LAS VEGAS, Jan 08, 2007 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq:RIMM)(TSX:RIM) and Yahoo! Inc. (Nasdaq:YHOO) have expanded their strategic global alliance to bring Yahoo! Go for Mobile 2.0 to millions of BlackBerry(R) users around the world. Starting today, users worldwide can download and enjoy the beta version of Yahoo! Go 2.0 on select handsets including the BlackBerry(R) 8700 Series, BlackBerry(R) 7130 Series and BlackBerry(R) Pearl(TM). The companies also plan to make Yahoo! Go 2.0 available for future BlackBerry handsets and develop even tighter integration between it and the BlackBerry platform.
"Our relationship with Yahoo! continues to grow and to benefit mobile users that want to access Yahoo!'s popular services via the industry leading BlackBerry platform," said Jim Balsillie, chairman and co-CEO of Research In Motion. "Yahoo! Mail and Yahoo! Messenger on BlackBerry handsets deliver an exceptional experience that is representative of our strong relationship. We are pleased to be working with Yahoo! to bring new services through Yahoo! Go 2.0 to BlackBerry users around the world."
RIM and Yahoo! first announced their relationship to bring Yahoo!'s innovative services to BlackBerry users in early 2005. Since then, the companies have launched several Yahoo! services including Yahoo! Mail, Yahoo! Messenger and Yahoo! Search.
"We have optimized Yahoo! Go 2.0 for BlackBerry and believe we have created an unmatched mobile Internet experience on their handsets," said Marco Boerries, senior vice president of connected life, Yahoo!. "Together, Yahoo! and RIM have already successfully launched Yahoo! services to BlackBerry users through more than 120 mobile operators in almost 60 countries, and with today's launch we are continuing to make it easy for people to stay connected to what's important to them."
The Yahoo! Go 2.0 beta is an innovative new application that redefines the mobile Internet experience for users through a unique product design, ability to personalize with content from the entire Internet and a reinvention of mobile search. Key features of Yahoo! Go for Mobile 2.0 for BlackBerry users include:
-- Search reinvented for mobile users -- oneSearch recognizes the intent of a search term and presents relevant content -- not just a list of web links to PC sites -- on the results page. Results are grouped by subject making it easy to read through and drill down to get more details.
-- Be local, no matter where you are* -- The Local & Maps widget gives users quick access to comprehensive local directory information for businesses across the US, enhanced with ratings and reviews from the millions-strong Yahoo! community. Interactive maps, driving directions and real time traffic updates help users find their way.
-- Rich, highly personalizable content from millions of sources to keep users connected -- Current headlines and a breaking news ticker in the News, Sports, Entertainment, Weather and Finance widgets keep consumers connected to the information that matters to them. Each widget also includes a "command center" where consumers can access more articles, use watchlists to track topics of interest -- from sports teams to stocks to celebrities -- or add new content from the millions of sources on the Web that publish in RSS.
-- Photo sharing keeps consumers connected to their community -- The Flickr widget integrates one of the Web's most innovative and prolific photo-sharing communities, making it easy for BlackBerry users to easily access photos, view their friends' pictures and browse or search the millions of images posted by the Flickr community.
RIM and Yahoo! are also continuing to work together to bring other Yahoo! services to BlackBerry handsets, as well as further enhance the Yahoo! Mail user experience.
Download Yahoo! Go for Mobile 2.0
Consumers around the world can get more information on or download the beta version of Yahoo! Go 2.0 for BlackBerry handsets beginning today by visiting http://go.yahoo.com.
About Research In Motion (RIM)
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 email, 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 to data. RIM's portfolio of award-winning products, services and embedded technologies are used by thousands of organizations around the world and include the BlackBerry(R) wireless platform, the RIM Wireless Handheld(TM) product line, software development tools, radio-modems 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.
