Don't think this has been posted on here yet, but might be of interest:
RIM to step up 'consumer' BlackBerry push.
RIM chiefs have told shareholders it will step up its drive into the ‘lifestyle’ market.
The company has already launched a ‘BlackBerry for life’ campaign that sends the message that the device is more than just a emailer.
Co-CEO Jim Balsillie said: "I think the image is definitely a friendly one, a lifestyle one, a convenience and emotional one, a pleasurable one, so there's a play element to it and a lifestyle element as well as a work and a productivity element."
All eyes are on RIM with the iPhone making such a huge impact. The firm believes it will ship its 40 millionth BlackBerry in the next quarter, and will launch its new 3G BlackBerry Bold device later this summer.
RIM earned $482.5 million in the quarter ended May 31, up from $223.2 million a year ago, but earnings were down.
Sounds like good news to me. As RIM moves into the consumer market their target audience increases which increases sales. But I'm certain they'll remain loyal to their business roots; their consumer endeavors will only increase revenue and help both sides of the business.
If you haven't noticed, BB is not nearly as exclusive as they used to be. I realized this when my 16 yr old little brothers friends came over to the house and they were rocking pearls..... The BB went from being strictly a business tool to being a mainstream smart phone long before now...
