BlackBerry smartphone maker Research In Motion is promising to launch later this year software that will let users of Windows Mobile 6 devices run virtual BlackBerry applications and services.
As with other third-party software installed on WM6 devices, the BlackBerry suite will appear as a screen icon. Once loaded, it will put up a user interface like that seen on BlackBerry smartphones. And, according to the company, users will be able to quickly and easily switch between the BlackBerry suite and other Windows Mobile applications.
Commenting, RIM president and co-CEO Mike Lazaridis said,
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.
This new software will provide a range of important benefits, including easier support of Windows Mobile-based devices within BlackBerry Enterprise Server environments, a consistent user interface for BlackBerry applications across various devices, and the ability to run third-party applications developed for the BlackBerry platform.
This new software will provide a range of important benefits, including easier support of Windows Mobile-based devices within BlackBerry Enterprise Server environments, a consistent user interface for BlackBerry applications across various devices, and the ability to run third-party applications developed for the BlackBerry platform.
Installing the BlackBerry suite is said to mean that users will have,
*
The added benefit of BlackBerry applications, such as email, phone,
text messaging, browser, instant messaging and organizer with a
consistent user interface and messaging experience
* BlackBerry "push" technology – messages and information updates can be delivered automatically to the Windows Mobile-based device, enabling users to be more responsive to colleagues, clients, friends and family
* Support for BlackBerry Mobile Data System (BlackBerry MDS) allowing organisations to develop their own BlackBerry applications or deploy third-party BlackBerry applications that can run on Windows Mobile-based devices as well as BlackBerry smartphones
* Support for various input methods, including QWERTY keyboards, five-way navigation, touch-screen and stylus operation - so users can continue to use the specific hardware features of their Windows Mobile devices.
* Support on BlackBerry Internet Service, which provides push-based email from up to 10 supported email accounts ("including most popular ISP accounts"), attachment viewing and web browsing with optimized wireless efficiency.
* Support on BlackBerry Enterprise Server, which is reckoned to tightly integrate with Microsoft Exchange, IBM Lotus Domino or Novell GroupWise - to provide synchronized, push-based wireless access to email and other corporate data "with the industry's most advanced security features, over-the-air IT policy enforcement capabilities and optimized wireless efficiency".
* BlackBerry "push" technology – messages and information updates can be delivered automatically to the Windows Mobile-based device, enabling users to be more responsive to colleagues, clients, friends and family
* Support for BlackBerry Mobile Data System (BlackBerry MDS) allowing organisations to develop their own BlackBerry applications or deploy third-party BlackBerry applications that can run on Windows Mobile-based devices as well as BlackBerry smartphones
* Support for various input methods, including QWERTY keyboards, five-way navigation, touch-screen and stylus operation - so users can continue to use the specific hardware features of their Windows Mobile devices.
* Support on BlackBerry Internet Service, which provides push-based email from up to 10 supported email accounts ("including most popular ISP accounts"), attachment viewing and web browsing with optimized wireless efficiency.
* Support on BlackBerry Enterprise Server, which is reckoned to tightly integrate with Microsoft Exchange, IBM Lotus Domino or Novell GroupWise - to provide synchronized, push-based wireless access to email and other corporate data "with the industry's most advanced security features, over-the-air IT policy enforcement capabilities and optimized wireless efficiency".
Check out RIM's press release, then share in the HEXUS.community your thoughts on this new turn of events.
