The back-and-forth battles between Apple and RIM are going to be epic soon, if they aren’t already. Today’s rant by RIM co-CEO Jim is another chapter in the battle.

[ad#Google Adsense 300×250 in story]Responding to a question from Rod Hall of JP Morgan during the company’s earnings call, Balsillie said “there’s a lot of moving parts, but I think we’re just well ahead on the PlayBook, well ahead internationally, and extending very very well.”

Business Insider transcribed Hall’s question and Balsillie’s response, so you can head over there and read it in its entirety, but let me paraphrase a couple of points.

Hall’s basic question was “The PlayBook [tablet] is kind of a me-too device, because there are already products out there. You’re playing catch-up a little bit on the touch interface.”

Balsillie responded:

“I think the PlayBook redefines what a tablet should do. I think we’ve articulated some elements of it, and I think this idea of a proprietary SDK and unnecessary apps — though there’s a huge role for apps — I think is going to shift in the market, and I think it’s going to shift very, very quickly. And I think there’s going to be a strong appetite for web fidelity and tool familiarity.”

And:

“So, I think the PlayBook clearly sets the bar WAY higher on performance, and you’re going to see more. I think the enterprise stuff, we’re seriously extending. I think the BlackBerry is still number one in social collaboration. And I think with the PlayBook and that environment we’re going to set the new standard on performance and tools, very powerful tools. And we’re growing very very fast. So, that’s a lot.”

There’s lots more, but those are the highlights for me.