Research In Motion Introduces Breakthrough Palm-Sized Wireless Handheld And Major Enhancements To BlackBerry Wireless Email Solution

Series of announcements unveil new RIM Wireless Handhelds, WAP support, upgraded BlackBerry features, enhanced BlackBerry Enterprise Server for Microsoft Exchange and BlackBerry for Lotus Notes

April 11, 2000

Waterloo, Ontario

Research In Motion Limited (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSE: RIM) today introduced a new, advanced, palm-sized wireless handheld with integrated support for wireless email, Internet, paging and organizer features. The highly-anticipated RIM 957 Wireless Handheld™ is optimized for mobile users and incorporates a large high-quality screen, 32-bit Intel 386™ processor, 5 MB flash memory, easy-to-use keyboard, embedded wireless modem, integrated organizer and full support for the award-winning BlackBerry™ wireless email solution. RIM also announced a new model of the RIM 950 Wireless Handheld™ with 4 MB memory in addition to the new BlackBerry 2.0 software that fully supports both the palm-sized RIM 957™ and pager-sized RIM 950™. RIM also announced plans for Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) support on RIM Wireless Handhelds and Lotus Notes® support for the BlackBerry wireless email solution.

"This is the first palm-sized wireless handheld to deliver 'Always On, Always Connected™' performance with seamless corporate email integration. Today's announcements open the door to an even broader range of customers and advances RIM's leading position in the market for wireless email solutions," said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO, Research In Motion. "Our customers now have their choice between both palm-sized and pager-sized handhelds that enable the full value of BlackBerry."

"As an early investor and technology partner with RIM, Intel recognized the eventual convergence of Internet and wireless technologies and RIM's first mover advantage in their market space. We believe that both business and consumer interest in wireless Internet appliances and applications will continue to grow over the next several years," said Sean Maloney, Senior Vice President, Intel Corporation. "The new palm-sized BlackBerry wireless handheld is a leading example of a new class of power-efficient, Internet devices based on Intel architecture."

"RIM's new wireless handheld will give companies and mobile professionals even greater choices in selecting the wireless device enabled with the power and reliability of the BellSouth Intelligent Wireless NetworkSM that best suits their needs," said William F. Lenahan, President and CEO, BellSouth Wireless Data. "The combination of our industry-best Intelligent Wireless Network with cutting edge products such as RIM's will continue to bring the superior benefits of wireless data communications to broader markets across the United States."

"The announcement of RIM's new wireless handheld and BlackBerry 2.0 marks a significant milestone in our strategic relationship. RIM has delivered a powerful wireless email solution in an exciting fully integrated design," said Jerry Meerkatz, Vice President and General Manager, Internet Products and Services, Compaq Computer Corporation. "Early customer reaction has been extremely positive. Together, Compaq and RIM are moving forward to deliver industry-leading wireless solutions and services that will allow businesses to achieve enhanced communication, collaboration and productivity."

"American Mobile is pleased to see the BlackBerry mobile email solution extended to include support for Lotus Notes," said Walter V. Purnell Jr., President and CEO of American Mobile Satellite Corp. "The new RIM palm-size form factor is extremely exciting and major customer trials on American Mobile's ARDIS® network, the country's largest and most fully deployed terrestrial data network, are yielding impressive results for this breakthrough device."

"BlackBerry has become extremely popular because of its unique ability to satisfy real problems for both users and IT departments. Email usage continues to grow and many users need a refined, mobile tool that allows them to deal with their never-empty inbox; but IT departments also need to responsibly deal with security and manageability issues as handhelds spread throughout the organization," said Jim Balsillie, Chairman and Co-CEO, Research In Motion. "BlackBerry addresses both sets of issues admirably and that's what sets it apart."

RIM 957 Wireless Handheld:
The new RIM 957 Wireless Handheld delivers RIM's award-winning wireless technology in a sleek, palm-sized device with a large, crisp display. Key features of the RIM 957 include leading performance, slim design, full-featured connected organizer and 'Always On, Always Connected' operation.

Industry-leading performance - with 32-bit Intel 386 processor, 5 MB flash memory plus 512 KB SRAM, embedded wireless modem, optimized keyboard, thumb-operated trackwheel, large backlit screen (user selectable 16 or 20 line display), multiple notification alerts (tone, vibrate, on-screen and/or LED indicator), internal rechargeable Lithium battery, docking/charging cradle, intuitive interface and integrated email/organizer software.

Slim mobile design - extremely compact (4.6" x 3.1" x 0.70") and lightweight (less than 5.3 ounces).

Full-featured, connected organizer - includes calendar, address book, task list, memo pad, calculator and alarm; synchronizes with PC using docking cradle and Puma Technology's award-winning Intellisync™ software.

'Always On, Always Connected' - designed to operate 24 hours per day while remaining connected to the wireless network to allow easy notification of incoming email and other important information such as paging and stock alerts.

Wireless Web:
RIM has formed a strategic relationship with Neomar Inc. to provide a fully Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)-compliant microbrowser, powered by Neomar's WAP gateway, for RIM Wireless Handhelds and the BlackBerry wireless email solution. WAP is an increasingly popular protocol that allows existing Web content to be easily adapted for handheld devices. With the microbrowser, wireless service providers and application developers will be able to deliver a wide range of new Internet and intranet content, including Web-based information such as stock quotes, news, travel, yellow pages, driving directions, weather reports and more through Neomar's Mobile Portal.

"Neomar was founded on the belief that PDAs, not mobile phones, are the best platform for delivering critical wireless information," said John Troyer, president and CEO of Neomar. "RIM's devices are powerful tools for business people who need to get critical information while on the go, and are great platforms for hosting our microbrowser and Mobile Portal."

Neomar has implemented WAP on RIM Wireless Handhelds, supplying a more robust WAP browsing experience by utilizing enhanced features including larger screens, graphics capability, more memory and an easier interface. A closed beta program is underway and announcements on the first customer deployments are expected this summer.

Several other Web content services such as GoAmerica's Go.Web and WolfeTech's PocketGenie also continue to be available to BlackBerry customers.

BlackBerry 2.0 Software:
BlackBerry is the leading wireless email solution for mobile professionals. BlackBerry combines hardware, software and airtime to deliver an end-to-end solution with single-mailbox integration and nationwide wireless service. BlackBerry Exchange Edition is designed specifically for Microsoft® Exchange environments and addresses the strict security and administration standards required by Fortune 1000 companies. BlackBerry Internet Edition is designed to allow ISPs and other service providers to offer an end-to-end wireless email solution to their subscribers.

BlackBerry 2.0 offers several enhancements for both users and IT departments. Several key features include improvements to email folder management, enhanced organizer features and upgraded BlackBerry Enterprise Server software for improved control and manageability.

Improved Email Management - BlackBerry users can now save significant time managing their inbox directly from their RIM Wireless Handheld. BlackBerry 2.0 gives users the option of inbox and folder synchronization between their handheld and desktop. Messages deleted from the handheld can be automatically deleted from the desktop when the user places the handheld in its cradle. Similarly, users can file messages on their handheld and those messages will be automatically filed in their inbox folders.

Enhanced Organizer - BlackBerry includes a powerful personal organizer with Intellisync software for maximum productivity. BlackBerry 2.0 also features navigation, synchronization and interface improvements with desktop synchronization support for an expanded number of personal organizer applications including Microsoft Outlook®, Microsoft Schedule +, Lotus Organizer®, Symantec ACT!, Lotus Notes, GoldMine®, Netscape® and Microsoft Outlook Express.

Improved Manageability - BlackBerry Enterprise Server is optional add-on software that offers centralized management and control. BlackBerry 2.0 offers a variety of enhancements including SNMP support, performance monitoring, batch deployment tools, configurable security policies and asset tracking tools.

BlackBerry for ISP's, Exchange and Notes:
According to a study published last week by Messaging Online, the number of worldwide email mailboxes topped 569 million after growing 83 percent in 1999 with over half of those mailboxes existing in North America. The study reported very strong growth in three market segments that now affect BlackBerry. The ISP/online space grew by more than 100% in 1999 accounting for over 149 million mailboxes worldwide. Similarly, the two leading corporate messaging systems demonstrated strong growth. Microsoft Exchange grew 82 percent to reach over 44 million seats and Lotus Notes expanded 65 percent to exceed 55 million seats.

There are three editions of BlackBerry to serve these different market segments:

1. BlackBerry Exchange Edition™ (available today; introduced in Q1/99).
2. BlackBerry Internet Edition™ (available today; introduced in Q3/99).
3. BlackBerry Notes Edition™ ™ (first customer trials expected in Q3/00).

BlackBerry Notes Edition will offer a complete, integrated, wireless email solution for corporate customers operating Lotus Notes environments.

Pricing and Availability:
 

The RIM 957 and RIM 950 (4MB) are expected to begin shipping in May.

The RIM 950 (2MB) is available today.

About Research In Motion
Research In Motion Limited is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative wireless solutions for the mobile communications market. Through development and integration of hardware, software and services, RIM provides solutions for seamless access to time-sensitive information including email, messaging, Internet and intranet-based applications. RIM technology also enables a broad array of third party developers and manufacturers in North America and around the world to enhance their products and services with wireless connectivity. RIM's portfolio of award-winning products includes the RIM Wireless Handheld™ product line, BlackBerry™ wireless email solution, wireless personal computer card adapters, embedded radio-modems and software development tools. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market (Nasdaq: RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSE: RIM). Investors may contact investor_relations@rim.net. Customers may contact info@rim.net or info@blackberry.net. Web sites: www.rim.net and www.blackberry.net.

Jennifer Taylor, Brodeur Worldwide for RIM, 203-399-8233, jtaylor@brodeur.com
Sara Usilton, Brodeur Worldwide for RIM, 617-587-2074, susilton@brodeur.com
Mark Guibert, Director of Marketing, 519-888-7465, mguibert@rim.net

NOTE TO MEDIA: Photo of new palm-sized, RIM Wireless Handheld available on BW PhotoWire / AP PhotoExpress, PressLink and on Business Wire's Web site at www.businesswire.com