Research In Motion (RIM) has seen such high levels of success with its first touchscreen smartphone, the BlackBerry Storm, that the company is currently developing a second Storm phone with several key improvements.
The new phone is rumored to have built-in Wi-Fi Internet, an upgraded screen to make it easier to type on the phone, and several other upgrades over the original phone. The touchscreen on Storm isn't completely horrible, but many users find it difficult to work with when using numerous programs.
Although not confirmed by RIM or Verizon Wireless, it's possible Storm 2 could be released exclusively for Verizon sometime in September 2009, according to numerous reports.
The original Storm was released in November 2008, and despite receiving some negative reviews regarding the phone's software, it sold more than one million units in just two months. It seemed like consumers either loved or hated the phone, which will likely happen again with the next version of the phone.
I'm not sure if RIM and Verizon turning the original Storm into an obsolete phone in less than one year is the best move, even with major upgrades to Storm 2. I'd like to see the companies hold off until November -- at the earliest -- but definitely want to see the phone on the consumer market prior to Christmas.
