RIM announces BlackBerry Storm2

After months of speculation about a follow up to its first full touchscreen-enabled handset, Research In Motion (RIM) has unveiled details of the BlackBerry Storm2.

It was revealed this week that consumers in the UK can expect the gadget to be available before Christmas, with Vodafone chosen as the first network that will have access to it.

RIM explained that the BlackBerry Storm2 Smartphone would also be launched across seven other European countries and South Africa, with buyers told to expect a mobile that builds on the successes of its predecessor.

It was advised that the second generation of its first entry into the touchscreen smartphone market would involve significant improvements on the original with a number of new features designed to help users "stay easily connected".

One such enhancement is the inclusion of the new operating system BlackBerry OS 5 which the manufacturer explained was key in the evolution of the handset – which comes with the model number 9520.

The Storm2 also comes with SurePress technology that RIM noted offers a more tactile touch experience.

It added: "The new system responds equally to gentle pressure applied anywhere on the surface of the screen and makes clicking the display practically effortless."

The phone also boasts a stainless steel backplate, 3.25-inch 360 x 480 resolution display, 3G and Wi-Fi connectivity, a 3.2-megapixel camera with variable zoom, 2 GB of onboard memory expandable to 32 GB using a compatible card and a 3.5 mm stereo headset jack.

Vodafone was the exclusive network for the original BlackBerry Storm on its release.