ARN

RIM may get new browser through acquisition

The BlackBerry maker bought Torch Mobile, developer of the Iris browser

BlackBerry phones may soon get a new browser, now that Research In Motion has acquired Torch Mobile.

The Toronto company is best known for its Iris browser, which is built on Webkit and currently runs on Windows Mobile phones. It also runs on Qtopia, the application development platform for Linux devices.

In a brief note on its Web site, Torch wrote that its team of developers will join RIM and "will now be focused on utilizing our WebKit-based mobile browser expertise to contribute to the ongoing enhancement of the BlackBerry platform."

Webkit is the open-source software used in Apple's Safari and Google's Chrome browsers as well as Nokia's Series 60 browser.

RIM confirmed that it had acquired Torch but offered few other details. The companies did not disclose the value of the acquisition.

It's unclear if the Iris browser will continue to be available for Windows Mobile users or Qtopia. Qtopia was first developed by Trolltech, a company Nokia acquired last year.

BlackBerry devices come with a browser designed by RIM that some users have complained is not as easy to use as some other mobile browsers. It is facing some new competition in the browser market.

Rather than use the built-in browser, BlackBerry users can download Opera Mini, a lightweight browser from Opera.

The popular Skyfire browser opened a small test of a version of a browser it is developing for the BlackBerry last month.

Browsing from mobile phones has grown more prevalent with the introduction of the iPhone and its easy-to-use browser.

RIM has made other acquisitions this year, including security software developer Certicom and GPS navigation company Dash.

Come socialise with us! Facebook | LinkedIn

More about: Apple, BlackBerry, Certicom, Google, Linux, Motion, Nokia, RIM, Trolltech

Comments

Post new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
Users posting comments agree to the ARN comments policy.
Login or register to link comments to your user profile, or you may also post a comment without being logged in.
Related Coverage
Related Whitepapers
Latest Stories
Community Comments
Tags: Blackberry, rim, web browsers, webkit
ARN Directory | Distributors relevant to this article
Aquion , Australasian PC Distributors (APCD) , Avnet Technology Solutions , Brightpoint Australia , Express Online , ICT Distribution , Leader Computers
rhs_login_lockGet exclusive access to ARN's news, research and invitation only events.
ARN Distributor Directory
Find distributors by name | vendor | location
Channel Deals
/deals/transition-systems-australia/2010-11-15_345_new-wan-optimisation-available
Transition Systems Australia

NEW. WAN Optimisation Available.

More details »
ARN Vendor Directory
Find vendors by name | category

iAsset is a channel management ecosystem that automates all major aspects of the entire sales,marketing and service process, including data tracking, integrated learning, knowledge management and product lifecycle management.