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RIM finally links Facebook, Twitter to BBM

BlackBerry Messenger is soon to enter the social media age with expected support for Facebook and Twitter.

Brian Bennett Former Senior writer
Brian Bennett is a former senior writer for the home and outdoor section at CNET.
Brian Bennett
RIM

Perhaps acknowledging that ironclad security isn't always fun, Research In Motion announced plans to allow users of its BlackBerry Messenger service to view updates from the popular social-media platforms Facebook and Twitter.

It may come as a shock, but loyal BlackBerry Messenger addicts exist in a corporate walled garden lacking a link to the engaging (or distracting) social-media action their friends and followers are up to. That's all about to change with RIM unveiling plans to add Facebook and Twitter sharing via their respective apps (version 3.0) in the BlackBerry App World store.

If this news doesn't exactly blow your socks off, well that shouldn't come as a surprise, either. RIM just managed to bring e-mail to its struggling PlayBook tablet with the PlayBook OS 2.0 launch in February.

Still, I've always said that RIM does hardware really well and the updated PlayBook paired with its new BlackBerry Mini Keyboard with Convertible Case is designed with care. It's a shame the combo's heart aches for the caress of loving and more-useful apps.

RIM's BlackBerry World show is right around the corner (May 1 to 3) and the company just may catch all the naysayers off guard by announcing some hot new BlackBerry 10 phones and tablets. I'll be sweating it out in the Orlando, Fla., heat to find out first hand.