Dictionary.com launches BlackBerry app to drive users to Web site

Dictionary.com launched a free dictionary and thesaurus application for RIM's BlackBerry in an effort to woo mobile users to its ad-supported Web site. Consumers can download the online word resource site's application by texting the keyword BBAPP to short code 44636 or visiting BlackBerry App World or Dictionary.com’s mobile site at m.dictionary.com. Dictionary.com claims that its application is the only free dictionary and thesaurus application available for BlackBerry devices. “We launched an iPhone app back in April and at the time our hypothesis was we would see an increase of usage for our Web site if we provided access points for users to connect,” said Alexa Rudin, a spokeswoman for Dictionary.com, Oakland, CA. According to Dictionary.com, a provider of language reference services on the Internet and an affiliate of IAC's Ask.com, its plan worked.


The Dictionary.com iPhone application was recognized by U.S. News & World Report as the No. 1 iPhone application for college students. The application has been downloaded more than 3 million times since April.