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
Top News Headlines
- U.S. bank reforms could hurt Canadians, Flaherty fears
- Canada's finance minister and the governor of the Bank of Canada have formally complained to their American counterparts that proposed banking reforms could harm Canadian banks, business, investors and the government itself. more »
- CBC digital music service launches today
- CBC is diving into the world of online music with the goal of providing listeners access to their favourite tunes, and a way to discover new artists and connect with fellow music fans. more »
- Ontario teachers' union calls for classroom Wi-Fi ban
- Ontario's Catholic schoolteachers are calling for hardwire instead of Wi-Fi in classrooms. more »
- Whitney Houston was found unconscious underwater, police say
- Whitney Houston was underwater and apparently unconscious in a bathtub at the Beverly Hilton Hotel when found, Beverly Hills police said Monday. more »
Latest Business Headlines
- Chinese iPhone, iPad factories inspected
- Chinese factories where Apple devices are assembled are undergoing voluntary audits of their working conditions by an independent workers' rights watchdog that the company recently joined. more »
- Wheat prices steady despite record high stocks
- Wheat prices rose Monday after falling almost five per cent last week and despite estimates world wheat stocks are at all-time highs. more »
- Obama unveils $3.8T budget proposal
- U.S. President Barack Obama unveiled a $3.8 trillion spending plan on Monday for 2013 that seeks to achieve $4 trillion in deficit reduction over the next decade. more »
- Housing market to stay stable, says CMHC
- Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. is predicting the Canadian housing market will remain fairly stable this year and next, with little change from 2011 in prices, new home construction and sales of existing homes. more »
Lang & O'Leary Exchange
Markets
| Index | Last Trade | Change |
|---|---|---|
| TSX COMPOSITE | 12406.3 | 16.88 |
| DOW | 12883.91 | 82.68 |
| NASDAQ | 2931.39 | 27.51 |
| SP 500 | 1352.39 | 9.75 |
| NYSE COMPOSITE | 8060.16 | 68.11 |
| AMEX | 2432.81 | 14.83 |
| TSX-VENTURE | 1649.39 | -4.16 |
The data on this site is informational only and may be delayed; it is not intended as trading or investment advice and you should not rely on it as such.
Business Features
- 'Disgusting' court backlog may free hit and run accused
- Adele wins best album, best record Grammys
- Whitney Houston autopsy results withheld
- Whitney Houston was found unconscious underwater, police say
- Ice road closed after 2 incidents
- CBC digital music service launches today
- Quebec town 'heartbroken' after killing of woman, sisters
- Manitoba wants ER death lawsuit thrown out
- Greece cleans up after anti-austerity riots
