Research In Motion has announced plans to expand its support for Windows Mobile-based smartphones, with a new software application suite that will enable devices from third-party manufacturers to access BlackBerry software applications and services.

RIM plans to begin offering the new software application suite later this year for select devices based on Windows Mobile 6.

Once installed, the software will provide users with a virtual BlackBerry application experience. Devices running the BlackBerry application suite will be able to connect to BlackBerry services via BlackBerry Enterprise Server as well as BlackBerry Internet Service.

Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO at Research In Motion said that “this new software will provide a range of important benefits, including easier support of Windows Mobile-based devices within BlackBerry Enterprise Server environments, a consistent user interface for BlackBerry applications across various devices, and the ability to run third-party applications developed for the BlackBerry platform.”

The new BlackBerry application suite will complement existing Windows Mobile 6 functionality and will appear as an icon on the screen in the same manner as other third-party applications. Upon clicking the BlackBerry icon, a suite of BlackBerry applications will load and will feature the familiar user interface of a BlackBerry smartphone.

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