Bangkok--7 Apr--Hill & Knowlton
Advanced Info Service Plc. (AIS) and Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today introduced the BlackBerry? Storm2? smartphone for customers in Thailand. The second generation of RIM's innovative and award-winning touch-screen smartphone, the BlackBerry Storm2 significantly improves the BlackBerry? touch-screen platform with new technology and new features to let customers stay easily connected to the people, places and things that matter most. The new smartphone is expected to be available from AIS at the end of April.
“The BlackBerry Storm2 smartphone with its large and brilliant display gives users an exceptional experience in mobile entertainment, whether it’s gaming, viewing videos and photos, or simply browsing the Web,” said Gregory Wade, Managing Director for Southeast Asia, Research In Motion
“We expect the BlackBerry Storm2 smartphone to be very well-received by AIS customers who want the perfect combination of enhanced multimedia capabilities with the 'gold standard' messaging features of the BlackBerry platform,” said Mr. Somchai Lertsuttiwong, EVP Marketing of AIS. “With the introduction of the BlackBerry Storm2 smartphone, AIS is also pleased to offer the latest value in BlackBerry service plans to customers, with a 450 Baht monthly package that includes unlimited email, chat, social networking and Internet browsing of up to 50 MB. Registration is available today.”
Next-Gen SurePress Technology
The BlackBerry Storm2 smartphone introduces a next generation SurePress? technology based on an electronic system that provides the user with tactile feedback when the touch-screen is pressed. The new system responds equally to gentle pressure applied anywhere on the surface of the screen and makes clicking the display practically effortless. Typing on the smartphone's virtual keyboards is easier, more comfortable and more accurate. The new SurePress technology also allows the user to type a letter with one thumb even while their other thumb may still be touching or resting on another letter, enabling faster typing and multi-key actions such as Shift or Alt-key combinations.
Hardware Features
- Smooth design and premium finish with sloped edges, chrome accents, glass lens and stainless steel backplate
- Large (3.25”), dazzling, high resolution 360 x 480 display at 184 ppi
- Capacitive touch-screen with integrated functions (Send, End, Menu, Escape) and new SurePress technology that makes clicking the display practically effortless
- Global connectivity support: UMTS/HSPA (2100Mhz), quad-band EDGE/GPRS/GSM and Wi-Fi? (802.11 b/g) networks
- 3.2 MP camera with variable zoom, autofocus, flash and video recording
- 256 MB of Flash memory
- 2 GB of onboard memory storage and a microSD/SDHD memory card slot that supports up to 16 GB cards today and is expected to support 32 GB cards when available
- Premium and easy-to-access phone features, background noise suppression technology, loud distortion-free speakerphone and face detection (proximity sensor) that prevents accidental clicks and blanks the screen while the user is on the phone
- Media player for videos, pictures and music and BlackBerry? Media Sync for easily syncing photos as well as iTunes? and Windows Media? Player music with the smartphone*
- BlackBerry? Desktop Manager for both PCs and Macs to enable synching data such as contacts and calendar appointments between a computer and the smartphone
- A 3.5 mm stereo headset jack and dedicated volume controls
- Bluetooth? (2.1) with support for Secure Simple Pairing, hands-free headsets, stereo headsets, car kits and other Bluetooth peripherals
- Built-in GPS for maps and other location-based applications, as well as photo geotagging
- Removable, rechargeable 1400 mAhr battery that provides approximately 6 hours of talk time on 3G networks and 280 hours of standby time
BlackBerry OS 5
- More responsive experience and includes usability and visual enhancements such as inertial scrolling, spin boxes that make it easier to set dates and times, gradient shading on buttons and more use of animation
- Typing accuracy and selection have been significantly refined
- BlackBerry? Browser improved with faster JavaScript and CSS processing as well as support for Gears and BlackBerry Widgets
- Customers running BlackBerry? Enterprise Server 5 and BlackBerry Enterprise Server Express will gain the ability to:
Set follow-up Flags on the handset like they can in Microsoft? Office Outlook?
Manage Microsoft Exchange email folders (Add, Rename, Move, Delete) on the handset
Access remote files shares (Windows Shares); Save, View, Edit, and Email documents from remote file shares
Forward appointments and view calendar attachments on the handset
Benefit from wireless sync improvements for Contacts, including sync for multiple contact folders, personal Distribution Lists and contacts in Public/Shared folders
For more information visit www.blackberry.com/th/storm
* Certain music files may not be supported, including files that contain digital rights management technologies. Photo syncing is currently only available for Windows-based PCs.
About Advanced Info Service (AIS)
Advanced Info Service Public Company Limited (AIS), a subsidiary of Shin Corporation PCL., is the established leader in Thailand’s wireless communications industry after more than 15 years of services with its market share more than 50%. To date, AIS service network covers 795 districts (amphur) throughout Thailand, plus international roaming across in six continents. AIS has continuously enhanced and expanded its network in order to respond to the market and technological advances, whilst keeping abreast of consumers’ growing demands and needs. It continues to integrate the latest in advanced technology and deliver more than just voice communication, with GPRS and EDGE technology. AIS strongly believe that wireless communications bring changes to the way Thai people live their life, regardless of who they are and what they do. With endless communications possibilities, the quality of life is better. Visit our web site at www.ais.co.th
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 and Asia Pacific. 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.
Forward-looking statements in this news release are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used herein, words such as "intend" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions made by and information available to Research In Motion Limited. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, possible product defects and product liability, risks related to international sales and potential foreign currency exchange fluctuations, the initiation or outcome of litigation, acts or potential acts of terrorism, international conflicts, significant fluctuations of quarterly operating results, changes in Canadian and foreign laws and regulations, continued acceptance of RIM's products, increased levels of competition, technological changes and the successful development of new products, dependence on third-party networks to provide services, dependence on intellectual property rights, and other risks and factors detailed from time to time in RIM's periodic reports filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, and other regulatory authorities. RIM has no intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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.
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