While GPS is excellent in terms of providing an accurate location fix, it's not always available. That's the reason secondary options are also required, something underlined recently with Samsung's integration with Skyhook's cell tower and wi-fi technology for bada.

Thanks to its vertical integration and ownerships of its own cell towers, RIM has done something similar, making available its Location Service to BlackBerry app developers. Based on cell tower geolocation data, it enables high quality location queries even when you're inside. 

Announced via the BlackBerry developer's blog, RIM claims the new tool isn't as accurate as GPS, but can fill in the gaps when GPS is either slow or not available.

Locating location

"Apps that require high accuracy can use this service to quickly show the user an approximate location while it waits for a more accurate location fix using GPS," says RIM application development consultant Shadid Haque on the blog.

"This can offer a huge user experience improvement. For applications that do not require high accuracy, this service can be leveraged as a simple yet effective mechanism to provide location information."

In addition, BlackBerry handsets are now also capable of reverse geocoding. Essentially, this means BlackBerry devices can convert latitude and longitude into an address of sorts, from the city or state a user is in right down to the very street.

The firm also recommends combining the updated Location Service with BlackBerry Maps, enabling apps to offer navigational support to points of interest or tourist spots.

You can find more info on the update on the BlackBerry developer's blog.