CrackBerrys, BlackBerrys, BlueBerries (huh?)

I don't own a BlackBerry mobile, but people who do call them CrackBerrys. Is there a more pitiful sight than some highly paid MBA thumb-typing an email, with sweat pouring down their brow, feeding the addiction? Here is some news for you calm investors who like Research in Motion. RIMM has had its litigation problems, but seemingly has a valid business model. This article about Palm and BlackBerry signing a licensing agreement, points out that:

For R.I.M., the deal with Palm takes the company further down the strategic path it announced more than two years ago, after it became clear that the company needed to reinvent itself if it wanted to maintain its growth rate. While R.I.M. continues to sign up new subscribers - in its last quarter it added 620,000 accounts, for a total of 3.65 million, its growth is starting to slow. "It would have been a bigger deal if they hadn't done it," said John Jackson, an analyst with the Yankee Group in Boston. "It's a must-have."

Now look at these impressive stats:

In 2004, the makers of smartphones - cellphones with advanced e-mail, calendar and other computing functions - sold about 3.2 million units. This year, that figure is expected to nearly double, to 6 million, and to reach 11 million units in 2009, according to Jupiter Media, a research group.

Hooah! you gotta be impressed with those figures. But only if you can climb the wall of worry that the litigation presents. [ This posting for entertainment only, SeekFacts is not a financial advice blog ]