Research In Motion scoops up BlackBerry app maker Viigo

News and information services provider Viigo announced its acquisition by BlackBerry device manufacturer Research In Motion. Financial details were not disclosed. As of press time, confirmation of the deal is limited to a brief announcement on the Viigo website: "Our team has joined RIM's global organization and will continue to bring our expertise in BlackBerry application development and real-time content delivery to the BlackBerry platform," writes Viigo CEO Mark Ruddock. "The Viigo for BlackBerry app will also continue to be available for download through BlackBerry App World."

Viigo promises users single-click access to customized news, weather, entertainment, sports, stock updates, travel information, shopping and blogging services. The free, advertiser-supported software was the first breakout app to emerge in the wake of BlackBerry App World's April 2009 launch, consistently ranking number one on the fledgling storefront's Top Downloads list. The most recent Viigo update, released in October, added Twitter and streaming audio podcasts to the content mix.

Viigo was the subject of a FierceDeveloper profile in spring 2009. "There's something compelling about getting information very quickly," Ruddock said at the time. "BlackBerry users tend to be information junkies. I think it has to do with the immediacy of the BlackBerry environment--when an email hits your server, it also hits your BlackBerry instantly. The demographic has a personal dependency on information. We give you the same immediacy across a broader variety of content. That connects really well with the core demographic."

For more on the acquisition:
- check out the Viigo website

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