E*Trade (ETFC) seizes control of the BlackBerry

If the world comes to an end tomorrow, at least day traders will have found another way to make or lose money. E*Trade (NASDAQ: ETFC) has found another platform for people to buy and sell stocks. They can use their RIM (NASDAQ: RIMM) BlackBerry.

According to the AP, E*Trade "is giving its account holders an application that will let them get real-time stock quotes and trade on their phones." Will wonders never cease?

Since the BlackBerry is getting more and more competition from firms like Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) and Nokia (NYSE: NOK), it is probably nice that there is one more thing the device can do. But, the news is probably bigger for E*Trade, which has had some hard times and is in competition with larger and more well-funded discount brokers.

Beyond anything else, it is just a sign of the times. The PC was the king of internet use for years. Now little portable devices that use cellular connections can do everything from display a movie to operate as a GPS.

How long will it be before the BlackBerry and other devices will have enough intelligence to trade stocks without their owner's permission?

Douglas A. McIntyre is an editor at 247wallst.com.