“Research in Motion, originator of the popular BlackBerry smartphone, may in fact be seeking to develop applications for Apple’s iPhone, anonymous sources claim. A job listing for such a role is said to be circulating internally, with so few details that even RIM employees may not fully understand what their work will entail. ‘As part of a newly-created team, you’ll influence the development and design of BlackBerry software,’ the notice reads. ‘This is a very confidential brand new team and a senior position within RIM so I can’t provide too many details. I guess you can figure out what it might be about though,'” Electronista reports.
“It is unknown why RIM would consider developing on Apple’s platform; the project could be an attempt at reverse-engineering certain concepts, but it may be more likely that RIM is developing a client that would access BlackBerry push e-mail from an iPhone,” Electronista speculates. “RIM may also be hedging some bets, as the upcoming introduction of Exchange e-mail for the iPhone may hurt the appeal of BlackBerries amongst professional users.”
Full article here.
Aidan Malley reports for AppleInsider, “Any development for the Apple platform would represent an unusual move for the Canadian firm, which analysts have said may lose marketshare in the US once native third-party applications and Exchange data support allow business users to rely on the iPhone.”
“RIM would stand as just one of hundreds of high profile firms who’ve recently signed on to develop applications for the touch-screen handset. During a recent conference call with analysts and members of the media, Apple said that over a third of companies in the Fortune 500, and over 400 higher education institutions, have applied for iPhone developer status since last month,” Malley reports.
Full article here.
RIM is in deeper trouble than most seem to realize.
If true, this wreaks of desperation.
Or it could be a wise move on their part: if they can license their push email software on the iPhone, then they make money off of any iPhone where the client (or IT department, more likely) installs a license for their software.
Honestly I think this is a smart move on their part. At least it’ll keep them relevant longer!
“Yes, we are looking for a point man in making the iRim Blackberrys, you, know, touchable. Spreading two fingers makes it wider, pinching makes it smaller. And moving your finger around makes IT jump around, too! Care to give us a hand?”
“Yes!”
“Great. Welcome aboard. Put her there!” (hole lotta shakin’ goin’ on)
I think RIM are taking a long term sensible view. They’ve seen how some of the original iPod’s competitiors had to reinvent themselves as peripheral suppliers for Apple’s music player after fighting losing battles and now believe that this is precisely what could happen to them with the rise of the iPhone.
RIM are experienced in the smart phone market. They’ve seen Apple’s business plans and roadmaps for the iPhone and must know that these ambitions have legs. I expect they’re looking towards the day when they sell their last Blackberry after accepting the inevitable.
thats hilarious….
I agree with John. If true, this is a very pragmatic move on RIM’s part. The full article mentions that RIM has allow Samsung to use their email system, why not make it available for iPhone users?
Three Points:
1) “This is a very confidential brand new team and a senior position within RIM so I can’t provide too many details.” I guess it isn’t very confidential anymore, is it?
2) It could simply be that RIM is, “… developing a client that would access BlackBerry push e-mail from an iPhone…”, simple as that. They see the proverbial handwriting on the wall, but realize that staying competitive is as simple as making sure their software technology is accessible by iPhone/iPod Touch users.
3) Speaking of proverbial, isn’t there a famous quote by a famous person in the Bible that says basically, … those that want to be first will be last, and those that are last will be first…? Is that kind of what we’re seeing with Apple’s handheld computer products? Will we ever see that with their desktop computers?
Maybe they are finally writing syncing software for Mac
RIM going into the software business
Maybe they ought to consider making an OS that is better than windows
MDN’s take is so dumb it’s ridiculous. There could be many reasons for RIM doing this, but one should consider that RIM’s service revenues carry 80% margins and are recurring. I would happily pay a few extra bucks per month to have my iPhone with a blackberry client. MDN doesn’t realize why RIM’s system is much better – it’s actually guaranteed message receipt as they control the device presence on their network and can know exactly what info has and hasn’t been delivered. Not a fake push aka “active”sync. This makes so much sense on many levels that MDN’s blindness prevents them from seeing beyond the screen of the iPhone. This is great news for everyone.
in June, companies who will use BOTH BlackBerrys and iPhones would then not have to disband the BlackBerry server service.
This is a smart move for RIM and their customers. It reduce the ‘competition’ of having to choose one or the other in the customer’s eyes.
They’d hire the whole damn iphone department if they could.
Prepare for the next SEGA, from hardware and software to just software
It’s just another RIM job.
…”but it may be more likely that RIM is developing a client that would access BlackBerry push e-mail from an iPhone,”
I don’t think so since iPhone SDK does not allows applications to run in background.
Besides that, Black Berry was NEVER a smartphone, black berries are only to check email or talk, that is it, they are dumbest that my old Nokia 5300 (that I have replaced with a true smartphone, the iPhone).
Mr. Peabody:”Will we ever see that with their desktop computers?”
Apple was first in the GUI desktop market, before IBM/MS took the market away from Apple. So, yes we have seen it in their desktop computers.
That said, I think the computer OS market is cyclical. What goes up must come down, but once it is down, it must go up and the other has to come down. So the cycle starts all over again. The question is, is it a damped or undamped cycle. If it is damped, will Apple (unix team) end up on the top or will MS (vms team). We will skip the JCL/TSO team. I think we can safely say it is reaching its asymptote.
If it is undamped cycle, get ready for more wild ride in OS market.
As a business, RIM is going to do whatever it can to compete aggressively in the telco business.
Apple ain’t gonna run them out of biz and RIM won’t do the same to Apple.
Folks, competition is good for all of these companies. The strong will do well and the others will fall by the wayside.
Do you people realize that RIM has been putting Blackberry Connect software on other platforms for a long time now?
No, probably not.
Sigh.
In the beginning there were many phone makers….and it was good. Then the troubled times came, and the phone makers produced false idols which were devoid of substance….and this was not good.
In the end there were two phone makers who understood and listened to the people. And this was good. And everyone was fruitful and multiplied….wait…they couldn’t multiply because they were fruits …..hmmmmm….rewrite.
Tongue in cheek aside, I wouldn’t say RIM is licked yet in spite of the heavy salivation.
RIM has made Blackberry Connect for a number of other non-blackberry devices. Blackberry’s devices are only HALF of their solution. The Blackberry Server (which comes in 3 versions now to meet company needs) is the main driver. I wouldn’t be surprised if they got out of the device making as it’s very volitale and rapidly changes.
Iphone with Blackberry Connect+a model with either a keypad or slide out keypad would be a tough device to beat.
@TT,
Sounds like I’m just the man for the job!
desperation?
i remember when apple advertised for microsoft developers a few years ago to bring iTunes to the peecee?
ignorance, is bliss. stooopidity is golden…
@ampar ” Tongue in cheek aside, I wouldn’t say RIM is licked yet in spite of the heavy salivation”.
But I would say, the Blackberrys appear to be dingily or should I say dangling. Where’s the Charmin?
“Cubert, we are impressed by your resume, as you have the assets we are looking for. On the whole, we feel you can help our thrust into this new market. For now, you will be put on the back burner, butt fear not, we will keep you abreast of the changes, and move you up front when the opening is available.
Feel free to come by the head orifice as often as possible, and if you smoke, please do so at the back door AFTER leaving the office, as the smell puts some off.
Once again, welcome aboard. You can hang around if you like, or if you are up to it, dive right in. Anita Johnson will be you’re PA and she looks forward to serving your staff”