Research In Motion (NASDAQ:RIMM) recently released the BlackBerry Curve 9220, a low-cost BlackBerry device in India that is meant for the developing markets as it aims to compete with the low-cost smartphones using the Android OS. The BlackBerry Curve 9220 is a basic model compared to smartphones that are currently being offering in major markets such as Europe, Canada and the United States.
The device features a two-megapixel camera and uses the BlackBerry 7.1 OS. However since the BlackBerry Curve 9220 is meant to be promoted in developing markets, the device is quite affordable at around $215. The BlackBerry Curve 9220 is reportedly an upgraded version of an earlier low-cost BlackBerry device and will be promoted mainly in Asia.
The upcoming low-cost BlackBerry Curve 9220 is also limited to using a 2G network. The device offerings of RIM have been doing well in developing markets even as it has yet to become more competitive in major markets, which are currently dominated by Apple and Android devices. A good part of its market share was lost in the United States with the release of a number of Android devices and the iPhone of Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL).
However it has gradually increased its share in developing markets including Thailand, Malaysia, India and some parts of the Middle East. RIM aims to continue its growth in markets outside of North America and the BlackBerry Curve 9220 is among the product offerings that it aims to introduce into these markets.
Even though the BlackBerry devices offer basic apps its BlackBerry Messenger service has a good following among a number of users in different parts of the world. However some countries have requested access to the security keys of RIM with some countries threatening to close the BlackBerry Enterprise Servers of RIM in the past.
The upcoming low-cost BlackBerry Curve 9220 is meant to compete with a number of low-cost Android-powered devices that have entered the market recently.
