RIM acquires WebKit solutions provider to enhance BlackBerry browsing experience

Research In Motion has made an acquisition aimed at bolstering the web browsing experience on BlackBerry devices. The company has acquired Torch Mobile, a WebKit solutions provider and creator of the Iris web browser for mobile and embedded devices. Iris currently runs on Windows Mobile phones. It also runs on Qtopia, the application development platform for Linux devices.

Torch announced the deal on its 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 company said.

WebKit looks to be a strong asset for RIM as it already powers mobile browsers on competing device platforms, including the iPhone, Android and Symbian S60. Current BlackBerry browsers are designed by RIM, and the experience has faced criticism in light of the enhanced experience on the iPhone and other devices. BlackBerry users can download Opera Mini, and the popular Skyfire browser opened a small test of a version of a browser it is developing for the BlackBerry.

RIM also is reportedly planning to integrate full Adobe Flash and Microsoft Silverlight support in future versions of the BlackBerry web browser, but it isn't expected to do so until the summer of 2010.

For more:
- see Torch Mobile's website
- read this TechWorld report

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