Well, it looks like all those RIM BlackBerry server outages weren’t enough to keep the BlackBerry-maker’s profits down. Research In Motion has announced that they’ve pulled in more than double the profits and revenues over the same quarter last year. With a BlackBerry subscriber base having just passed the 10 million mark, RIM’s finances are looking nice and rosy.
RIM attributes their increased quarterly earnings to 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.”
Has the BlackBerry lineup of smartphones really improved that much over the past year? Did RIM somehow manage to get people more interested in smartphones? Does RIM have Apple and the iPhone to thank for their financial successes? Well, the iPhone’s halo effect may be coming into play here. The iPhone has been a kick in the butt for the mobile industry – it might lack some features, but there’s no doubting Apple’s ability to make people everywhere know and desire their products. Apple basically spurred the mobile industry to make a massive move to touchscreen technology. At the same time, Apple has made the world of high-end mobiles more visible to the average consumer – giving RIM a boost in sales. So, on RIM’s behalf, thanks for the sales boost, Apple.
[Via: Yahoo]