What business traveler wouldn’t be interested in a mobile phone that has a full QWERTY(i) keyboard and trackball for Internet and email access, built-in location system to keep you on track for your destination and help you to not get lost, and space to put a memory card to save images, video, and data to? For any business travelers who don’t already have one or have an older BlackBerry they would like to update, the BlackBerry(R) 8800 is here.

Research in Motion, an Ontario-based mobile communications wireless product designer and manufacturer, has developed their thinnest blackberry to date. Powered by a thin, high-capacity battery, the BlackBerry 8800 started being offered in the United States on February 21st by AT&T, with a 2 year contract commitment and $50 rebate for $300. The phone is priced at $500. RIM also said it plans to offer the phone through overseas carriers and other North American carriers.

Features

Just imagine you are meeting a couple friends somewhere and they are not sure how to get there. Use your new BlackBerry 8800 to send your friends a map of where to go. The BlackBerry 8800 uses the built-in GPS system to pinpoint location and track the route to the destination you want to go. It works with other location services including BlackBerry Maps, where users can send maps via email from their BlackBerry 8800. So, what else can this BlackBerry do?

Has many other useful features including noise cancellation, conference calling, speed dialing, smart dialing, call forwarding, ring tones, and Speaker Independent Voice Recognition for Voice Activated Dialing (VAD).

Can be used with hands-free headsets and car kits. Comes with a USB cable, travel charger, and headset.

Supports the BlackBerry Internet service, where users can manage 10 personal and business email accounts.

Accepts software that supports all types of industries such as healthcare and real estate as well as specific functions like sales force automation or supply chain management.

BlackBerry handsets are designed as email phones for business users and have become popular since they were first introduced in 1999. Many business managers and executives use them to access email while out of the office. BlackBerry handsets support wireless information services including phone, email, text messaging, Internet, and various PDA applications such as address book, to-do lists, and calendar. RIM has about 6.2 million subscribers to the BlackBerry service.

Later this year, watch out for its younger sibling, the BlackBerry 8820, to be launched. Other than being enabled with WiFi, the newer model won’t be too different from the 8800.