Source: Microsoft, RIM to announce search deal

Microsoft and Research In Motion are expected to announce on Thursday a partnership that will make it easier for BlackBerry users to reach Microsoft's search engine, according to a source familiar with the companies' plans.

As part of the deal, BlackBerry users will have the option to use Microsoft Live Search as their search engine of choice within the device's browser. Also, Microsoft's Live Search will be an option from within RIM's mobile portal.

Although Microsoft competes with RIM for business phone customers, it has also worked to get some of its products onto its rival's devices. In one case, Microsoft even debuted a service first for BlackBerry--that being Tellme's voice-to-screen search feature on the BlackBerry.

Microsoft announced a deal with RIM back in May to get its Windows Live Messenger and Windows Live Hotmail onto the BlackBerry.

Update: RIM officially announced the deal on Thursday, along with several other consumer partnerships including one with TiVo and another with MySpace.

[MaLvaDo39]

Oh wow! A dinosaur software company and a maker of decent phones that has now fallen behind the iPhone.

*** RIM?!?! BOOO @ MS Live Search! It's not as affective as yahoo search nor google search, what are you thinking?

[eltoro2827]

there are some people here that dont use google or yahoo for search.

live.com does its job for me...no point on using the other two.

[AppleSuxLeo]

I notice the layout of Live Search keeps getting better. I also prefer MSFT Virtual Earth to Google Maps.

[ajaypathak]

Live search is also good . Live image and news search are really good as compare to Google search
We have to wait for some time see what microsoft has for search and internet . Google is pioneer in search market and we can't expect that microsoft will beat them in one or two years like other companies are not able to caputre the market of IE, office and operating system that is being a key area for Microsoft
http://readerszone.com

[i_am_still_wade]

BOO! Let us use our own search engine. Live is just not that good. The only time is worth using is when buying something (to get a discount) or when looking for knowledge base article on Microsoft.

[Penguinisto]

Well, it does make sense, though RIM and WindowsMobile are competitors.

I just hope RIM doesn't suffer the same fate that MSFT's partners usually do (see also PlaysForSure).

/P