'Troubled' RIM wins US security clearance for BlackBerry 10 devices

Embattled Canadian firm Research In Motion (RIM) has said that it has won the much-coveted US government security clearance for its upcoming BlackBerry 10 devices. RIM said the new enterprise management platform has received certification that would allow government agencies to deploy the new smartphones as soon as they are launched.

The firm, however, still needs to convince the agencies to stick with its security-focused smartphones and deploy the new BB10 devices, which will come in keyboard and touchscreen models, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

According to the paper, some agencies are already looking at alternative providers, eroding a market that RIM has dominated for years. RIM pioneered mobile devices for email, but its fortunes faded as rivals like Apple and Samsung came up with faster, snazzier devices.

According to the paper, RIM's stock and market share have slumped, and its fate is tied to the success of the new BB10 devices.