The Blackberry Storm was released today. The Blackberry Storm is the first BlackBerry device to offer a touch screen interface. Long lines were reported at Verizon Stores - see here, here and here - where the Storm is being sold. Verizon Wireless is offering the Blackberry Storm for $200 to customers who sign a two-year contract. Reuters says this is the same as the iPhone-AT&T offer.
Verizon Wireless is making a big bet on the Storm for the crucial holiday season. The No. 2 U.S. mobile service heavily promoted four different phones last holiday season, but its focus this year is on the first touch-screen BlackBerry.
Both the Storm and iPhone cost $200 for customers who agree to a two-year service contract and both come with a built-in camera, and music and video players
The touch screen gives Blackberry a device that can challenge Apple's iPod Touch and iPhone.You can see the Blackberry Storm and the iPhone side by side this video. Wired's Gadget Lab also has a comparison between the two rival gadgets here. The Blackberry devices have a devoted following because it has been a consistent and reliable tool for delivering emails and text messages. The Blackberry Storm's touch keyboard may not be for everyone. Blackberry users may desire a more familiar keyboard and prefer one of the Blackberry's other models - like the Blackberry Curve or Blackberry Bold.
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