Vodafone Australia and Research In Motion have reportedly launched two new BlackBerry (News - Alert) handsets – the BlackBerry 8707v and the BlackBerry 7130v.

Both handsets support push email, phone, text messaging, Internet, organizer and corporate data applications, as well as a high-resolution LCD screen that automatically dims or brightens depending on where the device is being used. This “intelligent light sensing technology” (which also adjusts the backlighting on the keyboard) is becoming popular in the PDA/smartphone market.

According to a press release, the 8707v is the first UMTS-enabled BlackBerry handset that runs on Vodafone’s mobile broadband network and supports roaming internationally. The quad-band handset, which comes with a 35-key QWERTY keyboard, allows users to surf the Internet, send and receive emails, or use other mobile applications while simultaneously speaking on the phone. The 8707v can also be used as a tethered modem to enable users to access the Internet from their laptop computers.

The 7130v incorporates RIM’s SureType keyboard technology, which merges a phone keypad with QWERTY keyboard to allow a narrower design and enable users to quickly and accurately type messages and dial phone numbers.

Both handhelds are supported by all BlackBerry software and services including the new BlackBerry Enterprise Server Express, which offers the same enterprise-level security, reliability, features and functionality of BlackBerry Enterprise Server v4.1 in a simple and effective solution.

“Mobile access to email and business information is becoming a prerequisite for competing and winning business and making the most of every opportunity,” said Edward Goff, general manager of business markets at Vodafone Australia, in the press release. “The launch of the two new BlackBerry handsets reinforces Vodafone’s over-arching vision of delivering true mobility to Australian businesses and their employees. Both the BlackBerry 8707v and BlackBerry 7130v give users greater control and flexibility over the way they communicate and do business.”

“The BlackBerry 8707v and BlackBerry 7130v are ideal for customers looking for superior messaging and browsing capabilities as well as premium phone features in a single handset,” said Norm Lo, vice president, Asia Pacific, at Research In Motion. “We are very pleased to be working with Vodafone to bring these innovative handsets to customers in Australia.”

For more information about Vodafone, visit http://www.vodafone.com/.

For more information about Research In Motion, visit http://www.rim.com/.

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Patrick Barnard is Associate Editor for TMCnet and a columnist covering the telecom industry. To see more of his articles, please visit Patrick Barnard’s columnist page.


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