RIM unveils BlackBerry platform updates

Research In Motion Ltd., maker of the BlackBerry e-mail phone, announced Tuesday a lineup of updates for users of its BlackBerry device and service that includes enhanced messaging and collaboration, simpler management, enhanced security and expanded application development support.

RIM, the leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative wireless solutions for the worldwide mobile communications market, said the new features are designed to enable BlackBerry device users to easily manage their wireless email.

With its latest move, the Waterloo, Ontario- based RIM hopes to stay firm against a pack of new competitors trying to overcome the company's dominance in the industry.

"RIM continues to expand the capabilities of the multifaceted BlackBerry platform to allow an increasingly rich and productive mobile experience for our customers," said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO at RIM. "The software enhancements demonstrated today will make BlackBerry smartphones more powerful than ever and even easier to manage."

With the aim of making mobile emailing similar to the emailing from a desktop computer, RIM is enhancing the usability of the messaging capabilities of its BlackBerry devices. According to the company, users of the BlackBerry smartphones will soon be able to edit Microsoft Office Word, PowerPoint and Excel files directly on their handheld device.

Remote Search for Messages is a new feature that will enable users to search for and retrieve email messages from their email server even if the message is no longer stored on their BlackBerry handheld device. A Free-Busy Calendar Lookup feature will help users check the availability of colleagues before sending a meeting request.

HTML and Rich Text Email Rendering feature will let BlackBerry smartphone users to view HTML and rich text email messages with original formatting preserved including font colors and styles, embedded images, hyperlinks, tables, bullets and other formatting.

RIM has also added Advanced Enterprise Instant Messaging and Presence features for users running IBM Lotus Sametime and Microsoft Live Communications Server. These features will include improved address book integration, IM contact "click to call", IM session "convert to call" and advanced emoticon support, allowing co-workers to collaborate and communicate more effectively using their BlackBerrys.

RIM is also offering better security and improved management features, including BlackBerry Monitoring Service, BlackBerry Web Desktop Manager, Over-the-Air Device Software Upgrades, Expanded Systems Compatibility as well as Encrypted Attachment Viewing, Increased Control over GPS and Increased Bluetooth Controls.