Update: July 14th, 11am CST - Just got word that MyBlackBerry will launch at midnight tonight. *
MySpace, Facebook, Flickr, Linkedin, Twitter - we have more social networks than we can handle. Anyone can join these networks (and most of us have) and each has their own flavor. It's not as often that we see product manufacturers enter the social network game and actually be as successful as pure social networks or independent product-driven community websites, but Research in Motion is going to give it a try, apparently tomorrow according to TechCrunch.
RIM is dubbing My BlackBerry the "official community for all things BlackBerry" and it features a number of social network type features: you receive a profile which you can customize to your liking; you can add friends and send private messages; you can learn about top apps and browse accessory reviews. The root of it all is multiple discussion forums for applications, accessories, devices and tips and tricks.
Over the past year we've really seen RIM try and grow their web presence - they launched their own support forums, blogs, their own social network and they already had the Owner's lounge (it's a little confusing having so many disconnected properties). Some would argue RIM should be investing their time and resources into building a new OS to ensure BlackBerry stays king of the smartphone mountain instead of persuing endeavors like this, but we always like to see RIM embracing the web. It seems the more BlackBerry users RIM can attract to their online web offerings, the more likely those same people are to stumble onto CrackBerry.com, which official or unofficial I think most of you reading will agree is the #1 website for BlackBerry users. As you can see from the screen captures, CrackBerry Kevin has been a member for a few weeks now. Any bets as to whether or not RIM will leave up photos of upcoming BlackBerry device members post to their own site?
