Lenovo and Research in Motion may compete in different markets but they both target the same business audience. With that in mind, the companies have announced a new solution called Lenovo Constant Connect that allows enterprise email received on a user's BlackBerry smartphone to be automatically synchronized via Bluetooth onto a ThinkPad laptop, even if it is turned off.

Conversely, emails sent with the notebook offline are transferred to a BlackBerry and delivered once a connection is available for the handheld. Those interested in the service will need to purchase a Constant Connect PCI ExpressCard for around $150, which features 500MB of internal storage memory and pairs with a BlackBerry device via Bluetooth. The idea is to give users access to their emails at all times while reducing the need to use a laptop with fee-based Wi-Fi networks - not exactly a groundbreaking new product but could prove useful for those constantly on the go.

The device will be available in the second quarter of the year and should initially work with Microsoft Outlook or POP mail services such as Google's Gmail, with Lotus Notes compatibility coming soon afterwards. You can read more on the press release after the jump.

Lenovo ThinkPad laptop computers to gain new level of integration with BlackBerry smartphones

Research Triangle Park, NC and Waterloo, ON - February 16, 2009 - Lenovo and Research In Motion (RIM) today announced that the two companies will work together to promote new Lenovo mobile solutions that will help on-the-go business users enhance their mobile computing and communications experience through tighter integration between Lenovo ThinkPad laptop computers and BlackBerry® smartphones.

Leveraging Lenovo's extensive global R&D capabilities and engineering prowess in laptop computers together with RIM's expertise in smartphones and wireless solutions, Lenovo plans to develop and deliver a range of industry-leading solutions and technologies that can help professionals conduct business more effectively on the go.

Lenovo Constant Connect, the first solution developed by Lenovo, will leverage the strengths of the BlackBerry® solution and Lenovo ThinkPad laptops to deliver an unparalleled user experience for flexible, real-time access to enterprise-based email. Lenovo Constant Connect will allow enterprise email received on a user's BlackBerry smartphone to be automatically synchronized via Bluetooth® onto the user's ThinkPad laptop - even if the ThinkPad laptop is off - without the user having to take any additional steps.

This level of integration and availability dramatically improves access to email on the Lenovo ThinkPad laptop from wherever a BlackBerry smartphone can access a connection. In addition to greater flexibility and convenience, it can also reduce the need to use the laptop with fee-based Wi-Fi® networks. Lenovo Constant Connect is expected to be available from Lenovo and its business partners in the second quarter of
2009 in the U.S, and to be rolled out in markets around the world later in 2009.

"With more and more mobile professionals relying on both their BlackBerry smartphone and ThinkPad laptop PC, we view better integration between the two devices as a necessity. Today's announcement is the first step in combining these best-in-class solutions to deliver a more useful and powerful mobile work experience," said Lenovo CEO Yang Yuanqing.

"Lenovo is adding significant value for our mutual customers by developing tighter and more seamless integration between Lenovo ThinkPad laptops and BlackBerry smartphones," said Jim Balsillie, Co-CEO, Research In Motion. "By leveraging the industry-leading, push-based connectivity of the BlackBerry solution, Lenovo Constant Connect will simplify email synchronization on the laptop and provide mobile professionals with greater flexibility to manage their email on the move."