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By Mel Duvall

One of the more eagerly anticipated results of reporting season came out Thursday, and BlackBerry maker Research in Motion did not disappoint.

The mobile device maker reported revenues for the first quarter ended May 30, 2009 were up 53% from a year ago to $3.42 billion. That helped boost profits in the quarter to $643 million or $1.12 a share, compared to $482.5 million or 84 cents a share a year earlier.

RIM said it added 3.8 million new BlackBerry subscriber accounts in the quarter, bringing its total subscriber base to about 28.5 million. That number was in line with what RIM had forecasted. To reach that number the company shipped 7.8 million devices (meaning more than half of current BlackBerry users swapped their older devices for newer versions).

"We are starting fiscal 2010 with strong financial performance and impressive market share gains, including a 55% share of the U.S. smartphone market according to IDC's latest estimate," RIM Chief Executive Jim Balsillie said in a statement announcing the results. "We are particularly excited about the strength of our product portfolio for fiscal 2010 and we are looking forward to driving continued growth and profitability in our business throughout the remainder of the year."

The results come the day after RIM announced the newest edition to its BlackBerry lineup. The BlackBerry Tour 3G smartphone, which goes on sale this summer, combines many of the best features of its popular Bold and Curve devices. It features a 3.2 MP camera, the highest resolution screen yet delivered on a BlackBerry, increased internal flash memory, longer battery life, GPS and Bluetooth 2.0 capabilities.

Despite the rosy results, RIM's shares fell in after market trading as investors fret over what impact increased competition will have on BlackBerry sales. Palm released its much anticipated Pre smartphone this month, and Apple's next generation iPhone 3G goes on sale Friday. Later this summer Apple will release a $99 version of its older generation iPhone.

RIM's Balsillie expressed confidence in the company's ability to compete and noted BlackBerry sales are increasing in new market segments. Research firm IDC predicted the U.S. smartphone market will grow 20% in 2009 and a further 25% in 2010.

While not a direct comparison, here's how RIM and Apple stack up in the smartphone battle.

BlackBerry Sales for Quarter Ended May 30, 2009:

7.8 million units, up 53% over year ago quarter

Apple iPhone Sales for Quarter Ended March 28, 2009:

3.8 million units, up 123% over year ago quarter

Comments (3)

	1. 06-19-2009 09:42
	There's a rumor circulating that Verizon is about to end its "Buy One, Get One Free" BlackBerry promotion. It will be very interesting to see how that impacts second quarter sales. BlackBerry has a lot riding on its new Tour and Pearl Flip phones. Registered

Matthew Quinn

	2. 06-19-2009 12:35
	Has anyone got their hands on a iPhone 3G S yet? If so, what do you think of it?    It's been interesting to see the reports on the sales of the new 3G S. There were lineups at flagship stores from New York, to London and Paris, but apparently not as deep as when the iPhone was unveiled in 2007 or during last year’s launch of the initial 3G model. Registered

Mel Duvall

	3. 06-19-2009 13:10
	The ipod hysteria had to end at some point and I think this new launch with the decreasing crowds proves it. When your biggest point for updating the mobile operating system is "oh we have copy/paste now" the hardware has jumped the shark.    Time for Apple to come up with the next iPod killer. Registered

Jay Rajani

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