The BlackBerry Developers Conference (DevCon) kicked off this morning with RIM’s official announcement of BBX, the next-generation operating system from Research In Motion. BBX combines the best of BlackBerry and QNX and will bring this OS to BlackBerry smartphones, tablets, and embedded devices. Along side with the BBX announcement, RIM announced that the PlayBook OS 2.0 Developer Beta is now available, which includes the Android Player. You can see the press release below for more details…

RIM Unveils BlackBerry BBX-Combines the Best of BlackBerry and QNX to Provide a Next Generation Platform for BlackBerry Smartphones and Tablets

Additional announcements and highlights from BlackBerry DevCon Americas 2011 include:

• BlackBerry WebWorks and HTML5 apps compatible with current BlackBerry smartphones and tablets will run on future BBX-based devices
• Native SDK for BlackBerry PlayBook goes gold; released for general availability
• SDK for Adobe AIR Now Supports Adobe AIR 3.0
• BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 Developer Beta now available, includes BlackBerry Runtime for Android Apps

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA–(Marketwire – Oct. 18, 2011) - BlackBerry DevCon Americas 2011 – At BlackBerry DevCon Americas 2011, Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ:RIMM)(TSX:RIM) today unveiled BlackBerry BBX, its next generation mobile platform that takes the best of the BlackBerry® platform and the best of the QNX® platform to connect people, devices, content and services.

In addition, RIM announced a series of developer tool updates, including WebWorks for BlackBerry smartphones and tablets, the Native SDK for the BlackBerry PlayBook and a developer beta of BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 with support for running Android applications. RIM also provided direction for developers on how to best develop and monetize their BlackBerry applications for today and for the future.

“With nearly 5 million BlackBerry apps downloaded daily, our customers have made BlackBerry one of the most profitable platforms for developers,” said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO at RIM. “At DevCon today, we’re giving developers the tools they need to build richer applications and we’re providing direction on how to best develop their smartphone and tablet apps as the BlackBerry and QNX platforms converge into our next generation BBX platform.”

BlackBerry BBX

BBX is the next generation platform for BlackBerry smartphones and tablets. It combines the best of BlackBerry and the best of QNX and is designed from the ground up to enable the powerful real-time mobile experiences that distinguish BlackBerry products and services.

The BBX platform will include BBX-OS, and will support BlackBerry cloud services and development environments for both HTML5 and native developers. BBX will also support applications developed using any of the tools available today for the BlackBerry PlayBook – including Native SDK, Adobe AIR/Flash and WebWorks/HTML5, as well as the BlackBerry Runtime for Android Apps – on future BBX-based tablets and smartphones.

BBX will also include the new BlackBerry Cascades UI Framework for advanced graphics (shown for the first time today), and bring “Super App” capabilities to enable many advanced capabilities including deep integration between apps, always-on Push services, the BBM™ Social Platform, and much more.

BlackBerry WebWorks

Developers who want to support both existing smartphones (running BlackBerry 6 and BlackBerry 7 OS) and BlackBerry PlayBook tablets can monetize apps on both platforms today with BlackBerry WebWorks, which supports apps built on HTML5, CSS and JavaScript. The latest release, BlackBerry WebWorks SDK 2.2 (supporting both smartphones and tablets), is now available and includes updates for the new PlayBook OS SDK, PlayBook Simulator and more.

The BlackBerry WebWorks APIs are supported by the Ripple Emulator, a standalone, high-fidelity browser-like emulation tool that allows developers to test and debug their applications on multiple platforms and devices without having to compile or launch simulators. Starting today the Ripple Emulator is available in beta and can also be downloaded from RIM’s WebWorks Developer site at: http://developer.blackberry.com/html5.

Native SDK – Content Rich, Fast and Smooth Running Applications

RIM also announced today the immediate availability of the Native SDK for the BlackBerry PlayBook (1.0 gold release). The Native SDK allows developers to build high-performance, multi-threaded, native C/C++ applications and enables developers to create advanced 2D and 3D games and other apps with access to OpenGL ES 2.0 and Open AL, as well as device specific APIs. Applications developed with the Native SDK will run today on the BlackBerry PlayBook and will be forwardly compatible on BBX-based tablets and smartphones.

The Native SDK includes support for C/C++ POSIX library and compliance, device events like gesture swipes and touch screen inputs, access to code management systems using industry standard Eclipse CDT (C/C++ Development Tools) and advanced debug and analysis tools. QNX Momentics Tool Suite, an Eclipse-based integrated development environment, is included. It provides memory profiling, application debugging, and memory usage statistics to help developers debug sophisticated programs, including hardware accelerated OpenGL applications.

The Native SDK makes the development and porting of game applications to the BlackBerry PlayBook an extremely attractive proposition for developers. Well known game publishers, developers and major game engine companies have already started to bring their game titles and applications to the platform.

Scoreloop, the largest and fastest growing cross-platform social gaming ecosystem on mobile, is now available in beta for the Native SDK through BlackBerry® Beta Zone. The Scoreloop SDK provides everything a developer needs to easily integrate social capabilities into their native PlayBook applications and includes support for Leaderboards, Game Challenges, Awards & Achievements, and Player Profiles. Scoreloop’s fully customizable and cross-platform technology empowers developers to add as many or as few features as they want, from a simple leader-board to more extensive player achievements. It makes mobile games more social and profitable.

BlackBerry Cascades – Create Visually Stunning Interfaces

RIM today showcased BlackBerry Cascades, a rich user interface framework coming to a future release of the Native SDK. Cascades unleashes a new breed of design centric mobile applications and provides developers with an exceptional feature set for creating visually stunning interfaces with custom layouts, animations, effects and 3D graphics. These features, combined with a strong set of built-in core user interface components, will make it easy to build beautiful native applications with innovative user interfaces for the current BlackBerry PlayBook and future BBX-based tablets and smartphones. Cascades is scheduled to be made available in beta later this fall.

Adobe AIR 3.0 Support

Adobe Flash enables developers to produce visually stunning, highly functional applications for the BlackBerry PlayBook that can integrate with the underlying OS and will be supported on future BBX-based tablets and smartphones.

The BlackBerry PlayBook now supports the recently announced Adobe AIR 3.0 runtime. Among the supported features are Encrypted Local Store that gives developers the ability to use the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) to encrypt and securely store sensitive information on the device, as well as store passwords, keys or credit card information safely within the app; StageText that allows developers to take advantage of native text controls and the native interaction behaviors of those controls; Multitouch and Gestures built into applications to provide great usability; and more.

PlayBook OS 2.0 – Developer Beta

RIM introduced today the Developer Beta version of the BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0. The Developer Beta includes the BlackBerry Runtime for Android Apps and the BlackBerry Plug-In for Android Development Tools (ADT), allowing developers to quickly and easily bring Android applications to BlackBerry PlayBook tablets.

The BlackBerry Plug-In for ADT (an Eclipse plug-in) extends a developer’s existing Eclipse Android development environment to support the PlayBook, and includes the BlackBerry PlayBook Simulator for developers to test and debug their apps before submitting them to BlackBerry App World™. Developers can also test and debug their apps on a PlayBook running the BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 – Developer Beta.

Android developers can also repackage Android apps for the BlackBerry PlayBook online by using the BlackBerry Packager for Android Apps. The web tool guides developers through a step-by-step process, allowing them to test their apps for compatibility with the PlayBook, and repackage and sign their apps for submission to BlackBerry App World, all without downloading any tools.

BlackBerry Runtime for Android Apps and the associated tools allow Android developers to easily expand their market to include BlackBerry PlayBook users, and hence increase their apps’ market potential.

The BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 – Developer Beta also supports Adobe Air 3.0 and Adobe Flash 11, as well as WebGL, a new web technology that brings hardware-accelerated 3D graphics to the browser without installing additional software. Developers will be able to generate rich, interactive 3D graphics within their BlackBerry WebWorks application.

For more information about the BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 – Developer Beta and BlackBerry Runtime for Android Apps and associated tools, visit For more information about the BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 – Developer Beta and BlackBerry Runtime for Android Apps and associated tools, visit:https://bdsc.webapps.blackberry.com/android/bpaa/.

Increased Developer Productivity with Open Source Libraries on the BlackBerry PlayBook OS

RIM also announced the BlackBerry Open Source Initiative to port popular Open Source libraries to the BlackBerry PlayBook platform. Libraries already available include physics engines like Bullet Physics and Box2DX, scripting languages like Lua, multimedia libraries like OpenAL and SDL, gaming frameworks like Cocos2DX and general-purpose libraries like Boost and Qt. Also available under an Open Source license are a range of code samples that developers can use to get started quickly, as well as GamePlay, a new 3D native gaming framework.

RIM will continue to expand its involvement in the Open Source community to help increase developer productivity on the BlackBerry platforms. For more details on RIM’s Open Source activities, visit http://blackberry.github.com.

About Research In Motion

Research In Motion (RIM), a global leader in wireless innovation, revolutionized the mobile industry with the introduction of the BlackBerry® solution in 1999. Today, BlackBerry products and services are used by millions of customers around the world to stay connected to the people and content that matter most throughout their day. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM operates offices in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America. RIM is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market (NASDAQ:RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX:RIM). For more information, visitwww.rim.com or www.blackberry.com.

Forward-looking statements in this news release are made pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When used herein, words such as “expect”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “may”, “will”, “should”, “intend,” “believe”, and similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by RIM in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that RIM believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Many factors could cause RIM’s actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including those described in the “Risk Factors” section of RIM’s Annual Information Form, which is included in its Annual Report on Form 40-F (copies of which filings may be obtained at www.sedar.com orwww.sec.gov). These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on RIM’s forward-looking statements. RIM has no intention and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

The BlackBerry 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.

The BlackBerry outage last week was definitely painful for both personal and corporate users. RIM knows this and they are trying to heal the wound by offering up tons of free premium apps for BlackBerry smartphones. RIM will be offering about $100 worth of free apps (device depending). The free apps include popular apps like DriveSafe.ly, Shazam Encore, Vlingo Plus, and even popular games like SIMS 3, Bejeweled and Texas Hold’em Poker 2. The free apps will start appearing in BlackBerry App World over the next few weeks, and will be available until December 31st. Below is the complete list of free apps from RIM.

• SIMS 3 – Electronic Arts
• Bejeweled – Electronic Arts
• N.O.V.A. – Gameloft
• Texas Hold’em Poker 2 – Gameloft
• Bubble Bash 2 – Gameloft
• Photo Editor Ultimate – Ice Cold Apps
• DriveSafe.ly Pro – iSpeech.org
• iSpeech Translator Pro – iSpeech.org
• Drive Safe.ly Enterprise – iSpeech.org
• Nobex Radio™ Premium – Nobex
• Shazam Encore – Shazam
• Vlingo Plus: Virtual Assistant – Vlingo

Just a few minutes ago, AT&T held a media event in New York to announce the new BlackBerry Torch 9800. As you may know the Torch 9800 is a new hybrid smartphone featuring a full touch display and slide out QWERTY keyboard. The BlackBerry Torch operates on BlackBerry 6, RIM’s next generation operating system. The BlackBerry Torch 9800 offers up a powerful 624 Mhz processor with 512 MB Flash memory, 4GB of on-board memory, 5.0 megapixel camera with auto-focus, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, and GPS. The Torch will be available starting August 12th for $199.99 with two-year term. You can sign up today on AT&T’s website here. You can also visit BlackBerry.com and read up on the Torch there.

Continue reading for the full press release…

AT&T and Research In Motion Ignite Customers With The New BlackBerry Torch

BlackBerry Torch Smartphone First to Feature New BlackBerry 6
Combines New Touch Screen Experience with Easy-To-Use Keyboard and Rich WebKit Browser
First Smartphone to Support AT&T’s Next Generation Messaging Experience, and First to Offer Locations Feature
New BlackBerry App World Pre-installed with Carrier Billing Support

DALLAS, TEXAS and WATERLOO, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – Aug. 3, 2010) -

Joining forces to offer the first smartphone to feature the highly anticipated BlackBerry(R) 6 exclusively on the nation’s fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T(i) (NYSE:T) and Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ:RIMM)(TSX:RIM) today introduced the new BlackBerry(R) Torch(TM) 9800 smartphone. Adept for socially connected consumers and packed with the tools business customers love, the new handset is the world’s first smartphone to combine a BlackBerry(R) keyboard with a full touch screen experience. Whether users choose to type out messages on the capacitive touch screen or easy-to-use BlackBerry keyboard, browse the Internet using pinch to zoom or fluidly navigate with the optical trackpad, the BlackBerry Torch allows them to communicate any way they want.

“We were the first to launch the BlackBerry solution in 1999 and have a rich history of innovation and collaboration with Research In Motion,” said Ralph de la Vega, president and chief executive officer, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. “The two companies that brought the first BlackBerry smartphones to market have teamed up again with the new BlackBerry Torch, creating a true generational shift in hardware and operating system for this enormously popular service.”

“This is one of the most significant launches in RIM’s history and we are proud to introduce the new BlackBerry Torch and BlackBerry 6 together with AT&T,” said Mike Lazaridis, president and co-ceo, Research In Motion. “With a new user interface, new browser and new handset design, the highly anticipated BlackBerry Torch and BlackBerry 6 deliver integrated and uncompromising capabilities for consumers and business professionals that preserve the industry-leading strengths of the BlackBerry platform while adding exciting new dimensions.”

BlackBerry 6

The BlackBerry Torch is the first BlackBerry smartphone to launch with BlackBerry 6, a new operating system that retains the familiar and trusted features that distinguish the BlackBerry brand while delivering a fresh, approachable and engaging experience that’s powerful and easy to use.

BlackBerry 6 features a redesigned interface that seamlessly works with the touch screen and trackpad, includes expanded messaging capabilities with intuitive features to simplify the management of social networking and RSS feeds (Social Feeds), and provides integrated access to the BlackBerry(R) Messenger (BBM(TM)), Facebook(R), Twitter(TM), MySpace(TM) and various instant messaging applications available on the BlackBerry Torch smartphone. Its enhanced multimedia experience rivals the best in the industry and includes a dedicated YouTube app and Podcasts app.

BlackBerry 6 also integrates a new and rich WebKit-based browser on BlackBerry Torch that renders HTML web pages (as well as HTML email) quickly and beautifully for a great browsing experience. It features tabs for accessing multiple sites simultaneously, pinch to zoom for easy navigation and an auto-wrap text zoom feature that can intelligently wrap text in a column while maintaining the placement of a page’s key elements (simply double-tap on the BlackBerry Torch).

Universal search, always accessible from the Home Screen, allows users to search through email, messages, contacts, music, videos and more on the smartphone, as well as extend search to the Internet or to discover applications on BlackBerry App World(TM).

Advanced Messaging

Messaging has always been a core element of the BlackBerry smartphone experience and the BlackBerry Torch smartphone expands on RIM’s popular messaging solutions with the support of AT&T’s advanced messaging features for SMS and MMS. RIM’s new Text Messages application is especially exciting for users who communicate most via SMS and MMS, providing support for AT&T’s next-generation messaging experience, which includes group messaging with “reply all” functionality for up to 10 contacts. And for the first time, AT&T’s platform includes a new Locations feature.

Locations lets users easily search for points of interest, businesses, and even the user’s own location, and insert this information directly into a message, all without leaving the messaging application. Using group messaging and locations together, users can arrange to meet a group of friends easily by sending one message to all of them, discussing together where to meet and then sending a map – all in one threaded conversation. AT&T designed the service based on research that revealed customers want features that help facilitate social planning, improved message organization and location sharing.

Apps At Your Fingertips

After powering up the BlackBerry Torch smartphone for the first time, users will notice a set of pre-loaded icons which allow them to download and immediately begin using a variety of rich entertainment and social networking applications to access Bloomberg, ESPN, The Weather Channel and Slacker Radio content in addition to Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and more. Also available is AT&T’s Web Video Search, a unique new app that searches video content from over 70 major Internet video websites.

In addition to searching the Internet for video, the BlackBerry Torch smartphone also features more multimedia apps that let users download TV shows and watch live TV, as well as create video content and upload it to YouTube. The new Podcasts application makes it easy for users to find and manage audio and video podcasts.

Another application that puts a key function of a phone at your fingertips is Visual Voicemail, which benefits customers by allowing them to select the voicemails they want to hear first.

The BlackBerry Torch 9800 is also the first BlackBerry smartphone to include BlackBerry App World(TM) pre-installed, supporting carrier billing through AT&T, making it easier for customers to discover and purchase applications.

BlackBerry Torch Smartphone Features

–  Elegant styling, measuring approx. 4.4″ (5.8″ open) x 2.4″ x .57″ and
weighing 5.68 ounces
–  3.2″ 360×480 capacitive touch screen display
–  35 key full QWERTY backlit slide-out keyboard, designed to feel
optimally balanced when opened for typing
–  Optical trackpad that makes navigation fast and smooth
–  Powerful 624 Mhz processor with 512 MB Flash memory
–  4 GB built-in memory storage plus a microSD/SDHD memory card slot that
supports up to 32 GB cards; a 4 GB card is included giving users 8 GB of
storage out-of-the-box
–  5 MP camera with flash, continuous auto focus, image stabilization,
scene modes, geo-tagging and zoom, as well as video recording at up to
640×480 resolution
–  Built-in GPS for location-based applications and geo-tagging
–  Wi-Fi(R) (802.11 b/g/n); qualifying smartphone customers can enjoy
seamless connectivity to over 20,000 AT&T Wi-Fi hotspots at no
additional cost
–  3.5mm stereo headset jack
–  Premium phone features, including voice activated dialing, speakerphone
and Bluetooth(R) (2.1) with support for hands-free headsets, stereo
headsets, car kits (including systems that support the Bluetooth Message
Access Profile standard) and other Bluetooth accessories
–  New BlackBerry(R) Desktop Software 6 with integrated media sync for
easily syncing music, photos and videos(ii). It also includes Wi-Fi
Music Sync, a unique feature that allows users to view their entire
iTunes(R) or Windows Media(R) Player music libraries from their
BlackBerry smartphone, create and edit playlists as well as select music
for download. When in range of their home Wi-Fi network (or via USB),
the changes are synced with iTunes or Windows Media Player and the songs
are automatically downloaded to the smartphone
–  Tri-band HSDPA (3G) and quad-band EDGE support for the option of voice
service in more than 220 countries, data service in more than 195
countries and 3G connectivity in more than 125 countries, including
Japan and South Korea
–  Removable, rechargeable 1300 mAhr battery that provides approximately
5.8 hours of talk time on 3G networks or 30 hours of audio playback or 6
hours of video playback

Pricing and Availability

The BlackBerry Torch 9800 smartphone will be available only for AT&T customers on August 12 in AT&T company owned retail stores and online at www.att.com/blackberrytorch, as well as Best Buy, Wal-Mart and RadioShack stores.

The BlackBerry Torch 9800 will be available for $199.99 with 2-year service agreement on a qualifying rate plan and smartphone data plan required. New smartphone customers may choose from two AT&T monthly data plan options, $15 for 200 MB of wireless data or $25 for 2 GB. Enterprise and small business customers should contact their account representative for pricing details.

(i)AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

AT&T imposes: a Regulatory Cost Recovery Charge of up to $1.25 to help defray costs incurred in complying with obligations and charges imposed by State and Federal telecom regulations; State and Federal Universal Service charges; and surcharges for government assessments on AT&T. These fees are not taxes or government-required charges.

(ii)Certain music files may not be supported, including files that contain digital rights management technologies. Photo and video syncing is currently only available for Windows-based PCs.

Limited-time offer. Other conditions & restrictions apply. See contract & rate plan brochure for details. Subscriber must live & have a mailing addr. within AT&T’s owned wireless network coverage area. Up to $36 activ. fee applies. Equipment price & avail may vary by mrk & may not be available from independent retailers. Early Termination Fee: None if cancelled in the first 30 days, but up to $35 restocking fee may apply to equipment returns; thereafter up to $325. Some agents impose add’l fees. Unlimited voice services: Unltd voice svcs are provided primarily for live dialog between two individuals. No additional discounts are available with unlimited plan. Smartphone Data Plan Requirement: Smartphones require a DataPlus (200MB) or DataPro (2GB) plan. If you exceed your initial data allowance, you will automatically be charged an additional $10 for each additional 1GB provided on DataPro or an additional $15 for each additional 200MB provided on DataPlus. All data allowances, including overages, must be used in the billing period in which the allowance is provided or they will be forfeited. An Enterprise Data Plan is required for corporate email, company intranet sites and business applications. For more details on Data Plans, go to att.com/dataplans. Offnet Usage: If your mins of use (including unltd svcs) on other carrier’s networks (“offnet usage”) during any two consecutive months or your data use during any month exceeds your offnet usage allowance, AT&T may at its option terminate your svc, deny your contd use of other carriers’ coverage, or change your plan to one imposing usage charges for offnet usage. Your offnet usage allowance is equal to the lesser of 750 mins or 40% of the Anytime mins incl’d with your plan (data offnet usage allowance is the lesser of 24 MB or 20% of the KB incl’d with your plan). Sales tax calculated based on price of unactivated equipment. AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Spots- Based on non-municipal company owned and operated hotspots. A Wi-Fi enabled device required. Other restrictions apply. See www.attwifi.com for additional services, restrictions and locations. Visual Voicemail – Data plan required for AT&T Visual Voicemail. Data used in replying to and forwarding voicemail messages via SMS, MMS or email is counted against your data plan. Applicable data charges apply if data plan limits have been exceeded. International data charges apply to receiving, replying to and forwarding voicemail messages while roaming internationally.

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(R) wireless platform, the RIM Wireless Handheld(TM) 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, Asia Pacific and Latin America. 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.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation’s fastest 3G network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet and voice services. A leader in mobile broadband, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse(R) and AT&T / DIRECTV brands. The company’s suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising. In 2010, AT&T again ranked among the 50 Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE(R) magazine.

Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com. This AT&T news release and other announcements are available at http://www.att.com/newsroom and as part of an RSS feed at www.att.com/rss. Or follow our news on Twitter at @ATTNews. Find us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ATT to discover more about our consumer and wireless services or at www.Facebook.com/ATTSmallBiz to discover more about our small business services.

Research In Motion Safe Harbor Statement:

Forward-looking statements in this news release are made pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When used herein, words such as “expect”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “may”, “will”, “should”, “intend,” “believe”, and similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by RIM in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that RIM believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Many factors could cause RIM’s actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including those described in the “Risk Factors” section of RIM’s Annual Information Form, which is included in its Annual Report on Form 40-F (copies of which filings may be obtained at www.sedar.com or www.sec.gov). These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on RIM’s forward-looking statements. RIM has no intention and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

The BlackBerry 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. Wi-Fi is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance. 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.

(C) 2010 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. 3G service not available in all areas. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies.

The NPD Group, a leader in wireless industry market research, released their “Smartphone Market Update” report which is based on US Consumer sales of smartphones. And once again, RIM proves to be the leader. The NPD Group attributed the rise to a “buy-one-get-one” sale by Verizon Wireless, which helped RIM’s numbers increase by fifteen percent to an almost fifty percent of the smartphone market in this first quarter, as Apple’s iPhone and Palm sales decreased each by ten percent. Another factor is that the BlackBerry Curve is sold by more than one carrier. And the numbers prove that while there are newer BlackBerry smartphones, and even more stylish looking Curve family members, the 83xx series is still the beloved and preferred BlackBerry Curve.

The top-ten best-selling smartphones for this first quarter are:

1. RIM BlackBerry Curve (all 83XX models)
2. Apple iPhone 3G (all models)
3. RIM BlackBerry Storm
4. RIM BlackBerry Pearl (all models, except flip)
5. T-Mobile G1

The Curve is number one, with the  Storm and Pearl taking the #3 and #4 slot.  Back in the first quarter of 2008, smartphones were 17% of handset sales in comparison to the first quarter of 2009 in which the smartphone sales are now 23%. Between Business and the Consumer markets, it has truly been a great quarter for RIM.

[via: Engadget & NPD Group, Inc]

Seems this will be a double confirmed rumor as CrackBerry has just posted a similar screenshot! An accessory for the BlackBerry 9630 has shown up in Telus’ inventory system. What does this mean? Well according to our tipster this means that Telus is starting to get ready for the launch of the 9630 and that we should expect to see it within the next couple of months. This is awesome news for Telus cusotmers!! Stay tuned for more details when they arrive…

_{Thanks, WDX416}

Hi Stormies!

Kevin over at Crackberry has just let us know that OS 4.7.0.132 has been leaked for the BlackBerry Storm 9530!  It’s nice to see they have been keeping the updates coming!  I know that with every release, Verizon users are groaning because they have yet to see an official update.  But I’m pretty sure it’s safe to say that an official update will come for Big Red sooner than later.

As is the case with any beta release, please do not attempt to install this update unless you know what you are doing, to prevent any unwanted damage to your baby.   Carriers do not support beta OS installs, so any problems you may encounter are your own to solve.  However, we are always here to help if you need it!

Click here to download the update and follow the standard process to install it.

Thanks again Kevin!!

Interesting news has come from Bloomberg, re: Research in Motion, Ltd (NASDAQ GS:RIMM) Squeeze On Suppliers. RIMM has experienced revenue growth this last quarter, and has always maintained a focus not only on growth, but the margins as well, especially as it has broken more into the comsumer market from the corporate side of the spectrum. Investors were worried as RIM went from being the Business Phone of choice, to reaching out to a consumer based market as well, appealing to the consumers in the smart phone industry.

Gross margin is anticipated to around 44 percent, it currently is at forty percent. Investors have been concerned with the recent numbers. RIMM’s transitioning from the high spending businesses to a much more costly consumer smart phone market has shrunk the margin 10.7 percent.

The company is predicting and looking forward to a rebound in rise of margins this quarter.

Co-Chief Executive Officer Jim Balsille of Research in Motion Ltd stated that the Blackberry maker is lowering supply costs as the expanding growth will give them enough of a pull to push for deals in this recession. He shared during an interview in Waterloo, Ontario, that what makes an important customer is being a company strong in growth in a challenging environment. He said it is probably assisting the company with being able to strike better deals from the companies manufacturing the equipment for the phones.

With smaller expenses and new sources of revenue, such as the App World Application Store, it might be what RIM needs to bring up the margins and rise again. Some of the manufactures have also pushed back on their suppliers to help with the costs.

In a market experiencing the worse global recession since World War 2, businesses must meet the changes in order to thrive.

RIM’s main five suppliers make up 90 percent of production costs. It’s five main suppliers are Elcoteq, SE; Jabil Circuit Inc.; Marvell Technology Group, Ltd.; Multi-Fineline Electronix Inc.; and Qualcomm Inc.

[via: Bloomberg]

CrackBerry has shown us the first live pictures of the heavely rumored BlackBerry Niagara. In case you don’t know what “Niagara” is it’s going to be the CDMA Bold/Curve combonation featuring a CDMA/EVDO Rev. A Radio with 3.2 megapixel camera, GPS and of course a full QWERTY keyboard. Apparently RIM might have cut plans to include Wi-Fi in this bad boy. The Niagara looks to be a mix of both the BlackBerry Bold and Curve 8900 “Javelin” to swing a bit of both worlds in there.

Two questions: Will RIM call this the Bold 9630? and who wants one even without Wi-Fi?

[Source]

This one has me excited because I’ve always been a fan of my 8830 World Edition even though its been replaced by several newer models. Boy Genius got new details about the rumored BlackBerry Niagara, which in the past was rumored to be called Bold 9030 or 8930. Well it’s not going to be either according to one of BGR’s sources, the BlackBerry code-named Niagara will be modeled 9630 and seems it will pack tons of stuff except Wi-Fi. The Niagara is gurentueed to be a World Edition BlackBerry featuring CDMA EV-DO with Rev. A, Quad-band GSM with EDGE for roaming, 3.2 megapixel camera (with possibly a camera-less model), and OS 4.7.1 (maybe even 5.0 depending on the release date). Also the browser should be a little more updated to support Javescript 1.6 (that’s a little better)… As for a release date the source could not confirm that but with any luck at all you will see it around May or June on Verizon and possibly a few others? ;-)

We just received a tip that an upcoming BlackBerry Storm OS will introduce better finger movements for copy/pasting and selecting text. In the picture above you see the little box which you can drag along to highlight text. It’s quite a good idea!! We can’t tell you just yet what OS this will appear in however expect it soon at the rate of all these beta leaks. Using the box to slide your finger on the screen it makes it a lot easier to select text and copy/paste things. This little box at first reminded me of the hover on the iPhone, however it does not show the words magnified. Regardless it’s a great addition to the BlackBerry Storm and will for sure come in handy!

Here’s a video so you under.. Forgive me trying to operate camera and Storm at the same time…
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=268LiR0m35s]

As always stay tuned for more details…

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