[Tom]

It was bound to happen at some point, and now, it finally has. The question is why did RIM make this move, and what impact will it have on the rest of the smartphone and mobile email markets?


So what has RIM done? Squashed the form factor.


With the launch of the new 7100v, it now has a version of its successful BlackBerry that has a form factor to look like a mobile phone, rather than a jumped up pager. The pager format with a broad screen and full QWERTY keyboard is great for mobile email, but always looks a bit clunky when you hold it up alongside your ear. Many users still carry mobile phones despite the phone functionality of the BlackBerry.

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