Thread: RIM Instant Messaging with AOL and Yahoo

RIM has worked with AOL and Yahoo to allow BlackBerry users to communicate on AIM, ICQ and Yahoo instant messaging networks. Good news indeed for BlackBerry users as they device has just got much more connected.

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Yahoo IM [press]4307[/press]

America Online Inc. And Research In Motion To Deliver AOL Instant Messaging Via BlackBerry

RIM to Add Support for Mobile AOL® Instant Messenger™ (AIM®) and ICQ® Services to BlackBerry® Users to Access AOL® Mail Through IMAP Integration

Dulles, VA and Waterloo, ON - Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM) and America Online, Inc., the world’s leading interactive services company, today announced that RIM has joined AOL’s Mobile Developer Program (MDP) in order to support the popular mobile AOL® Instant Messenger™ (AIM®) and ICQ® services on the BlackBerry® wireless platform. RIM has also worked with AOL to give BlackBerry users easy access to the mobile AOL® Mail service.

With the branded and full color mobile AIM or ICQ instant messaging interface, BlackBerry users will have quick and easy access to their AOL® Buddy List® feature or ICQ® contact list to easily see which of their friends and family members are online and available to chat. BlackBerry users will be able to send and receive instant messages (IMs) over both the AIM and ICQ networks. Mobile IMs will be transmitted to and from the BlackBerry handheld, notifying users of new messages quickly and seamlessly.

“With instant messaging enjoying continued growth, we are very pleased to be working with America Online,” said Mark Guibert, Vice President, Corporate Marketing at Research In Motion. “AOL’s mobile instant messaging services and RIM’s unique push-based BlackBerry platform will provide a convenient and powerful communications solution.”

In addition to Instant Messaging services, AOL Mail service members will gain the flexibility and convenience of accessing their trusted e-mail service via BlackBerry.

“Our new mobile services for BlackBerry will help users stay connected while on the go,” said Himesh Bhise, Vice President and General Manager, AOL Mobile, America Online, Inc. “We are extremely pleased to welcome BlackBerry users everywhere to our global community.”

The AIM and ICQ services for BlackBerry will be available from AOL authorized carriers. Users should check with their carrier for availability and pricing. For more information about mobile AOL services, please visit www.aolmobile.com.

About AOL Mobile

As the world's leading interactive service company, AOL is a leader in the mobile services arena. AOL Mobile is bringing community, convenience and communication to mobile users with an array of services supported by the top wireless carriers and device manufacturers. AOL Mobile makes it possible for members and Internet users alike to access their preferred content and services whenever and wherever they like, including the mobile AOL® Mail and AOL® Instant Messenger™ (AIM®) services. To learn more, go to www.AOLmobile.com.

About America Online, Inc.

America Online, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Time Warner Inc. Based in Dulles, Virginia, America Online is the world's leader in interactive services, Web brands, Internet technologies and e-commerce services.

About Research In Motion

Research In Motion is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative wireless solutions for the worldwide mobile communications market. Through the development of integrated hardware, software and services that support multiple wireless network standards, RIM provides platforms and solutions for seamless access to time-sensitive information including e-mail, phone, SMS messaging, Internet and intranet-based applications. RIM technology also enables a broad array of third party developers and manufacturers to enhance their products and services with wireless connectivity. RIM's portfolio of award-winning products, services and embedded technologies are used by thousands of organizations around the world and include the BlackBerry® wireless platform, the RIM Wireless Handheld™ product line, software development tools and software/hardware licensing agreements. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM operates offices in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. RIM is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market (Nasdaq: RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RIM). For more information, visit www.rim.com or www.blackberry.com.

SOURCE: Research In Motion

Yahoo! and Research In Motion Announce Worldwide Relationship to Bring Yahoo! Services to BlackBerry

Sunnyvale, CA and Waterloo, ON - Yahoo! Inc. (Nasdaq: YHOO), a leading global Internet company, and Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM), a global wireless leader, today announced a new relationship to provide Yahoo!® Messenger to BlackBerry® users around the world. This new relationship combines two respected leaders and brands to deliver an enhanced mobile communications solution.

Through this relationship, the companies plan to pre-install full-color, graphical Yahoo! Messenger clients on BlackBerry devices in the coming months. Yahoo! Messenger is one of the leading instant messaging services in the world and BlackBerry users will now be able to access and connect with everyone on their friends list while they are on the go. This new relationship builds on Yahoo!’s strategy of extending its core services beyond the desktop and RIM’s strategy to provide a robust and expandable wireless platform in order to give customers a truly integrated communications experience. The companies also intend to provide a further enhanced Yahoo! Mail offering in the future.

The Yahoo! Messenger service on the BlackBerry platform will allow consumers to see which friends are online, send and receive instant messages, have multiple conversations at once, participate in online conferences and even send and view emoticons. Yahoo! Messenger will leverage the BlackBerry “push” technology to deliver a premier instant messaging experience for mobile users.

“We are excited to extend the Yahoo! experience to millions of BlackBerry users around the world,” said Doug Garland, senior vice president, Yahoo! Mobile. “Yahoo! has become an essential part of the lives of millions of its users and by bringing the services they love to these great mobile devices we are making it easier for people to communicate however they want, anywhere, anytime.”

“BlackBerry provides optimized messaging capabilities with its popular keyboards, large screens, intuitive navigation and push-based connectivity,” said Mark Guibert, Vice President, Corporate Marketing at Research In Motion. “Through our relationship with Yahoo!, BlackBerry users will enjoy another powerful communications option to keep them connected while away from their desk.”

Customers can also currently access Yahoo! Mobile Internet, including Yahoo! Search, Yahoo! News and Yahoo! Sports on BlackBerry devices*. Through Yahoo! Mobile, Yahoo! focuses on extending key Yahoo! services beyond the desktop, providing an integrated PC-to-Mobile experience and helping consumers make the most of the mobile environment. As the number of mobile consumers continues to grow, Yahoo! has rolled out mobile extensions of key services across multiple carriers. RIM and Yahoo! plan to work with carriers to make the services available to customers*.

About Yahoo!

Yahoo! Inc. is a leading provider of comprehensive online products and services to consumers and businesses worldwide. Yahoo! is the No. 1 Internet brand globally and the most trafficked Internet destination worldwide. Headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif., Yahoo!'s global network includes 25 world properties and is available in 13 languages.

About Research In Motion

Research In Motion is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative wireless solutions for the worldwide mobile communications market. Through the development of integrated hardware, software and services that support multiple wireless network standards, RIM provides platforms and solutions for seamless access to time-sensitive information including e-mail, phone, SMS messaging, Internet and intranet-based applications. RIM technology also enables a broad array of third party developers and manufacturers to enhance their products and services with wireless connectivity. RIM's portfolio of award-winning products, services and embedded technologies are used by thousands of organizations around the world and include the BlackBerry® wireless platform, the RIM Wireless Handheld™ product line, software development tools and software/hardware licensing agreements. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM operates offices in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. RIM is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market (Nasdaq: RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RIM). For more information, visit www.rim.com or www.blackberry.com.

* Check with carrier for availability

SOURCE: Research In Motion