Apple may have murdered the BlackBerry

During the first hour of Steve Jobs' keynote at WWDC, I was wondering why I was wasting my afternoon listening to his stooges drone on about software. But then, in a moment of pure triumph, Steve walked onto the stage and unveiled the new 3G iPhone.

Sure, it was exactly what we expected (minus the MMS), but it also was a call to arms. Instead of maintaining its status as the consumer's cell phone, the iPhone is now the every-person's cell phone and has RIM firmly centered in its sights.

RIM may be the leader in the enterprise market right now and companies like Microsoft will constantly claim that they can hold their own, but rest assured that this is a two horse race. And although the BlackBerry has led the way, Steve Jobs just dealt a decisive blow that will not only force RIM to capitulate, but could see the end of the BlackBerry line altogether.

It may sound extreme at first glance, but trust me, Apple has pushed all the right buttons and played its match perfectly. And as long as the company can get through July without any hiccups, RIM will be left out in the cold.

So why do I have such high praise for the new 3G iPhone? Isn't it just an updated version of the same old thing we've been using for the past year? Isn't it just the logical evolution of a product that seemed all too overwhelming last year and so underwhelming today?

No.

The 3G iPhone is the first real salvo Apple has fired at RIM. RIM has told the world that it believes that it has the best horse in the race. Sure, it may right now. But on July 11, I just don't see how the company could even hint that it still does.

First and foremost, the 3G iPhone will be quicker. And while RIM already has some delightfully fast BlackBerrys on the market, none are the iPhone.

Secondly, the iPhone will soon allow companies and individuals alike, to create and install applications from third-parties. And while RIM already has some third-party applications for the BlackBerry and a similar, albeit less sophisticated, program, it's not the iPhone.

Thirdly, the iPhone will offer the kind of business functionality enterprises have been waiting for. And although RIM is easily the most business-friendly company in the space right now and its BlackBerry is the product of choice for many professionals, it's not the iPhone.

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