Research in Motion Ltd. is speeding up efforts to extend the capabilities of its BlackBerry devices beyond basic e-mail access.
The Waterloo, Ontario, company this week announced plans to add new data features to its BlackBerry Enterprise Server, which will make it easier for in-house developers to write applications that will work with BlackBerry pagers.
The Mobile Data Service will be based on standard protocols and languages: HTTP, TCP/IP, UDP, XML, WML and cHTML. As with the companys popular e-mail server, the Mobile Data Service will support data push, meaning the user doesnt have to do anything to receive the data other than turn on the device.
The company did not say when the new feature would be available.
RIM this week also announced plans with BEA Systems Inc. to create a development framework for building Web-based applications and services for BlackBerry devices, for wireless access to existing or new corporate applications. The platform will be based on BEAs WebLogic Workshop.
In addition, RIM this week announced that both Panasonic Computer Solutions Co. and Melard Technologies Inc. plan to license radios from RIM, for use in future products that will run on GSM/GPRS (Global System for Mobile Communications/General Packet Radio Service) networks. RIM announced plans to license its hardware reference designs in April.