[jibi]

Orange France and Research In Motion Launch the BlackBerry 8700f: the First EDGE-enabled BlackBerry Handheld in Europe

Paris, France and Waterloo, Canada - Orange France and Research In Motion (RIM) today announced the launch of the BlackBerry® 8700f™ in France, the first BlackBerry handheld that is compatible with Orange’s EDGE network.

The BlackBerry 8700f from Orange leverages the advantages of Orange’s high-speed mobile network, the newly optimized BlackBerry handheld platform, as well as a powerful Intel® processor to provide exceptional performance for features such as email, phone, text messaging, Internet, organizer and corporate data applications.

The BlackBerry 8700f is expected to be available for Orange’s enterprise customers in France on December 15th, 2005,with retail availability planned for January. It will be available in other Orange markets across Europe in a phased rollout during 2006.

Enhanced performance:

The new BlackBerry 8700f from Orange is equipped with a powerful Intel® PXA901 processor that incorporates the latest technological advances in wireless communications and features 64 MB of flash memory and 16 MB of SRAM. As a result, users experience significantly faster Web browsing, application performance and attachment viewing as well as larger application and data storage.

The BlackBerry 8700f is also a quad-band device that will function on Orange’s GSM/GPRS/EDGE network. It incorporates high-end phone features such as dedicated ‘end,’ ‘send’ and ‘mute’ keys, as well as call management features such as smart dialing, conference calling, speed dialing and automatic call forwarding. The BlackBerry 8700f also includes Bluetooth® technology and an integrated speaker phone for hands-free use.

Users will be impressed by the high resolution landscape QVGA (320 x 240) LCD screen that supports more than 65,000 colours and uses active matrix transmissive technology to deliver vivid graphics. The BlackBerry 8700f also features intelligent light auto-sensing technology that automatically adjusts the brightness of the LCD and the keyboard to optimize visibility in outdoor, indoor and dark environments.

“The BlackBerry 8700f is a revolutionary mobile communications device that leverages all the benefits of Orange’s high-speed EDGE network. This is a significant innovation and its launch is an important step forward in our strategic relationship with Research In Motion,” said Jean Marie Culpin, Vice President Business Solutions, Orange France. “The EDGE-enabled BlackBerry 8700f from Orange is an excellent choice for our customers who want an unrivalled data and voice experience to keep them connected and productive while they are away from their desk.”

“We are pleased to partner with Orange to launch the BlackBerry 8700f in France,” commented Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO, Research In Motion. “The new BlackBerry 8700f was engineered to provide the ultimate balance of performance, design and function and Orange’s high-speed EDGE network will allow customers to experience the full potential of this device.”

“The BlackBerry 8700f utilizes the Intel XScale® architecture and the Intel PX901 cellular processor to enable exceptional EDGE communications capabilities, as well as industry-leading application performance, without compromising battery life requirements. The Intel XScale architecture provides users of the BlackBerry 8700f with the increased processing power needed to enjoy a rich user experience while running a variety of applications,” said Bernadette Andrietti, Country Manager, Intel France

The breadth of the high-speed mobile network from Orange:

The BlackBerry 8700f, together with the strength of the EDGE network from Orange allows for much faster Internet browsing, application performance, attachment viewing and data transmission.

Thanks to the breadth of its EDGE network, Orange covers more than 90% of companies in France (*INSEE Base of companies of more than 50 employees) and is deployed in more than 40 countries around the world.*

For corporate customers, BlackBerry Enterprise Server™ software, tightly integrates with Microsoft® Exchange, IBM Lotus® Domino™ and Novell GroupWise® and works with existing enterprise systems to enable secure, push-based wireless access to email and other corporate data.

For individuals and smaller businesses, BlackBerry Internet Service™ allows users to access up to ten corporate and/or personal email accounts (including Microsoft Exchange, IBM Lotus Domino and most popular ISP email accounts) from a single device.

[ChrisBenson]

The 8700f has a nice look to it. I just want the Orange theme so I can add it to my 8700r he he he he