Research In Motion unveiled Tuesday a new version of BlackBerry, which counts for the first time, with touch screen and slide-out keyboard, reinforcing the struggle against the iPhone by Apple‘s smartphone market.

The BlackBerry Torch arrives on the shelves in the U.S. on August 12 for $ 199.99, including a two-year contract with carrier AT & T. The unit is also equipped with a new operating system and an even faster and easier to use, according to RIM.

Analysts said new functions more attractive to the individual user can help the BlackBerry to resume their position in competition with the iPhone and other smartphones that use operating system Android, Google, as the Droid, Motorola.

Nevertheless, the assessment of experts is that the Torch is not a really significant step forward compared to rival devices.

The Torch users can send messages with the touch screen or keyboard slider. The device has a 5 megapixel camera with flash and GPS satellite positioning.

The new system incorporates six BlackBerry access to social networks like Facebook and Twitter on the instant messaging service, RIM’s BlackBerry Messenger.

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Via: Reuters.