Research In Motion wants to make it easier for you to sync your BlackBerry smartphone with your computer and it has just released the BlackBerry Desktop Software 6 in limited beta.
In a blog post, RIM is very coy about what new features are on BlackBerry Desktop Software 6 but it does show off some cool new screen shots. The new interface looks very visually pleasing and you wouldn’t be crazy if you saw some Mac-like influences.
The BlackBerry Desktop Software 6 enables users to sync their handset with their computer. This lets you to back up your device, install new software and it comes with the BlackBerry Media Sync to load multimedia files on your smartphone.
This is obviously RIM’s attempt to provide its users with a counterbalance to iTunes for the Apple iPhone. RIM doesn’t have the wealth of multimedia content that Apple sells through iTunes, but the desktop client is a good way to help BlackBerry users back up their data.
On the other end of the spectrum is Google and its Android platform. People have been crying for a desktop client for years but it has only been met with third-party solutions like doubleTwist. Google wants all of its Android syncing to be done via the cloud, which is why you have to enter a Gmail account when you set up an Android phone.
We’re going to soon see more of Google’s cloud-centric syncing soon, as the company plans to roll out Android updates that enable you to push apps to your handset over the air and stream your entire home music library on your phone. I think I prefer Google’s approach to syncing but I really wish this could be rolled out sooner because iTunes is still easier to use for most smartphone customers.
BlackBerry Desktop Software 6 is available in the company’s BetaZone now, and you can sign up here.
[Via RIM]