Angelie New Media Technologies 08

• Wireless email


• Advanced phone features (e.g. speakerphone and voice dialling)


• Instant Messaging (using Yahoo Messenger and Google Talk)


• SMS and MMS


• Multimedia Player (plays audio and video files)


• Camera: capture the moment in perfect clarity with 2.0MP, built-in zoom and flash.


• 3.5mm stereo headset capable


• Browser (navigate and browse websites with a roll and click of the trackball)


• Organiser (Synch and store your calendar data, address book etc)


• BlackBerry Maps (get directions and view maps while on the road)


• Global Positioning System1 (GPS)


• 64 MB of built-in memory and an expandable microSD memory slot1,2.


• Bluetooth capability


• Full QWERTY keyboard layout (for fast text and email composition)


• High-resolution, light-sensing screen
  

Size and weight

• Length: 107mm


• Width: 60mm


• Depth: 15.5mm


• Weight: 111g

The main users of BlackBerrys are likely to be business people. They would use the BlackBerry as a personal organiser, probably setting calendar reminders for meetings etc. They may also use it to check their e-mails when they're out, in order to keep up with recent activity at work. The BlackBerry enables users to do a number of different things all from one device. Young adults may also use the BlackBerry. They would be more likely to use it for it's internet browsing capabilities, it's camera, multimedia player and possibly instant messaging services as well.

The main institution involved is Research in Motion (or RIM). RIM have used the technology to produce a convergent device that will be very appealing to people. They have also developed ways of making the device as small as possible, which would make it even more appealing to the audience. By creating a device that lots of people would want, RIM will maximise their revenue.

Key Concepts

1. Convergence
   The BlackBerry is an example of convergence between phone, camera, multimedia player, personal organisation device and computer/internet
   
2. Personalisation
   The BlackBerry is individualised since users can do what they want with it.
   
3. Portability
   The BlackBerry can be taken and used wherever the users want to use it.
   
4. Miniaturisation
   The BlackBerry Curve 8310 is the smallest and lightest BlackBerry smartphone with a QWERTY keyboard.