Research in Motion Itner@ctive 950 Pager
Dublin Core
Title
Research in Motion Itner@ctive 950 Pager
Subject
hardware: two-way pagers
Description
Historical Context
The Inter@ctive Pager 950 announced by Waterloo, Ontario-based Research in Motion Limited (RIM) in August 26, 1998, was a successor to and a major refinement of the Inter@ctive 900 two-way pager introduced by the company in 1996. It was smaller, lighter, and cheaper than the 900. It featured more powerful processor, more memory, improved LCD display, easier-to-use keyboard, menu-driven interface, enhanced messaging applications, and extended battery life. The pager operated on BellSouth Interactive Paging Service in the US and Cantel AT&T in Canada.
In May 1999, RIM introduced a variant of its Inter@ctive 950 pager--the Inter@ctive 850--designed for the eLink wireless email service from American Satellite Corp. operating on American Mobile's ARDIS network in the US. In addition to offering advanced two-way messaging services, the eLink wireless email service allowed users with standard POP3 complaint email systems to extend their desktop email to the Inter@ctive Pager 850.
RIM advertised its 850 and 950 pagers as "first complete, secure, integrated wireless email solution", as devices that allowed mobile professionals to send and receive email and messages as well as synchronize their schedule, tasks and contacts with their PC. "Now you can communicate with millions of Internet e-mail users worldwide directly from your pager. Plus, you can send custom messages to other Inter@ctive Pagers, fax machines, alphanumeric pagers and telephones via text-to voice service. With custom programming, you can even retrieve data from the Internet and corporate intranets." (RIM, October 1999)
The Inter@ctive Pager 950 received Mobility Award in Wireless Hardware category at the Mobile Insights '99 Conference.
Technical Specifications:
External Design:
Main Features:
Software:
The Inter@ctive Pager 950 announced by Waterloo, Ontario-based Research in Motion Limited (RIM) in August 26, 1998, was a successor to and a major refinement of the Inter@ctive 900 two-way pager introduced by the company in 1996. It was smaller, lighter, and cheaper than the 900. It featured more powerful processor, more memory, improved LCD display, easier-to-use keyboard, menu-driven interface, enhanced messaging applications, and extended battery life. The pager operated on BellSouth Interactive Paging Service in the US and Cantel AT&T in Canada.
In May 1999, RIM introduced a variant of its Inter@ctive 950 pager--the Inter@ctive 850--designed for the eLink wireless email service from American Satellite Corp. operating on American Mobile's ARDIS network in the US. In addition to offering advanced two-way messaging services, the eLink wireless email service allowed users with standard POP3 complaint email systems to extend their desktop email to the Inter@ctive Pager 850.
RIM advertised its 850 and 950 pagers as "first complete, secure, integrated wireless email solution", as devices that allowed mobile professionals to send and receive email and messages as well as synchronize their schedule, tasks and contacts with their PC. "Now you can communicate with millions of Internet e-mail users worldwide directly from your pager. Plus, you can send custom messages to other Inter@ctive Pagers, fax machines, alphanumeric pagers and telephones via text-to voice service. With custom programming, you can even retrieve data from the Internet and corporate intranets." (RIM, October 1999)
The Inter@ctive Pager 950 received Mobility Award in Wireless Hardware category at the Mobile Insights '99 Conference.
Technical Specifications:
- processor: Intel 386EX
- memory: 4MB flash memory, 512KB SRAM
- display: LCD with backlighting, 132 x 65 resolution, selectable 6- or 8-lines
- keyboard and controls: 31-key QWERTY-style, mouse-type scroll wheel
- ports: RS-232C-compliant serial port
- transmitter/receiver: 2W transmitter and high-efficiency receiver
- networks: 800MHz DataTAC (Inter@ctive 850) and 900MHz Mobitex (Inter@ctive 950)
- battery: single alkaline or rechargeable nickel-metal hydride AA battery (removable)
External Design:
- housing: palm-held, ruggedized, plastic
- size: 8.9cm(L) x 6.4cm(W) x 2.4cm(H)
- weight: 133g (with battery)
Main Features:
- icon and menu driven interface
- sending and receiving emails
- paging and faxing
- calendar
- address book
- task list
- memo pad
- calculator
- selectable alerts
Software:
- 950 Operating System (with integrated email/organizer software)
- 950 Backup Restore Utility
- Software Developer's Kit for custom application development (SDK)
- third-party custom applications developed using SDK
Creator
Research In Motion Limited
Date
1998
Coverage
North America, 1998-
Contribution Form
Online Submission
No
Files
Citation
Research In Motion Limited, “Research in Motion Itner@ctive 950 Pager,” York University Computer Museum Canada, accessed April 24, 2024, https://museum.eecs.yorku.ca/items/show/40.