RIM

In a special IT Blogwatch Extra, Skyfire lights up the blogosphere. It's an alternate Web browser for Windows Mobile, Symbian, and BlackBerry. Richi Jennings discovers that, by all accounts, it's really rather good...

In today's podcast: Amazon working on a new Kindle device; RIM opens BlackBerry push technology to developers; Google pushes Gmail to BlackBerry handsets

In Tuesday's ITÂ?Blogwatch, Richi Jennings watches rumors that Research In Motion and Verizon are already preparing a "BlackBerry Storm 2," which will include Wi-Fi. Not to mention Error'd...

Wall Street got a bit of a shock in the way of good news from Ottawa-based Research in Motion today. How did this happen and what does it mean for the rest of the tech sector?

In today's podcast: Rackable buys up remnants of SGI; RIM rolls out BlackBerry application store; and Microsoft launches Windows Server OS for small businesses.

In today's podcast: More rumors of Microsoft smartphone; RIM executives settle backdating charges; and Intel ships more powerful Atom for netbooks.

Technology companies merge and acquire with a swashbuckling disregard for the historical fact that such projects rarely work out as planned.

In today's podcast: Positivo rejects Lenovo's acquisition offer; Sony expects to raise European prices; and RIM says Storm and other products doing well.

In today's podcast: Mozilla security chief Snyder steps down; Yahoo begins promised round of layoffs; and Apple registers Grand Central trademark.

In today's podcast: Adobe to cut 600 jobs in face of economic downturn; AMD says Intel aims to delay EU antitrust case; and RIM's quarterly results fall short of forecasts.

In Friday's IT Blogwatch, Richi Jennings watches the reviews of the new BlackBerry Storm, and the "inevitable" iPhone comparisons. Not to mention Somalia...

When it comes to smartphone sales numbers, Apple's iPhone is now number two globally, after less than a year and a half in the market.Â? While there has been some discrepency in Apple's numbers, no one can deny that after less than a year and a half, Apple's iconic smartphone has changed the gadget landscape.

During last month's Q4 earnings call, Steve Jobs boasted that Apple had beat RIM.Â? He gave a figre of just under seven million units for the quarter compared to RIM's just over 6 million. Â?

In today's podcast: Microsoft sued over Silverlight; RIM gets stay In Visto patent-infringement suit; and Cisco offers zero-interest financing in Asia.

Probably like many of you, I assumed - based on all of the hype and sales reports for the iPhone - that the Apple Inc. smartphone was already way more popular than Microsoft's entry in this space, Windows Mobile. Heck, I wouldn't have even been surprised if it had eclipsed the BlackBerry.

Boy, was I wrong, for which I blame the U.S.-centricity of most tech reporting, as well as Steve Jobs' lingering reality-distortion field.

PATMOS, GREECE -- The "Fruit Wars" are heating up, with Apple expected to launch a hot new version of the iPhone, and RIM slated to launch a new "iPhone Killer" called the BlackBerry Thunder -- one that shares the iPhone's conspicuous lack of a physical keyboard.

I expect Apple to stick to its strengths and ship an all-screen, no-keyboard iPhone that's just like the current iPhone, but with better and additional options.