.crazylegs..

Apple Ups The Ante With 3G iPhone - But RIM's Almost Ready to Counter

It's a little early to call it game over for RIM guys. Yes, Apple has the best mobile platform out there, but this does not automatically translate into death for all other platforms. Using that logic, Windows would be dead already as there is no question Apple makes a much better OS. Yet over the last many years they were only able to keep a small market share. The broader point is that while Apple has one relatively pricey phone with a large screen and wants to innovate on the software side going forward, RIM is quietly positioning the company for mass markets by offering lower priced models like the new clam shell (rumored to be sold for $50) and the curve update called Javelin (the EDGE radio will help keep costs very low so they can sell it cheaply). Even today you can find free Pearls and Curves with contracts. The real thing to watch here is how much mkt share RIM takes from moto, samsung, LG, nokia at the lower end as they work with carriers to offer more flexible data pricing. Well, I gotta go and buy my new iPod Touch! (Don't forget how many people will opt to buy the Touch and still be on the platform).