The US International Trade Commission has said it plans to launch an investigation into flash-memory chips in popular products such as Apple's iPhone, Research In Motion's BlackBerry Storm, as well as camcorders and laptop computers.

RIM Co-CEO Jim Balsillie said the BlackBerry maker is reducing supply costs as surging growth provides him with leverage to press for bargains during the recession.

Research In Motion (RIM) said its quarterly earnings and gross margin would come in at the low end of expectations even as subscriber growth topped forecasts, a warning that sent shares of the BlackBerry maker down 12% Wednesday.

Orange UK has stopped selling BlackBerry Bold handsets, after concerns were raised over potential software problems with the snazzy-looking device.

he company said it added 2.3 million subscribers in the quarter, bringing its subscriber base to more than 16 million. RIM is expected to introduce a touchscreen BlackBerry, as well as a clam-shell version of the device later this year. The company has announced a BlackBerry enabled with so-called third-generation, or 3G technology, called the Bold that will be introduced by AT&T Corp. sometime this year.