BlackBerry apps to sprout up on Windows phones

RIM will later this year make its suite of BlackBerry applications available for Windows Mobile phones

BlackBerry maker Research In Motion (RIM) is to release a “virtual BlackBerry” client for Windows Mobile handsets, enabling users to access applications and services designed for the BlackBerry, as well as receive push email via a BlackBerry Enterprise Server.

The BlackBerry Application Suite, due for release later this year, will appear as an icon alongside other applications on the Windows Mobile device. When opened, a set of BlackBerry applications with the familiar BlackBerry user interface will load, RIM said. The user will be able to easily switch back and forth between the Windows Mobile display and the BlackBerry suite.

David Yach, senior vice president of software at RIM, said the move was an extension of what the company had done with its BlackBerry Connect programme, which enables handsets from other makers to access BlackBerry mail servers.

"Customers have told us that they like the BlackBerry experience, but some groups of employees need Windows Mobile handsets because of some special capability or application. However, these customers still want to have the application environment and policy enforcement possible with the BlackBerry Enterprise Server," Yach said.

With the BlackBerry Application Suite, Windows Mobile users will be able to access the full set of applications found on BlackBerry handsets, such as email, phone, text messaging, browser, instant messaging and organiser. It also enables access to any enterprise applications that firms may have developed for the BlackBerry, such as mobile access to CRM information.

While BlackBerry Connect requires careful integration into a handset, the BlackBerry Application Suite will ship as a ready-to-run package that can easily be installed by the end user, according to Yach.

The software will be available for select devices running Windows Mobile 6, which means that RIM wants to ensure that it functions well on a particular handset. "It's primarily to ensure we've done testing to make sure the input methods work, whether it’s a device with a 5-way navigation key or a trackball, and deciding which keys map to the BlackBerry function keys," Yach said.

Another concern is resources. As a rough guide, the BlackBerry suite is likely to require 32MB to 64MB of memory to support all functions, and will therefore require a Windows device with at least 64MB. "We can run in less, but it depends how much is taken up with the Windows applications the user is running," said Yach.

RIM declined to be more specific about availability other than to state that the software will ship before the end of 2007.

Yach also downplayed suggestions that the move might point to a move away from hardware for RIM. "We're trying to grow the size of the BlackBerry market, and we may well sell even more handhelds by doing this. At the end of the day, we want to be seen as an open platform," he said.