Microsoft Corp. and Research In Motion (RIM) announced they are working together to integrate rich Live Search capabilities into the BlackBerry Browser and BlackBerry Maps.

BlackBerry smartphone users will be able to use Microsoft Live Search as their search engine of choice within the BlackBerry Browser as well as access Live Search from Mobile.BlackBerry.com. Live Search will leverage the wireless data optimization capabilities of the BlackBerry solution to deliver results quickly while users are on the go. BlackBerry customers will also be able to use Live Search to perform contextual, location-sensitive searches or look for nearby points of interest from inside BlackBerry Maps.

“As the BlackBerry platform continues to evolve and broaden its appeal to all mobile users, RIM looks to answer our customers’ needs with a broad range of high-value solutions optimized for use with BlackBerry smartphones,” said Mark Guibert, vice president, Corporate Marketing at Research In Motion. “Offering Live Search on BlackBerry smartphones extends choice for our customers and allows users to conveniently and quickly search the Internet when they are on mobile devices.”

“This joint endeavor with RIM is a strategic indicator of our increased focus on securing broad-scale distribution for Live Search,” said Brian Arbogast, corporate vice president of the Mobile Services organization at Microsoft. “Microsoft is committed to extending our services across mobile platforms, and we are very pleased to be joining forces with RIM to help bring Live Search to millions of BlackBerry users worldwide.”

Live Search on BlackBerry smartphones will allow BlackBerry smartphone users to search the Web’s information—whether they’re looking for the latest weather forecasts, images, stock quotes, restaurants, news headlines or Web sites.

Today’s announcement follows an agreement earlier this year to provide Microsoft Windows Live services on BlackBerry smartphones. As a result of this collaboration, BlackBerry smartphone customers now enjoy easy mobile access to Windows Live Messenger and an enhanced level of integration between Windows Live Hotmail and the BlackBerry platform.

Live Search for BlackBerry Smartphones is expected to be available later this year with support for multiple languages.

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