RIM buyout of DataViz gives Documents To Go

A leak suggests RIM may have quietly snapped up DataViz in a move that could shake up productivity apps on mobile devices. Multiple sources for CrackBerry say the BlackBerry maker acquired DataViz for $50 million. Although not publicly acknowledged by RIM, the LinkedIn profiles of multiple DataViz staff members have recently shown job switches to the Canadian company.

The deal may have already had repercussions on the mobile space, as DataViz has already dropped plans for a version of Documents To Go for webOS. No indications have been given that it will shed other versions, but RIM would have a strong incentive to drop versions for competing platforms, such as Android, iOS and Maemo. The iPhone port of Documents To Go has been seen as a possible threat to the BlackBerry since it has reduced the incentive to get one of RIM's handsets for work.

RIM has had a deep connection with DataViz as the home to one of the earliest editions of Documents To Go and regularly bundles a light version of the Office document editing suite with all its smartphones. A formal acquisition could see the full version either given away on all BlackBerry phones or else handed out in return for bulk deals, such as setting up a BlackBerry Enterprise Server.

By Electronista Staff

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iPhone, industry, software, Android, BlackBerry, iPhone apps, Research in Motion, mobile phones, Maemo, Apple, webOS, DataViz, iPad