Going by Moconews' Thursday reports, the design philosophy of Research in Motion (RIM) is in for noticeable changes, with the smartphone maker having appointed the former Apple as well as Microsoft veteran software designer - Don Lindsay - as its new Vice President of User Experience!

Lindsay, the ex-Apple interface director, will be leading the Waterloo, Ontario-based RIM's new team of design engineers. The smartphone company, which acquired the services of Don Lindsay from Microsoft last month, has placed in the most sought-after designer the responsibility of improving the user experience of its BlackBerry handsets.

According to Lindsay's LinkedIn profile, he is "currently creating the VP of UX role at RIM," thereby involving himself with the potential changes-to-come in the look and feel of the BlackBerry.

The RIM move to bring on a software design expert of Lindsay's caliber only shows that the company is leaving no stone unturned to match up its blockbuster BlackBerry with the prospective competition forthcoming iPhone technologies. With Lindsay's noteworthy stints in Apple and Microsoft, RIM is banking on him for a leading edge in the fiercely-competitive smartphone market, where software has exceeding become as much of a distinguishing aspect as hardware!

Coincidently or otherwise, Lindsay's hiring by RIM has come close at the heels of Apple's press conference to show off the intended new features of its next generation iPhone software!