RIM Acquires Browser Developer Torch Mobile
RIM, the maker of the popular line of BlackBerry
smartphones, has acquired Torch Mobile, the WebKit browser developer that’s
most known for its Iris mobile browser that runs on Windows Mobile phones, for
an undisclosed sum. WebKit is the open-source code that underlines many of
today’s mobile browsers found on the Apple iPhone, Palm
Pre, and
Google Android
phones.
According to Torch Mobile’s website, “Our team of developers
will join RIM’s global organization and will now be focused on utilizing our
WebKit-based mobile browser expertise to contribute to the ongoing enhancement
of the BlackBerry platform.” The site also explains that Torch Mobile’s team of
skilled developers will continue to be active participants in the WebKit
development community. It's unclear if the Iris browser will continue to be
available for Windows Mobile users.
The BlackBerry browser has been criticized by some as being behind other browsers such as the iPhone’s Safari browser. Recent rumors have suggested that RIM is working on Flash and Silverlight support for its BlackBerry line, but many wonder if the company’s current browsers are up to the challenge.
Will this purchase by RIM be the first step in upping the competition for mobile browsers? Time will tell, but Torch Mobile’s developers could certainly be an asset for RIM.
According to Torch Mobile’s website, “Our team of developers
will join RIM’s global organization and will now be focused on utilizing our
WebKit-based mobile browser expertise to contribute to the ongoing enhancement
of the BlackBerry platform.” The site also explains that Torch Mobile’s team of
skilled developers will continue to be active participants in the WebKit
development community. It's unclear if the Iris browser will continue to be
available for Windows Mobile users.The BlackBerry browser has been criticized by some as being behind other browsers such as the iPhone’s Safari browser. Recent rumors have suggested that RIM is working on Flash and Silverlight support for its BlackBerry line, but many wonder if the company’s current browsers are up to the challenge.
Will this purchase by RIM be the first step in upping the competition for mobile browsers? Time will tell, but Torch Mobile’s developers could certainly be an asset for RIM.
