Blackberry-killer plans leaked

A HIGHLY-PLACED mole in a North American company has attempted to leak details of a data only clamshell to the INQ. The device is intended as a mass market version of the original RIM Blackberry.

Just like the first Blackberries, this mystery handset won't offer any voice capabilities. However, it will support GPRS to enable users to download their emails remotely. The intention is to sign up users onto data only tariffs - hopefully a flat data tariff too!

One of the key elements of this offering is that it will be sold through ISPs rather than through mobile phone stores. That way the ISP can sell the Blueberry (our codename for it) already pre-configured to work with the ISP's own email mailboxes.

Currently one of the big problems with persuading consumers to track their emails on standard mobile phones is that it takes ages to key in all the correct parameters. Using OTA (Over the Air) technology will be another way in which the Blueberry can be configured for email.

The intention is to keep the cost of the Blueberry as low as possible. Consequently it will use a proprietary real-time OS rather than paying the licence fee for Symbian or Windows Mobile, for example.

The INQ trawled the Net looking for the culprit and discovered the Ogo which is designed along very similar lines. The Ogo is available in four countries currently - the USA, Germany, Switzerland and Turkey.

Perhaps, the OEM which makes the Ogo for IXI will be manufacturing the Blueberry?

Our Mole says the full Blueberry announcement will be made in the next few days. µ