'Our team of developers will join RIM's global organization and will now be focused on utilizing our WebKit-based mobile browser expertise to contribute to the ongoing enhancement of the BlackBerry platform.''

Torch Mobile's expertise in mobile browser technology will provide BlackBerry smart phones with a better browsing platform from next year.

Analysts say BlackBerry needs to fix its browser quickly as it seeks to expand its base away from corporate-types to general consumers.

As the smart phone market booms, they say, Blackberry cannot just remain a device for secure e-mail. It will have to improve its functionality in browsing.

Currently, BlackBerry has a subscription base of about 29 million in about 150 countries.Fortune magazine has just rated it as the first among the world's 100 fastest-growing companies.