T-Mobile Offers BlackBerry With Voice Over Wi-Fi

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 HotSpot @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.