Consumer BlackBerry to launch this year

Research In Motion (RIM) and T-Mobile are working together to produce a BlackBerry mobile email device for tech-savvy professionals and small firms in Europe.

This version of the BlackBerry will target the so-called 'prosumer' (professional consumer) market, and will be sold by T-Mobile's retail channel.

It will integrate RIM's latest BlackBerry handhelds and Java-based software with T-Mobile's Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) and General Packet Radio Service wireless networks.

It is aimed at customers who want an advanced handheld primarily for business use, and will enable users to connect to T-Mobile's t-email service or other Pop3 or Imap4 mail accounts.

Email messages will be automatically 'pushed' to the handhelds, eliminating the need to dial in. The devices will also feature integrated phone, short message service, organiser and browser applications.

Commercial availability of the T-Mobile and BlackBerry service is anticipated for the second quarter of this year.

"The business user is a critical market with more than 25 per cent of the workforce now mobile," said Nikesh Arora, T-Mobile's chief marketing officer, in a statement.

"At T-Mobile we are determined to offer a personalised experience that is secure, fast and reliable, so as to increase their usability of business data communication while on the move."

Charles Meyer, director and vice president for RIM Europe, said consumers would get the benefits of both a mobile phone and handheld data device.

"BlackBerry handhelds are optimised to support both phone and data services within a slim and light design," he said in a statement.

"BlackBerry customers will enjoy the convenience of a built-in, high-quality GSM phone together with an unmatched data experience enabled by key features such as the patented thumb-typing keyboard, large screen, 'push-based' architecture and email integration."