Research in Motion, the handset manufacturer behind the BlackBerry, has acquired California-based software developer Cellmania, which designs shopfronts for users buying mobile applications.
Analysts suggest the move will allow RIM to upgrade the BlackBerry App World to compete with the iPhone App Store and Android Marketplace.
Cellmania wrote on its website, “Cellmania is excited to announce that our company is now part of Research In Motion (RIM)”.
Financial details were not disclosed.
The move comes as Microsoft also prepares to launch its Windows Phone 7 operating system later this year, which will place a larger emphasis on third-party apps.