When Apple launched its touch screen iPhone 3G at its flagship London store, there was the predictable queue of people, eager to own a device which is equal parts phone, MP3 player and wireless web browser. Among the Apple aficionados and tech geeks, three besuited men stood together, all thumbing their BlackBerrys. When asked why they were lining up for an iPhone before 8am, one held up his BlackBerry and said: “Because this is damn ugly.”

His friend, a consultant, from PA Consulting, called his BlackBerry “clunky”, while another said the iPhone would make it easier for him to communicate with clients. All disliked the BlackBerry’s “Qwerty” keyboard and web browser.