Research In Motion (RIM) today introduced the innovative new BlackBerry 7100v for mobile professionals, further expanding choice for Vodafone's BlackBerry customers. The BlackBerry 7100v will be available exclusively from Vodafone and introduced on a phased basis (starting in October) across Australia, Austria, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the UK.

In addition to top-of-the-line phone and messaging capabilities, the BlackBerry 7100v includes a large and bright, high-resolution color screen, a speakerphone, Bluetooth support, quad-band radio for international roaming, 32MB flash memory + 4MB SRAM and polyphonic ring tone support.

The typing experience is also exceptional thanks to an amazing new keyboard technology from RIM called SureType that effectively converges a phone keypad and a QWERTY keyboard to fit elegantly within the size constraints of a traditional 'candy bar' phone design. Through an integrated keyboard and software system, SureType provides users with an instinctively familiar look and feel and allows them to dial phone numbers and type messages quickly, accurately and comfortably. SureType dramatically outshines the traditional multi-tap phone approach and will fundamentally change the way people think about typing on mobile phones.

The BlackBerry 7100v and SureType support various languages including English, French, German, Italian and Spanish.

"The new BlackBerry 7100v with SureType keyboard technology is the result of many years of research and innovation. We have listened to mobile users and created a new device that we believe will attract a whole new audience to BlackBerry for the first time," said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO at Research In Motion. "A great deal of care has gone into the design of this sleek and sophisticated handset to deliver exceptional phone, email, messaging and browsing capabilities together with an extremely effective keyboard and a large, vibrant, color screen."

"Our business customers, particularly those who are self employed or running small to medium sized businesses, have been asking us for a simple device that combines the efficiency and basic features of a mobile phone, with the benefits of being able to access email and attachments on the move," said Peter Bamford, Chief Marketing Officer at Vodafone. "The BlackBerry 7100v offers a unique addition to the family of Vodafone business solutions."

"The BlackBerry 7100v is evidence of RIM's ability to innovate by producing leading-edge, aesthetically appealing technology while at the same time prioritizing the needs of the user in terms of battery life, functionality and user interface," said Andy Brown, Program Manager, EMEA Mobile Computing and Mobile Devices at IDC. "The new BlackBerry 7100v delivers a fully integrated BlackBerry experience in a small, sleek 'smartphone' form factor. With features that include a bright, dynamic color display and revolutionary SureType QWERTY keyboard it will be an attractive prospect to customers looking for superior messaging in a mobile phone design."

The BlackBerry 7100v weighs 120g and has a battery life (using the standard battery) of over four hours talk time and over eight days standby. A hands-free earpiece, USB cable and standard holster are included. Additional accessories such as holsters and car chargers will also be available and the BlackBerry 7100v supports Bluetooth headset and car-kit profiles.

For individual users, the BlackBerry 7100v with BlackBerry Internet Service?will be ideal. Users will be able to integrate their new BlackBerry handset with up to ten business or personal email accounts without the need for a special server or IT support. It takes just a few steps by the user to get up and running.

For corporate users, the BlackBerry 7100v can connect to RIM's enterprise platform - BlackBerry Enterprise Server- supporting secure, wireless email, calendar appointments and other corporate data.

via www.phonemag.com