RIM releases Storm2 to challenge iPhone
Last Updated: Thursday, October 15, 2009 | 2:40 PM ET
CBC News
Research In Motion launched its BlackBerry Storm2 on Thursday in a direct challenge to Apple Inc's iPhone.
The mobile phone also remedied problems with the first version of its virtual touchscreen handset.
"This is a dramatically different, dramatically enhanced product," RIM co-CEO Jim Balsillie told Bloomberg on Wednesday.
The world's biggest carrier, Vodaphone Group, will sell the units in the U.K., Ireland, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain, and the device will soon also be available in France, Italy and South Africa in time for Christmas.
The second generation of RIM's touch-screen Storm provides more options, software upgrades and technology for customers.
The product launch comes ahead of the key Christmas selling season, when the consumer products industry generates a big chunk of its annual sales. Prices for the new products and service plans will be announced by the individual in-country operating companies.
The first version put out by the Waterloo, Ont.,-based company drew complaints from users about speed and difficulties with the keyboard.
RIM fell 70 cents to $70.32 on the Toronto Stock Exchange in late morning trading.
With files from The Canadian PressShare Tools
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