Research In Motion has announced an updated version of its touchscreen phone, the Storm 2. The latest BlackBerry handset promises a better display and wireless connectivity. And like its predecessor, the Storm 2 will be available on the Verizon network.

RIM launched the first Storm phone in November last year. The device met with some very harsh reviews from critics who derided the phone's poor touchscreen, glitchy software and lack of Wi-Fi connectivity. Yet the Storm sold more than one million devices in just about two months after the launch.

With Storm 2, RIM seems to have taken note some of the criticism. Here are two things that it has improved on in the device.

Touchscreen: The biggest criticism against the first generation Storm phone was its touchscreen. RIM claimed that the screen would offer the 'click' feedback of a physical keyboard but most users found the touchscreen difficult to use. A Wall Street Journal review of the Storm 2 says the new touchscreens are better. The device now "allows for faster, smoother typing," says the review.

Wireless connectivity: In a rather puzzling move, the original Storm phone didn't support Wi-Fi. And since the Storm was billed as a smartphone, it seriously crippled the device. RIM seems to have fixed that with built-in Wi-Fi connectivity in the Storm 2.

RIM hasn't disclosed pricing or availability for the phone. But it is likely to launch it in the U.S. next month for under $200 with a two-year contract. The Storm 2 will be available on the Vodafone network in Europe.

See Also: