BlackBerry Curve 9360 Launched In India @ Rs 19,990

Research In Motion (RIM) launched its new BlackBerry Curve smartphone in India with priced at Rs 19,990.

BlackBerry Curve 9360 based on new Blackberry 7 operating system. It comes with GPS and Wi-Fi support, memory support up to 32 GB and 5MP camera with flash and video recording.

RIM has partnered Bharti Airtel for selling the device and Airtel supposed to offer two months of free trial usage period for new users. Also users can make local calls for 20 p/s and free SMS service to any one BlackBerry number of choice for one year from the date of purchase.

BlackBerry Curve 9360 comes with an exclusive feature called BlackBerry Protect which allows users to back up their personal data and help locate misplaced handsets using GPS.

Speaking on the occasion RIM Director Marketing India Krishnadeep Baruah said, "The BlackBerry Curve series has been extremely popular in India and we are excited to launch the all new BlackBerry Curve 9360. It provides an ideal upgrade path for our existing Curve customers as well as the millions of feature phone users in the Indian market".


Features & Specifications of BlackBerry Curve 9360

Device type: Smart phone
General: 2G Network GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 3G Network HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100
Size: 109 x 60 x 11 mm
Weight: 99 gm
Display Type: TFT touchscreen, QWERTY keyboard
Operating System: BlackBerry OS 7
CPU: 800MHz processor
Battery: Standard, Li-Ion 1000 mAh
Memory: Internal 512 MB storage, 512 MB RAM, microSD Card slot up to 32GB
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802, Bluetooth v2.1 with A2DP
Camera: 5 Megapixel with LED flash
Messaging: SMS, MMS
Browser: HTML
Other Features:- NFC support
- MP3/eAAC+/WMA/WAV player
- MP4/H.263/H.264/WMV player
- Organizer
- Document viewer
- Voice memo/dial
- Predictive text input
- Email, Push Email,

Blackberry Bold 9900 - The Review

BlackBerry Bold 9900 is Research In Motion’s (RIM) best creation in terms of design till date. Based on brand new BlackBerry Operating System 7, the bold 9900 is aesthetically built thinnest BlackBerry.

Bold 9000 offers some revolutionary tech. Its 1.2GHz processor, high-spec touchscreen, brand new OS7 and HD video camera are all specs we never really expected a BlackBerry to have.

The 9900 only weight around 130gm, with 66mm wide and 116mm high it can easily fits comfortably into pocket.

The display is made from extra hardened glass. The 9900′s colour scheme, including the backlighting is almost entirely monochrome with only the notification LED delivering some colour to the palette.

BlackBerry offerings of a fantastic keyboard and top-notch security will keep regular users interested. With 8GB of internal storage and an option to increase that to 32GB, this is a handset that doesn't scrimp on memory.

Features & Specifications:

General: Quad-band GSM support and quad-band 3G with HSDPA

Display: 2.8" 16M-color TFT touchscreen of VGA resolution (640 x 480 pixels)

Keyboard: QWERTY keyboard

Processor: 1.2GHz QC8655

Operating System: BlackBerry OS v7

Memory: 8GB of inbuilt storage, microSD card slot (up to 16GB), 768MB RAM

Connectivity:  Dual-band Wi-Fi b/g/n

Camera: 5 megapixel fixed-focus camera, LED flash

Video: HD video

Other Features:NFC capabilities

• GPS receiver and BlackBerry maps preloaded, digital compass
•  Enhanced email and data security
• Trackpad
• DivX and XviD video support
• Office document editor
• 3.5 mm audio jack
• Smart dialing
• Compact body and solid build quality

Amazon Re-designing It's Website To Suit Tablet PC

The famous portal amazaon.com is carrying out major changes in the design of its website.

The new design incorporates less of clutter; the aim is to make music, e-books, games, and applications from Amazon's Appstore show up prominently. At the same time, the Search bar is larger.

The new design is said to be particularly suitable for tablet PC's. And Amazon is known to be ready to offer a tablet PC similar to Apple iPad and perhaps position it as a competitor to iPad. It is expected to cost some $250.

The tablet PC to be offered by Amazon is said to be smaller than an i-Pad but just about the same size as that of the PlayBook from RIM. It sports a 17.8 cm backlit colour touchscreen and has 6 GB of RAM. screen and is said to be particularly convenient for playing music and movies online. Amazon Prime, the Internet Streaming Service which costs $79 p.a. is expected to be offered free with Amazon's tablet PC. It supports Wi-Fi alone.

The Amazon tablet is expected to sell about 5 million units in a quarter - compared to the current 7 to 9 million units of iPad per quarter - and is expected to eat substantially into Apple's market which is already under threat from other manufacturers like Samsung, Motorola, and RIM.





 

RIM to continue production of BlackBerry Tablet

Amid speculation of Canadian wireless giant Research In Motion (RIM) may discontinue its WiFi-only PlayBook tablet, the management dismissed the buzz and said the rumours are "pure fiction".

The announcement came after shares of BlackBerry manufacturer RIM fell down to almost $25 Monday after rumours that they are planning to stop production of its WiFi-only PlayBook tablet.

BlackBerry tablet launched in April and failed to grab attention from tablet market, not even make some challenge to the leader Apple iPad. The RIM tablet sold just 500,000 units in the first six weeks of its launch, compared to one million iPads sold by Apple within the first month of its launch April 2010. The BlackBerry tablet did not go well with the users as it cannot connect to the internet over next-generation cellular network. A user cannot access email and content unless he is a BlackBerry subscriber.

In a statement RIM said, "Over the past month, the PlayBook has launched in 16 additional markets around the world and further rollouts are planned for Southeast Asia, Western Europe and the Middle East in the coming weeks.''

RIM has promised 4G PlayBooks later this summer. Apple will also come with three WiFi-only as well as WiFi-only+3G iPads.
Despite RIM's denial market predicts that RIM will now focus more on its new line-up of BlackBerry smart phones, which to be unveiled later this year, these new smart phone will run on BlackBerry 7 Operating system. However from next year, all BlackBerry smart phones - as well as 4G tablets - will use the powerful QNX operating system.

Apple iPhone beats Google Android

A new Research focused on the American market has revealed that Apple's iPhone is currently the most popular choice among new smartphone buyers. The ChangeWave research reported that of the 4,163 surveyed consumers planning to buy a smartphone in the next 90 days, 46% planned to buy an iOS running device.

With 32% aspirant buyers who are planning to buy a Google Android powered device stands in the second place, the research report found.

The research also found that Apple is leading the market when it came to customer satisfaction levels. Among the current iPhone users 70% said that they were happy with their smartphone. However only 50% Android customers agree on the same.

The report also showed both Google and Apple devices increasing their monopoly on the market.

Research in Motion's Blackberry smartphones has not done well at all in this survey. The report suggested a 1% drop in the number of consumers planning to buy a Blackberry, leaving the company with a pitiful 4% share of the market.

RIM to unveil seven new Blackberries

BlackBerry co-CEOs Jim Balsillie and Mike Lazaridis announced that seven new smart phones running a new operating system will be launched very soon in the market. BlackBerry has slipped from top position to the third in the US market after Apple's iPhone and Google Android devices.

Pulsing the Investor’s anger due to declining market share, shrinking revenue, profit warnings and delays in replacing the old handsets two co-CEOs of RIM Jim Balsillie and Mike Lazaridis has announced the plans for the future to calm the investors.

Mr. Mike Lazaridis admitted that RIM faced 'some challenges, and to recover the ground he announced that seven new BlackBerry smart phones running a new operating system will be unveiled shortly.

The situation got worsens for RIM as their stock has sunk more than 50 percent this year - floating at about $27 now.

Assuring investors Lazaridis said, "If there is anything that will make you sleep better at night that I can do, I will do it." Jim Balsillie said, "Mike and I, along with the executive team, are closely managing this transition and have positioned the company for continued future success.''

The market buzz is that big player like Apple or Microsoft could buy out RIM ($14 billion).

Has RIM Commenced Job Cuts?

It has been reported in sections of the media that Research In Motion (RIM), the Canadian manufacturer of BlackBerry mobile phones, initiated job cuts from last week after RIM’s disappointing financial results. RIM’s revenue in the last quarter revenue dropped by 12% ( $4.9 billion of revenue compare to $5.6 billion) durfing the same period last year.

The company is reported to have around 17,500 personnel across the world.

A media report states that the Company announced a cost-optimisation program on Friday and that a number of employees have received layoff notices. Unconfirmed reports claim that more than 200 employees have received the lay off notice.

However a RIM spokesperson has denied the report; he said he had no information about job cuts beyond what was announced during a conference call the company held last week to discuss its first-quarter financial results.

Blackberry Playbook to be Available in India from 22nd June

Blackberry Playbook will be available in India from 22nd June 2011.

Bookings for the Playbook - which was released in the US and Canada on 19th April 2011 but not in India and several other countries - have already commenced and bookings made before 22nd June are eligible for a free leather case and a free HDMI cable for connecting the Playbook to a TV.

RIM has announced that Balckberry Playbook will be released during June 2011 in the markets of 15 other countries: Australia, Columbia, France, Germany, Holland, Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Singapore, Spain, UAE, UK, Venezuela, and Hong Kong.

"The price is going to be competitive with the other products and in line with the global pricing as well," the company has stated. The international prices of the Playbook are $499 (16GB), $599 (32GB), and $699 (64GB). Accordingly, the prices are expected to be in the range Rs 22,000 - 32,000.

The Playbook supports only Wifi; as a result, it has to be connected to a Blackberry mobile phone for email etc. Perhaps native GSM support can capture vast markets for the Playbook.

While the sales of Blackberry Playbook are presently lagging behind those of Apple iPad, the scales may well be tipped in favour of the Blackberry eventually because of its support for Flash and for its support of native Facebook applications.

The estimated one million strong user-base that Blackberry has in India could well prove to be the key for the success of Blackberry Playbook in the Indian market.

Blackberry World to Unveil Blackberry Curve Touch Mobile?

The market expectations are that Research in Motion (RIM) is about to come up with new Blackberry Curve, button-free, touch-screen mobile by next month.

With 512MB RAM, 1 GB ROM, 3.25” HVGA screen, 800MHz Qualcomm processor and 5 MP, 2592х1944 pixels camera with HD video recording, LED Flash, Blackberry Curve is believed to be a GSM version capable of supporting 2G and 3G networks.

                                                               Blackberry curve-touch

This Curve touch is believed to have no keyboard and completely works on touch screen. It is rumoured to have not even a track-pad.

It is widely expected to be tied up with T-Mobile.

It is strongly rumoured that that RIM will announce the BlackBerry Curve Touch at BlackBerry World scheduled to take place between 3-5 May.

We expect to return soon with more info on the subject.

Blackberry Playbook Launching in US

After a series of successful launches of different tablets last year, the market is expecting an unprecedented launch of 85 tablets this year from various companies. Research In Motion (RIM) is all set to launch this year’s most talked about tablet Blackberry Playbook tomorrow in US.

Will Blackberry Playbook be a phenomenal success or a super flop? Only time can tell. It is surprising that this tablet does not support any of the common features like e-Mail, Calendar, Cellular Connections, Video conferencing, Skype, Notes app, GPS, or Games.

Although the entire tech world has been waiting long for RIM’s much hyped Blackberry Playbook, many people seem to be disappointed with what is on offer just as it is finally about to hit the market. However it has come up with three cool features which can challenge its rivals:  iPad and Android-based tablets.

BlackberryPlaybook.jpg

Firstly, the Blackberry Playbook has a special HDMI cable which can be hooked up to a television or projector for power point presentations.

Secondly, it can accept wireless transfer of music, photos or movies in sleep mode. One disappointing fact is that the Blackberry Playbook does not have any software like iTunes to transfer files automatically; so files have to be transferred from a PC to the tablet using a USB cable. However, once the set up process is completed using the USB cable, the transfer can be made over a Wi-Fi connection.

BlackberryPlaybook.jpg

Thirdly, it has Blackberry Bridge, a wireless Bluetooth connection which can be used for accessing e-mail, Calendar, Address Book and instant messages; the Balckberry PlayBook and BlackBerry mobile have to be paired in such a case to access the web since Playbook does not have cellular connectivity.

With super-responsive multi-touch screen, Blackberry Playbook, weighing 420 gm, looks very attractive. It is a seven-inch touch-screen tablet, having the propritory operating system QNX.

One of the critical and popular features not included in this tablet is Video Chatting or Video Conferencing which is the biggest strength of iPad and Android tablets.

BlackBerry email is accessible only when the PlayBook is connected via Bluetooth to an actual BlackBerry. Although RIM explains that this is due to security considerations, market believes that it is only because RIM has not been able to lock down the PlayBook's unreleased email system as securely as a BlackBerry's.

BlackberryPlaybook.jpg

Market sources opine that RIM is under enormous pressure from its customers, shareholders and others for introducing, after all the hype, a tablet with so few features. RIM has been losing out its market in the smart phone arena to Google and Apple. Android phones and iPhone have been cutting into RIM’s business heavily and RIM has been banking on this tablet to bounce back and re-claim the market. However Blackberry Playbook does not seem poised to satiate RIM’s loyal consumers as they are quite familiar with other tablets. This incomplete offering could prove to be the bane of the Playbook abd RIM.

Blackberry Playbook will be available in three models: 16 gigabyte model ($500); 32 gigabyte model ($600); and a 64-gigabyte model ($700).

After Blackberry, it’s Nokia's Turn to Face Ban

Nokia Messaging Services has been asked by the Government of India to halt its push e-mail services in India.

Push e-mail systems provide an always-on capability; new e-mail is actively pushed/transferred by the e-mail server as it arrives to the e-mail client. E-mail clients include smartphones and may also include PC mail applications based on IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol).

The pioneering service from BlackBerry (RIM) became popular because new e-mails appear on the mobile as soon as they arrive, without the need for any user intervention; the BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES) which monitors the e-mail server pulls/retrieves a copy of the mail as it arrives and then pushes it to the appropriate BlackBerry mobile. The handheld mobile device becomes a dynamic replica of a user's Inbox.

The success of BlackBerry has encouraged other manufacturers to develop push e-mail systems for other handheld devices based on other operating platforms like Symbian.

In late 2010, RIM was banned from providing Push e-mail service in the absence of a facility to monitor e-mails from its Blackberry mobile devices. Though RIM was asked to provide a solution by 31 March 2011, it is expected to take much longer to have a suitable monitoring mechanism in place.

After RIM, it is now Nokia's turn to face a road block. Citing security concerns, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has temporarily banned Nokia’s Push e-mail services in India. The Intelligence Bureau of India has asked the service providers in India to defer Push /Power Email service till a monitoring system is in place.

India is one of the largest markets for Nokia mobiles. According to Nokia, E-mail service is being activated in more than 50% of the Nokia E-series phones sold in the country translating into over 1,00,000 activations a month for its messaging e-mail service in India.

Nokia Messaging Email is a push e-mail service and client application. It supports most of the popular e-mail providers like Hotmail, Yahoo! Mail, and Gmail. Nokia Messaging servers gather messages from up to ten accounts and push them to compatible mobile devices.

Nokia, in its e-mail response to the Economic Times, is reported to have stated: "We have been working proactively with Government authorities, including setting up servers in India. It is our endeavour at Nokia to comply fully with legal requirements wherever we operate. In offering our services in India, we have adhered to the rules and regulations as required by the Indian Government."

The uncertainty enveloping Blackberry services now extends to Nokia as well and the majority of the users - who are innocuous and innocent and are by no means a security threat - wait with bated breath for a resolution of the issue which has no bearing on or meaning for them.