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Research In Motion were once the world\u2019s most popular maker of smartphones, but when they launched the BlackBerry 850 on 19th January, 1999, the device had no phone functionality: it was marketed as a two-way pager.\nHowever, the gadget\u2019s ability to bounce emails from a desktop server to its users on the move, and its bespoke instant messaging service, BBM, ensured it soon became an essential tool in the executive businessperson\u2019s arsenal. Until the iPhone came along, anyway\u2026\nIn this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly revisit the \u2018CrackBerry\u2019 phenomenon; unpick the role of Al Gore and Barack Obama as ultimate celebrity influencers for the brand; and wonder whether\xa0anyone\xa0will still be using one, after the company\u2019s recent announcement that their handsets will no longer be supported\u2026\nFurther Reading:\n\u2022 \u2018The one reason why I\u2019ll always miss the BlackBerry\u2019 (Slate, 2013):\xa0https://slate.com/technology/2013/10/the-one-reason-why-ill-always-miss-the-blackberry.html\n\u2022 \u2018The rise and fall of the BlackBerry in popular culture\u2019 (BBC Newsbeat, 2016):\xa0https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-37500230\n\u2022 \u2018Classic BlackBerry Devices To Officially Stop Working After Decades Of Popularity\u2019 (NBC Today, 2022):\xa0https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWhuVEfDPv8\nFor bonus material and to support the show, visit\xa0Patreon.com/Retrospectors\nWe'll be back tomorrow! Follow us wherever you get your podcasts:\xa0podfollow.com/Retrospectors\nThe Retrospectors are Olly Mann, Rebecca Messina & Arion McNicoll, with Matt Hill.\nTheme Music: Pass The Peas. Announcer: Bob Ravelli. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Edit Producer: Emma Corsham.\nCopyright: Rethink Audio / Olly Mann 2021.\n#90s #Technology #Inventions\n Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices