BlackBerry Shrugs Off the Apple Threat ; TECHNOLOGY

Oct 05, 05:59 PM

Current Headlines: By BILL CONDIE

BLACKBERRY maker Research In Motion now has 10.5 million subscribers, after adding 1.45 million in the past quarter as the smart phone cemented its position as the most popular device of its kind with businessmen.

The device weathered the hype of the long-awaited iPhone to signal that Apple boss Steve Jobs has a fight on his hands if he is to be market leader in phones that also offer web access and email.

The iPhone, which has sold just over a million since its launch in June, had been touted as a major threat to the BlackBerry. But the whole sector appears to be growing, with RIM expecting to add 1.65 million subscribers in the third quarter.

RIM's second-quarter net profit grew to $287.7 million (Pounds 141.4 million) from $140.2 million a year earlier. Revenue rose 108% to $1.37 billion from $658.5 million.

"This outperformance was driven by the strong product cycle we're in the midst of, as well as the diversification of our user base across multiple geographies and multiple market segments," said RIM co-chief executive Jim Balsillie..

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