Research in Motion earnings increase thanks to Blackberry's success

 Blackberry manufacturers Research in Motion Ltd have reported a healthy increase in earnings for the third quarter of 2010, thanks to the continued success of their smartphone handsets.

 

Despite tough competition from the Apple iPhone and the numerous smartphones running Google’s increasingly popular Android operating system, Research in Motion reported a 45% uplift in its Q3 earnings compared with the same period in 2009 – partly thanks to the overall increase in the size of the smartphone market.

 

The Canadian company reported its net income for the quarter as $911.1 million and predicts a similar level of income for the final quarter of 2010. RIM stated that they have made more than 14 million Blackberry shipments in July to September, as the popularity of the Torch, Pearl, Bold, Curve and Storm handset range continues to grow.

 

Interest in RIM from investors and industry observers also continues to escalate ahead of the forthcoming launch of the much anticipated Blackberry PlayBook tablet in the first quarter of 2011, which the firm will launch to compete with the headline-making Apple iPad.

 

The tablet space will be an interesting one to watch in the new year, with Microsoft enabled devices also potentially entering the equation and an iPad 2 expected not long after Christmas.

 

Acknowledging the successful launch of the Blackberry Torch in August and the excitement about the PlayBook device, RIM Co-CEO Jim Balsillie said, "With strong results and momentum from our recent product introductions, as well as growing excitement from our partners and customers around upcoming smartphone, tablet, software and service offerings, we are setting the stage for continuing success."