What Year was the Blackberry Cell Phone Invented?

The first BlackBerry was launched in 1999. Since its initial production, it has come to feature a QWERTY keypad, instant email access and updated BlackBerry technologies such as BlackBerry Messenger and Internet applications. By December 2008, BlackBerry had acquired more than 21 million subscribers.

First Blackberry

Research in Motion conceptualized the BlackBerry Pearl in 1999 as a hand-held email device. The size of a pager, its components included email access and a personalized calendar.

Blackberry Pearl 8100

The BlackBerry Pearl 8100 was developed by Research in Motion in 2006. The first BlackBerry of its kind, it introduced the method of a SureType system, in which the QWERTY keypad has two letters on each key, and the phone determines which word is being typed as it is spelled out; convenience keys, including programmable shortcut buttons on the sides of the device; a mini USB port to transfer information, media and data between a computer and the cell phone; a camera; and a media player.

BlackBerry Curve

The first version of the BlackBerry Curve was released in 2007. Research in Motion's improvement of a portable "everything," improvements from the Pearl included Push to Talk capabilities, a full QWERTY keypad, and a GPS navigation system.

BlackBerry Bold

Considered the business version of the BlackBerry phones, the BlackBerry Bold was released in October of 2008. With optional G3 internet, it has been considered the newer, improved generation of the BlackBerry Curve.

BlackBerry Storm

Research in Motion began mass production of the BlackBerry Storm in 2008. The first touch screen ever released by BlackBerry, it mimics the iPhone's capabilities and text messaging techniques. "Press and be impressed" with the extensive multimedia features of this smartphone.

Name

Research in Motion consulted Lexicon Branding in 2001 to pick a name for the newly invented device. Finally, "BlackBerry" was selected because of the phone's black color and small, seed-resembling keys.

References

• Who Makes the BlackBerry Pearl? (Same Author)
• Who Invented the BlackBerry?
• Google

Resources

• BlackBerry Homepage