Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

BlackBerry Storms Onto Touch-Screen Market

'Clickable' screen feels more like a keyboard

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 8, 2008 12:43 PM CDT

(Newser) – Hoping to broaden its corporate image and dethrone the iPhone, Research in Motion unveiled its first touch-screen smart phone today, reports CRN. The BlackBerry Storm will be available later this fall on Verizon’s US network, RIM said. The phone features a unique “clickable” touch screen that depresses slightly and releases with a click, giving it more of a traditional keyboard feel.

"We have seen a lot of me-too products in the touch-screen market—the Storm is clearly differentiated and it reinvents the touch screen," said a telecom consultant to MarketWatch. Like the iPhone, the Storm will have a motion sensor so it can switch between “landscape” and “portrait” modes as the user rotates the handset.

This photo provided by Research in Motion Ltd., shows the company's new touch-screen phone, the Storm. With the new model being announced Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2008 the Storm, RIM is for the first time giving up the physical keypad in favor of a large screen, just like the one on...
This photo provided by Research in Motion Ltd., shows the company's new touch-screen phone, the Storm. With the new model being announced Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2008 the Storm, RIM is for the first time giving...   (AP Photo/Research in Motion Ltd.)
Verizon Wireless, Vodafone Group and Research In Motion today announced that the BlackBerry(R) Storm(TM) will be available later this fall.
Verizon Wireless, Vodafone Group and Research In Motion today announced that the BlackBerry(R) Storm(TM) will be available later this fall.   (PRNewsFoto/Verizon Wireless)
This photo provided by Research in Motion Ltd., shows the company's new touch-screen phone, the Storm.
This photo provided by Research in Motion Ltd., shows the company's new touch-screen phone, the Storm.   (AP Photo/Research in Motion Ltd.)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

RIM's Co-CEOs Step Down

iPhone's Siri Learning Chinese

VW Is Right: Shut Off the BlackBerries

VW: We'll Deactivate Email When Staff Not Working

iPhone Losing Ground Abroad


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne