Waterloo, Ont.-based BlackBerry maker Research in Motion fired back Tuesday in a war of words with Apple Inc.

Co-CEO Jim Balsillie sliced apart Apple's criticisms of his company, issuing a lengthy statement aimed at Apple CEO Steve Jobs.

RIM co-CEO Jim Balsillie, shown in 2009, says Apple chief Steve Jobs gave only 'half a story.' (Dave Chidley/Canadian Press)

A day earlier, Jobs bragged that Apple sold more iPhones than RIM sold BlackBerrys in the most recent financial quarter.

Balsillie said Jobs gave only "half a story."

"We think many customers are getting tired of being told what to think by Apple," Balsillie said.

He said the higher sales of Apple's iPhones can't be compared because RIM's fiscal second quarter ended Aug. 28, while Apple's quarter was over at the end of September.

RIM shipped 12.1 million BlackBerrys in the three months ending Aug. 28, while Apple's iPhone sales for the quarter ending Sept. 30 were 14.1 million.

Balsillie said demand is typically stronger in September than in the summer months.

RIM had record shipments

RIM had record shipments for five consecutive quarters and said it would ship between 13.8 million and 14.4 million devices in its current quarter.

"As usual, whether the subject is antennas, Flash or shipments, there is more to the story, and sooner or later, even people inside the distortion field will begin to resent being told half a story," Balsillie said.

Apple has had some problems with the antennas on its iPhone 4, which can lose reception when held in a certain way. It has also been criticized for refusing to use Adobe Flash support for its internet surfing.

Analyst Tero Kuittinen said Jobs's comments were unusual and not "very gracious."

"Usually CEOs don't go that far in assessing upcoming rival products," said Kuittinen, of MKM Partners.

With files from The Canadian Press