The BlackBerry Z10 doesn't shift the smartphone paradigm, but it does offer unique functionality and innovation for a small piece of the smartphone market.

The steamy results of a recent survey from Match.com has created a stir among smartphone fans. What does your choice of smartphone say about your social life?

Android, BlackBerry and iPhone users in Canada were polled.

According to the report, Android users were more likely to engage in sexual activity on the first date, and more likely to have a one-night-stand.

The results found that BlackBerry users are most likely to drink on a first date, and 62 percent say they have experienced love at first sight.

iPhone users were more prone to office romances, but were quicker to follow up on a date.

So does your experience back or debunk the survey results? Are our neighbors to the north that different?

Research in Motion will cut 2,000 jobs to offset slowing sales of its once-iconic BlackBerry smartphones.

The Canadian company is seeing weaker demand for BlackBerry phones, amid increasing competition from Apple's iPhone and other rivals. It recently introduced a new Playbook tablet computer and is preparing to start selling a new version of its Bold phone.

"They need to find a way to make consumers get excited about RIM products," Evercore Partners analyst Alkesh Shah told Bloomberg News. "At this point they haven't gotten there."

RIM has quickly expanded a research facility in Cary during the past year. In April, the company disclosed that it employs about 200 people locally.

It isn't clear how many local jobs will be affected in the cuts. 

Research in Motion, which has quickly expanded a research facility in Cary during the past year, plans to cut an unspecified number of jobs companywide to offset slowing sales and falling market share.

The Canadian company is best known for its BlackBerry smartphones, but is struggling amid increasing competition from Apple's iPhone and other rivals. It recently introduced a new Playbook tablet computer and is preparing to start selling a new version of its Bold phone.

But this afternoon, RIM forecast quarterly sales and profit that were weaker than analysts had expected. RIM shares fell more than $5 in late trading, after closing at $35.33 today. The stock was already down 39 percent this year.

The company didn't estimate how many jobs might be cut in its planned "headcount reduction," which is expected to begin in the current quarter.

The BlackBerry PlayBook's price and performance is garnering praise from reviewers. How will it compete with the iPad when it goes on sale Tuesday?

Prices for the PlayBook Wi-Fi range from $499 for the 16GB model, $599 for a 32GB, and $699 for the 64GB tablet. There are plans for a Sprint version to come later.

The PlayBook has a lot of appeal. Free tethering with RIM phones and wireless file transfer will be big draws for BlackBerry users.

Smaller than the iPad, its screen is 7-inches which makes for more agile handling than with Apple's tablet. The smaller form factor makes it more mobile whereas the iPad more accurately just portable.

It has a 3MP front and a 5MP rear camera. There is an Micro HDMI output and its sound quality has been praised. RIM claims a robust 10 hours of battery life.

Here is the but. RIM has gamed up on the PlayBook's hardware for a software fight.

Other than Flash, the tablet's software support is scant compared to the iPad. That said, not everyone needs tens of thousands of apps. The BlackBerry faithful who may appreciate the PlayBook's integrated features may find all they need or want in RIM's catalog of 3,000 or so apps.

The PlayBook is not the tablet for everyone, but it may appeal enough to BlackBerry's core to give RIM a fighting chance.

Photo Gallery: BlackBerry PlayBook

Mobile apps that warn drives of DUI checkpoints are the target of a group of senators who fired a letter to the mobile industry heavyweights.

The letter from Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ), Harry Reid, (D-NV), Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), and Tom Udall (D-NM) was sent to Apple, Google and RIM.

The letter calls for the ban of DUI checkpoint apps. "With more than 10,000 Americans dying in drunk-driving crashes every year, providing access to iPhone and iPad applications that alert users to DUI checkpoints is harmful to public safety," they state in the letter.

There are a number of apps available in the major mobile software markets that alert drivers from DUI checkpoints to speed traps which often depend on crowdsourcing.

RIM has responded swiftly and committed to removing the apps.

"RIM's decision to remove these apps from their online store proves that when it comes to drunk driving, there should not be an app for that," said  Schumer in a statement Wednesday.

Should tweets on DUI checkpoints be banned?

Jud Bowman has attracted some notable investors to expand his Durham business of running "apps" stores for smartphone makers and wireless carriers worldwide.

PocketGear, which Bowman founded a decade ago while still a teenager, announced this morning that it raised $15 million in venture capital.

The latest investors include Tomorrow Ventures, the investment firm of Google CEO Eric Schmidt. Also kicking in money: Trident Capital and BlackBerry Partners Fund, a fund affiliated with Research in Motion, the Canadian company behind the popular BlackBerry devices.

The financial support strengthens PocketGear's ties with two of the biggest smartphone developers. It also reaffirms that Bowman is developing a major player in the mobile-content industry.

Saudi Arabia and the makers of the BlackBerry smartphone have reached a deal on accessing users' data that will avert a ban on the phone's messenger service, a Saudi official said Saturday.

Month after month analysts release smart phone sales figures that show Apple and Android gnawing away at RIM's market share, but in and around our nation's capital BlackBerry reigns supreme.

RIM, maker of the Blackberry, is reportedly testing devices to take the fight to Apple and Android.