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Google and BlackBerry hook up
Google and BlackBerry hook up
Bonnie Cha Former Editor
Bonnie Cha was a former chief correspondent for CNET Crave, covering every kind of tech toy imaginable (with a special obsession for robots and Star Wars-related stuff). When she's not scoping out stories, you can find her checking out live music or surfing in the chilly waters of Northern California.
Today, Research in Motion announced that its BlackBerry devices will now support instant messaging and Google Local. The addition of Google Talk for BlackBerry is especially nice, given that some of the smart phones have been limited to the proprietary BlackBerry Messenger. Now, users can instantly chat with other Google Talk buddies (as long as they have a Gmail account), see when they're online, copy conversation text into memory, and more. Google Talk for BlackBerry is expected to be available in spring as a free download, but data service rates may still apply for any downloads using the application.
Google Local brings maps and satellite images right to your BlackBerry, allowing you to find local businesses and get driving directions. There's even a "click to call" feature, and it will save previous addresses for quick access. Google Local for mobile is available now for download.