I had been dragging my feet about getting on board, having seen people I know become blackberry addicts — constantly checking emails and immediately responding to every missive, whether they were sitting at the dinner table or had yet to even get out of bed in the morning.

But still, I was curious and decided to take the plunge — especially after a prominent Isle of Man businessman told me that getting a BlackBerry had transformed his life. A very compelling recommendation, I thought.

So off I went to the Manx Telecom shop in Strand Street and, within a few minutes, I was the proud owner of a shiny blue BlackBerry Pearl.

Although I would not yet claim that my life has been transformed, it has certainly had an impact.

On the ski slopes of Cervinia I was kept informed of goings on at the office and was able to quickly respond to clients when needed. Having a BlackBerry took a significant amount of the stress out of having a holiday for me and I was able to relax and actually enjoy the skiing.

Of course, members of our group made many quips about my constantly checking email and teased me about my addiction, but I took the good-natured ribbing in my stride and shushed happily along knowing that I was in constant touch with my business.

Would I recommend taking the BlackBerry plunge? Definitely.

But do not just take my word for it. Ask any of the 12 million users signed up by the end of last quarter by Canadian company RIM, the organisation behind the BlackBerry. More than a third of RIM's subscribers are classified as non-corporate or non-government users ... the Blackberry has gone mainstream.

It is taking on Apple's iPhone in a big way with the launch of products such as the pink BlackBerry Pearl. Having formerly offered only rather chunky handheld devices to provide secure wireless email to corporates, the company's devices now include more lifestyle features, such as television, music players, cameras and Facebook social-networking software, for broader appeal.

I have to confess that I am a keen user of the Facebook tool. It keeps me connected with friends and family back home in Canada.

The departure into the consumer market has produced strong early results. RIM has posted profits that consistently beat analysts' expectations.

The Pearl, the main product in the consumer push, looks more like a regular mobile-phone than the traditional BlackBerry.

And a significant drop in cost puts BlackBerry within reach of most mobile phone users. Early BlackBerrys retailed at £100. Some US carriers now give them away as part of a long-term service contract and Manx Telecom charged me only £15.

The benefits of Blackberry make its value clear and RIM is likely to see continued growth. But some industry analysts predict retail and corporate customers may scale back BlackBerry spending if RIM's biggest market, the US, slips into a recession.

After more than quadrupling in value since mid-2006, RIM shares are down more than 15 percent so far this year, a fact which sits a bit uncomfortably beside the company's healthy sales growth statistics.

But company officials are confident. RIM's co-chief executive Jim Balsillie believes economic turbulence in the US should have a limited negative effect on RIM.

As for retail consumers, he thinks they are more likely to defer larger purchases like cars or houses rather than part with the BlackBerry.

'The mobile phone is kind of one of the last things people give up,' he said in an interview for Reuters.

I tend to agree. The use of the mobile phone is now ingrained in our society. It is a must-have business tool and everyone from very young children to the most unhip of grans regularly makes proficient use of handhelds.

The mobile is not a luxury item, it is essential to modern life. And smartphones such as BlackBerry and iPhone will continue to sell well, regardless of the economic climate.


>>Sherrilynne Starkie is the managing partner of Strive Public Relations, a communications consultancy in the Isle of Man. She provides her views on business and technology each week in Tech Talk. Visit her business blog Strive Notes for frequent updates.
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