BlackBerry To Offer Better Browser

Customers have been complaining about BlackBerry's browser since the launch of Apple's iPhone, which offers better browsing experience. To improve browsing on its smartphones, the BlackBerry maker has acquired Toronto-based company Torch Mobile.

The company, which makes the Iris mobile browser, will give BlackBerry an edge over other smartphones, including Apple's iPhone.

No details of the deal have been made public by the BlackBerry maker (RIM) based at Hamilton near Toronto. But Torch Mobile's employees have already joined the BlackBerry software development team.

In a statement, the Toronto company said it is 'excited to announce that our company has been acquired by Research In Motion (RIM), one of the most renowned mobile technology companies in the world'.

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"Our team of developers will join RIM's global organisation and will now be focused on utilising our WebKit-based mobile browser expertise to contribute to the ongoing enhancement of the BlackBerry platform."

Torch Mobile's expertise in mobile browser technology will provide BlackBerry smartphones with a better browsing platform from next year.

Analysts say BlackBerry needs to fix its browser quickly as it seeks to expand its base away from corporate-types to general consumers.

As the smartphone market booms, they say, BlackBerry cannot just remain a device for secure e-mail. It will have to improve its functionality in browsing. (IANS)