Research In Motion Ripens

On May 3, RIM released the BlackBerry 8300 Curve phone, a version that has the multimedia capabilities of the Pearl handset as well as a full keyboard. BlackBerry Curve is expected to be available at AT&T(T Quote) and other carriers later this season.

Curve is just the beginning of a strong product cycle, says Abramsky. RIM is expected to launch a new phone, the BlackBerry 8830 Worldphone, on Verizon(VZ Quote), as well as new multimedia software that could help RIM expand its market share. The BlackBerry 8830 smartphone is expected to be available in stores on May 28.

The phone, with its ability to send and receive calls and email in more than 60 countries worldwide, could be a hit with Verizon's business customers. Abramsky expects Verizon to aggressively tout the phone to its users, likely driving sales of the device.

RIM's bullish outlook on its analyst day also helped allay investor fears that the company could be slowing down. RIM failed to meet sky-high investor expectations for the fourth quarter, after revenue jumped 66% to $930.4 million with earnings of 99 cents a share.

That still was lower than analysts' expectations of revenue of $935.4 million on earnings of $1 a share. Subsequently, investors took the stock down to $134.10.

Since then, concerns around the increased competition that RIM faces in the smartphone sector have eased a little, say analysts.