Wikipedia

BlackBerry

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This article is about the wireless e-mail device. For the fruit, see blackberry. For other meanings, see blackberry (disambiguation).

The BlackBerry is a wireless handheld device introduced in 1999 which supports push e-mail, mobile telephone, text messaging, internet faxing, web browsing and other wireless information services. It was developed by Research In Motion (RIM) and delivers information over the wireless data networks of cellular telephone companies. BlackBerry made headway in the marketplace by first concentrating on e-mail. RIM currently offers BlackBerry e-mail service to non-BlackBerry devices, such as Palm Treo, through BlackBerry Connect software. Using a trackwheel and buttons. The original BlackBerry device had a monochrome display, but all current models have colour displays.

File:Bb7100.jpg
BlackBerry 7100t, offered by T-Mobile. The 7100g offered by Cingular Wireless is almost identical

While including the usual PDA applications (address book, calendar, to-do lists, etc.) as well as telephone capabilities on newer models, the BlackBerry is primarily known for its ability to send and receive e-mail anywhere it has access to an appropriate wireless network of a cellular phone carrier, as well as for its built-in keyboard optimized for "thumbing", or using only the thumbs to type. System navigation is primarily accomplished by the trackwheel (or "thumbwheel"), a scrolling wheel with a "click" function, located on the right side of the device. Some models (currently, those manufactured for use with Nextel, TELUS, and other iDen networks) also incorporate a two-way radio. BlackBerry devices still depend on cellular phone service coverage and are not Wi-Fi compatible unlike similar handheld devices that are on the market now.

Modern BlackBerry handhelds incorporate an ARM 7 or 9 processor, however older BlackBerry 950 and 957 handhelds used Intel 80386 processors. The latest BlackBerry models (8700 series) operate with an Intel PXA901 at 312 MHz, 64 MB flash memory and 16 MB SDRAM.[1]

The devices are very popular with some businesses, where they are primarily used to provide e-mail delivery to roaming employees. To fully integrate the BlackBerry into a company, the installation of BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES) is required.

In November, 2004, RIM announced that the number of subscribers to the BlackBerry service had reached two million, having doubled within ten months.[1] Continuing their growth, RIM announced an additional one million subscribers in May, 2005, only six months after reaching two million.[2] On December 21, 2005, RIM announced that their subscriber base reached 4.3 million subscribers [3] and has surpassed 5 million by March 2006, despite slowing sales [4].


Keyboard

Most BlackBerry devices come with a full, albeit tiny, QWERTY keyboard, using the "Alt" key to enter numbers and special characters. A self-configurable "Auto Text" feature can be used for frequent words or easier input of special characters like umlauts (point 13 at [5], German). The 7100 series models feature a reduced-key keyboard and use a technology called 'SureType' to allow each key to represent multiple letters, numbers, and symbols. SureType uses a prediction dictionary to figure out which word a user will want, similar to Tegic's T9, used on many cellphones.

Operating system

RIM provides a proprietary multi-tasking operating system (OS) for the BlackBerry, which makes heavy use of the device's specialized input devices, particularly the thumbwheel. The OS provides support for MIDP 1.0 and WAP 1.2. Previous versions allowed wireless synchronization with Microsoft Exchange Server's e-mail and calendar, as well as with Lotus Domino's e-mail. The current OS 4 provides a subset of MIDP 2.0, and allows complete wireless activation and synchronization with Exchange's e-mail, calendar, tasks, notes and contacts, and adds support for Novell GroupWise and Lotus Notes.

Third-party developers can write software using these APIs, and proprietary BlackBerry APIs as well, but 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.

Supporting software

BlackBerry handheld integration into an organization's e-mail system is provided through a software package called "BlackBerry Enterprise Server" (BES). Versions of BES are available for Microsoft Exchange, Lotus Domino and Novell GroupWise.

Individual users can often use e-mail services provided by the wireless provider and therefore may not be required to install a BES server on their local network, but organizations that have multiple wireless users usually run BES on their own network.

BES can act as a sort of 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 procedure, where the mobile user doesn't have to synchronize the data by hand. All new e-mails, contacts and calendar entries are pushed to the BlackBerry device automatically. Device storage also enables the mobile user to access all data offline in areas without wireless service. As soon as the user connects again, the BES sends the latest data. This way the handheld is always up-to-date.

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

In addition, BES provides 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.

The universal and push-based connectivity of the BES/MDS infrastructure are among the most valuable aspects of Research In Motion's product. An organization can have devices on different carriers, and connected through different cellular network protocols, all functioning in an integrated fashion.

Most providers offer flat monthly pricing for unlimited data between BlackBerry units and BES, which also enhances the value of the MDS component. 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. Beginning with OS 3.8 or 4.0, BlackBerry handhelds can access the Internet (i.e. TCP/IP access) without an MDS - previously 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.

Third party software

Earlier BlackBerry models used C++ for software development, but all current models support MDS and universally supported Java (using the J2ME set of libraries). Software development for BlackBerry is also available through Visual Studio .NET via the AppForge Crossfire add-in which enables development in C# or VB.NET. A growing number of third party commercial applications are available for BlackBerry. These include applications in sales force automation, customer relationship management, and remote IT administration. There is also a wide selection of free 3rd party software available for the Blackberry.

Social usage

Thanks to their gain in popularity, BlackBerry devices are also used in social scenarios for setting up dates or movie viewing times with friends and acquaintances. The ease of keying in and sending not only e-mails, but mobile "short messages" (SMS) as well, is particularly practical, e.g. to quickly answer a mail message to a sender with a mobile phone, even if they do not have a BlackBerry.

RIM is increasingly integrating instant messaging into their new devices and software. RIM offers its own proprietary BlackBerry Instant Messenger, but also began offering a Yahoo Chat client in 2005 and introduced a Google Talk client in early 2006 [6]. There is speculation of an upcoming MSN Messenger client.

BlackBerry devices are also extremely popular in the Deaf community, allowing people to message each other very easily.

Name origin

RIM settled on the name "BlackBerry" only after weeks of work by Lexicon Branding Inc., the Sausalito, California–based firm that named Intel Corp.’s Pentium microprocessor and Apple’s PowerBook. One of the naming experts at Lexicon thought the miniature buttons on RIM’s product looked like the tiny seeds in a strawberry," Lexicon founder David Placek says. "A linguist at the firm thought straw was too slow sounding. Someone else suggested blackberry. RIM went for it." (From a Bloomberg article by Anthony Effinger).

Nicknames

The ability to read e-mail that is received in realtime, anywhere, has made the BlackBerry devices infamously addictive, earning them the nickname "CrackBerry". Smaller blue-coloured models of the BlackBerry are colloquially nicknamed "BlueBerrys". The devices were called RIMs by some early adopters after the abbreviated company name displayed prominently on early BlackBerry devices.

Within the company, various model families are named for subatomic particles; names used include Electron, Proton, Baryon, Quark and Charm.

Problems

A musculoskeletal disorder has arisen from repeated Blackberry use. Dubbed BlackBerry Thumb, it causes pain and tenderness in the thumbs to a point where people have problems using them, thus minimizing dexterity.

A non-physical problem is the constant attachment to email. Most users get Blackberry devices in order to increase their productivity, but they tend to encourage multi-tasking which can make it difficult for users to concentrate on other tasks when out of the office.

Models

File:Blackberry850.gif
BlackBerry 850
 
BlackBerry 6230
 
BlackBerry 7230
File:BlackBerry 8700c.jpg
BlackBerry 8700c
Generation Model Screen Network Notes Providers
Early models 850 small monochrome DataTAC e-mail and WAP services only
850 small monochrome DataTAC e-mail and AOL instant messanging American Online
857 large monochrome DataTAC e-mail and WAP services only
950 small monochrome Mobitex e-mail and WAP services only
957 "Proton" large monochrome Mobitex e-mail and WAP services only
Early Java-based 5790 large 160x160 pixel monochrome 900 MHz Mobitex e-mail services only
5810 large monochrome screen 1900 MHz GSM/GPRS phone but headset required
"Quark" 6210 medium 160x100 pixel monochrome 900/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS integrated phone
6230 medium 160x100 pixel monochrome 900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS integrated phone (blue case)
6280 medium 160x100 pixel monochrome 850/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS integrated phone
6500 6510 medium monochrome iDEN integrated phone, integrated two-way radio
6700 6710 large monochrome 900/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS integrated phone
6750 large monochrome 800/1900 MHz CDMA2000 1xRTT integrated phone
7200 7210 medium 240x160 pixel colour 900/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS integrated phone
7230 medium 240x160 pixel colour 900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS integrated phone
7250 medium 240x160 pixel colour 800/1900 MHz CDMA2000 1x integrated phone, Bluetooth
7270 medium 240x160 pixel colour corporate Wi-Fi 802.11b networks for data and VOIP
7280 medium 240x160 pixel colour 850/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS integrated phone
7290 medium 240x160 pixel colour 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS integrated phone with Bluetooth
7500 7510 medium 240x160 pixel colour iDEN integrated phone with speakerphone, integrated two-way radio
7520 integrated phone with speakerphone, integrated two-way radio, GPS and Bluetooth
7700 7730 large 240x240 pixel colour 900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS integrated phone
7750 800/1900 MHz CDMA2000 1x
7780 850/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS
"Charm" 7100t large 240x260 colour 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS with integrated phone with speakerphone, Bluetooth T-Mobile
7105t Updated T-Mobile
7100r Rogers
7100v Vodafone
7100g Many GSM providers including Hong Kong and Cingular
7100x O2
7100i 800/1900 MHz CDMA2000 1x iDEN with integrated phone with speakerphone, Bluetooth, Push-to-talk, GPS, 64MB Nextel and Telus
7130 7130e large 240x260 colour 800/1900 MHz CDMA2000 1x and EV-DO with integrated phone with speakerphone, Bluetooth Verizon, Sprint, Telus and Bell Mobility Providers
7130c 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE Cingular
7130g Many GSM providers including Rogers and 02
7130v Vodafone
"Electron" 8700c large 320x240 pixels and 65K colour depth 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE integrated phone with speakerphone, Bluetooth Cingular
8700r Rogers
8700f Orange
8700g Many GSM providers including T-Mobile and Telefonica Moviles
8707v 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS/3G Vodafone UK [7] Vodafone Smartone (Hong Kong)

Phones with BlackBerry e-mail client

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

  • Siemens SK65, Operates on 900/1800/1900 MHz GSM network, 132x176 pixel screen
  • Nokia 6810 Operates on 900/1800/1900 MHz GSM network, 128x128 pixel screen
  • Nokia 6820 Operates on 900/1800/1900 MHz GSM network, American variant on 850/1800/1900 GSM network, 128x128 pixel screen
  • Nokia 9300 Operates on 900/1800/1900 MHz GSM network, 128x128 and 640x200 pixel screen
  • Nokia 9500 Operates on 900/1800/1900 MHz GSM network, 128x128 and 640x200 pixel screen
  • Sony Ericsson P910 Operates on 900/1800/1900 MHz GSM network, American and Chinese variants on 850/1800/1900, 208x320 pixel screen

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References and notes

  1. ^ See BlackBerry 8700c Technical Specifications.

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