[Chinney]

Apple's iPhone now seen as real threat to BlackBerry

Quote:

Other analysts sided with Balsillie's sentiment from last year, and said RIM won't be greatly affected by Apple's move into the business market because there is still lots of room for both to grow. Only about 15 per cent of the cellphones in the United States are smartphones — or phones with enhanced non-voice features — while Canada has only about 12 per cent, according to figures from consumer electronics tracking firm Solutions Research Group. "Both numbers are going to double or triple in the next five to seven years, so there's room for multiple players," said president Kaan Yigit. "It's fair to say that both Apple and RIM will be the serious contenders. "Even still, I wouldn't take it lightly because nothing Apple does should be taken lightly, but at the same time there's no reason for panic."