RIM Acquires Storefront Developer Cellmania

Research In Motion has acquired Cellmania, a California-based developer of software used to create online storefronts from which customers can purchase applications. The transaction is a sign RIM may be preparing to beef up its online applications store.

RIM did not formally disclose the deal, but Cellmania confirmed the move with a note on its Web site. "Cellmania is excited to announce that our company is now part of Research In Motion (RIM)," the note said.

"Our team has joined RIM's global organization and will continue to bring our expertise in application storefront development to the Blackberry platform," Cellmania said.Financial terms of the deal were not provided. RIM shares were up about 3% in morning trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

RIM needs to keep pace with Apple's App Store in terms of offering customers a seamless way to purchase and download a wide variety of applications. Microsoft also plans to launch an applications store when it introduces the Windows Phone 7 operating system later this year.

RIM's current online storefront for Blackberry users, App World, has been knocked for being too cumbersome. Cellmania also produces software that allows network operators and publishers to push content directly to consumers' mobile phones.

The company is led by CEO Ronjon Nag. It was not immediately clear if Nag and his management team intend to remain with Cellmania, although there was no indication from the company that any departures are planned.

Cellmania's Web site indicates the company is currently hiring software engineers, an indication that it's enjoying solid growth. Its headquarters are in Mountain View, Calif., while Canada-based RIM is located in Waterloo, Ontario.