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Home»BlackBerry News»News & Rumors

ThinkPad Laptops to Get Better BlackBerry Integration

by Kevin Michaluk on 16 Feb 2009 09:18 AM
12
 

Lenovo and BlackBerry working together

I can already visualize the comments to this CrackBerry blog post... Who cares about better BlackBerry/ThinkPad integration?? We want better integration with our Macs!

Of course that's my thought as well, but if you keep in mind BlackBerry pretty much owns the enterprise smartphone market and that there's no shortage of ThinkPads in business, this annoucement will come as a pleasant surprise to many.

Press Release

Lenovo ThinkPad Laptop Computers to Gain New Level of Integration With BlackBerry Smartphones

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NORTH CAROLINA and WATERLOO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Feb. 16, 2009) - Lenovo (HKSE:992)(ADR:LNVGY) and Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ:RIMM)(TSX:RIM) today announced that the two companies will work together to promote new Lenovo mobile solutions that will help on-the-go business users enhance their mobile computing and communications experience through tighter integration between Lenovo ThinkPad laptop computers and BlackBerry smartphones.

Leveraging Lenovo's extensive global R&D capabilities and engineering prowess in laptop computers together with RIM's expertise in smartphones and wireless solutions, Lenovo plans to develop and deliver a range of industry-leading solutions and technologies that can help professionals conduct business more effectively on the go.

Lenovo Constant Connect, the first solution developed by Lenovo, will leverage the strengths of the BlackBerry solution and Lenovo ThinkPad laptops to deliver an unparalleled user experience for flexible, real-time access to enterprise-based email. Lenovo Constant Connect will allow enterprise email received on a user's BlackBerry smartphone to be automatically synchronized via Bluetooth onto the user's ThinkPad laptop - even if the ThinkPad laptop is off - without the user having to take any additional steps.

This level of integration and availability dramatically improves access to email on the Lenovo ThinkPad laptop from wherever a BlackBerry smartphone can access a connection. In addition to greater flexibility and convenience, it can also reduce the need to use the laptop with fee-based Wi-Fi networks. Lenovo Constant Connect is expected to be available from Lenovo and its business partners in the second quarter of 2009 in the U.S, and to be rolled out in markets around the world later in 2009.

"With more and more mobile professionals relying on both their BlackBerry smartphone and ThinkPad laptop PC, we view better integration between the two devices as a necessity. Today's announcement is the first step in combining these best-in-class solutions to deliver a more useful and powerful mobile work experience," said Lenovo CEO Yang Yuanqing.

"Lenovo is adding significant value for our mutual customers by developing tighter and more seamless integration between Lenovo ThinkPad laptops and BlackBerry smartphones," said Jim Balsillie, Co-CEO, Research In Motion. "By leveraging the industry-leading, push-based connectivity of the BlackBerry solution, Lenovo Constant Connect will simplify email synchronization on the laptop and provide mobile professionals with greater flexibility to manage their email on the move."

About Lenovo

Lenovo (HKSE:992)(ADR:LNVGY) is dedicated to building the world's most innovative personal computers. Lenovo's business model is built on innovation, operational efficiency and customer satisfaction as well as a focus on investment in emerging markets. Formed by Lenovo Group's acquisition of the former IBM Personal Computing Division, the company develops, manufactures and markets reliable, high-quality, secure and easy-to-use technology products and services worldwide. Lenovo has major research centers in Yamato, Japan; Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, China; and Raleigh, North Carolina. For more information see www.lenovo.com.

About Research In Motion (RIM)

Research In Motion is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative wireless solutions for the worldwide mobile communications market. Through the development of integrated hardware, software and services that support multiple wireless network standards, RIM provides platforms and solutions for seamless access to time-sensitive information including email, phone, SMS messaging, Internet and intranet-based applications. RIM's portfolio of award-winning products, services and embedded technologies are used by thousands of organizations around the world and include the BlackBerry wireless platform, the RIM Wireless Handheld product line, software development tools, radio-modems and software/hardware licensing agreements. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM operates offices in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. RIM is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market (NASDAQ:RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX:RIM). For more information, visit www.rim.com or www.BlackBerry.com.

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12 Comments

Posted by Dave Peckens Monday, Feb 16, 2009 1196 days ago

If I had to choose a Windows laptop over a MAC it would be a Lenovo, not a Dell.

RIM creating one beneficial alliance at a time.

 
 
Posted by ChuckH0308 Monday, Feb 16, 2009 1196 days ago

After five Dell laptops I would have to agree with you. The first four were great, but they have really gone down hill recently. The one I have now is junk and Dell's service is even worse. My next one will probably be a Lenovo and that would be awesome if it has extra BlackBerry goodies built in!

 
 
Posted by 312 Monday, Feb 16, 2009 1195 days ago

and have OS X on your Lenovo! :)

OSX86 dual boot is the BEST way to go!

 
 
Posted by Kool_Aider Monday, Feb 16, 2009 1196 days ago

Go RIM! Get more power, make more money... all in the greater good of our devices.

 
 
Posted by SurrealCivic Monday, Feb 16, 2009 1196 days ago

This is what I love from RIM. Innovative ideas that differentiate RIM from such companies as Apple, Nokia, and the like.

I believe that RIM is going towards a ubiquitous enterprise communication solution.

BlackBerry devices, HTC devices, other mobile devices, Lenovo Thinkpad laptops, etc are only going to be the devices to access this solution. This solution will allow people across the world to receive instantaneous communication in the form of e-mail, IM, voice, video, and more. No matter if you are sitting in front of a Lenovo machine in your office or cubicle, or you are on the go and have your BlackBerry, HTC or other mobile device. You will have the ability to communicate with your colleagues, clients, management, family, friends, etc wherever you are using one solution.

 
 
Posted by xxfire Monday, Feb 16, 2009 1196 days ago

We need something better then a media manager RIM. PLEASE?

 
 
Posted by zarzamora_hermosa Monday, Feb 16, 2009 1196 days ago

Business still seems to be done on PCs

 
 
Posted by Cmikhow Monday, Feb 16, 2009 1195 days ago

Despite Macs being flashy, and having such a clean crisp OS.

This is the problem with them, nobody gives a crap about Mac users.

Videos games run like junk on a Mac, I have tons of problems with my sisters Mac and her Blackberry coexisting peacefully. It's just too much headache to be worth it.

Compatibility is a known issue with Macs, so if you paid the ridiculously high price for an Apple then deal with the consequences.

 
 
Posted by Yandar Monday, Feb 16, 2009 1195 days ago

Until Macs really break into the enterprise market and Apple loosen thier stranglehold on the OS. The compatability problems will continue.

 
 
Posted by sheerheartattack Monday, Feb 16, 2009 1195 days ago

With all of these intense debates, it's like dual-booting doesn't exist. WTF people?

 
 
Posted by nooidea Tuesday, Feb 17, 2009 1195 days ago

i am quite ok with my mac and berry~~

 
 
Posted by BBJess Thursday, Feb 19, 2009 1193 days ago

I work for an insurance company and many of the managers and IT staff have gotten Blackberries and we all have been on IMB ThinkPads for quite some time, its nice to see RIM keeping with the enterprise industry, shows some stability within' not to HAVE to branch out just yet.