RIM developing BlackBerry virtualization software
In an aggressive move aimed at wooing the millions of smartphone users who would be interested in owning a BlackBerry -- just not all the time -- RIM will be releasing an innovative piece of software that allows its OS to run inside Windows Mobile 6. To many cellphone addicts this news is the equivalent of Parallels opening up Windows on Apple machines, as Pocket PC phones will not simply be skinned or loaded with BlackBerry Connect, but rather endowed with the full capabilities of a standalone BlackBerry -- including the ability to run third party programs. While so far the virtualization software -- slated for drop this fall, possibly free with subscription -- will only work on Crossbow, it's possible that the company could decide to support other platforms in the future, such as the Palm OS or its Linux-based successor, though no promises have been made. Bottom line is that this looks to be good news all around: RIM gets more unsuspecting users hooked on the Crackberry mentality, consumers can now have the best of both worlds when it comes to hardware / software combos, and even old Microsoft may come out on top, with the new members of the WinMo ecosystem potentially outweighing the flight from Exchange servers.
Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Electromodo @ Apr 23rd 2007 10:23AM
This is so sweet! I have 2 concerns though:
1. Performance issues, especially when "toggling between interfaces" in real time. It's not that current Pocket PCs have lots of RAM and processor power nowadays.
2. Microsoft's response.
Hong @ Apr 23rd 2007 5:20PM
I think performance is definitely a problem. I assumed there would be a Java engine on top of Window Mobile OS. Another thing I do not understand. 70% of their revenue coming from handheld devices. Does that mean RIM tried to get people to use BlackBerry on WinMo? And when those people want better BlackBerry experience, they would want to buy the RIM handheld. Sounds too idealistic, isn't it.
Chances are people would actually get used to WinMo devices and starting to see the benefits of using WinMo with Exchange 2007. I guess the WinMo move is a desperate move because comsumers are choosing WinMo devices over BlackBerry in North America(BlackJack has proven that). I have to admit even the Nokia e61 works better as a multi-media cell phone than BlackBerry 8800. I am sure the BlackJack is far more superior. I guess at least they can get some people to use BlackBerry on WinMo. However, I think this will not go anywhere just like BlackBerry Connect.
Paris K @ Apr 23rd 2007 10:38AM
Isn't the Blackberry OS is written in JAVA?
t-bone @ Apr 23rd 2007 1:17PM
No wonder RIM sued Samsung over the Blackjack name. It looks like they were right when they said people would get confused. 8 mentions of RIM/Blackberry and Engadget attaches a picture of the Blackjack.
quandmeme @ Apr 23rd 2007 1:48PM
Nooo. Independent application platform. iPhone, Symbian, Blackberry interoperability. Don't chase Windows Mobile, leapfrog it.
dchadpage @ Apr 23rd 2007 2:29PM
"8 mentions of RIM/Blackberry and Engadget attaches a picture of the Blackjack."
The picture is a Blackjack, but it has the Blackberry OS showing on it's screen, representing the virtualization of the Blackberry OS and the potential ability to run it on other smartphones.