Research In Motion Ltd (RIM). agreed to put Microsoft Corp.’s Internet search engine (Live.com) on BlackBerrys, giving the software maker a foothold on the top-selling e-mail phone in the U.S.
Microsoft’s Live Search will be available on BlackBerrys by the end of this year. BlackBerry customers can use the search engine to find nearby businesses and attractions.
The next battleground for search will be mobile, and Microsoft can gain a foothold by striking presumably lucrative deals with device manufacturers to feature its search over others. (Much like Internet Explorer comes as the default browser on many PCs). Even though the iPhone is selling extremely well, it’s still trailing the BlackBerry and if Windows Mobile devices are added to the equation, Microsoft now has significant mobile search market share to use as a platform for its mobile advertising endeavors.
