Apple iPhone No. 1, CEO says

We sold more phones than RIM,' Jobs says as company's profit jumps 26% in fourth quarter

by Chris Sorensen

Apple Inc. CEO Steve Jobs fired a not-so-subtle shot across the bow of Research In Motion Ltd. yesterday, pointing out the computer-maker's popular iPhone outsold RIM's BlackBerry during the most-recent quarter.

"We sold more phones than RIM," Jobs said yesterday as the company reported a 26 per cent increase in fourth-quarter earnings.

Cupertino, Calif.-based Apple said it shipped 6.89 million iPhones during the quarter ended Sept. 27.

It was the first full quarter of iPhone sales since a cheaper, next-generation version of the all-in-one iPod, cellphone and Web browser was released earlier this year alongside new partnership agreements with wireless carriers in more than 50 countries, including Canada.

Apple has a stated goal of selling 10 million iPhones by the end of the year.

By contrast, Waterloo-based RIM, the leader in the market for so-called smartphones, said it shipped 6.1 million devices in its most recent quarter ended August 30.

Observers said Jobs's comment was more than just simple chest-thumping.

"Apple is a relative newcomer in this market and they want to be taken seriously," said Carmi Levy, senior vice-president of strategic consulting for AR Communications Inc.

"So, by comparing themselves to RIM, it gives them the potential to be taken more seriously not just as a seller of consumer devices, but as a long-term player in the mobile market."Continued...