Red Bend’s OTA Software Updating Capability Ported to QNX Neutrino Operating System.

"Red Bend Software... and QNX Software Systems Limited, a global leader in operating systems and middleware for the in-car telematics and infotainment market, today announced that Red Bend’s vRapid Mobile® solution for over-the-air software updating has been ported to the QNX® Neutrino® Realtime Operating System (RTOS).

QNX Software Systems, a subsidiary of Research In Motion Limited (RIM), has licensed its software technology for use in more than 20 million automotive systems worldwide."

Why Microsoft and Research In Motion Are New BFFs.

"Bing will now be integrated into the BlackBerry operating system as the default engine for maps and search. Can you say BingBerry?...

And today we have two of the biggest competitors in the mobile enterprise space forming a loose alliance. Bing fends off BlackBerry’s need for Google’s search and map features, while Microsoft gains a greater number of eyeballs on its mobile Bing property since BlackBerry phones handily outsell those that use Microsoft’s mobile operating system."

RIM Acquires Smartphone Security Software Developer Ubitexx.

"BlackBerry developer Research In Motion is definitely on a shopping spree. A week after announcing the acquisition of social calendering application Tungle.me, the company is buying smartphone software security developer Ubitexx...

Smartphone security is a hot space. Mobile security company Trust Digital was acquired by McAfee last year and Lookout just raised $20 million for its smartphone security platform."

also see: RIM looks to expand BES services to Android, iOS devices

RIM opens up BlackBerry PlayBook to support Android apps.

"[RIM] will indeed support Google Android apps on its BlackBerry PlayBook tablet and on new QNX-based BlackBerry smartphones moving forward. RIM is also offering a suite of tools for Android developers that will allow them to easily port their existing apps to the PlayBook for distribution through BlackBerry App World."

RIM in war with operators over m-payments data.

"The WSJ says that large cellcos - the biggest distribution channel for handsets in western markets - are already telling RIM and other vendors that they will only sell phones with credentials in the SIM card. However, some operators are saying privately that they expect vendors with closed platforms, notably Apple and RIM, to try to build the m-payments security and identity features into the handset."

RIM launches free data security app.

"Research In Motion (NASDAQ: RIMM) has launched a free application that enables consumers to wirelessly back up, restore and locate their BlackBerry smartphone in the event of theft or loss...

RIM said BlackBerry Protect integrates a web-based end user portal as well as call center access and is available for download via the BlackBerry App World Test Center as well as the BlackBerry Protect website."

RIM looking to balance work and personal info on BlackBerry phones.

"Looking to address the consumerization of the enterprise, Research In Motion (NASDAQ: RIMM) said it plans to introduce new software, in the next two months, called BlackBerry Balance. The software will allow IT departments to separate an employee's business-related email on the BlackBerry Enterprise Server, from the employee's personal social networking information in a secure manner."

Android dominates Verizon smartphone sales; BlackBerry tanks.

"Investment research firm ITG has been investigating the sales figures from Verizon Wireless and it has come up with a pretty interesting find: the vast majority of smartphones sold by Verizon Wireless are Android handsets. That fact, while pertinent, is not all that shocking. What is shocking is this: in October of 2009, BlackBerrys accounted for 93% of Verizon Wireless’ smartphone sales. Just over one year later, in November of 2010, Android accounted for 80% of Verizon Wireless’ smartphone sales and BlackBerry’s share comes in at under 20%."

Nielsen: Apple passed RIM to take top U.S. smartphone spot in October.

"Considering Android’s rapid growth rate — which shows no signs of slowing — it’s a safe bet that Apple’s reign will be short-lived. At its current pace, Android should overtake the No. 1 position sometime in the first quarter of 2011."

Apple gearing up for enterprise battle, poaching RIM employees?

"The Wall Street Journal is reporting that in the last 18 months, Apple has hired at least five employees of the RIM enterprise team. They also speculate that there are many more employees that have, or are considering, jumping ship. Some of the employees that left RIM includes the Head of Strategy Sales who is now Head of Enterprise iPhone Sales at Apple. With over 80% of Fortune 500 companies trialling or using iPhones, there’s little doubt that Apple is gearing for a huge battle in the enterprise sector."

Apple passes RIM to become fourth largest phone vendor.

"IDC reveals Apple has passed RIM to become the fourth largest cell phone vendor in the world. Last quarter, Apple sold 14.1 million iPhone units to snag 4.1% of the global market. RIM rang up about 12.3 million units over the same period and slipped into fifth place globally. Sony Ericsson was displaced from the top five list. The top three manufacturers on the list remained unchanged, with Nokia having sold 110.4 million units (32.4% market share), Samsung unloading 71.4 units (21% market share) and LG hawking 28.4 million phones (8.3% market share)."

RIMM Rallies On Deal Rumors; Kaufman Skeptical; Cisco A Fit?

"That said, he adds that the list of potential suitors that make sense includes Cisco (CSCO), Microsoft (MSFT) and Oracle (ORCL). He thinks Cisco is 'particularly intriguing because RIMM’s strengths in enterprise and infrastructure are highly complimentary and could greatly boost Cisco’s "secret" computer ambitions.' He thinks any suitor would likely need to pay $40 billion to $50 billion, or $74 to $92 a share."

The Evidence Mounts: Android Taking Share From RIMM, MSFT.

"New data from ComScore shows that RIMM for the three months through August had 37.6% of U.S. smart phone subscribers, down from 41.7% three months earlier. Over the same period, Android’s shares of the market increased to 19.6% from 13%, while Microsoft’s share fell to 10.8%, from 13.2%. Apple (AAPL) had 24.2% share in the latest period, down a fraction from 24.4%. Palm (HPQ) had 4.6% share of the installed base, down from 4.8%."

BlackBerry PlayBook: iPad Rival or Rookie Mistake?

"So is the PlayBook revolutionary? No, it’s a bitter pill RIM CEO Lazardis and Co. were forced to swallow, and it’s being rushed to market to defend a market segment that’s traditionally belonged to the BlackBerry maker. But RIM will continue to succeed in business, for the same reasons that it always has."

Research In Motion Buys Mobile Storefront Platform Cellmania.

"Cellmania’s mFinder product offered a white label content system with content management, digital rights management, and over-the-air delivery for browseable media, Android, Java, Symbian, MS Smartphone, wallpaper, ringtones, music and video content to mobile phones. The company counts T-Mobile and Sprint as customers. "

Research In Motion: U.A.E., Saudi Arabia May Block Service.

Eric Savitz writes: "Can a data network be too secure?

Apparently, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and even India think so, which is not good news for Research In Motion (RIMM). Over the weekend, the UAE’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority said it will suspend BlackBerry service in the country starting October 11 because the data on the network is encrypted and sent to offshore servers, where the country’s security services can’t get to it.

According to Reuters, Saudi Arabia has asked local telecom companies to take similar steps; and India raised kindred concerns last week."

also see: Research In Motion: Saudi Arabia To Halt Access Starting Friday [August 6]

also see: RIM Reportedly Bows To Pressure From Saudi Arabia, Hands Over Blackberry Access

RIM announces BlackBerry Protect, free remote backup, restore, and locate service.

"The service will remain in beta stage until later this year, but CrackBerry have had a quick preview, and are (predictably) impressed. The main features include:

• Remote Device Management: Locate on map; Activate loud ringer; Lock / password change; Lost and Found screen; Device wipe
• OTA Backup and Restore: Contacts and Calendar; Memos and Tasks; Browser bookmarks; Text messages
• Administration: Based on new BlackBerry user account system (BlackBerry ID); Web-based end user portal; operator call center access"

Researcher: Middle East BlackBerry Update Spies on Users.

"A BlackBerry update that a United Arab Emirates service provider pushed out to its customers contains U.S.-made spyware that would allow the company or others to siphon and read their e-mail and text messages, according to a researcher who examined it."

HP and RIM Get Cozy in the Enterprise.

"What's going on with HP and BlackBerry maker Research in Motion (RIM)? The exact details aren't slated for release until next month, but the two companies are expected to announce a significant partnership, InternetNews.com has learned.

An e-mail from HP previewing the announcement stated: 'In early May, HP and RIM will announce a new partnership that will help mobile enterprise customers increase service levels, improve productivity and reduce operations costs.'

The e-mail went on to say: 'With the number of mobile employees rapidly growing, enterprises are looking to ensure productivity and reduce risks. The new joint offerings will span the HP portfolio to enhance and support enterprise mobility.'

While no other details were forthcoming, IDC analyst Stephen Drake said it makes sense that HP (NYSE: HPQ) and RIM (NASDAQ: RIMM) would formalize ties related to mobile management."

RIM details features in BlackBerry Enterprise Server 5.0.

"A year after revealing a major upgrade of the BlackBerry Enterprise Server was underway, Research in Motion this week finally fleshed out what the new version will do, and put a delivery date on it...

The BES (pronounced 'bez') is the locus of an enterprise BlackBerry deployment. All communications funnel through the BES, it works with the back-end mail servers Exchange or Lotus Notes, and provides some tools for administering and managing BlackBerry devices, users, and the BES itself.

The upcoming release of BlackBerry Enterprise Server 5.0, codenamed Argon, is a critical piece in RIM's effort to make its software and smartphones a foundation for next-generation mobile applications. For that to happen, enterprise BlackBerry administrators need to move visibility into the BES. They also need tools to simplify and automate deploying and managing scores of mobile applications, including line of business programs. Finally, they need improvements in BES to make it more reliable and scaleable if it's to be the linchpin for mission critical mobile business and communications."