Microsoft’s RIMshot
News today from Blackberry World is Microsoft partners with RIM?
“We’re going to invest uniquely into the BlackBerry platform,” Ballmer said. “Bing will become the default search provider in the browser and maps” on BlackBerry devices.
What does that mean? It means the enemies of my enemies are my friends. Microsoft really wants to be relevant in mobile and device sales alone isn’t going to be sufficient. So now we see Microsoft’s mobile strategy with three legs; Phone 7, Nokia, and RIM- united we were once significant. Months ago Microsoft announced a Blackberry client is planned for Lync.
Actually four arms – Bing! Mobile phones are expected to effectively take over the web – and search eyeballs equals revenue. Microsoft wins, and RIM finds a much needed partner and someone to give them money. Seems pretty logical for both of them, but does it matter to anyone else?
The obvious problem is RIM and Nokia are not exactly current darlings of the mobile or financial worlds. How many table scraps does it take to create a meal?
It is impressive how Microsoft is extending its mobile reach. I would like to think more deals are coming, but we are rapidly running out of table scraps. HP (Palm)?
I will be really impressed if the Playbook Bridge works with Microsoft phones.
