Blackberry 2008 Annual Report Download - page 13

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R&D and Manufacturing
A dedication to innovation and quality remains core to
RIM’s product development philosophy. We launched more
BlackBerry smartphones in fiscal 2008 than in any previous year.
The BlackBerry 8830 World Edition was a major breakthrough
for RIM as it leveraged our extensive expertise in both CDMA
and GSM technologies within a single phone. The BlackBerry
8820 was the first BlackBerry smartphone to combine cellular
and Wi-Fi connectivity to seamlessly re-route corporate, personal
and carrier services over Wi-Fi when in coverage at home, office
and public hotspots. We are excited about the opportunities
presented by Wi-Fi technologies, including UMA for fixed-mobile
convergence. Subsequent to the launch of the BlackBerry 8820
smartphone, we added Wi-Fi capabilities into other BlackBerry
smartphones including the BlackBerry Pearl 8120 and BlackBerry
Curve 8320. Other significant product launches in 2008 included
the BlackBerry Pearl 8110 and BlackBerry Curve 8310 smart-
phones with built-in GPS, as well as the BlackBerry Pearl 8130
smartphone for CDMA networks.
We are also proud that the BlackBerry® Enterprise Solution
achieved Common Criteria Certification this year. The Common
Criteria Certification is an international standard for validat-
ing specific functional and security requirements in Information
Technology (IT) products and is supported by 25 member coun-
tries around the world including France, Germany, the United
Kingdom, Japan, Canada and the United States. The certification
process involved extensive auditing and system evaluation. The
BlackBerry solution has also received many other accreditations
and validations that are essential for security conscious industries
and governments. RIM’s commitment to achieve independent,
third party approvals and certifications regarding the security of
the BlackBerry® solution helps explain why so many corporations
and governments around the world choose the BlackBerry plat-
form.
RIM continues to maintain a close relationship between manu-
facturing and research and development, while working closely
with supply chain and outsourcing partners to provide cost effec-
tive, high-quality products to its customers. In fiscal 2008, RIM
more than doubled its smartphone shipments. As we continue to
scale production, we are working with our outsourcing partners
on an increasing percentage of our overall production and we
expect to further leverage and expand our outsourcing relation-
ships in fiscal 2009 in order to meet global demand.
“It allows me to be
creative and productive
on my own terms.”
Premal Shah,
President, Kiva.org
The BlackBerry® 8800 Series includes a selection
of GSM and CDMA smartphones that support
international roaming services so that you can
stay connected, by phone or email, from just
about anywhere. And with an integrated media
player, travelers can enjoy their favorite music
and videos when and where they choose.
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