Mark Evans

Do You Yahoo, Blackberry Users?

In what seems like a strange marriage, Research in Motion will pre-install Yahoo Messenger and, eventually, Yahoo Mail on Blackberry devices. While it is an interesting strategic move by both companies to capitalize on their popularity, I wonder if there are many Blackberry-ites who use Yahoo Messenger. While RIM is trying to take Blackberry in the “prosumer” space, it's stll mostly a corporate tool with large representation within the senior management ranks. It would surprise me if CEOs are exchanging instant messages or even using Web-based e-mail. While I admire RIM for trying to break into new markets, I still believe the power of the Blackberry is its always-on e-mail technology. Maybe RIM and Yahoo believe the move to graphic, Web-based e-mail is a natural evolution for Blackberry users but for that to even materialize, RIM must make a major improvement to the Web browsing experience on Blackberrys.
In more important news, you have to wonder what RIM's lawyers are thinking after rival Good Technology entered into a licensing agreement with NTP Inc. As most people know, RIM and NTP are locked in a legal battle in which NTP seems to have RIM in a compromising position. Perhaps the Good-NTP deal will encourage RIM to settle its dispute so it can finally put the costly and time-consuming issue behind it.