Research in Motion in Motion

Blackberry maker Research in Motion (RIMM) reports tonight and it better be good. YTD chart on the left.

I'm not sure where real expectations are for the quarter but the stock has more than doubled since March and consensus estimates are slightly above the midpoint of guidance that RIMM gave when they last reported.

I have written in the past that while RIMM has done a good job closing the gap with iPhone, they haven't leapfrogged them so it's still a tough battle. In a tape that is sudden acting softer the risk is tilted to the downside.

edit @ 3:54 - the stock is down 3% into the number which is a better setup if you're long

edit @ 4:08 - look out below unless the guidance is great

Skype - This might work

"If we do it we will have to do it incredibly well,"
Scott Durchslag - Skype CEO

Everybody is reporting this morning that Skype is rolling out a Skype app for iPhone and Blackberry tomorrow at the CTIA show. I commented last week that Skype for business would be a tough proposition. Skype for high end phones is a natural, but the above quote pretty much defines the market opportunity.

Apple and RIMM have raised the bar consistently for functionality on handheld devices. The first version of any app usually isn't perfect. If Skype doesn't get one almost perfect very soon, someone else will, which will not only stick a fork in their smartphone aspirations but also jeopardize their 450 million user installed base.