RIM adds themes to BlackBerry App World

RIM has added a new section to its online store, which enables BlackBerry owners to download themes that let you customise the look and feel of the handsets.

RIM's move is part of the company's attempt to better appeal to consumers, who are flocking to the iPhone, and who generally regard the BlackBerry as a workhorse for business users.

Some of the themes are free, while others cost money.

'There are themes that reflect almost every type of subject - your favorite movies, popular television shows, your hometown football teams, popular comic book characters, nature scenes, rock bands - you name it.,' said RIM in its BlackBerry blog.

'When you install a unique theme, it can change the appearance of almost everything on your BlackBerry smartphone - the backgrounds, the screens, the home screen, the icons and even the menus can be changed by a theme to stylistically reflect the subject matter of that theme. Themes can include unique animations, ringtones, and all sorts of visual tricks. Having a theme really helps make a BlackBerry smartphone truly your own,' announced RIM.

Themes have proved particularly popular on Sony Ericsson and Nokia handsets. Ironically the Apple iPhone doesn't support any themes at all except changing the wallpaper.