WebProNews

At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Vegas, Research in Motion (RIM) unveiled a new device called the BlackBerry Presenter, which is a way for users to wirelessly present Microsoft PowerPoint, PDF, and other image files right from their BlackBerry smartphone. Pretty cool.

"BlackBerry Presenter helps simplify the presentation experience by allowing professionals to lighten their travel load and leave their laptops back at the office," says RIM's Douglas Soltys.

The device includes a loop mode, which lets you set the time between slides and leave it running as you deliver a presentation. It also has a Freeze mode, which will freeze a slide on-screen while you browse through the rest of your presentation on your smartphone. It supports PowerPoint effects, Bluetooth connection, and is compatible with multiple online video formats.

Here's what it looks like:

RIM lists the following as system requirements for the device:

1. Video output device and a VGA cable or an S-Video cable.

2. BlackBerry Presenter is not supported by the BlackBerry Curve 8300 Series and/or BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8200 Series smartphones.

3. Upgrading BlackBerry Presenter firmware requires (a) an Intel compatible computer with an available USB port that is compliant with USB 1.1 or higher and that is running the Microsoft Windows XP or later operating system and (b) BlackBerry Device Software v4.6 or later.

BlackBerry Presenter Specs:

Physical Dimensions (LxWxH)
3.4 x 2.4 x 0.9 inches (86 x 60 x 23 mm)

Languages Supported:
English, French, Italian,
German, Spanish

Video Formats Supported:
NTSC, PAL

Video Cable Support:
S-Video, VGA

Power Connections:
USB

Display Resolution Support:
640x480 (VGA), 800x600
(SVGA), or 1024x768 (XGA)

Bluetooth:
Version 2.0 + EDR, Class 1.5

Carrying Case:
Synthetic Leather

Watch for more WebProNews coverage of CES, with exclusive video interviews coming soon.

Related Articles:

> CES: Opera Releases New SDKs and New Browser

> Cisco Leaving a Big Mark on Consumer Electronics Show

> HP Unveils New Touch Notebook and Some New Minis at CES