TORONTO - Research In Motion Ltd. unveiled a new Web browser for its BlackBerry devices yesterday, saying the program is easier and faster to use.
The WebKit browser, available this year, will download files quicker and display websites better, cochief executive Mike Lazaridis said.
RIM needs to improve browsing to win consumers in a market crowded with devices, said Steven Li, an analyst at Raymond James Ltd. in Toronto. Four months ago, RIM debuted a revamped version of the Storm - a larger-screen BlackBerry for easier browsing - to respond to mixed reviews of the first version and competition from smartphones like Apple Inc.’s iPhone.
“RIM’s competitors have brought better browsers to the market over the past two years, and RIM has had to play catch-up,’’ Li said.
RIM bought the browser-design firm Torch Mobile Inc. last year and has increased the number of Web patents it has filed with the US Patent Office fivefold since 2007, according to data from the agency.
Lazaridis declined to be more specific on the timing of the browser’s debut.
“You’ll see how fast it downloads, how quickly it renders, and how smooth it scrolls and zooms in,’’ he said.
RIM is also introducing a free software platform for small-business users, known as BlackBerry Enterprise Server Express, Lazaridis said. The product will help RIM and its carrier partners add smaller corporate customers with fewer than 200 BlackBerry users, he said.
