WATERLOO – Blackberry maker Research In Motion and Google announced last week that Google Talk instant messaging and Google Local for mobile will be supported on the BlackBerry wireless platform.
"Instant messaging and local content are two increasingly important areas of focus for mobile applications and we are very pleased to work with Google in extending these two popular Google services to BlackBerry users," said Mark Guibert, vice-president, corporate marketing at RIM. "Google Talk for BlackBerry and Google Local for mobile will offer additional flexibility to BlackBerry customers in terms of how, when and where they stay in touch."
Google Talk for BlackBerry, a version of the instant messaging application specifically designed for BlackBerry handsets, will allow users to send and receive instant text messages with other members of the Google Talk community, while on the go.
Additionally, users can now download Google Local for mobile, which enables BlackBerry users to view maps and satellite imagery, find local businesses and get driving directions on their BlackBerry handsets. Google Local for mobile provides draggable maps, directions and imagery, as well as a "click to call" feature.
Also announced last week, RIM said it will offer ‘PocketMac for BlackBerry’ to Macintosh users, free of charge beginning in February. PocketMac for BlackBerry is a desktop application that enables Mac users to synchronize data between their BlackBerry devices and Macintosh applications including core OS X version 10.4 "Tiger" applications and Microsoft Entourage.
RIM has licensed the complete version of PocketMac for BlackBerry from IAA and the companies plan ongoing product development collaboration.
