Continued...The introduction of the touch-screen Storm, business-savvy Bold 9000 and consumer-geared Pearl Flip 8220 may not have come a moment too soon for RIM, which has dominated the market for high-end cell phones that double as e-mail devices. Apple reported selling 6.9 million iPhone 3Gs during its last quarter, while RIM sold 6.1 million BlackBerrys in roughly the same period.
But while RIM's latest offerings are packed with features like stereo Bluetooth, standard headphone jacks, video recording, multiple e-mail options, the multifront attack may not be enough to unseat the mighty iPhone.
One neat feature is the Storm's ability to take videos in two resolutions; the lower one is meant for sending clips in messages. You can also take still photos with the Storm's 3.2 megapixel camera. It also includes GPS. But its lack of Wi-Fi capabilities means you can't get online in the absence of Verizon's data network.
The BlackBerry Bold 9000, with its full QWERTY keyboard, crystal-clear 2.75-inch screen and bevy of wireless options, is well-suited for business and extracurricular pursuits. It's $300 after rebate, with a two-year contract.
The device runs on AT&T's 3G network and can use Wi-Fi, which made it easy to check e-mail and stream videos. Calls came in nice and clear, and the phone is rated for 4.5 hours of talking time.
Like the Storm, the Bold has GPS capabilities and can give driving directions.
The BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220 has a Razr-like design that looks somewhat quaint. The Flip ($150 after rebate, with a new two-year contract), available from T-Mobile, is easy to use and might appeal if you're making the switch from a traditional handset.
Like other Pearl devices, the Flip's condensed QWERTY keyboard puts two letters on most keys -- a setup that makes it easier to slip the phone into your back pocket but can take some getting used to during messaging.
The Flip's 2.5-inch main screen is clear and bright. Its 1.75-inch outer screen can give you information like message previews. Given the main screen's small size, it may take you a little more time to navigate the Web, but it can be useful for looking up news and will let you stream video from some sites.
The Flip doesn't include GPS, but you can enter your location in the included BlackBerry Maps application to find nearby businesses or obtain driving directions.
Gaining smartphone share
RIM is expected to gain some footing in the smartphone market because it offers phones with touch screens, flip screens and keyboards that appeal to a wide range of consumers. A Forrester survey found that 18 percent of 12- to 18-year-olds who frequently used the Internet on their phones wanted a BlackBerry; only 15 percent said they wanted an iPhone.
Still, few smartphones please consumers and critics like the iPhone, which is praised for its speedy Web browser and user-friendly applications. RIM will have an especially tough time competing in the fourth quarter because Apple gets so much holiday foot traffic in its stores, said Ross Rubin, director of industry analysis with the NPD Group.
But analysts say that this quarter is only the beginning of the game between Apple, RIM and the other competitors.
"They're looking at each other's devices and trying to figure out how they can keep their edge, and also how they can copy what the other one does better," said Roger Entner, senior vice president, communications sector at Nielsen IAG.End.
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