The Innocent Blackberry

Regular users often admit they're addicted, but few have any intention of trying to break the habit.

It might have started with an innocent, quick fix at home followed by another in the bus on the way to work. During the day, urges are sated between meetings, at lunch and again on the way home and, within a few weeks, many users report they can't imagine giving it up.

Their BlackBerry communications device has become an essential part of daily life.

Since first appearing in 1999, the BlackBerry has found its way into the pockets of more than 4.3 million tech-savvy executives around the world.

Offering an always-on connection that delivers email, web access and an array of other functions, the little devices have become a must-have item for anyone on the move.

Created by Canadian company Research In Motion, the system that supports the BlackBerry devices is being used by thousands of large corporations and government departments.

Through free blackberry software and linking a special server to their computer systems, companies can offer their executives real-time access to all essential services. This works regardless of whether the company is running Microsoft's Exchange, IBM's Lotus Domino or Novell's GroupWise software.

So users don't have to wait until they get back to their desk to check email, messages are pushed to the little BlackBerry devices for instant reading and response.

For small businesses and individuals, most email accounts can be configured to relay messages to a BlackBerry via free blackberry software. Mobile operators offer subscription packages that will work anywhere in the existing coverage areas of mobile phone networks.

Enthusiasm for the platform continues to grow, despite a bitter patent dispute being fought out in the US courts.

US software company NTP is fighting RIM over the technology that underpins the BlackBerry system, and some industry watchers are speculating that RIM may have to pay $US1 billion ($1.3 billion) to settle the case.

For most people, it's instant access to email that has become the most addictive feature of the BlackBerry.

Messages sent to a user's email account are automatically relayed to them over the mobile network. Because the devices are equipped with large screens and small qwerty keyboards, replying to emails on the fly is easy.

Attachments, such as documents and spreadsheets, can also be opened and viewed easily.

Blackberry Software