BlackBerry-maker Research in Motion says its BlackBerry 7 smartphones have been approved for use by the U.S. Department of Defense, proof that despite its sliding market share RIM still wins when it comes to security. The Canadian company says its smartphones will give DoD users access to voice activated universal search, near field communications, augmented reality and social feeds, among other features.
Several BlackBerry models have been approved for use on DoD networks. The BlackBerry Bold 9900 and 9930 are touch screen phones with keyboards. The BlackBerry Torch 9810 has a touch screen with a slide out keyboard. The BlackBerry Curve 9360 has a keyboard only and the BlackBerry Torch 9850 and 9860 are exclusively touch screen (like the version of the new BlackBerry 10 that RIM previewed at BlackBerry World earlier this month).
RIM currently has less than 7% of the global smartphone market, according to IDC, down from 13.6% in the first quarter of 2011. The company recently hired a new COO and a new CMO as part of new CEO Thorstein Heins’ effort to reverse this trend.
Security has always been a key selling point for RIM, and the BlackBerry has long been the standard issue smartphone for U.S. government employees. This endorsement from the Department of Defense should help the company in its efforts to persuade corporate customers that its technology remains unmatched for secure mobile communications.
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