BlackBerry Curve 8350i for Sprint announced

Sprint to Deliver Industry-Leading Push-to-TalkMarch 2007 to March 2008) for drops (i.e., where a
Services on New BlackBerry Smartphonecustomer's voice connection fails or drops during a call)
Sprint customers seeking the benefits ofand blocks (i.e., where a customer is unable to make a
industry-leading push-to-talk services and the power ofvoice connection) for the Nextel National Network.
BlackBerry(R) smartphones will have a new version ofCustomer issues related to dropped and blocked calls,
the coveted combo available later this year. Sprint andand voice quality combined, have decreased more
Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq:RIMM; TSX:RIM)than 60 percent year-over-year (i.e., March 2007 to
today announced plans to deliver the BlackBerry(R)March 2008). This level of improvement translates to a
Curve(TM) 8350i - the newest Nextel Directmore reliable calling experience for our customers.
Connect-capable BlackBerry smartphone - by the endCustomer calls on the Nextel National Network are
of 2008.successfully connected and maintained better than 99
The BlackBerry Curve 8350i will be the latestout of 100 times.
BlackBerry smartphone to utilizeFor more information about Nextel Direct connect,
iDEN technology and feature Nextel Direct Connect,please visit
the only national push-to-talk service in the industryVideo recording requires a microSD card which may
to offer sub-second call setup and connection to thebe sold separately
world's largest push-to-talk community with millions ofAbout Sprint Nextel
users and integrated business solutions, including one ofSprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of
the largest selections of GPS-enabled solutions. Withwireless and wireline communications services bringing
Nationwide and International Direct Connect, Sprintthe freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and
customers will be able to instantly connect within thegovernment users. Sprint Nextel is widely recognized
US and to users in other eligible countries includingfor developing, engineering and deploying innovative
Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Peru. Thetechnologies, including two wireless networks serving
BlackBerry Curve 8350i will also be the firstnearly 52 million customers at the end of the second
BlackBerry smartphone from Sprint to offer Groupquarter 2008; industry-leading mobile data services;
Connect, allowing customers to instantly set up groupinstant national and international push-to-talk capabilities;
conversations with up to 20 other participants.and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. For more
"Smart phones in general, and BlackBerry products ininformation, visit
particular, have become more important to bothAbout Research In Motion (RIM)
business people and consumers lately," said DavidResearch In Motion is a leading designer, manufacturer
Chamberlain, Principal Analyst with analyst firm In-Stat.and marketer of innovative wireless solutions for the
"The BlackBerry Curve 8350i with PTT capabilityworldwide mobile communications market. Through the
rounds out Sprint's options to fill communications needsdevelopment of integrated hardware, software and
of many industries particularly those in the blue-collarservices that support multiple wireless network
segment of construction, field services, transportationstandards, RIM provides platforms and solutions for
and manufacturing."seamless access to time-sensitive information including
"Sprint is the undisputed leader in push-to-talk services,email, phone, SMS messaging, Internet and
and with the launch of the new BlackBerry Curveintranet-based applications. RIM technology also
8350i smartphone, we are keeping our promise ofenables a broad array of third party developers and
expanding the Nextel Direct Connect capabilities andmanufacturers to enhance their products and services
options for our customers," said Danny Bowman,with wireless connectivity to data. RIM's portfolio of
president of Nextel Direct Connect. "The BlackBerryaward-winning products, services and embedded
Curve 8350i will be very attractive for businesstechnologies are used by thousands of organizations
customers who need instant, convenient push-to-talkaround the world and include the BlackBerry(R)
services to communicate now with employees,wireless platform, the RIM Wireless Handheld(TM)
customers and suppliers but also want the capabilitiesproduct line, software development tools,
of a high-end smartphone."radio-modems and software/hardware licensing
In addition to delivering the unmatched push email andagreements. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo,
messaging capabilities of the BlackBerry solution, theOntario, RIM operates offices in North America, Europe
BlackBerry Curve 8350i will provide rich multimedia,and Asia Pacific. RIM is listed on the Nasdaq Stock
organizer and Internet browsing capabilities, as well asMarket (Nasdaq:RIMM) and the Toronto Stock
access to thousands of othermobile applications. TheExchange (TSX:RIM). For more information, visit or
smartphone will also include built-in Wi-Fi(R) capabilities,Forward-looking statements in this news release are
allowing customers to browse the Internet andmade pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the
download email attachments quickly and easily. WhenUnited States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
connected to a Wi-Fi network, customers will also beof 1995. When used herein, words such as "intend" and
able to send and receive emails or surf the Internetsimilar expressions are intended to identify
while talking on the phone.forward-looking statements. Forward-looking
Other key features include:statements are based on assumptions made by and
* Integrated GPS - Built-in capabilities for assistedinformation available to Research In Motion Limited.
autonomous GPS capabilitiesInvestors are cautioned that such forward-looking
* 2 Megapixel Digital Camera - with 5x digital zoom,statements involve risks and uncertainties. Important
flash and video recording*factors that could cause actual results to differ
* DataViz(R) Documents to Go(R) - preloadedmaterially from those expressed or implied by such
software makes it easy to edit Microsoft(R) Word,forward-looking statements include, without limitation,
Excel and PowerPoint documents directly on thepossible product defects and product liability, risks
smartphonerelated to international sales and potential foreign
* Internal Antenna - improves design appeal andcurrency exchange fluctuations, the initiation or
durabilityoutcome of litigation, acts or potential acts of terrorism,
* Speakerphone - optimized for exceptional soundinternational conflicts, significant fluctuations of quarterly
quality with Direct Connectoperating results, changes in Canadian and foreign
* Advanced Media Player - great for listening tolaws and regulations, continued acceptance of RIM's
music, watchingvideos and showing picturesproducts, increased levels of competition, technological
* Removable/Rechargeable 1400 mAH Battery -changes and the successful development of new
provides exceptional battery lifeproducts, dependence on third-party networks to
* Expandable Memory - microSD memory card slotprovide services, dependence on intellectual property
allows plenty of storage for pictures, videos, music andrights, and other risks and factors detailed from time to
documentstime in RIM's periodic reports filed with the United
* Bluetooth(R) - version 2.0 with support for (A2DP)States Securities and Exchange Commission, and
stereo Bluetooth and moreother regulatory authorities. RIM has no intention or
* Additional Messaging Capabilities - support for instantobligation to update or revise any forward-looking
messaging and multimedia messaging including audio,statements, whether as a result of new information,
pictures and text to email addresses and capablefuture events or otherwise.
phonesThe BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks,
"The BlackBerry Curve 8350i smartphone will offerimages and symbols are the exclusive properties and
customers an exceptional communications andtrademarks of Research In Motion Limited. RIM,
multimedia experience together with the power andResearch In Motion and BlackBerry are registered with
convenience of the popular Nextel Direct Connectthe U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and may be
service," said Mark Guibert, vice president ofpending or registered in other countries. Wi-Fi is a
corporatemarketing at RIM. "We are pleased to buildregistered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance. All other
on our successful relationship with Sprint to bring thisbrands, product names, company names, trademarks
powerful new smartphone to Sprint's customers."and service marks are the properties of their
Customers can find more information on therespective owners. RIM assumes no obligations or
BlackBerry Curve 8350i smartphone and sign up to beliability and makes no representation, warranty,
notified of commercial availability from Sprint at Pricing,endorsement or guarantee in relation to any aspect of
service plan details and an exact availability date willany third party products or services.
be announced at a later date.BlackBerry Curve 8350i Push-to-Talk for its cute little
Nationally, the Nextel National Network continues toNextel customers. Our wild guess is that this is a limited
operate at best-ever performance levels based onrun, aimed at the last four people on earth who
internal metrics. Internal performance metrics showsomehow need a real business smartphone but still
double-digit percent improvement year-over-year (i.e.,use Nextel .