BlackBerry-maker Research In Motion (RIM) has finally acknowledged the latest addition to its smartphone lineup, the touch-screen BlackBerry Storm2 9500. Wireless carrier T-Mobile Germany also listed the as-of-yet unannounced BlackBerry Bold 9700 online, officially confirming its existence.

October 15, 2009

When the BlackBerry Storm debuted last fall, RIM's first touch-screen device received not-so-stellar reviews. RIM took reviewers' and customers' gripes into consideration, however, when designing the BlackBerry Storm 2 ($200 with a two-year contract from Verizon; price as of 10/14/09). The result? This is the Storm that I wish RIM had released last year--the device's build, the on-screen keyboard, and the software are miles beyond the first generation. Even so, pressing to type still takes some getting used to.