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RIM looking to hire Apple iPhone software developer?

By: , IntoMobile
Tuesday, April 29th, 2008 at 3:21 PM

AK blackberryLike they say, “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.” At least that’s what is seems like RIM is doing by looking to hire software developers for the Apple iPhone. A new internal job listing suggests that RIM is looking to bring its BlackBerry software to the iPhone – possibly even allowing the iPhone to access RIM’s popular push-email service.

“As part of a newly-created team, you’ll influence the development and design of BlackBerry software. This is a very confidential brand new team and a senior position within RIM so I can’t provide too many details. I guess you can figure out what it might be about though.”

Among the job requirements are Mac software development and familiarity with programming in Objective C and Cocoa as well as experience in designing user interfaces. Experience with Javascript and XML are essential.

The job listing and possible push to develop iPhone applications could be seen as conflicting with the firm’s push to pit the BlackBerry 9000, as well as the touchscreen “AK,” against the iPhone. But, if RIM is looking to compete with the iPhone, it might be in it’s best interest to seek alternative revenue channels by hopping on board the iPhone-train. It may not be a case of RIM not being able to beat Apple’s iPhone, but rather RIM may just be looking to cash in on the iPhone while pushing hard with their own iPhone killer.

“If you can’t beat ‘em down, at least make money on ‘em.”

[Via: AppleInsider]

About The Author

Will Park

Will hails from The City of Angels - Los Angeles, California. He spends his time playing with his numerous gadgets and looking forward to seeing what future holds for mobile technology. An avid promoter of a fully "digital" life, he promotes the widespread adoption of truly mobile, paper-less living. He dreams of the day when he can go completely digital. No more snail mail, paper receipts, bound books, notepads/spiral notebooks, credit cards, hard currency. He's a digital warrior - fighting for the converged life. He is an idealist and a realist - he has a perfect view of what the world should be but knows that the world is not perfect. Can we ever hope to see Will's dream become reality? We'll see...

  • newtype2011

    RIM is going to take off even more than it already has. They already have a loyal business following, and some how, they have been able to penetrate into the “casual” user segment as well; so many girls I know have a freakin’ Pearl.

    If they made the UI nicer to look at and beefed up the media capabilities, then they will simply blow up -

  • Trevor Stafford

    This is false. I personally wrote the opening sentence in that job description…the rest was added by someone else (probably someone trying to stir the pot). Internal RIM descriptions do NOT look like that.

    Oh and the job wasn’t internal, it was posted on my website. It’s been taken down now, but if you managed to see it, you’d pick out what the job is really for.

    Trust me, it has nothing to do with the iPhone.

    Also, this story is several days old.

  • Raidium

    So what was the job listing really for?

  • David

    Raidium,

    That is too bad. As a CIO for a large corporate company, we are looking for ways to accommodate multiple devices, especially the iPhone. As we are a large BlackBerry shop, it would be a no brainer if RIM sold a client for that device. Now are looking at switching mail platforms just to accommodate the iPhone.