[rambo47]

What were they thinking??!!

RIM is planning to integrate Bing at the OS level for maps and search. Why, RIM, why?? Did Microsoft stroke you that big a check? I would much rather see users be able to download Bing Maps just like Google Maps and have complete control over their experience. This can only end badly for users. Recall Microsoft's shenanigans with Internet Explorer and Netscape. How long before our choice for maps and search is totally dictated by Redmond.

http://www.bgr.com/2011/05/03/rim-an...arch-and-maps/

[NJBlackBerry]

On the other hand, I'm OK with this. So Microsoft paid RIM to join forces against the evil Google Empire

[Dubdub]

I prefer a choice. Not that I mind Bing, I just think we should have the choice ourselves.

[rambo47]

I'm convinced that this deep integration in the OS will lead to no choice down the road. It's going to become a Bing world for us. It might work better than Google, or it may not. The problem is being locked into whatever the unholy alliance dictates. Kind of like the Borg. We're being assimilated by Redmond.

[NJBlackBerry]

As opposed to One Infinite Loop or the Googleplex

[rambo47]

Actually the Cupertino Crew uses Google Maps and lets you use any search engine you want. Apple hasn't been in the search business since they had Sherlock, and even then it was just an aggregator of all the various pre-Google search engines. Lycos, Alta Vista, and the like.

[NJBlackBerry]

Fair enough.. Perhaps this should bother me more, but on my list of BlackBerry and specifically PlayBook issues, it doesn't. Personally I use Google search and maps...

[joginder]

Agree here.. I never use Bing here but at least I have an option in case I ever want to use it but if it was shoved down to my throat then I will have to find ways to tweak/uninstall these jads. hate this kind of "integration"... Why dont you integrate my microwave with it so I can get my food on desk over to conveyor belt..

[aiharkness]

I'm not too bothered, yet. I know when I do a local search with BlackBerry Maps it is using Google. No choice.

The way I read the news is RIM will integrated Bing into the universal search app. From the user side I agree the right thing to do might be for RIM to provide a choice, but then I don't know enough to judge RIM's move from its perspective.

[ArgonNJ]

I'm betting MS make a play for RIM within the next year. It may be just what RIM needs to get out of it's slump.

[NJBlackBerry]

Why haven't they done so already? I recall in the past that there was some sort of issue because RIM is incorporated in Canada. Don't recall the details. It certainly would benefit RIM, but I'm not sure it will help in any event. MS just invested billions in Nokia.

[daphne]

This has been rumored for years.

[CanuckBB]

And it may never get the go ahead. Likely the Canadian gov't will declare RIM strategic and block the deal. It's been done before, and will again.

[ArgonNJ]

Originally Posted by daphne

This has been rumored for years.

Except now MS appears serious about mobile and is on the move. RIM would be just what Redmond needs to take on Apple and Google.

[daphne]

Originally Posted by ArgonNJ

Except now MS appears serious about mobile and is on the move. RIM would be just what Redmond needs to take on Apple and Google.

Again, this rumor makes the rounds every year or two Just like urban legend emails. Yawn....