Google, Pocketmac deals boost BlackBerry

MercuryNews.com | 01/13/2006 | Google, Pocketmac deals boost BlackBerry: "Even Google appears to have a bit of a BlackBerry addiction.

Research In Motion, makers of the BlackBerry e-mail and phone device, announced partnerships Thursday with Google and an Apple accessory maker that will expand features such as instant messaging, e-mail and the ability to link a computer with a BlackBerry.

Owners of BlackBerry devices will be able to use a special version of the instant messaging program Google Talk, and download a free program to synchronize their devices with calendars on their Apple Macintosh computers.

The partnerships are an indication that Waterloo, Canada-based RIM is continuing to move ahead despite legal troubles that have, for several months, threatened to shut down its e-mail service entirely. More than 3 million people are estimated to be using BlackBerrys in the United States.

It's also a signal that Google, the Mountain View-based Web search giant, is increasingly spreading its brand and products beyond the Web. Last week, Google jumped into mainstream television, offering current and old CBS shows for sale through its Google Video Web site.

``Consumers are becoming increasingly more connected and require access to information at home, at work and on the road,'' said Deep Nishar, director of product management at Google. ``By extending Google Talk and Google Local beyond the desktop, BlackBerry users will have greater access to the information they need regardless of where they are.''

Google Local, which BlackBerry owners can now download, offers searches of local business listings, road and satellite maps and driving directions.

The BlackBerry version of Google Talk will be released in the spring. Financial details of the deal were not released.

The Google services are free, but the BlackBerry users may be charged by their cellular phone provider for data transfers."