In a press release delivered today on the Research In Motion (RIM) website, the company announced that they will enhance the communication experience of BlackBerry smart phones through Windows Live Hotmail and Windows Live Messenger services.  Microsoft (M$) and RIM have announced an agreement to provide the aforementioned services.  The obvious question surrounds how this will affect providers like Bell and Telus.  Telus has continually denied their customers the option of using such fine services, even though they were already available to some U.S. markets.  Bell on the other hand has offered the Windows Live Messenger (WLM) service to it's customers - for a modest fee, of course.

The press release claims that users will be able to seamlessly access their Live/Hotmail email and messenger account from their BlackBerry device by simply entering the account name and password, once.  Here is a breakdown of the features as described in the press release:

Windows Live Hotmail for BlackBerry will allow customers to:

• Use BlackBerry 'push' technology for automatic message delivery and message synchronization so the customers’ online account is up-to-date with actions taken on their BlackBerry smartphone
• Use a dedicated inbox for Windows Live Hotmail messages, which are automatically delivered to the smartphone. Customers can also choose to receive their Windows Live Hotmail messages, along with messages from other e-mail accounts, within a single inbox on their BlackBerry smartphone
• Display HTML e-mail with the ability to view graphics, Web links, and contact photos in emails

Windows Live Messenger for BlackBerry will allow customers to:

• Send instant messages and join group chats
• Set status and see the presence of friends and colleagues within Windows Live Messenger or their contact cards
• Customize status messages
• Save conversations
• Showcase their Display Picture (Avatar)
• Send and receive pictures and files
• Use more than 60 emoticons

The release claims that over 430 million people around the world rely on Windows Live to stay in touch.  Wow.  That is a lot of drones.  Windows Live Services for BlackBerry are expected to be available beginning this summer, with support for multiple languages.