On October 24, press releases were issued by Microsoft and RIM (BlackBerry) announcing new partnerships with Facebook.
The Microsoft news got more attention because it included a huge amount of cash - a $240 million investment for 1.6% - and a mind-boggling valuation of Facebook at $15 billion. They also get to be the "exclusive third-party advertising platform partner" worldwide until 2011. Great news for Microsoft, and it keeps Google adwords off the site.
The RIM BlackBerry news was about "an exciting new BlackBerry software application that enables fast, streamlined and optimized mobile access to the popular Facebook social utility using a BlackBerry smartphone. The application leverages the push-based BlackBerry system architecture and Facebook Platform to create an unparalleled mobile experience for Facebook users."
Many Compelling Design clients use BlackBerries for business communication, and Microsoft Office products for everything Office can do. As Facebook matures as a networking and communications platform, the possibilities for using all three together are endless and intriguing.
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