Recent deal does not bode well for Palm!

“Given that Palm recently stated in the Q1 FY08 investor conference call that the next generation Linux-based Palm OS would not be ready until the end of 2008, and that it was being developed in-house, I have grave concerns that Palm will not get it out the gate in time to make it worthwhile. These concerns stem from the recent deal between Emblaze Mobile, Sharp, and ACCESS, where they announce they are developing a device which will “revolutionize mobile communication”. Emblaze claims they’ve been working on the device design for the past five years, and that Sharp will provide the hardware and ACCESS the software. Let’s look at this more closely to see why I’m concerned for Palm.First of all, Sharp is involved. Sharp is a major manufacturer, one that makes a lot of parts for mobile devices; in fact, many Palm devices use Sharp LCD’s . They’ve also made the Zaurus line of Linux-powered PDA’s, which have quite the following in Linux circles. They’ve been making other PDA’s for years; my first PDA was the Sharp SE-300. They also manufacture Notebook PC’s, mobile digital audio players, projectors, professional video products, and other entertainment devices which are of interest to today’s consumers. So, basically they are a multimedia, computing, and handheld powerhouse, one that makes much of their own hardware, which lowers their parts cost (and thus overhead) greatly. Compared to Palm, which contracts out the building to companies like HTC, they are now at an advantage by being able to sell the devices cheaper, while still making a good profit.” Read this great article here:

Research In Motion Reports Second Quarter Results

“Research In Motion Limited (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM), a world leader in the mobile communications market, today reported second quarter results for the three months ended September 1, 2007 (all figures in U.S. dollars and U.S. GAAP).Revenue for the second quarter of fiscal 2008 was $1.37 billion, up 27% from $1.08 billion in the previous quarter and up 108% from $658.5 million in the same quarter of last year. The revenue breakdown for the quarter was approximately 78% for devices, 15% for service, 4% for software and 3% for other revenue. Approximately 1.45 million BlackBerry® subscriber accounts were added in the quarter and over 3 million devices were shipped. The total BlackBerry subscriber account base at the end of the second quarter was approximately 10.5 million.”RIM’s second quarter results were exceptionally strong on all metrics including revenue, subscriber account additions and net income,” said Jim Balsillie, Co-CEO at RIM. “This growth is fueled by the depth of the BlackBerry product portfolio and the continued diversification of our business across market segments and geographies. With over ten million BlackBerry subscriber accounts and over twenty million handsets shipped, we are pleased with our position in the market today and we expect recent product and market initiatives to extend our business momentum through the remainder of the fiscal year.” Income for the quarter was $287.7 million, or $0.50 per share diluted, compared with net income of $223.2 million, or $0.39 per share diluted, in the prior quarter and net income of $140.2 million, or $0.25 per share diluted, in the same quarter last year. Please note that the earnings per share reflect the effective 3-for-1 stock split that was implemented in the quarter.Revenue for the third quarter of fiscal 2008 ending December 1, 2007 is expected to be in the range of $1.60-1.67 billion. Subscriber account additions in the third quarter are expected to be approximately 1.65 million. Earnings per share for the third quarter are expected to be in the range of $0.59-0.63 per share diluted. The total of cash, cash equivalents, short-term and long-term investments was $1.73 billion as at September 1, 2007, compared to $1.56 billion at the end of the previous quarter, an increase of $166 million over the prior quarter. Uses of cash in the quarter included capital expenditures of approximately $79 million.Highlights of the Second Quarter Include: • Sprint and Alltel launched the BlackBerry 8830 World Edition in the U.S.• Bell Mobility and TELUS launched the BlackBerry 8830 World Edition in Canada.• Telefónica launched the BlackBerry Curve in Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador and Chile as well as the BlackBerry Pearl in Mexico.• Telcel launched the BlackBerry Curve and the red BlackBerry Pearl in Mexico.• TIM launched the BlackBerry 8800 in Brazil.• Entel PCS launched the BlackBerry 8800 and the BlackBerry Curve in Chile.• The Carphone Warehouse launched the BlackBerry Pearl, the BlackBerry Curve and the BlackBerry 8800 in the UK.• Vodafone launched the BlackBerry Curve 8310 in the UK, Germany, Portugal, Croatia, Slovenia and The Netherlands.• O2 launched the BlackBerry Curve in the UK and Ireland.• Orange launched the BlackBerry 8820 in the UK, Switzerland, Belgium, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Spain.• SFR launched the BlackBerry 8820 and the BlackBerry Curve 8310 in France.• mobilkom launched the BlackBerry Curve 8310 in Austria.• Swisscom launched the BlackBerry Curve 8310 in Switzerland.• TIM Italy launched the BlackBerry Curve and the red BlackBerry Pearl in Italy.• TMN launched the BlackBerry Curve in Portugal.• Vodafone launched the BlackBerry Pearl and the BlackBerry 8800 in Turkey.• Avea launched the BlackBerry Curve and the BlackBerry 8820 in Turkey.• Turkcell launched the BlackBerry Curve in Turkey.• Vodafone launched the BlackBerry Pearl in Egypt.• DoCoMo launched Japanese text input support for the BlackBerry 8707h and BlackBerry Enterprise Server.• 3Hong Kong launched the BlackBerry Curve, the BlackBerry 8820 and the red BlackBerry Pearl in Hong Kong.• SmarTone-Vodafone launched the BlackBerry Curve 8310, the BlackBerry 8820 and the red BlackBerry Pearl in Hong Kong.• Peoples, PCCW and CSL launched the BlackBerry Curve in Hong Kong.• Bharti launched the BlackBerry Curve and the BlackBerry 8820 in India.• Vodafone Essar launched the BlackBerry Curve 8310 and the BlackBerry 8820 in India.• Optus launched the BlackBerry Curve in Australia.• Vodafone launched the BlackBerry Curve 8310 in Australia.• M1 launched the BlackBerry Curve in Singapore.• SingTel and StarHub launched the BlackBerry Curve and the BlackBerry 8820 in Singapore.• BlackBerry ISV Alliance members continued to build upon the BlackBerry platform with a range of new products and services that help customers extend their wireless data strategies beyond wireless email.• BlackBerry smartphones are now available around the world from over 300 carriers. Highlights Subsequent to Quarter End Include: • The BlackBerry Enterprise Solution achieved Common Criteria Certification.• RIM introduced the BlackBerry Pearl 8130.• RIM and Telefónica introduced the BlackBerry Pearl 8120 and BlackBerry Unite! software.• AT&T launched the BlackBerry 8820 in the U.S.• T-Mobile launched three new BlackBerry Pearl colors and the BlackBerry Curve 8320 in the U.S.• Rogers launched the BlackBerry Curve 8310 in Canada.• TIM Brazil announced the BlackBerry 8310 in Brazil.• Proximus launched the BlackBerry Curve 8310 and the BlackBerry Pearl in Belgium.• BASE launched the BlackBerry Curve in Belgium.• Vodafone launched the BlackBerry Curve 8310 in Italy and Spain.• O2 launched the BlackBerry Curve in Germany.• MTS and Alcatel-Lucent launched the BlackBerry solution in the Ukraine.• Vodacom launched the BlackBerry Curve 8310 in South Africa.• Reliance Communications launched the BlackBerry 8830 World Edition, the BlackBerry 8703e, the BlackBerry Curve and the BlackBerry Pearl in India.• BPL launched the BlackBerry Curve in Mumbai, India.• Vodafone launched the BlackBerry Curve 8310 in New Zealand.The replay of the company’s Q2 conference call can be accessed after 7 p.m. (eastern), October 4, 2007 until midnight (eastern), October 18, 2007. It can be accessed by dialing 416-640-1917 and entering passcode 21221688#. The conference will also appear on the RIM web site, live at 5:00 pm (eastern) and archived at http://www.rim.com/investors/events/index.shtml until midnight November 8, 2007.

The top 10 selling PDAs/Smart phones in August 2007 from Krusell

“Mystified Apple strikes back again! Even though it has only been released in United States so far, it already is a great success. iPhone with its unique qualities offers many features such as advanced touch screen which creates a need for a protective case, says Ulf Sandberg, Managing Director at Krusell.1. (1) Nokia 63002. (2) Sony Ericsson K790i/K800i/K810i3. (3) Nokia N954. (4) Nokia N735. (5) Sony Ericsson W880i6. (-) Apple iPhone7. (-) Sony Ericsson P18. (6) Blackberry RIM 8300 Curve9. (-) Nokia E9010. (8) Nokia 6233/6234 () = Last month’s position.The Swedish manufacturer of carrying cases for portable electronics, Krusell, has released their “Top 10″-list for August 2007. The list is based upon the number of pieces of model specific mobile and smart phone cases that have been ordered from Krusell during August 2007. Krusell’s list is unique due to the fact that it reflects the sales of phones on six continents and in more than 50 countries around the globe.”