BlackBerry Links Up With AIM, Yahoo IM

Research In Motion announced Monday it has inked deals with America Online and Yahoo to bring instant messaging to its BlackBerry wireless platform. RIM will pre-install full color, graphical IM clients for AIM, ICQ and Yahoo IM networks in the coming months to enable chatting while on the go.

RIM has joined AOL's Mobile Developer Platform to create a fully branded mobile AIM and ICQ interface, and says it will also give BlackBerry users access to AOL Mail via the device. Current BlackBerry users will be able to download the new applications free of charge, the company says.

"With instant messaging enjoying continued growth, we are very pleased to be working with America Online," said Mark Guibert, Vice President of 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."

Yahoo, which has already signed deals with numerous wireless carriers, will offer similar functionality on the BlackBerry. An enhanced Yahoo Mail and mobile Yahoo Messenger client will utilize the handheld device's "push" technology that automatically sends messages directly to the user.