Research In Motion (RIM) today introduced the BlackBerry® 8820 in Singapore, the first dualmode BlackBerry smartphone combining EDGE/GPRS/GSM cellular and Wi-Fi® connectivity. The BlackBerry 8820 smartphone supports the 802.11 a/b/g Wi-Fi standards to enable data access for users in Singapore over Wi-Fi connections in the enterprise, as well as through public hotspots and wireless home networks. In addition, it is a quad-band GSM/GPRS and EDGE-enabled smartphone that provides global wireless voice and data capabilities with best-in-class performance.

Featuring RIM's thinnest smartphone design with a full and highly tactile QWERTY keyboard, large and bright display (320 x 240), user-friendly trackball navigation system and exceptional voice and data functionality, it also comes with media player enhancements, and a microSD / microSDHC (microSD High Capacity) expandable memory slot that can support current and future generations of microSD memory cards up to 32GB.

Through its built-in GPS, the BlackBerry 8820 can pinpoint its location and provides "out-of-the-box" support for a wide variety of location-based applications and services, including BlackBerry® Maps. “With built-in cellular, Wi-Fi and GPS connectivity features, the BlackBerry 8820 smartphone introduces a new level of mobility and productivity to organizations and individuals in Singapore,” said Norm Lo, Vice President of Asia Pacific, Research In Motion. “The BlackBerry 8820 offers all the renowned power and usability of the BlackBerry platform together with the convenience of Wi-Fi access at home and work, as well as through Singapore’s nation-wide public hotspots.”

The BlackBerry 8820 works in conjunction with both BlackBerry® Enterprise Server and the BlackBerry® Internet Service and can seamlessly switch between cellular networks and a Wi-Fi network to allow users to access email, Instant Messaging, organizer, web browsing and other mobile data applications.

To meet various security requirements, the BlackBerry 8820 is compliant with Wi-Fi security protocols including WEP (Wireless Equivalency Protocol), WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) and WPA2, as well as Cisco Compatible Extensions for simple, secure connectivity with Cisco wireless solutions. For enterprises that require Wi-Fi users to access the corporate network through a VPN (Virtual Private Network), the BlackBerry 8820 includes IPSec-based software that supports the most commonly deployed VPN gateways from vendors including Cisco, Check Point and others.

The BlackBerry wireless platform gives customers the capability to deploy a variety of applications. Thousands of applications and business solutions from third party software providers can further extend the BlackBerry 8820 to support business needs such as CRM, sales force automation, field services, business intelligence, supply chain management and continuity of operations, as well as a broad range of industry-specific applications for sectors including health care, law enforcement, government, financial services, insurance, pharmaceutical, professional services, real estate, manufacturing, wholesale and retail.

For product availability, please check with M1, SingTel and StarHub.