Research In Motion (RIM) has finally launched BlackBerry Mobile Fusion for iOS and Android-based devices.
The mobile company announced Mobile Fusion last year. The service allows government and business customers to manage devices across BlackBerry OS, iOS, and Android from a Web-based console. According to the company, Mobile Fusion includes support for multiple devices per use, 256-bit AES encryption, the ability to enforce IT controls, and much more.
RIM was also quick to point out that the platform, which launched back in February for the BlackBerry PlayBook and BlackBerry smartphones, will also support BlackBerry 10 handsets when they launch later this year.
Mobile Fusion underscores the rapidly changing market dynamics RIM is battling. There was a time when the BlackBerry maker was the only relevant mobile firm in the corporate world. Now, however, Apple’s iPhone and iPad, as well as a host of Android-based devices are making inroads into the enterprise and government. In order to stay relevant, RIM has realized that it’ll need to accept those changes and try to come up with solutions to stay in front of IT decision-makers. Mobile Fusion is one such solution.
But whether RIM has other ideas up its sleeve is currently being debated. Last month, the company posted a job opening on LinkedIn, seeking an iOS developer. RIM didn’t say what it has planned, of course, but speculation abounds that the company could do anything from improving Mobile Fusion to developing all new iOS-based applications.
Until then, RIM will be pushing BlackBerry Mobile Fusion. The software is available as a free download in Apple’s App Store and the Android Market. RIM’s Client Access Licenses will start at $99 per user or $4 per user per month. The company says it will offer a 60-day free trial and will allow for volume discounts.