RIM have announced updates to their ever-popular Blackberry range of smartphones, adding enhanced messaging functionality and updates to support Rich Text and HTML email.  ‘Documents To Go’, previously available as a standalone application, has now been integrated with the RIM OS, meaning users can edit Word, PowerPoint and Excel files out of the box.  Lotus compatibility and over-the-air software updates have also been added.  Check out the full list of changes after the cut; RIM are planning phased releases of the upgrades throughout the first half of 2008.

Enhanced Messaging and Collaboration

Updates to the BlackBerry Enterprise Server and BlackBerry device software will enable customers to further enhance usability and increase end-user productivity.

• Document Downloading and Editing - As a result of the integration of the ‘Documents To Go by DataViz’ software with the BlackBerry platform, users will be able to edit Microsoft Office Word, PowerPoint and Excel files directly on their BlackBerry smartphone.
• Remote Search for Messages - Users will be able to search for and retrieve email messages from their email server even if the message is no longer stored on their BlackBerry smartphone.
• Free-Busy Calendar Lookup - Users on the go will be able to check the availability of colleagues before sending a meeting request.
• HTML and Rich Text Email Rendering - BlackBerry smartphone users will be able to view HTML and rich text email messages with original formatting preserved including font colors and styles, embedded images, hyperlinks, tables, bullets and other formatting.
• Advanced Enterprise Instant Messaging and Presence – New features for users running IBM Lotus Sametime and Microsoft Live Communications Server will include improved address book integration, IM contact “click to call”, IM session “convert to call” and advanced emoticon support, allowing co-workers to collaborate and communicate more effectively using their BlackBerry smartphones.

Simpler Management and Support

BlackBerry Enterprise Server provides IT groups with industry-leading management and support capabilities. New features will further improve and simplify the administration of BlackBerry deployments.

• BlackBerry Monitoring Service - A new software component will provides administrators with enhanced monitoring, alerting, troubleshooting and reporting capabilities. BlackBerry Monitoring Service will be included in the next release of BlackBerry Enterprise Server.
• BlackBerry Web Desktop Manager - BlackBerry Web Desktop Manager enables users to install software and manage their BlackBerry smartphone from any browser-enabled computer. The software is available now as a free download from: www.blackberry.com/go/webdesktop.
• Over-the-Air Device Software Upgrades – Organizations will be able to update a user’s BlackBerry device software wirelessly, delivering a fast, cost-effective method for remotely supporting users and managing BlackBerry device software lifecycles.
• Expanded Systems Compatibility - BlackBerry Enterprise Server v4.1.5 is certified with Microsoft Exchange 2007 SP1 and supports IBM Lotus Domino versions 7.03 and 8.0.

Enhanced Security

Newly introduced IT policies further enhance the security and control of a BlackBerry deployment.

• Encrypted Attachment Viewing - Users will be able view attachments within encrypted PGP and S/MIME messages.
• Increased Control over GPS - Administrators will have the ability to control which applications access GPS functionality on BlackBerry smartphones.
• Increased Bluetooth Controls - Administrators will have the ability to enable or disable certain Bluetooth profiles as well as set the allowable ‘discoverable time’.
  Expanded Application Development Support

[via SlashPhone]