BlackBerry maker Research In Motion Ltd has just announced a software application that will run on Windows Mobile 6.0, allowing it to work like a BlackBerry. Basically, a user would be able to toggle back and forth between the two platforms if they want, for example, to use the Windows Media Player to listen to music or to their Pocket PC software.

At the moment, RIM already offers a BlackBerry Connect e-mail application that can run on devices with other platforms, including Windows, Symbian and the Palm-based variation of the Treo from Palm Inc. However, this announced suite will fully emulate the BlackBerry OS, including support for BlackBerry email, phone, calendar, address book, tasks, memos, browser, instant messaging and other applications developed for the BlackBerry platform. This includes the BlackBerry Mobile Data System (MDS) as well, which is being leveraged to create enterprise-grade connected applications.

Essentially, this new BlackBerry application suite will complement existing Windows Mobile 6 functionality and will appear as an icon on the screen just as other third-party applications. Clicking on the BlackBerry icon will result in the suite loading, which will feature the familiar user interface of a BlackBerry smartphone. Existing Windows Mobile applications are preserved, allowing the user to easily and quickly switch between the Pocket PC applications and the BlackBerry application suite as well as enjoy the Pocket PC’s distinctive features such as its many data entry methods.

I am not in possession of any official technical documentation pertaining to this announcement. However, it is clear now the reason that RIM has been steadily steering the BlackBerry into its Java-based platform.

I would hazard that what was done was basically to build a thin VM layer underneath the BlackBerry OS. The resulting application is then compiled into the target platform of choice, in this case is Windows Mobile 6, Because all modern smartphones would already be Java compliant, it is a much smaller undertaking to maintain the shell code necessary for a ‘port’ to various platforms.

Such a decision would make sense as the BlackBerry OS cannot possibly hope to compete head-on with the much bigger players on the smartphone like Symbian - with the likes of giants Nokia, Sony Ericcson and Samsung backing it. Neither can it hope to match Microsoft, who can leverage upon its extremely strong development tools as well an having a huge base of Windows developers who are just a free SDK download away from developing Window Mobile applications.

It is very smart indeed, mainly because most of RIM’s revenues is derived from a subscription model of using its NOC as “hubs” for the BlackBerry service. As it is, this move squeezes all their leverage into the niche that they truly enjoy an advantage in - usability and e-mail, as well as literally exploding the potential market available.

You can read the official press release here.

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