RIM BlackBerry Takes #1 Spot in Worldwide PDA Market

Telecom News Editorials Reports Glossary

6:00 am on May 10, 2006 | Category: Business, Mobile Devices, PDAs

Research in Motion has managed to boost sales of its BlackBerry wireless email devices by over 30%, and increase its overall share of the PDA* market, according to new research from Gartner.

Approximately 930,000 BlackBerry PDAs were sold in the first quarter of 2006, bringing RIM’s share of the worldwide market to 20.7%. The company’s 71xx series smartphones accounted for a further 517,000 shipments.

The overall PDA market (not including smartphones) grew by 6.6% in the past year, helped along by strong wireless device sales, but offset by a decline in demand for standalone PDAs.

*Gartner’s definition of a PDA includes all data-centric handheld computers, designed to be operated with both hands. These devices may offer cellular voice service, but must be primarily data-oriented.