The New York Times has release a free BlackBerry application (sponsored by UPS) for the Curve 8900, Bold 9000, Storm and Tour.

Features include:

• Offline reading – access stored and saved content while airplane mode is activated and in areas without cellular network coverage.
• Simple navigation – view articles and pictures quickly.
• Customization options – specify favorite sections, set synching frequency and adjust font size to customize the experience.
• Save and Share – save articles on the smartphone or share articles via e-mail and SMS text.

Those with a compatible BlackBerry device can download the NYT BlackBerry app at nytimes.com/bbapp. If you’re BlackBerry isn’t supported yet you can download the free web launcher until a version is available for your device. More info in the press release after the jump or at the NYT page for the BlackBerry app.

Press Release

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The New York Times announced today the release of the NYTimes application for BlackBerry® smartphones (http://www.nytimes.com/bbapp), which allows readers to enjoy current news and information from The Times on the latest generation of BlackBerry smartphones. Available for free at www.nytimes.com/bbapp, the NYTimes application formats content for optimal navigation and display on BlackBerry smartphones, offers automatic synching and allows users to store articles directly to their devices for offline reading.

For the launch, the NYTimes BlackBerry application is available for the latest BlackBerry smartphone models: the BlackBerry® Tour™, the BlackBerry Storm™, the Blackberry® Bold™ and the 8900-Curve 2™. For readers with other BlackBerry smartphone models, The Times has shortcuts to its mobile site available at http://www.mobile.nytimes.com.

“Mobile continues to be a very popular way for Times readers to access our content,” said Marc Frons, chief technology officer, digital operations, The New York Times Company. “With this new application for BlackBerry smartphones, we are offering BlackBerry users with the latest models a faster, more dynamic and more personalized experience for reading up-to-the-minute news, analysis and opinion from NYTimes.com.”

Features of The NYTimes application for BlackBerry smartphones include:

• Offline reading – access stored and saved content while airplane mode is activated and in areas without cellular network coverage.
• Simple navigation – view articles and pictures quickly.
• Customization options – specify favorite sections, set synching frequency and adjust font size to customize the experience.
• Save and Share – save articles on the smartphone or share articles via e-mail and SMS text.

UPS® is the advertising sponsor for the launch of the NYTimes BlackBerry application

The application syncs via Wi-Fi® or cellular network and downloads the most recent news directly to the user’s BlackBerry smartphone. When the application is left open in the background, it automatically updates for the latest news from NYTimes.com.

The application was developed and designed by The New York Times.

NYTimes BlackBerry application FAQ. Screenshots of the application are available for download at www.nytco.com/press/BBapp.html.

The Times mobile Web site had near 80 million page views last month (according to internal data).

The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited. Wi-Fi is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance.

About The New York Times Company

The New York Times Company, a leading media company with 2008 revenues of $2.9 billion, includes The New York Times, the International Herald Tribune, The Boston Globe, 15 other daily newspapers and more than 50 Web sites, including NYTimes.com, Boston.com and About.com. The Company’s core purpose is to enhance society by creating, collecting and distributing high-quality news, information and entertainment.