South Korea is notoriously protectionist and rumors are abound about native companies such as Samsung and LG getting preference over foreign companies in the name of nationalist fervor. As a result, RIM has had a very tough time making headway in the region. Things may change in the near future as Jim Balsillie prepares for a visit to Seoul for the Organization on Economic Cooperation and Development’s Ministerial Meeting on the Future Internet Economy (or the OECDMMFIE) next month.
If all goes well, devices should go on sale some time in July or August with service running some 26,000 won (about $25) per month.
[Imagine saying that acronym and not laughing?]
Microsoft has announced that it has struck a deal with RIM to provide Microsoft Windows Live services on the BlackBerry. The new services will provide greater integration between Hotmail and the BlackBerry which is known for its superior push email system. BlackBerry users can now access their Hotmail and Messenger accounts through said system and synchronize their accounts instantly. Expect these services to take off this summer.
UPDATE: Two versions, one coming to Verizon in May
Some concepts of a BlackBerry modeled after the 9000 dubbed “Niagara” have surfaced, supposedly minus 3G capabilities. The form factor is a little off from the BlackBerry 9000 shots we’ve already seen, so it’s possible this new model will be the next iteration in the 9000 line. The 9100 is already looking like it won’t be packing 3G, pointing to an ongoing trend of stripping features for the sake of battery life. Cutting features has the added benefit of lowering costs, which could do the rumored pricetag of $800 a considerable favour.
[Image via Engadget]
Continue reading ‘3G-less BlackBerry 9000?’
Three major carriers have released the BlackBerry Curve 8330 or are gearing up to do so shortly, in addition to those that have had them out for a while. As promised, Alltell is now offering the badboy in their online store for $299 after online discount and mail-in rebate. Sprint ads for it are appearing in American newspapers, offering a red or titanium Curve with a price of $179 after rebate, and with a two contract. Finally, Verizon’s will be available online and over the phone on May 9th, and over other channels on the 12th. It’s reported to be going for $270 after a $50 rebate and a 2 year contract.
RIM is going to be launching the BlackBerry 9000 sans 3G. The new BlackBerry looks virtually the same except that the new design has a larger bezel and a different back case altogether. Other than having no 3G, the specs are going to likely be the same.
[Image courtesy of BGR]
ZDNet has discovered that RIM has patented a form of touchscreen LCD. The patent, titled System and Method for Integrating A Touchscreen Within an LCD, describes “a touchscreen which is integrated into an LCD” in more detail than you can shake a stick at. The technology works primarily by detecting displacement of liquid crystal in a display and sending information based on that movement. ZDNet author Russell Shaw pointed out that the patent was published only four months after being filed rather than the usual 18, a very good indicator that the technology will be used soon. The rumors about a touchscreen for the BlackBerry 9000 have been mostly quashed, so it remains to be seen what device the technology will be used in.
A post on CNN Money noted that RIM spent a grand total of $890,000 in 2007 on lobbying the U.S. government for patent reform legislation as well as regulatory rules to make handsets more accessible to those with hearing disabilities. Patent reform is a little complicated, but the basic idea is to change the US patent laws so that patents are awarded to the first person to submit paperwork — a system which is common outside the US — rather than to the person who invented the concept. While this sounds backward, it has the potential to reduce the number of frivolous legal battle surrounding patents. RIM has certainly had issues with patents in the past, so the spending hardly comes as a surprise.
The Financial Post has uncovered evidence that Research in Motion will be unveiling a new music accessory called the BlackBerry Remote Stereo Gateway. The Gateway attaches to a stereo and then streams music files from a BlackBerry via Bluetooth. The information is available through an FCC filing, which has both the user manual and a photo of the Gateway. The device was filed by Cheng Uei Precision Industry Co., Ltd. out of Taiwan, but the BlackBerry brand is all over the place. This is obviously a big push into the consumer space for RIM, especially given the fact that, unlike iPod docks, it’s wireless. Between this and the increasing sizes of microSDHC cards, BlackBerry is becoming more and more viable as a media player.