RIM is known for its e-mail-oriented phones with large keypads. With the new model announced Wednesday, called the Storm, RIM is giving up for the first time the physical keypad in favor of a large screen, similar to the one on the Apple iPhone.
But RIM has listened to users who find the iPhone's glass screen awkward to type on because its virtual buttons provide no tactile feedback. The Storm's whole screen is backed with springs; when pressed, it gives under the finger.
The long-rumored Storm will be available before the holidays from Verizon Wireless in the United States and from Vodafone Group in Europe, India, Australia and New Zealand, the companies said. The price has not been announced..
The iPhone's facility with Web browsing and movie playing are big reasons for its appeal. The Storm will initially lack an equivalent of Apple's iTunes movie store, though shorter clips will be available through Verizon Wireless's VCast service.
As a Web browser, the Storm more closely emulates the desktop experience than the iPhone does. That is because the screen can distinguish between light touches and firm pressure. A light touch can move around a cursor, while firm pressure activates a link, much as moving a mouse cursor has a different effect from clicking a mouse button, said Mike Lazaridis, co-chief executive of RIM.
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