What is BlackBerry? - Definition from Whatis.com

The BlackBerry is a smartphone that is widely used in the enterprise for its wireless email handling capability.

Other features that have made the BlackBerry popular in the enterprise include:

  • Superior reception.
  • Support for remote administration.
  • Message encryption.
  • Push

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  • email.
  • Built-in personal digital assistant (PDA) with an address book and personal schedule.
  • Can be configured for use as a pager.
  • Document management.
  • Support for multimedia and most communications modes, including Web browsing, text messaging and wireless faxing.

The BlackBerry was originally known as "LeapFrog." RIM consulted with Lexicon Branding Inc. to choose a new name. Someone at Lexicon suggested "Strawberry" because the tiny keys resembled the seeds on a strawberry. That idea was nixed, however, and "BlackBerry" was chosen as an alternative. The device is often referred to as the CrackBerry because of its compelling nature.

As of December 2008, BlackBerry subscribers numbered approximately 21 million.

 

This was last updated in October 2000

Dig Deeper

  • RIM opens up BlackBerry App World

    After months of anticipation, RIM has opened up its own mobile application storefront, BlackBerry App World. Users in the U.S., U.K. and Canada will have immediate access to the store and almost 1,000 applications from partners like Bloomberg and the New York Times to MTV and popular music-streaming service Pandora.

  • RIM makes hostile takeover bid for encryption vendor Certicom

    BlackBerry maker RIM is looking to gain more control over the security components of its platform by launching a hostile takeover of Certicom, a vendor of encryption technology for the BlackBerry and many other mobile platforms.

  • BlackBerry Storm: A potential iPhone killer in the enterprise

    With the BlackBerry Storm, RIM is offering enterprises an alternative to the iPhone. It features the touch-screen technology favored by consumers, but it has the highly praised security and reliable wireless email capabilities of the BlackBerry platform.

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