Editing BlackBerry (section)

== Products ==
[[File:RIM BlackBerry 950.jpg|thumb|Original BlackBerry 850 or 950 - the appearance was identical]]
{{Main|List of BlackBerry products}}

'''Android devices:'''
* [[BlackBerry Evolve X]] (2018)
* [[BlackBerry Evolve]] (2018)
* [[BlackBerry Key2]] (2018)
* [[BlackBerry Motion]] (2017)
* [[BlackBerry Aurora]] (2017)
* [[BlackBerry KeyOne]] (2017)
* [[BlackBerry DTEK60]] (2016)
* [[BlackBerry DTEK50]] (2016)
* [[BlackBerry Priv]] (2015)

'''BlackBerry 10 devices:'''
* [[BlackBerry Leap]] (2015)
* [[BlackBerry Classic]] (2014)
* [[BlackBerry Passport]] (2014)
* BlackBerry Porsche Design P'9983 (2014)
* [[BlackBerry Z3]] (2014)
* [[BlackBerry Z30]] (2013)
* [[BlackBerry Porsche Design P'9982]] (2013)<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://press.blackberry.com/press/2013/porsche-design-p9982.html |title=Introducing the Porsche Design P'9982 Smartphone from BlackBerry |publisher=BlackBerry |date=November 19, 2013 |access-date=November 5, 2013}}</ref>
* [[BlackBerry Q10]] (2013)
* [[BlackBerry Z10]] (2013)
* [[BlackBerry Q5]] (2013)

'''BlackBerry 7 devices:'''
* BlackBerry Bold series (2011): [[BlackBerry Bold#BlackBerry OS 7 Bold|BlackBerry Bold 9900/9930/9790]]
* BlackBerry 9720 (2013)<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://press.blackberry.com/press/2013/new-blackberry-9720-smartphone-lets-you-spark-the-conversation.html |title=New BlackBerry 9720 Smartphone Lets You Spark The Conversation |publisher=BlackBerry |date=August 13, 2013 |access-date=November 5, 2013}}</ref>
* BlackBerry Porsche Design (2012): [[BlackBerry Porsche Design P'9981]]
* BlackBerry Torch series (2011): [[BlackBerry Torch 9810]]
* BlackBerry Torch series (2011): [[BlackBerry Torch 9860|BlackBerry Torch 9850/9860]]
* BlackBerry Curve series (2011): BlackBerry [[BlackBerry Curve#Curve 9350 Series|9350]]/[[BlackBerry Curve#Curve 9350 Series|9360]]/[[BlackBerry Curve#Curve 9350 Series|9370]]/[[BlackBerry Curve 9380|9380]]
* BlackBerry Curve 9320/9220 (2012)

'''BlackBerry 6 devices:'''
* BlackBerry Torch series (2010): [[BlackBerry Torch 9800]]
* BlackBerry Curve series (2010): [[BlackBerry Curve 9300|BlackBerry Curve 9300/9330]]
* [[BlackBerry Style 9670]] (2010)
* BlackBerry Pearl series (2010): BlackBerry Pearl 3G 9100/9105
* BlackBerry Bold series (2010–2011): [[BlackBerry Bold#BlackBerry OS 6 Bold|BlackBerry Bold 9780/9788]]

'''BlackBerry 5 devices:'''
* BlackBerry Bold series (2008–2010): [[BlackBerry Bold#BlackBerry OS 5 Bold|BlackBerry Bold 9000/9700/9650]]
* BlackBerry Tour series (2009): [[BlackBerry Tour]] (9630)
* BlackBerry Storm series (2009): [[BlackBerry Storm 2]] (9520/9550)
* BlackBerry Storm series (2008): [[BlackBerry Storm]] (9500/9530)
* BlackBerry Curve series (2009–2010): [[BlackBerry Curve 8900]] (8900/8910/8980)
* BlackBerry Curve series (2009): [[BlackBerry Curve 8520|BlackBerry Curve 8520/8530]]

'''BlackBerry 4 devices:'''
* BlackBerry 8800 series (2007): BlackBerry 8800/8820/8830
* BlackBerry Pearl series (2006): [[BlackBerry Pearl]] 8100/8110/8120/8130
* BlackBerry Pearl Flip series (2008): [[BlackBerry Pearl Flip]] 8220/8230
* BlackBerry Curve series (2007): [[BlackBerry Curve 8300]] (8300/8310/8320/8330/8350i)

'''BlackBerry 3 devices:'''
* BlackBerry Java-based series: 5000, 6000

'''BlackBerry 2 devices:'''
* BlackBerry phone series: [[BlackBerry Charm]] 7100
* BlackBerry color series: 7200, 7500, 7700

'''BlackBerry 1 devices:'''
* BlackBerry pager models: 850, 857, [[BlackBerry 950|950]], 957

=== Hardware ===
Modern [[LTE (telecommunication)|LTE]] based phones such as the [[BlackBerry Z10]] have a Qualcomm [[Snapdragon (system on chip)|Snapdragon S4 Plus]], a proprietary Qualcomm [[System on a chip|SOC]] which is based on ARMv7-A architecture, featuring two 1.5&nbsp;GHz [[Qualcomm Krait]] CPU cores, and a 400&nbsp;MHz Adreno 225 GPU. [[GSM]]-based BlackBerry phones incorporate an [[ARM architecture|ARM]] 7, 9 or 11 processor.<ref name="manuals">{{cite web |url=http://docs.blackberry.com/en/ |title=Manuals and Guides |website=BlackBerry |date=January 24, 2011 |access-date=January 24, 2011}}</ref> Some of the BlackBerry models (Torch 9850/9860, Torch 9810, and Bold 9900/9930) have a 1.2&nbsp;GHz MSM8655 Snapdragon S2 SOC, 768 MB system memory, and 8 GB of on-board storage.<ref name="manuals" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://fccid.net/document.php?id=786388 |title=RBK40CG Handheld BlackBerry with CDMA and Bluetooth Teardown Internal Photos BlackBerry Limited |website=FCC ID Database}}</ref> Entry-level models, such as the Curve 9360, feature a Marvell PXA940 clocked at 800&nbsp;MHz.

Some previous BlackBerry devices, such as the Bold 9000, were equipped with Intel XScale 624&nbsp;MHz processors.<ref>{{cite news |last=Gardner |first=W. David |title=RIM Gets 'Bold' With 3G BlackBerry 9000 |url=http://www.informationweek.com/news/personal_tech/blackberry/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=207602677 |access-date=June 13, 2010 |newspaper=[[InformationWeek]] |date=May 12, 2008 |archive-date=June 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080617211143/http://www.informationweek.com/news/personal_tech/blackberry/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=207602677 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Bold 9700 featured a newer version of the Bold 9000's processor but is clocked at the same speed. The [[BlackBerry Curve 8520|Curve 8520]] featured a 512&nbsp;MHz processor, while BlackBerry 8000 series smartphones, such as the 8700 and the Pearl, are based on the 312&nbsp;MHz [[ARM architecture|ARM]] [[XScale]] ARMv5TE PXA900. An exception to this is the BlackBerry 8707 which is based on the 80&nbsp;MHz Qualcomm 3250 chipset; this was due to the PXA900 chipset not supporting 3G networks. The 80&nbsp;MHz processor in the BlackBerry 8707 meant the device was often slower to download and render web pages over 3G than the 8700 was over [[EDGE (telecommunication)|EDGE]] networks. Early BlackBerry devices, such as the [[BlackBerry 950]], used [[Intel 80386]]-based processors.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blackberrycool.com/2005/07/13/00641/2/ |title=RIM Circa 1999: BlackBerry History Revisited |date=July 13, 2005 |website=BlackBerry Cool |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071215063954/http://blackberrycool.com/2005/07/13/00641/2/ |archive-date=December 15, 2007 |access-date=January 31, 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Strietelmeier |first=Julie |url=http://the-gadgeteer.com/2001/02/26/rim_blackberry_950_review/ |title=RIM BlackBerry 950 Review |website=The-Gadgeteer.com |date=February 26, 2001}}</ref>

BlackBerry's latest Flagship phone the [[BlackBerry Z30]] based on a 5-inch Super AMOLED, 1280×720 resolution, at 295 ppi 24-bit color depth and powered by Quad-Graphics and Qualcomm's Dual Core 1.7&nbsp;GHz MSM8960T Pro.

The first BlackBerry with an Android operating system was released in late November 2015, the {{convert|192|g|oz|abbr=off}} [[BlackBerry Priv]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ca.blackberry.com/smartphones/priv-by-blackberry/specifications.html |title=Smartphones - PRIV |date=2015 |website=BlackBerry Canada |access-date=December 19, 2015}}</ref> It launched with version 5.1.1 but was later upgraded to version 6.0 [[Android Marshmallow]]. It was first available in four countries but increased to 31 countries by February 28, 2016.<ref name="Friend">{{cite news |last=Friend |first=David |date=December 18, 2015 |title=BlackBerry revenue exceeds expectations, as software and service sales rise |url=https://www.thestar.com/business/2015/12/18/blackberry-loss-narrows-on-software-revenue.html |newspaper=Toronto Star |location=Toronto, Ontario, Canada |access-date=December 19, 2015}}</ref>
Employing a Qualcomm 8992 Snapdragon 808 Hexa-Core, 64-bit, Adreno 418, 600&nbsp;MHz GPU with 3 GB RAM processor, this unit is equipped with a curved 5.4-inch (2560 x 1440) OLED display and a sliding QWERTY keyboard which is hidden when not in use; Google's voice recognition that allows for dictating e-mails is also available. The Priv retained the best BlackBerry 10 features. Its 3,410 mAh battery is said to provide 22.5 hours of mixed use. The 18-megapixel camera, with a Schneider-Kreuznach lens, can also record 4K video; a secondary selfie camera is also provided. Several important apps unique to the Priv were available from Google Play by mid December.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.com/2015/11/review-blackberry-priv/ |title=Review: BlackBerry Priv |last=Moynihan |first=Tim |date=November 6, 2015 |magazine=Wired |publisher=Condé Nast |access-date=December 18, 2015}}</ref>

=== Software ===
{{See also|QNX|BlackBerry 10|BlackBerry OS}}
A new [[operating system]], [[BlackBerry 10]], was released for two new BlackBerry models (Z10 and Q10) on January 30, 2013. At BlackBerry World 2012, RIM CEO Thorsten Heins demonstrated some of the new features of the OS, including a camera which is able to rewind frame-by-frame separately of individual faces in an image, to allow selection of the best of different shots, which is then stitched seamlessly to an optimal composite,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-57425726-94/time-shifting-blackberry-camera-makes-pictures-perfect/ |title=Time-shifting BlackBerry camera makes pictures perfect |first=Joseph |last=Hanlon |website=[[CNET]] |date=May 1, 2012}}</ref> an intelligent, [[Predictive text|predictive]], and adapting keyboard, and a gesture based user interface designed around the idea of "peek" and "flow".<ref>{{cite web |title=Thorsten Heins in the BlackBerry World 2012 Keynote General Session |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfHLjlogDS8 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120501225153/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfHLjlogDS8&gl=US&hl=en| archive-date=2012-05-01 | url-status=dead|author=BlackBerry |via=YouTube |access-date=September 22, 2012 |date=May 1, 2012}}</ref> Apps are available for [[BlackBerry 10#Devices|BlackBerry 10 devices]] through the [[BlackBerry World]] storefront.

The previous [[operating system]] developed for older BlackBerry devices was [[BlackBerry OS]], a proprietary multitasking environment developed by RIM. The operating system is designed for use of input devices such as the track wheel, track ball, and track pad. The OS provides support for Java [[Mobile Information Device Profile|MIDP]] 1.0 and [[Wireless Application Protocol|WAP]] 1.2. Previous versions allowed wireless synchronisation with [[Microsoft Exchange Server]] email and calendar, as well as with [[IBM Lotus Domino|Lotus Domino]] email. OS 5.0 provides a subset of MIDP 2.0, and allows complete wireless activation and synchronisation with Exchange email, calendar, tasks, notes and contacts, and adds support for [[Novell GroupWise]] and [[IBM Lotus Notes|Lotus Notes]]. The BlackBerry Curve 9360, BlackBerry Torch 9810, Bold 9900/9930, Curve 9310/9320 and Torch 9850/9860 featured the 2011 BlackBerry OS 7. [[mobile application|Apps]] are available for these devices through BlackBerry World (which before 2013 was called BlackBerry App World).
{{Further|BlackBerry OS}}

Third-party developers can write software using these APIs, and proprietary BlackBerry APIs as well. Any application that makes use of certain restricted functionality must be [[digital signature|digitally signed]] so that it can be associated to a developer account at RIM. This signing procedure guarantees the authorship of an application but does not guarantee the quality or security of the code. RIM provides tools for developing applications and themes for BlackBerry. Applications and themes can be loaded onto BlackBerry devices through BlackBerry World, Over The Air (OTA) through the BlackBerry mobile browser, or through BlackBerry Desktop Manager.

BlackBerry devices, as well as Android, iOS, and Windows Phone platforms, have the ability to use the proprietary [[BlackBerry Messenger]], also known as BBM, software for sending and receiving encrypted instant messages, voice notes, images and videos via [[#BlackBerry PIN|BlackBerry PIN]]. As long as your cell phone has a data plan these messages are all free of charge. Some of the features of BBM include groups, bar-code scanning, lists, shared calendars, BBM Music and integration with apps and games using the BBM social platform.

In April 2013, BlackBerry announced that it was shutting down its streaming music service, BBM Music, which was active for almost two years since its launch. BlackBerry Messenger Music closed on June 2, 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget/2013/04/04/blackberry-to-shut-down-bbm-music-june-2/ |title=BlackBerry shutting down BBM Music on June 2nd, points users to Rdio |first=A. |last=Santos |date=4 April 2013 |website=[[Engadget]] }}{{Dead link|date=February 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

In July 2014, BlackBerry revealed BlackBerry Assistant, a new feature for BlackBerry OS 10.3, and BlackBerry Passport hardware. The feature is a digital personal assistant to help keep you "organized, informed and productive."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://techcrunch.com/2014/07/16/blackberry-gets-its-own-siri-with-blackberry-assistant/ |title=BlackBerry Gets Its Own Siri With BlackBerry Assistant |first=Darrell |last=Etherington |date=July 16, 2014 |website=TechCrunch}}</ref>

In December 2014, BlackBerry and [[NantHealth]], a healthcare-focused data provider, launched a secure cancer [[Human genome|genome]] browser, giving doctors the ability to access patients' genetic data on the BlackBerry Passport smartphone.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-blackberry-browser/blackberry-nanthealth-launch-cancer-genome-browser-idUSKBN0JM08Z20141208 |title=BlackBerry, NantHealth launch cancer genome browser |first=Euan |last=Rocha |date=December 8, 2014 |work=Reuters}}</ref>

On January 3, 2022, BlackBerry announced that they would discontinue their services on all BlackBerry phones not running on Android on January 4. According to BlackBerry, "As of this date, devices running these legacy services and software through either carrier or Wi-Fi connections will no longer reliably function, including for data, phone calls, SMS and 9-1-1 functionality".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Olson|first=Carly|date=2022-01-03|title=BlackBerry signals end of an era as it prepares to pull plug on classic phones|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/jan/03/blackberry-discontinue-service-classic|url-status=live|access-date=2022-01-03|website=The Guardian|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220103215141/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/jan/03/blackberry-discontinue-service-classic|archive-date=January 3, 2022}}</ref>

=== Phones with BlackBerry email client ===
Several non-BlackBerry mobile phones have been released featuring the BlackBerry email client which connects to BlackBerry servers. Many of these phones have full QWERTY keyboards.
* [[AT&T Tilt]]
* [[HTC Advantage X7500]]
* [[HTC TyTN]]
* [[Motorola]] MPx220, some models
* [[Nokia 6810]]
* [[Nokia 6820]]
* [[Nokia 9300]]
* [[Nokia 9300i]]
* [[Nokia 9500]]
* [[Nokia Eseries]] phones, except models [[Nokia E66]], [[Nokia E71]]
* [[Qtek 9100]]
* [[Qtek 9000]]
* [[Samsung]] t719
* [[Siemens]] SK65
* [[Sony Ericsson P910]]
* [[Sony Ericsson P990]]
* [[Sony Ericsson M600i]]
* [[Sony Ericsson P1]]

=== Third-party software ===
Third-party software available for use on BlackBerry devices includes full-featured [[database management systems]], which can be used to support [[customer relationship management]] clients and other applications that must manage large volumes of potentially complex data.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wireless.sys-con.com/node/590908 |title=Maximizer Software Partners with McObject to Improve Mobile CRM on BlackBerry Devices |date=June 19, 2008  |website=Wireless Business & Technology |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090603040430/http://wireless.sys-con.com/node/590908  |archive-date=June 3, 2009}}</ref>

In March 2011, RIM announced an optional [[Android (operating system)|Android]] player that could play applications developed for the Android system would be available for the [[BlackBerry PlayBook]], RIM's first entry in the tablet market.<ref>
{{cite news
| url = https://www.engadget.com/2011/03/24/rim-adds-android-app-support-to-blackberry-playbook/
| title = RIM adds Android app support to BlackBerry PlayBook via 'optional app player'
| work = [[Engadget]]
| date = March 24, 2011
| access-date = October 21, 2011
| quote = You read that right – RIM just announced that its forthcoming BlackBerry PlayBook will support both BlackBerry Java and Android apps.
| last=Murphy |first=Darryl
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110926112506/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/24/rim-adds-android-app-support-to-blackberry-playbook
| archive-date = September 26, 2011 | url-status=live
}}
</ref><ref>
{{cite news
| url = http://crackberry.com/press-release-rim-expands-application-ecosystem-blackberry-playbook-android-apps-playbook
| title = Press Release: RIM Expands Application Ecosystem for BlackBerry PlayBook – Android Apps on Playbook!!!
| work = [[Crackberry]]
| date = March 24, 2011
| access-date = October 21, 2011
| quote = Android apps won't come from Google Play itself, but rather Android developers will simply have to repackage, code sign and submit their BlackBerry Java and Android apps to BlackBerry App World from where users will be able to download the apps.
 |last=Michaluk |first=Kevin
}}
</ref><ref>{{cite news
 |url = https://bdsc.webapps.blackberry.com/android/
 |title = Repackage your apps for blackberry playbook
 |work = BlackBerry
 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120105153741/https://bdsc.webapps.blackberry.com/android/
 |url-status = dead
 |archive-date = January 5, 2012
 |access-date = October 21, 2011
}}</ref>

On August 24, 2011 ''[[Bloomberg News]]'' reported unofficial rumors that BlackBerry devices would be able to run Android applications when RIM brings QNX and the Android App Player to BlackBerry.<ref name="Bloomberg2011-08-24">
{{cite news
|url = https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-08-24/blackberry-said-to-get-android-apps-as-rim-seeks-to-widen-device-s-appeal.html
|title = BlackBerrys Said to Get Android Apps as RIM Seeks Sales Boost
|work = [[Bloomberg News]]
|date = August 24, 2011
|access-date = October 21, 2011
|quote = Research In Motion Ltd. (RIM), seeking to boost the appeal of its BlackBerrys and revive slowing sales, plans to enable models expected next year to run applications built for Google Inc. (GOOG)'s Android operating system, three people familiar with the plan said.
|last1=Miller |first1=Hugo |last2=Kharif |first2=Olga
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110925010335/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-08-24/blackberry-said-to-get-android-apps-as-rim-seeks-to-widen-device-s-appeal.html
|archive-date = September 25, 2011 |url-status=live
}}
</ref><ref name="BusinessReader2011-08-24">
{{cite web
 |url = http://articles.businessinsider.com/2011-08-24/tech/30049567_1_qnx-android-apps-app-world
 |title = BlackBerry Phones Will Get Android Apps – Bloomberg
 |website = [[Business Insider]]
 |date = August 24, 2011
 |access-date = October 21, 2011
 |quote = RIM will add access to Android apps on BlackBerry phones that run its new QNX operating system, Bloomberg reports.
 |last = Kovach
 |first = Steve
 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110925010335/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-08-24/blackberry-said-to-get-android-apps-as-rim-seeks-to-widen-device-s-appeal.html
 |archive-date = September 25, 2011
 |url-status = dead}}
</ref><ref name="Reuters2011-08-25">
{{cite news
| url = https://www.reuters.com/article/rim-idUSL4E7JP03S20110825
| title = RIM's newer phones to get Android apps
| work = Reuters
| date = August 25, 2011
| access-date = October 21, 2011
| quote = The Canadian company plans to have the Android player already in the QNX-running phones when they go on sale rather than available as an upgrade, the report said.
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111101002221/http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/25/rim-idUSL4E7JP03S20110825
| archive-date = November 1, 2011 |url-status=live
}}
</ref><ref name="PcWorld2011-08-25">{{cite news
 |url = http://www.pcworld.com/article/238786/android_apps_for_blackberrys_may_be_lackluster.html
 |title = Android Apps for BlackBerrys May Be Lackluster
 |work = [[PC World]]
 |date = August 25, 2011
 |access-date = October 21, 2011
 |quote = We're still waiting for Research in Motion to allow Android apps to run on its BlackBerry PlayBook tablet, as promised last March, but a new report says these apps will eventually run on future BlackBerry phones as well.
 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110926210246/http://www.pcworld.com/article/238786/android_apps_for_blackberrys_may_be_lackluster.html
 |archive-date = September 26, 2011
 |url-status = dead
}}</ref>
On October 20, 2011, RIM officially announced that Android applications could run, unmodified, on the BlackBerry tablet and the newest BlackBerry phones, using the newest version of its operating system.<ref name="DailyMaverick2011-10">
{{cite news
| url = http://dailymaverick.co.za/article/2011-10-21-bbx-blackberrys-latest-purported-saviour
| title = BBX, BlackBerry's latest purported saviour
| work = [[Daily Maverick]]
| date = October 21, 2011
| access-date = October 21, 2011
| quote = Rui Brites, the director for product management in Africa told iMaverick that the new BBX system was RIM's way of securing its future. "With BBX, we've opened up in a big way," he said. "We have over 400,000 developers worldwide and have now developed tools for Android developers to submit their apps to the BlackBerry App World without needing to recode."
}}
</ref><ref name="ZimbabweTelegraph2011-10-21">{{cite news
 |url = http://www.zimtelegraph.com/?p=2234
 |title = BlackBerry maker's area developer unit to fill gap
 |work = [[Zimbabwe Telegraph]]
 |date = October 21, 2011
 |access-date = October 21, 2011
 |quote = The company introduced its BlackBerry BBX operating system on Tuesday, combining features from the existing BlackBerry platform and the QNX software it bought last year. The system, which doesn't have a release date, includes new programming tools like HTML5 designed to make building apps easier.
 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120106003036/http://www.zimtelegraph.com/?p=2234
 |url-status = dead
 |archive-date = January 6, 2012
}}</ref><!-- ref name=TorStar2011-10-20>
{{cite news
| url = https://www.thestar.com/business/article/1073501--rim-evangelists-court-app-developers-in-silicon-valley
| title = RIM evangelists court app developers in Silicon Valley
| work = [[Toronto Star]]
| date = October 20, 2011
| access-date = October 21, 2011
| last=Goddard |first=John
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111023003103/http://www.thestar.com/business/article/1073501--rim-evangelists-court-app-developers-in-silicon-valley
| url-status = live
| archive-date = October 23, 2011
}}
</ref -->

=== Connectivity ===
{{See also|BlackBerry Enterprise Server}}
[[File:BlackBerry Bold in Hand.jpg|thumb|A BlackBerry Bold from 2008 held in hand featuring all the different selective hardware and software on the screen. Note the white trackball in the middle which is later replaced by a black trackpad.]]
BlackBerry smartphones can be integrated into an organization's email system through a software package called [[BlackBerry Enterprise Server]] (BES) through version 5, and BlackBerry Enterprise Service (BES) as of version 10. (There were no versions 6 through 9.) Versions of BES are available for [[Microsoft Exchange Server|Microsoft Exchange]], [[Lotus Domino]], [[Novell GroupWise]] and [[Google Apps]]. While individual users may be able to use a wireless provider's email services without having to install BES themselves, organizations with multiple users usually run BES on their own network. BlackBerry devices running BlackBerry OS 10 or later can also be managed directly by a Microsoft Exchange Server, using Exchange ActiveSync (EAS) policies, in the same way that an iOS or Android device can. (EAS supports fewer management controls than BES does.) Some third-party companies provide hosted BES solutions. Every BlackBerry has a unique ID called a BlackBerry PIN, which is used to identify the device to the BES. BlackBerry at one time provided a free BES software called BES Express (BESX).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://us.blackberry.com/apps-software/business/server/express/ |title=BlackBerry Enterprise Server Express |work=BlackBerry USA |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101226115443/http://us.blackberry.com/apps-software/business/server/express/ |archive-date=December 26, 2010}}</ref>

The primary BES feature is to relay email from a corporate mailbox to a BlackBerry phone. The BES monitors the user's mailbox, relaying new messages to the phone via BlackBerry's [[Network Operations Center]] (NOC) and user's wireless provider. This feature is known as [[push email]], because all new emails, contacts, task entries, memopad entries, and calendar entries are pushed out to the BlackBerry device immediately (as opposed to the user synchronising the data manually or having the device poll the server at intervals).

BlackBerry also supports polling email, through third-party applications. The messaging system built into the BlackBerry only understands how to receive messages from a BES or the BIS, these services handle the connections to the user's mail providers. Device storage also enables the mobile user to access all data off-line in areas without wireless service. When the user reconnects to wireless service, the BES sends the latest data.

A feature of the newer models of the BlackBerry is their ability to quickly track the user's current location through [[trilateration]] without the use of GPS, thus saving battery life and time. Trilateration can be used as a quick, less battery intensive way to provide location-aware applications with the co-ordinates of the user. However, the accuracy of BlackBerry trilateration is less than that of GPS due to a number of factors, including cell tower blockage by large buildings, mountains, or distance.

BES also provides phones with [[Internet protocol suite|TCP/IP]] connectivity accessed through a component called MDS (Mobile Data System) Connection Service.<ref>{{cite web |title=BlackBerry MDS Connection Service |work=Research In Motion (RIM) |url=http://docs.blackberry.com/en/admin/deliverables/7335/BB_MDS_Connection_Service_267709_11.jsp |access-date=July 11, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810193214/http://docs.blackberry.com/en/admin/deliverables/7335/BB_MDS_Connection_Service_267709_11.jsp |archive-date=August 10, 2011}}</ref> This allows custom application development using data streams on BlackBerry devices based on the [[Sun Microsystems]] [[Java Platform, Micro Edition|Java ME]] platform.

In addition, BES provides network security, in the form of [[Triple DES]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://docs.blackberry.com/en/admin/deliverables/7325/How_BESolution_uses_TDES_to_encrypt_data_834425_11.jsp |title=How the BlackBerry Enterprise Solution uses Triple DES to encrypt data |work=BlackBerry |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101120044926/http://docs.blackberry.com/en/admin/deliverables/7325/How_BESolution_uses_TDES_to_encrypt_data_834425_11.jsp |archive-date=November 20, 2010}}</ref> or, more recently, [[Advanced Encryption Standard|AES]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://docs.blackberry.com/en/admin/deliverables/7325/How_BESolution_uses_AES_to_encrypt_data_834424_11.jsp |title=How the BlackBerry Enterprise Solution uses AES to encrypt data |work=BlackBerry |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708012410/http://docs.blackberry.com/en/admin/deliverables/7325/How_BESolution_uses_AES_to_encrypt_data_834424_11.jsp |archive-date=July 8, 2011}}</ref> encryption<ref>{{cite web |url=http://docs.blackberry.com/en/admin/deliverables/7325/Encrypting_data_sent_between_BES_and_BB_device_806441_11.jsp |title=Encrypting data that the BlackBerry Enterprise Server and a BlackBerry device send to each other |work=BlackBerry |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123100528/http://docs.blackberry.com/en/admin/deliverables/7325/Encrypting_data_sent_between_BES_and_BB_device_806441_11.jsp |archive-date=November 23, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://docs.blackberry.com/en/admin/deliverables/7325/Algorithms_the_BESolution_uses_to_encrypt_data_806442_11.jsp |title=Algorithms that the BlackBerry Enterprise Solution uses to encrypt data |work=BlackBerry |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101122211103/http://docs.blackberry.com/en/admin/deliverables/7325/Algorithms_the_BESolution_uses_to_encrypt_data_806442_11.jsp |archive-date=November 22, 2010}}</ref> of all data (both email and MDS traffic) that travels between the BlackBerry phone and a BlackBerry Enterprise Server.

Most providers offer flat monthly pricing via special BlackBerry tariffs for unlimited data between BlackBerry units and BES. In addition to receiving email, organizations can make [[intranet]]s or custom internal applications with unmetered [[Bandwidth (computing)|traffic]].

With more recent versions of the BlackBerry platform, the MDS is no longer a requirement for wireless data access. Starting with OS 3.8 or 4.0, BlackBerry phones can access the Internet (i.e. [[TCP/IP]] access) without an MDS – formerly only email and [[Wireless Application Protocol|WAP]] access was possible without a BES/MDS. The BES/MDS is still required for secure email, data access, and applications that require WAP from carriers that do not allow WAP access.

The primary alternative to using BlackBerry Enterprise Server is to use the BlackBerry Internet Service (BIS). BlackBerry Internet Service is available in 91 countries internationally. BlackBerry Internet Service was developed primarily for the average consumer rather than for the business consumer. The service allows users to access [[Post Office Protocol|POP3]], [[Internet Message Access Protocol|IMAP]], and [[Outlook Web App]] (not via [[Exchange ActiveSync]]) email accounts without connecting through a [[BlackBerry Enterprise Server]] (BES).<ref name=setup>{{cite web |url=http://na.blackberry.com/eng/support/software/internet.jsp |title=Email setup and integration |website=Research In Motion |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100323073428/http://na.blackberry.com/eng/support/software/internet.jsp |archive-date=March 23, 2010}}</ref> BlackBerry Internet Service allows up to 10 email accounts to be accessed, including proprietary as well as public email accounts (such as Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo and AOL). BlackBerry Internet Service also supports the push capabilities of various other BlackBerry Applications. Various applications developed by RIM for BlackBerry utilise the push capabilities of BIS, such as the Instant Messaging clients (like Google Talk, Windows Live Messenger and Yahoo Messenger). The MMS, PIN, interactive gaming, mapping and trading applications{{which |date=February 2012}} require data plans like BIS (not just Wi-Fi) for use. The service is usually provisioned through a mobile phone service provider, though [[BlackBerry (company)|BlackBerry]] actually runs the service.<ref name=setup/>

=== BlackBerry PIN ===
{{See also|BlackBerry Messenger}}
The BlackBerry PIN ('''P'''ersonal '''I'''dentification '''N'''umber) is an eight-character [[hexadecimal]] identification number assigned to each BlackBerry device. PINs cannot be changed manually on the device (though BlackBerry technicians are able to reset or update a PIN server-side), and are locked to each specific BlackBerry. BlackBerry devices can message each other using the PIN directly or by using the [[BlackBerry Messenger]] application. BlackBerry PINs are tracked by [[BlackBerry Enterprise Server]]s and the [[BlackBerry Internet Service]] and are used to direct messages to a BlackBerry device. Emails and any other messages, such as those from the BlackBerry Push Service, are typically directed to a BlackBerry device's PIN. The message can then be routed by a RIM [[Network Operations Center]], and sent to a carrier, which will deliver the message the last mile to the device. In September 2012 RIM announced that the BlackBerry PIN would be replaced by users' BlackBerry ID starting in 2013 with the launch of the BlackBerry 10 platform.{{citation needed |date=September 2013}}