RIM Profits Rise 67%, 4.5 m New Users

Canadian manufacture RIM, the uncontested leader in the US smartphone market with 39.3% market share, has announced an increase in net profits of 67.5% in the second quarter of 2010.  That's a lot better than many people were expecting.

Revenue increased by over 30%, and RIM has added over 4.5 million new users between July and August, bringing the total number of BlackBerry users worldwide to over 50 million.

From suits to school children

According to RIM, its new Torch handset, designed as a direct competitor to the iPhone and Android-based smartphones has helped push growth over the past three months.  The brand's overseas sales have also contributed to its recent success.  RIM, originally orientated firmly towards business users, has successfully realigned itself towards the consumer market.  Its stong image, good quality free services (notably BlackBerry Messenger, BBM) and agressive pricing have all helped it to win over increasing numbers of younger users.

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