RIM’s new "lifestyle" applications for BlackBerry announced at CTIA
By Justin Montgomery
RIM announced a new initiative at the CTIA conference aimed at bringing more consumer-driven applications to its otherwise corporate-ridden device lineup. In trying to shift attention away from its “email-only” persona, the company has announced a variety of new integrated application deals in hopes of wooing normal consumers rather than focusing primarily on its corporate clientele.
According to CNet News, RIM is stepping up its game by adding a slew of new customized applications for its smartphones. Some more notable additions include a deal with Microsoft to integrate search, MySpace to provide quick access to yet another social-networking site, TiVo to offer remote scheduling and browsing to a DVR, Ticketmaster to buy concert and event tickets on-the-go, and Slacker to offer a music library for BlackBerry users.
RIM began the shift at last year’s CTIA when it announced the addition of a Facebook application for BlackBerrys. Since then, RIM says the application has been downloaded some 2.5 million times, making the shift to consumer-driven applications much more appealing. Adding MySpace support was a logical next step, as well as music support, but the TiVo-based applications was a welcomed surprise and makes a lot sense considering many of its users are corporate travelers with a need to stay in touch with their home-based DVRs.
The addition that left me scratching my head was the deal with Microsoft for search and location-based support. It was only a few days ago that Google announced its new Mobile App for BlackBerrys that will bring all of Google’s services to BlackBerrys with a very simple and freely available download. Given, with Microsoft built in, Live Search will get the majority of BlackBerry searches, but with the option of Google- who would want Microsoft. I don’t mean to be a Microsoft-basher, but when it comes to mobile services; it’s hard to argue that anyone else is dominant.
Related:
Entry was posted
on Thursday, September 11th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
under
Read more entries by Justin Montgomery.
Stumble It!
