BlackBerry firm quits consumer race

Matt Crossick/PA Wire/Press Association Images

Struggling BlackBerry maker Research in Motion (RIM) has said it will cede most consumer markets after failing to compete with flashier touch-screen handsets such as Apple's iPhone and models that run Google's Android software.

Instead, RIM said it will return to its roots and focus on business customers, many of whom prefer the BlackBerry for its security.