J2ME
Java 2 Micro Edition (J2ME) is a powerful development platform
that is optimized for wireless devices and provides an industry standard
programming environment for custom and commercial development. RIM plans
to launch its Java Development Environment for developers at JavaOne later
this month.
BlackBerry Enterprise Server
BlackBerry remains the industry-leading wireless enterprise solution
with thousands of companies that have deployed BlackBerry Enterprise Server
behind their cor porate firewall. The BlackBerry Enterprise Server software
supports both Microsoft® Exchange and Lotus® Domino™ and
provides IT departments with single mailbox integration, centralized administration,
end-to-end encryption (Triple DES), performance monitoring, configurable
handheld security and certain asset tracking tools. BlackBerry Enterprise
Server supports multiple wireless network standards (currently including
Mobitex, DataTAC and GSM/GPRS), which means that current BlackBerry Enterprise
Server customers in North America will be able to support the BlackBerry
5810 without any change to their back-end infrastructure.
BlackBerry Web Client
In addition to the enterprise email integration option enabled
by BlackBerry Enterprise Server, RIM will introduce a new web-based application
called BlackBerry Web Client (expected to be available to carriers in
Spring 2002). It will support POP3, IMAP and ISP email protocols and allow
users to access multiple existing email accounts from a single BlackBerry
handheld (including ISP accounts and a default web mail account provided
with each handheld). BlackBerry Web Client will appeal to customers that
do not currently use Microsoft Exchange or Lotus Domino and also those
users that wish to access a personal email account in addition to their
enterprise email account. BlackBerry 5810 customers can use the BlackBerry
Web Client application to select their ISP accounts, access their web
mail account, configure settings, define email filters and set auto signatures.
Note: IT departments running BlackBerry Enterprise Server will retain
the ability to centrally control and implement policies on handhelds that
prevent access to personal ISP accounts.
GSM/GPRS
General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) is a global wireless standard
that uses existing GSM (Global System for Mobile telecommunications) radio
base stations and converts wireless data into standard Internet packets,
enabling interoperability between the Internet and the GSM/GPRS network.
GPRS efficiently enables BlackBerry handhelds to be
always online without having to pay by the minute.