FRUIT FIGHT: Apple throws smoke ball by insulting Blackberry, but RIM won't stand for it; counterattacks

"The BlackBerry Bold 9700 ... let's see what happens when you hold it in a normal way ... 5 bars ... and now on holding the left side. The bars go down."

— Steve Jobs

Amidst touting how amazing his company was, and praising how magnificent his latest mobile device is, Apple CEO Steve Jobs found the time to attack RIM's Blackberry.

It's amazing how a press conference that should have served two purposes—to apologize profusely and to offer a satisfying, viable solution—turned into Steve saying it's a "fact" that his "iPhone 4 is the best smartphone in the world," that all other phones suck just as much with reception, and that Apple "isn't perfect," but pretty damned close.

To this, RIM says, Don't drag us down with you, sneaky bastards. (That's not verbatim, but the quote below is.)

"Apple's attempt to draw RIM into Apple's self-made debacle is unacceptable. Apple's claims about RIM products appear to be deliberate attempts to distort the public's understanding of an antenna design issue and to deflect attention from Apple's difficult situation. ... RIM has avoided designs like the one Apple used in the iPhone 4 and instead has used innovative designs which reduce the risk for dropped calls, especially in areas of lower coverage. One thing is for certain, RIM's customers don't need to use a case for their BlackBerry smartphone to maintain proper connectivity. Apple ... should take responsibility for these decisions rather than trying to draw RIM and others into a situation that relates specifically to Apple."

—Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie