Reasearch in Motion has officially introuduced the BlackBerry Tour Smartphone.  The Tour is a World Edition BlackBerry the will be coming out on both Verizon and Sprint this summer.

See the press release after the jump..

RIM Introduces the BlackBerry Tour Smartphone

New 3G World Phone Keeps You Connected on High-Speed CDMA Networks in North America and UMTS/HSPA Networks Abroad

Waterloo, ON – Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today introduced the BlackBerry® Tour™ – a powerful new 3G BlackBerry® smartphone for CDMA customers in North America. The new BlackBerry Tour smartphone offers state-of-the-art communications and multimedia capabilities with outstanding mobile performance and consummate styling. It is a feature-packed and highly refined world phone that keeps you connected and lets you tour the world in style.

“BlackBerry continues to be the top selling smartphone brand in North America and we are proud to add this powerful new 3G world phone to our successful product portfolio,” said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO at Research In Motion. “With its striking design and exceptional performance, the new BlackBerry Tour will offer a compelling choice for the growing number of wireless customers looking to upgrade their existing cell phone to a smartphone.”

The BlackBerry Tour smartphone allows customers to stay seamlessly connected – across town and around the world. It supports high-speed 3G EV-DO Rev. A networks in North America, as well as 3G UMTS/HSPA (2100Mhz) and quad-band EDGE/GPRS/GSM networks abroad.

The BlackBerry Tour smartphone also provides the industry’s leading mobile solution for email, messaging (IM, SMS, MMS) and social networking together with built-in GPS and advanced multimedia capabilities, enabling customers to make the most of both their personal and professional time.

The BlackBerry Tour features a chic black finish with chrome highlights surrounding its sleek design (112mm x 62mm x 14.2mm and 130g).  It includes a large, highly tactile, full-QWERTY keyboard with chrome frets and finely sculpted keys for fast and precise typing.  In addition, the large (2.44″), bright display (480 x 360 resolution at 245 ppi) delivers the highest resolution available on a BlackBerry smartphone, presenting pictures, web pages and videos with incredible clarity.

Other key features of the BlackBerry Tour smartphone include:

• 3.2 MP camera with flash, variable zoom, image stabilization, autofocus and video recording*
• Full HTML web browser, including support for streaming audio and video (RTSP)
• Advanced media player for videos, pictures and music, a 3.5 mm stereo headset jack and support for the Bluetooth® Stereo Audio Profile (A2DP/AVCRP)
• 256MB Flash memory
• Expandable memory via hot swappable microSD/SDHC memory card slot, supporting cards of up to 16 GB today and expected to support next generation 32GB cards when available
• Built-in GPS with support for geotagging, BlackBerry® Maps and other location based applications and services
• BlackBerry®  Media Sync allows customers to quickly and easily synch music from iTunes® and Windows Media Player with the smartphone**
• Premium phone features including voice activated dialing, enhanced background noise cancellation, a low-distortion speakerphone, and Bluetooth (2.0) support for hands-free use with headsets, car kits, stereo headsets and other Bluetooth peripherals
• Preloaded DataViz® Documents to Go®,  allowing users to edit Microsoft® Word, Excel and PowerPoint files directly on the handset
• Easy mobile access to Facebook®, MySpace and Flickr®, as well as popular instant messaging services including BlackBerry® Messenger, Yahoo!® IM, AIM®, Google Talk and Windows Live Messenger™
• Support for BlackBerry App World™, featuring a broad and growing catalog of third-party mobile applications developed specifically for BlackBerry smartphones. Categories include travel, productivity, entertainment, games, social networking & sharing, news & weather, and more
• BlackBerry® Internet Service allows access to up to 10 supported personal and corporate email accounts, including most popular ISP email accounts
• BlackBerry® Enterprise Server provides advanced security and IT administration features within IBM® Lotus® Domino®, Microsoft® Exchange and Novell® GroupWise® environments
• Removable and rechargeable 1400 mAhr battery for 5 hours of talk time and 14 days of standby time

The BlackBerry Tour smartphone (model number: 9630) is expected to be available this summer from carriers in North America.

For more information visit www.blackberry.com/tour

* Video recording requires microSD card, which may be sold separately
** Certain music files may not be supported, including files that contain digital rights management technologies

Note for editors: Additional information, including product images and video, is available at www.rim.mediaseed.tv.

About Research In Motion (RIM)
Research In Motion is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative wireless solutions for the worldwide mobile communications market. Through the development of integrated hardware, software and services that support multiple wireless network standards, RIM provides platforms and solutions for seamless access to time-sensitive information including email, phone, SMS messaging, Internet and intranet-based applications. RIM technology also enables a broad array of third party developers and manufacturers to enhance their products and services with wireless connectivity to data. RIM’s portfolio of award-winning products, services and embedded technologies are used by thousands of organizations around the world and include the BlackBerry® wireless platform, the RIM Wireless Handheld™ product line, software development tools, radio-modems and software/hardware licensing agreements. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM operates offices in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. RIM is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market (Nasdaq: RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RIM). For more information, visit www.rim.com or www.blackberry.com.

Forward-looking statements in this news release are made pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used herein, words such as “intend” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions made by and information available to Research In Motion Limited. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, possible product defects and product liability, risks related to international sales and potential foreign currency exchange fluctuations, the initiation or outcome of litigation, acts or potential acts of terrorism, international conflicts, significant fluctuations of quarterly operating results, changes in Canadian and foreign laws and regulations, continued acceptance of RIM’s products, increased levels of competition, technological changes and the successful development of new products, dependence on third-party networks to provide services, dependence on intellectual property rights, and other risks and factors detailed from time to time in RIM’s periodic reports filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, and other regulatory authorities. RIM has no intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

The BlackBerry, Research In Motion and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited. RIM, Research In Motion and BlackBerry are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and may be pending or registered in other countries. All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners.  RIM assumes no obligations or liability and makes no representation, warranty, endorsement or guarantee in relation to any aspect of any third party products or services.

RIM Introduces The BlackBerry Tour Smartphone is a post from: RIMarkable

Research in Motion has announced that the $1.50 per share take over bid for Certicom that we mentioned the other day is no underway.

Waterloo, ON – Research In Motion Limited (“RIM”) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM) announced today that a wholly-owned subsidiary of RIM has formally commenced its take-over bid (the “Offer”) for all of the outstanding common shares of Certicom Corp. (TSX: CIC) for CAD $1.50 in cash per share, subject to certain terms and conditions. The Offer will be open for acceptance until 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on January 15, 2009 unless withdrawn or extended by RIM’s subsidiary.

You can read the full press release here…

The RIM Take Over Bid For Certicom Has Commenced is a post from: RIMarkable

Research in Motion has anounced the Breaking New Ground:  Fall ‘08 BlackBerry Technical Seminar.  This online event will be held Wednesday, Dec. 3rd from 9:00 a.m.  to 5:00 p.m. EST and is free to attend.

This free online event gives you the opportunity to build your BlackBerry solution administrator and developer knowledge without ever leaving your desk. Join us from your PC, pick and choose your sessions, ask questions of the experts, and save presentations and demos to view again later or share with your colleagues.

You can find out more information about and register for the Fall’ 08 BlackBerry Technical Seminar here.

[Via BlackBerry Cool]

Fall ‘08 BlackBerry Technical Seminar Announced is a post from: RIMarkable

We didn’t want to title this post “Yet Another BlackBerry Outage” because we’ve done that two or three times already. I’ve got the same things to say about todays outage that I’ve had to say about the last 3 or 4 of them. Research in Motion flat out shouldn’t have these kind of outages.

I am sure that RIM will eventually release the reason why you and I weren’t able to get email all afternoon, but as my grandfather used to always tell me… “Excuses don’t explain and explanations never excuse.”

This problem major outages that Research in Motion has experienced over the last year and a half or so simply is inexcusable. RIM needs to pour whatever resources they need to into figuring out how to get passed having a single point of failure that takes down email for large parts, if not, most of North America in a singe swoop of the sword.

The First Major BlackBerry Outage Of The Year Strikes is a post from: RIMarkable

 
Remember when we talked about BlackBerry Professional Software back in November? Well, Research in Motion and Orange have launched BPS in Spain.

BlackBerry Professional Server is a “lite” version of BlackBerry Enterprise Server geared towards small organizations with as few as one BlackBerry user and can grow up to 30 users.

Read the full press release…

Orange and RIM launch BlackBerry Professional Software in Spain is a post from: RIMarkable

Remember last week when the Motley Fool said that Research in Motion would be the worst stock in 2008? I am pretty sure that I still disagree with that, however, it sure felt like it was true yesterday.

RIM shares where down 11% yesterday at market close. I believe that it was more just a victim of being in the tech sector than an indication of what the stock is going to do all year but it still sucks just the same.

Research In Motion Stock (RIMM) Down Big Yesterday is a post from: RIMarkable

According to a credible BGR source, Research in Motion’s marketing department decided that they should “re-brand” the upcoming BlackBerry OS 4.3.1 and call it BlackBerry OS 4.5.

I have just one question… Does OS 4.5 make you want to go out and buy a new device or upgrade your existing device’s OS more than OS 4.3.1?

My guess is that, although many of folks reading this post may know exactly what version of the BlackBerry OS their device is running, the overwhelming majority of BlackBerry users couldn’t tell you that the name of their OS is BlackBerry OS, let alone the version number.

If RIM is going to re-brand the name of the OS, why not give it a cool code name like “Mantis” or “Nexus” or any of a plethora of really cool sounding words that most folks don’t readily know the definition of.

Does BlackBerry OS 4.5 Sound Better Than BlackBerry OS 4.3.1? is a post from: RIMarkable

We don’t talk about Research in Motion’s stock, unless it really goes up or down, all that often here on RIMarkable for several reasons. One of the main ones is because I am the last person in the world that you would want to get stock advise from.

The Motely Fool, on the other hand, is a place you should look to for investing tips, especially if you are a novice, so, I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to discuss why they have listed Research in Motion (RIMM) the worst stock for 2008.

I will be the first to admit that the glorious run the RIM had last year will tapper off and even dip a bit, however, when you think of all the stocks that will get a rating by the Motely Fool, the worst is as bad as it gets, unless of course they are saving the “2nd grade grammar categories” of worster and worstest for stocks that will really suck this year.

[Read]

Motley Fool Says Research In Motion (RIMM) Worst Stock For 2008… is a post from: RIMarkable

Grameenphone Ltd. and Research In Motion yesterday announced the launch of the BlackBerry wireless solution to business users in Bangladesh.

Grameenphone is the first company to offer BlackBerry service Bangladesh and will start of offering the BlackBerry 8700 and BlackBerry Pearl along with BES and BIS service.

Anders Jensen, CEO at Grameenphone said: “The BlackBerry platform is the gold standard in mobility for business users around the world. We are proud to be the first mobile operator launching the BlackBerry platform in Bangladesh, bringing in the next level of global connectivity for businesses.”

Read the full press release…

Grameenphone Introduces BlackBerry To Bangladesh is a post from: RIMarkable

 
Research in Motion plans to make sure that everyone stopping by their booth a the Consumer Electronics Show next month in Las Vegas knows that the BlackBerry is no longer just for corporate executives. They plan to demonstrate all the ways that the BlackBerry can “enrich your personal life” at their exhibit.

Berry Review has got all the details…

RIM Pushing Consumer Oriented BlackBerrys At CES 2008 is a post from: RIMarkable