T-Mobile USA has added to its lineup the BlackBerry 8820 smartphone with a voice over Wi-Fi capability that enables voice connections over any public or private Wi-Fi network.

T-Mobile @Home service
provides unlimited, nationwide calling over any Wi-Fi network at home, across accessible corporate Wi-Fi networks, or at any of more than 7,000 T-Mobile HotSpot locations nationwide. Faster Web browsing is also enabled through 802.11 a/b/g connectivity, the carrier said.

In addition, the 8820 offers quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE network support for international roaming as well as built-in GPS. The handset also contains location-based applications, such as BlackBerry Maps, or TeleNav GPS Navigator for audio directions to a specified destination.

The BlackBerry 8820 is expected to retail for $350, once rebates have been applied. The Wi-Fi calling feature is an additional monthly charge.

The new handset also features BlackBerry Internet Service support, which allows access to up to 10 supported e-mail accounts. The 8820 also is equipped with BlackBerry Enterprise Server support for integration with IBM Lotus Domino, Microsoft Exchange, and Novell GroupWise. The 8820 also supports most popular instant messaging clients.

By blending personal and professional capabilities, T-Mobile's intention with the new BlackBerry is to provide "unparalleled value for customers at home, at the office and everywhere in between," said Leslie Grandy, VP of product development at T-Mobile USA, in a statement.

Its 320 x 240 color display uses light-sensing technology automatically adjusts for indoor, outdoor and dark environments.

The 8820's media player comes with search capabilities and stereo Bluetooth, as well as Roxio Media Manager for organizing media files, transferring them from computer to handset, and creating MP3 music files from CDs.

The smartphone also has Speaker Independent Voice Recognition for Voice Activated Dialing, noise-cancellation technology to neutralize background noise, and a low-distortion speakerphone for hands-free operation, T-Mobile said.

See original article on InformationWeek.com

File photo shows a Research in Motion Blackberry i in Toronto October 26, 2007. A Canadian government ministry has sent out a directive to its employees urging them to relax and not to use their BlackBerry smartphones at night or on weekends and holidays.

(Mark Blinch/Reuters)


More...

OTTAWA (Reuters) - It may be wishful thinking, but a Canadian government ministry has sent out a directive to its employees urging them to relax and not to use their BlackBerry smartphones at night or on weekends and holidays.

Trying to re-establish a proper balance between work and life, Citizenship and Immigration Canada is starting by trying to cut the chains to what some have called CrackBerries.

The department's deputy minister, Richard Fadden, sent out a memo asking employees to implement a BlackBerry "blackout" between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. and on weekends and holidays.

"Work/life quality is a priority for me and this organization because achieving it benefits us both as individuals and as a department," Fadden wrote.

"When we can 'balance' our work and personal responsibilities, we, as a team, stand to not only serve and perform more effectively, but also to attract and keep employees to help us build a stronger Canada."

BlackBerries, made by Canadian-based Research In Motion, are handheld communication devices that can be used to send e-mails and make phone calls -- thus allowing people to bring the office to their homes, vehicles or even the ski slopes.

They have become an essential workplace tool in politics, business and the professions.

Fadden also asked employees not to use BlackBerries during meetings and also not to schedule meetings over lunch.

"I expect that some of you will consider the above a bit artificial. They may be a little, but I believe we have to start somewhere, and since reducing the quantity of work is unlikely to yield short-term results, we are 'attacking' some of the stresses around work," he said.

He said he understood there might be times when implementing all his requests won't be possible, but people should do their best to respect the new rules.

A spokeswoman for the department was unable to say what guidelines would be given for handling emergencies .