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RIM’s Official Statement on the iPhone 4 Press Conference

I saw this on CrackBerry, and immediately checked RIM’s press page to see if it was there, but it wasn’t. I can’t guarantee its authenticity, but it’s probably the real thing.

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 is a global leader in antenna design and has been successfully designing industry-leading wireless data products with efficient and effective radio performance for over 20 years. During that time, 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 clearly made certain design decisions and it 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

Well, they have a point. I can see the company’s frustration at having their own products used to show that another company’s controversial product is completely normal in context. But I feel that if I was Steve Jobs, I would have done the same thing, or something very similar. The antenna thing was blown way out of proportion.