Threats To The Popular 8700 Blackberry

Now, with the new 857 version, RIM can offer the product to companies that operate networks in the 800-megahertz band, including Bell Mobility in Canada, and Motient in the U.S. As part of the deal, Yahoo will begin marketing the devices to consumers, for $355 (U.S.), plus $34.95 (U.S.) a month for unlimited air time.

The Yahoo deal, which confirms RIM's 8700 blackberry software’s entry into the consumer market, represents "significant opportunity for growth," financial analyst Ray Sharma, with Credit Suisse First Boston, wrote in a recent research report.

Research in Motion's share price has been climbing fairly steadily since it bottomed out at $35.45 (Canadian) in May. It had reached $227 three months earlier.

Research in Motion Ltd. announced a 8700 blackberry software application to help users view e-mail attachments through the company's Blackberry device. Waterloo, Ont.-based RIM said the software will give its corporate customers the ability to open computer files, such as a word processing or spreadsheet application, from the company's hardware.

The software, which is being offered on a trial basis to current customers, will be made generally available sometime in the fourth quarter this year, the company said. RIM inherited the technology through its US$4-million acquisition of Atlanta-based Arizan Corporation this past June.

Ray DePaul, director of product planning at RIM, says the company's customers in the legal market need the software as email attachments are vital to a firm's success. Announcements such as this come amidst a number of challenges for the company.

It share price has fallen from a high of $46.50 this year to $15.65 at the end of yesterday's trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange. RIM is also faced with a slowdown in telecom spending and an influx of competitors into its core market.

Microsoft Corp., recently forged an alliance with AT&T to offer wireless services on its Tablet PC. Round Rock, Tex.-based hardware maker Dell Corp. has also been rumoured to enter the wireless device space.

Other long-term threats to the company include Handspring and Nokia. Both device makers claim their future lies in wireless software. RIM has also been waging a legal battle with Good Technology, an upstart competitor in the handheld e-mail market.

The dispute is centred around four technology patents. Last month, RIM filed suit against Good, which produces a communicator device and software similar to RIM's. In the lawsuit, RIM is claiming that Sunnyvale, Calif-based Good breached its patents.

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