Yesterday RIM announced their first quarter results for 2009 and of course they did great. RIM saw revenue go up 107% to $2.24 billion from Q1 of 2008. Not only that but RIM added 2.3 million more subscribers this quater bringing their overall to around 16 million. This summer RIM is also getting ready to ship their 40 millionth BlackBerry smartphone!

“We are pleased to report another record quarter with revenue increasing 107% as the popularity of the BlackBerry platform continued to spread in business, government and consumer segments. Our comprehensive technology and business strategies continue to reap strong results in the market and RIM is well positioned to build on its momentum throughout the remainder of fiscal 2009,” said Jim Balsillie, Co-CEO at Research In Motion. “As we prepare this summer to ship our 40 millionth BlackBerry smartphone, we continue to steadily scale our business and partnerships to support the opportunities ahead in this thriving sector.”

[RIM Press Release]

RIM and IBM have announced a partnership to team up and mobilize Web 2.0 capabilities, by enhancing IBM's Wireless Solutions for BlackBerry smartphones.

“As the world enters the ‘Era of the Mobile Web’, mobile devices like BlackBerry are outnumbering TV’s, credit cards and PC’s, and are becoming increasingly critical to business operations for companies of all sizes globally,” said Bob Picciano, GM Lotus Software. “Today’s announcement extends the portfolio of IBM’s industry-leading social computing and collaboration offerings available to customers as they increasingly rely on their BlackBerry® smartphones.”

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RIM also announced a new annual developer conference aimed at bringing all developers from around the World. The conference is sheduled for October 20th this year in Santa Clara, California.

"Based on growing demand from the BlackBerry development community, we are very pleased to announce a new conference focused on developing consumer and business applications for the BlackBerry platform," said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO at RIM. "The new annual BlackBerry Developer Conference in the fall will complement the successful Wireless Enterprise Symposium held each spring and will provide a dedicated forum to help developers keep pace with advances in the latest hardware, software, tools and best practices for developing on the BlackBerry platform."

Skip on over for the full press release or visit BlackBerryDeveloperConference.com. Read the full story

Kicking off WES 2008 this morning RIM announced the upcoming release of BlackBerry Bold, also known as BlackBerry 9000. This 3G packing smartphone comes fully equipped with HSDPA, EDGE, Wi-Fi, GPS and a 2.0 megapixel camera. Not only that but the BlackBerry Bold also features 1GB on on-board memory, 128MB of flash memory for content storage (such as phonebook and messages), Media Sync allowing it sync directly with iTunes and its amazing half-VGA (480×320 resolution) color display.

The BlackBerry Bold is expected to hit carriers this summer. Pricing is expected to be fairly high. Check out BlackBerryBold.com or click on over for its full press release. Read the full story

RIM and Microsoft has signed an agreement to bring Microsoft's Live Hotmail and Messengers services to BlackBerry. This agreement will allow BlackBerry users to have access to push Hotmail email and actual a Live messenger application by entering their username and password once (similar to how Windows Mobile works).

"The BlackBerry platform is respected around the world for providing optimized messaging capabilities and RIM continues to look for ways to provide customers with a wide range of communications options and the best possible mobile experience," said Mark Guibert, Vice President, Corporate Marketing at Research In Motion. "Our relationship with Microsoft and the addition of Windows Live services to BlackBerry smartphones helps us build on that strategy for our customers."

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RIM has teamed up with RBC and Thomson Reuters to start a $150 Million fund called "BlackBerry Partners Fund". This fund will be focusing on investing into new mobile applications and services. 

“The mobile world has evolved well beyond phone calls and simple messaging to require more empowering and liberating solutions that connect people to everything that matters most to them, wherever and whenever they want,” said Jim Balsillie, Co-CEO, Research In Motion. “RIM, RBC and Thomson Reuters share the common belief that mobile applications and services will propel the industry forward and the BlackBerry Partners Fund is being formed to help fuel innovation and activity in the mobile ecosystem.”

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Reserach In Motion (RIM) has announced a new program for IT professionals called "BlackBerry Certification Program".

 The BlackBerry Certification Program is intended to provide a broad range of certification options that align with specific roles. Certifications in the program will be offered in three areas: technical certifications for IT professionals and consultants seeking to establish their credentials for the effective implementation, administration and support of BlackBerry solutions; certifications for professionals in the IT industry seeking to prove their advanced knowledge in the use of BlackBerry solutions; and certifications for corporate developers to validate their skills in the development of mobile applications for the BlackBerry Enterprise Solution.

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Sprint has also announced the upcoming launch of the BlackBerry Curve 8330 smartphone. Starting later this month Sprint customers will be also be pickup the Curve 8330 for $179.99 with two year contract, after rebates (take that Verizon and your $270). Sprint will be launching their Curve in a dark grey color. Click on over for the press release. Read the full story

Right on cue, T-Mobile has announced the launch of the BlackBerry Pearl 8120. The 8120 is the Wi-Fi packing Pearl to work along side with T-Mobile’s Hotspot@Home, providing unlimited nationwide calling over a Wi-Fi network. The Pearl 8120 also sports a 2.0 megapixel camera, stereo Bluetooth, external microSD card slot and of course the Suretype QWERTY keyboard.

The BlackBerry Pearl 8120 will be available starting April 14th at all T-Mobile locations. Click on over for the press release.

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Verizon caught me off guard this morning with the announced of the BlackBerry Curve 8330. This new Curve will be RIM’s smallest and lightest BlackBerry smartphone yet. It features a 2.0 megapixel camera, full QWERTY keyboard, GPS, stereo Bluetooth, 3.5mm headphones jack and external microSD memory card slot. For now Verizon’s Curve will only be available in liquid silver with chrome finish (as seen here).

The Curve will be available in May for $269.99 after rebates on two year contract. Click over for the full press release.

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