Me Thinks Canada is BlackBerry Country

Released yesterday, Gartner’s latest data shows that Apple (NSDQ: AAPL)’s share of worldwide smartphone sales has grown to 10.8% in the first quarter of 2009 from 5.3% in the first quarter of 2008. Unit sales also grew to 3.9 million in the first quarter of 2009 from 1.7 million in the first quarter of 2008. HUGE numbers for sure.

Since these numbers came out, I’ve been reading reports from the US about how often the iPhone is seen out and about in society these days. It must be a US thing, because up here in Canada, I can’t really report the same.

While I don’t exactly live in the epicenter of Canadian technology, I do travel, and even when I’m out on the left coast in Vancouver, or deep in the heart of Leafs’ country (Toronto) I do not see the iPhone ‘everywhere’ like most folks in the US are talking about these days. Sure, I see one here or there while at the grocery store or at the lounge for a few drinks with friends… But I don’t see them as often as one would think. My conclusion? Me thinks Canada is BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM) country… After all, RIM is a Canadian company, why wouldn’t Canadians support their own!?

Note: With Android slated to hit Canada soon (June 2nd)… I can’t help but wonder how the new mobile OS will do north of the border? I think I’ll simply notice more and more BlackBerry devices. No change.