| RIM preps "Virtual BlackBerry" for Windows Mobile |
Apr. 23, 2007
Research In Motion (RIM) today unveiled plans to offer a new software application suite enabling Windows Mobile-powered devices from third-party manufacturers to use BlackBerry software applications and services. The company plans to begin offering the new application suite later this year for select devices based on Windows Mobile 6.
RIM says its Blackberry application suite will provide a "virtual BlackBerry application experience" to users of Windows Mobile devices. This will include "support for BlackBerry email, phone, calendar, address book, tasks, memos, browser, instant messaging, and other applications developed for the BlackBerry platform."
Although RIM had previously offered a "BlackBerry Connect" service for select Windows Mobile devices (including HTC and Motorola handhelds), the earlier service appears to have been limited to support for RIM's email and PIM (contacts, calendar, etc.) data push services, and did not introduce any BlackBerry-style applications on the devices.
In contrast, according to RIM, "the new BlackBerry application suite will complement existing Windows Mobile 6 functionality and will appear as an icon on the screen in the same manner as other third-party applications."
"Upon clicking the BlackBerry icon, a suite of BlackBerry applications will load and will feature the familiar user interface of a BlackBerry smartphone," RIM explains. Users will be able to quickly switch back and forth between Windows Mobile applications and the BlackBerry application suite, according to the company. Additionally, as with RIM's earlier Blackberry Connect offering, the new application suite will utilize BlackBerry's "push" technology to automatically deliver email and PIM data to the Windows Mobile-based device. Specifically, devices running the BlackBerry application suite will be able to connect to BlackBerry services via BlackBerry Enterprise Server as well as BlackBerry Internet Service, according to RIM.
RIM President and co-CEO Mike Lazaridis stated, "Extending BlackBerry applications to a broader range of devices is an important element of RIM's strategy to provide an open platform that supports industry standards and addresses the various needs of our customers and partners." Carrie MacGillivray, Senior Analyst of Mobile Enterprise Network Services at IDC, commented, "RIM's decision to expand its support for Windows Mobile will resonate well with customers, developers, and carriers alike."
In mid-2005, Microsoft introduced its own email and PIM data "push" technology, allowing Widows Mobile to better compete against Blackberry. The support came in the form of an update to Windows Mobile 5, to provide the required client-side support, along with an an update to Windows Server 2003, to provide the required data push services.
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