Blackberry is a wireless handheld smartphone created by the Canada based company Research In Motion. It was first introduced in 1999 in the form of a two way pager. The first Blackberry smartphone was released in 2002. Blackberry smartphones work together with mobile service providers to transmit information or data through their wireless networks. Blackberry is the second largest selling smartphone in the world, accounting for about 21% of global smartphone sales. Apart from conventional mobile telephony, Blackberry smartphones offer the following features and services:

  • Blackberry Enterprise Server

The Blackberry Enterprise Server (BES) is a software package that helps Blackberry smartphones to communicate with corporate e-mail systems. Different BES versions exist for varied e-mail server software such as Microsoft Exchange, Lotus Domino, and Novell GroupWise.

  • Push E-mail

Push e-mail refers to e-mail systems or services that are always ready for use. In this sort of system, e-mail can be constantly read and sent, and information can be transferred in real-time. E-mails are automatically delivered to Blackberry smartphones and users are notified as soon as they receive messages. Even attachments can be viewed with a Blackberry.

  • Text messaging

Blackberry offers regular SMS (Short Message Service) functionality and is also capable of sending MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) as well.

  • Instant messaging

Instant messaging applications can be installed and used with Blackberry smartphones. It supports the following instant messaging applications: Yahoo messenger, Google Talk, Windows Live messenger, AOL Instant messenger, ICQ, IBM Lotus Sametime, Novell GroupWise messenger, Microsoft Office Communicator and Live Communications Server 2005. The above mentioned instant messengers all have Blackberry specific versions.

  • Web browsing

Blackberry smartphones have their own proprietory web browser called Blackberry Browser. It can be used for regular browsing and setting up of RSS feeds. It also supports mobile streaming. Users can view online videos, listen to online music, and view content from web sites that support mobile streaming.

  • Organizer

The Blackberry organizer offers typical PDA applications such as Calendar, Address Book, Task List, MemoPad and Calculator. A Blackberry can be synchronized with a computer to transfer organizer information. Calendar information in Blackberry can also be synchronized with a computer for users to update meeting information and to ensure calendar events are properly updated.

  • GPS

Blackberry smartphones have a built-in Global Positioning System (GPS) facility. It works with the Blackberry Maps application and also with third-party position based software. Users can chalk out their route and look at it on their Blackberry smartphone. Users can also receive step by step driving instructions to a particular destination.

  • Wireless modem

Blackberry smartphones can also act as a wireless modem by connecting to a computer via Bluetooth or USB cable.