PRESS RELEASE: AT&T AND RESEARCH IN MOTION IGNITE CUSTOMERS WITH THE NEW BLACKBERRY TORCH
on Tuesday, August 3, 2010
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
and WATERLOO, ONTARIO, August 3, 2010 — Joining forces to offer the
first smartphone to
feature the highly anticipated BlackBerry® 6 exclusively on the nation’s
fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T* and Research In Motion (RIM)
today
introduced the new BlackBerry® Torch™ 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®
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® Messenger (BBM™), Facebook®, Twitter™, MySpace™
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, double-tap to zoom that can
intelligently wrap text in a column while maintaining the placement of a
page's
key elements, and pinch to zoom.
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™.
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™ 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" 360x480
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 640x480 resolution
·
Built-in GPS for
location-based applications and geo-tagging
·
Wi-Fi® (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® (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® Desktop Software
6 with integrated media sync for easily syncing music, photos and videos**.
It also includes Wi-Fi Music Sync, a unique feature that allows users to
view
their entire iTunes® or Windows Media® 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.
*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.
**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® wireless
platform,
the RIM Wireless Handheld™ 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®
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® 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.
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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.
©
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.