roundup In an increasingly crowded push e-mail space, the creator of the popular BlackBerry device is now eyeing alternative mobile applications.

Research in Motion (RIM), which single-handedly carved out the push-e-mail market, recently launched a product that deploys business applications without touching corporate inboxes. Despite RIM's efforts, rivals Nokia, Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard (HP) will continue to nibble at its heels with alternative platforms.

Top executives from the BlackBerry maker have also been defending against the likes of China's RedBerry. RIM's founder and co-CEO Mike Lazaridis noted lately that RedBerry still has a long way from the sophistication of the BlackBerry system.

Still, Alberto Bozzo, vice-president of commercial products for HP's personal systems group, noted that all software and service vendors with a business model like RIM, should view Microsoft's free push e-mail a threat.

Microsoft marked its entry into the mobile e-mail market last year by offering a service pack for Exchange Server 2003, that allows companies to provide push e-mail services to employees with Windows Mobile 5.0 handhelds.

While RIM's interest in other mobile application areas may help to hedge its reliance on push e-mail, it remains to be seen if businesses--which were never really big 3G fans--will bite.

Meanwhile, analysts have pointed out potential 3G applications that might induce businesses to go high-speed over the cellular airwaves. These include collaboration and conferencing, which typically require the fatter data pipes of 3G for satisfactory performance.

Demand for prosumer apps to grow big
Wireless e-mail applications built for enterprises may be threatened by the growth of similar tools developed for prosumers.
May 30, 2006

HP challenges RIM on mobile e-mail
Research In Motion was synonymous with dodgy thumbs and exec envy. Now it seems the Canadian company is more renowned for its lawyers' bills than its products.
May 19, 2006

RIM: E-mail? Been there, done that
RIM is attempting to shake off its "mobile e-mail company" image.
May 18, 2006

Nokia teams with MIT on mobile software
Nokia and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have opened a new research lab that has a distinct software flavor.
April 24, 2006

3G makes little headway in biz community
The lack of business applications has put a damper on adoption of third-generation cellular technology amongst enterprises.
April 13, 2006

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