Research in Motion's (RIM) BlackBerry Desktop Manager for Mac, the free software scheduled for an October 2 launch, would enable users to sync contacts, calendars, tasks, and notes between their BlackBerry smartphones and Apple computers.

Referring to its soon-to-be-released Mac syncing BlackBerry Desktop Manager, RIM said in its September 30 news: "BlackBerry Desktop Manager is designed to run on Mac computers with Mac OS 10.5.5 and higher and supports BlackBerry smartphones running BlackBerry OS 4.2 and higher."

Along with its capability to sync with Apple iCal, Address Book, Microsoft Entourage, BlackBerry Desktop Manager also features BlackBerry Media Sync which helps users in transferring playlists and songs from their iTunes music collections to their BlackBerry phones.

In addition, the software will also simplify the process of handling of application installation and removal with a BlackBerry smartphone. It also allows users in file encryption; installation of software updates on mobile devices; as well as scheduling of automatic backups.

However, despite the fact that BlackBerry Desktop Manager allows a close integration between BlackBerry smartphones and Macs, the fierce competition between RIM and Apple for an increased share in the mobile-device arena would still continue.

In a recent announcement, Apple said its App Store had achieved the 2 billion app-download milestone - a number that is way ahead of the download figures of RIM's BlackBerry App World!