RIM adds instant messaging to BlackBerry

Research in Motion (RIM), manufacturer of the BlackBerry mobile communicator, has signed licensing deals to let users access AOL and Yahoo instant messaging services.

Under the terms of the deal AOL users will get mobile access to instant messaging and ICQ channels in real time. The agreement with Yahoo will see its Messenger client bundled with the BlackBerry as standard, the first time RIM has done this with a messaging application.

Mark Guibert, vice president of corporate marketing at RIM, said: "Through our relationship with Yahoo, BlackBerry users will enjoy another powerful communications option to keep them connected while away from their desk."

In a separate deal RIM has signed Taiwanese manufacturer HTC to integrate BlackBerry into Windows Mobile-based devices. HTC built the first phone using the Windows Mobile operating system.