But RIM has saved some space by eliminating the big buttons that resided between the screen and the keyboard on older BlackBerrys.

NPR: Review: BlackBerry Q10, The Keyboard Strikes Back

Apple and Google have out innovated RIM in the mobile space with consumer friendly phones and continue to gain market share but investors should note that there are over 46 million Blackberry subscribers.

FORBES: Will iPhone and Android Squash BlackBerry?

Perhaps more so than ever before, specialization is key in today's NBA, especially as teams, including the Knicks, continue loading up on three-point shooters to space the floor and rim protectors to deny close-range looks.

WSJ: One-Dimensional Problems

Then again, RIM has made no secret of its aspirations to push ever deeper into the consumer space -- a place where Apple shines -- and again, RIM's touch paradigm needs some serious tweaking, so maybe this guy is going to leave the Bolds and Niagaras of the world to the pros and attack the multimedia-hungry masses with an entirely different angle.

ENGADGET: Musical designers: UI guru moves from Apple to Microsoft to RIM

In dispute is an image-preview patent, obtained by Kodak in 2001 and which, according to Bloomberg, would allow Apple and RIM to use less processing power and storage space in their iPhone and Blackberry smartphones.

FORBES: Kodak Thrown A Lifeline: Federal Agency To Review Case Against Apple, RIM

Others in the space include Gist which was acquired by RIM.

FORBES: LinkedIn Acquires Social CRM Company Connected

While RIM will be relatively early and seemingly competitive in the tablet space next year, the company still has a long way to go before catching up with smartphones.

CNN: RIM's BlackBerry hits a technical crossroad

But about an hour into RIM's presentation Wednesday, Mr. Heins delivered some unwelcome news to the audience in the hangar-like space, announcing the delayed U.S. availability of the phones.

WSJ: Finally, a BlackBerry��But More Delays