[hayden]

On July 19 Research in Motion (RIM) announced BlackBerry 8820, the first Wi-Fi enabled version of its handheld device. This thin model sports dual-mode operation, both cellular and Wi-Fi, along with a full keyboard, voice and data functionality and an enhanced media player.

As the dust settled we caught up with Kevin Oerton, RIM’s director of Wi-Fi product management, to talk about RIM’s vision and strategy for BlackBerry’s Wi-Fi enabled future.

Q: Why now? What market forces make this the right time to introduce a Wi-Fi enabled BlackBerry?
A: Carriers are recognizing that Wi-Fi-based VoIP is complimentary to cellular networks. It provides customers with a means to extend coverage in locations that would otherwise be difficult and expensive to reach with cellular alone.

At the same time, enterprise Wi-Fi infrastructure has improved and matured in terms of QoS, security, scalability, and manageability. Wi-Fi chipsets for handsets have also become smaller, less expensive, and more power efficient. Many of the barriers we've seen in the past are now gone.

Continued...

[blackninja]

great interview.

Q: Despite Blackberry’s solid market share, RIM isn’t the first to hit market with handheld Wi-Fi. Why the somewhat late entry?
A: There were many devices with Wi-Fi out ahead of the BlackBerry 8820. This is because RIM has always taken a methodical approach to handset development; we don't just add new technologies for their own sake, but look to add technologies that can enhance the BlackBerry user experience.



I enjoy that RIM's overall attitude towards handsets have not changed despite their avalanche pace of new users/stock growth. Despite the "flashier", more consumer friendly features and model designs, they are still so methodical about their releases, making sure to stay focused on selling a high quality service, not a particular handset with the latest unproven technology.

[Dwaine12]

i also enjoy RIM's wayn of thinking in spite of all the competiton, out there, but for the better part, RIM is keeping it simple yet sleek and they make you and keep you coming back... any new improvements for the 8700 series??

[OzzieDog]

Any speculation on release date?

[rubuntu]

one of the posts mentioned about mid September for 8320 with WiFi

[csa819]

9/24