The Bold II (right) packs more features into an appreciably smaller form factor than its predecessor (left).Some loyalists dislike the new mini-touchpad (centre) but most critics are calling the new model BlackBerry's best yet.

RIM was on fire on the Nasdaq Friday, thanks to an overnight announcement that BlackBerry sales have held up through the recession, and stronger than expected guidance for the current quarter. One model, in particular stars.

The company's stock closed up 20.78%

Nokia has taken the wraps off a new superphone that combines an iPhone-style, 3.5-inch touchscreen with a full Qwerty keyboard.

Previewed at an expo in Barcelona today, the new handset is dubbed the N97, but its design is much more closely related to Nokia's all-in-one Communicator series than its N95 (or N96, due for NZ release this month).

RIM's BlackBerry Storm will be released in New Zealand December 1, a Vodafone insider confirms for NBR.

Indicative pricing is $999, or less depending on plan.

Apple's iPhone 3G (right) has topped NPD's retail sales chart in the world's biggest smartphone market for the first time.

The market tracker says among US adult consumers, Motorola's Razr has let the pack for 12 straight quarters since its 2004 launch.

But among adult retail buyers for Q3, the iPhone 3G is the new sales king. NPD's top 5: