Windows Live Messenger comes to the Blackberry

[Jeff]

Microsoft and Research in Motion (RIM) have collaborated on numerous occasions over the years. Their successful partnership has even led to speculation about a takeover of the Canadian-based wireless device company.

Even though the rumors remain unconfirmed, a new collaboration between the two companies has been announced for this year. The deal involves the integration of Windows Live services on the BlackBerry platform. The results of this collaboration will be available over the next few months. This means that the users will be able to enjoy their e-mail and also instant messaging services from their BlackBerry. Users will be able to work with a HTML supported e-mail and also links, graphics and contact photos will be available. The instant messaging will allow group chats, an avatar picture, emoticons, chat logging and it will also offer the send / receive files feature.

"When you think about our Web services, all of those will very much have a strong and stronger mobile component for them moving forward," Phil Holden, a Microsoft director for mobile services said, according to InformationWeek. He also added: "It's really about extending the PC access to the mobile phone in ways that are very similar."

The new phones shipped will come equiped with the services and users who already own the phone will be able to download it. Unfortunately, people won’t be able to enjoy Windows Live services without their carrier’s permission.

[detn8r]

Sweet! It's about damn time too! Blackberry has a huge market share in North America, and adding WLM services is only a must. They already come equipped with Yahoo! Messenger, and most newer users are demanding WLM be included.

And I can't see an issue with carriers not allowing this. Most of the other smart phones already come with WLM services.

[gtxp]

interesting news, but WLM is available on BlackBerry device for a long time already, thanks to third party software such as QuickIM.com

[David]

Originally Posted by gtxp

interesting news, but WLM is available on BlackBerry device for a long time already, thanks to third party software such as QuickIM.com

There is absolutely no comparison between a vendor supported piece of software, and something a 3rd party has made. Microsoft building and maintaining the software ensures that it will be reliable and far less likely to become suddenly unsupported by a protocol or policy change.