Sprint and Research In Motion (RIM) today introduced the BlackBerry 8703e from Sprint with updated features, including EV-DO support and Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) capability.

The BlackBerry 8703e provides complete BlackBerry functionality at broadband-like speeds to save your time when downloading attachments and graphics, browsing the Web and running wireless applications. It can also be used as a tethered modem in conjunction with a laptop for high-speed Internet and data application access anywhere Sprint has Power Vision Network coverage.

The BlackBerry 8703e includes integrated GPS (assisted-GPS) enabled through Sprint to deliver support for popular location-based services to mobile users, such as turn-by-turn driving directions to any address, anywhere on the Nationwide Sprint PCS Network.

Key features include:

• Sprint Mobile Broadband enabled on the Sprint Power Vision Network
• Fast Web browsing, application performance and attachment viewing
• GPS-enabled to support location-based services
• BlackBerry "push" technology
• Phone-as-modem capability
• Bluetooth wireless technology headset and car kit support
• High-resolution color LCD screen, automatically adjusts lighting for indoor and outdoor viewing
• Complete, high-end phone features including speakerphone, dedicated "send", "end" and "mute" keys, plus user-definable "convenience" keys
• Bluetooth 2.0 to support wireless headsets and car kits
• 64MB of flash memory to store and run powerful enterprise, personal productivity and game applications
• Integrated attachment viewing for popular file formats 

The BlackBerry 8703e will be available Oct 1, 2006 for $349.99 with a two-year subscriber agreement. Additional rebates may apply.