RIM today announced it has signed a deal with TomTom, utilising its real-time traffic services in BlackBerry apps, including BlackBerry Traffic, BlackBerry Maps and BlackBerry Locate Services. TomTom is a GPS maker making GPS sets all over the world and selling them. Sure they aren’t as popular or well known as Garmin, but heck, its still one step forward!So, what it means for BlackBerry owners is that not only will they be able to get up-to-the-minute traffic updates delivered directly to their device, they will also be able to download new apps via BlackBerry App World that could feature some form of TomTom’s real-time data service.

The announcement comes at a time where Google is rapidly updating its own Maps service to provide detailed traffic reports and alternate routing information to Android device owners. In order to tempt users away from the more popular Android and iOS platforms, RIM recognises it needs to provide its own services to its customers.

The key addition of third-support could also spur location-based app development, working out better for the end-user in terms of choice and the availability of feature-rich apps.

We expect that the partnership will extend to RIM’s upcoming BlackBerry 10 smartphones and tablets, devices that have recently been seeded to developers at the company’s BlackBerry World conference. I can’t wait to have it implemented, how about you?