This has got to be one of the more interesting press releases of recent weeks: Microsoft and RIM are working together to integrate Live Search into the BlackBerry browser and BlackBerry Maps.

"BlackBerry smartphone users will be able to use Microsoft Live Search as their search engine of choice within the BlackBerry Browser as well as access Live Search from Mobile.BlackBerry.com. Live Search will leverage the wireless data optimization capabilities of the BlackBerry solution to deliver results quickly while users are on the go. BlackBerry customers will also be able to use Live Search to perform contextual, location-sensitive searches or look for nearby points of interest from inside BlackBerry Maps."

What do you think of this? Is this an indicator of just how good Live Search has become - and how important it's going to be in wider WM adoption? Or is it just that BlackBerry needed some help? (I've tried BlackBerry Maps, and all I have to say is that it really did need some help.)

Here's the full press release.

Why would they give this to RIM? Is kinda like me calling the competitors and giving them my customer list. I sure hop ethey got paid well.

Strange bed fellows....but could this lead to RIM device with WM7?

I have found that when you puut a WM device in the hands of most RIM users they are lost. Seems most of them have been so used to the 1998 RIM software that change just doesn't interest them.