The Canadian maker of the BlackBerry family of smartphones, Research in Motion has unveiled its first ever touch screen device ‘The Storm’ on Wednesday. 

Targeted at business and consumer markets, the newly launched device is BlackBerry’s official answer to rival touch-based smartphones launched recently including Apple's 3G iPhone, Sony Ericsson's Xperia X1, T-Mobile's Google Android-powered G1 and Nokia's 5800 music phone launched last week.

‘The 3G Storm’ will be available through Verizon Wireless in the US, and Vodafone in the European market by November 2008.

Mr. Frank H Rovekamp of the Vodafone Group stated, “We are delighted to bring the power of the BlackBerry Storm, purpose built for Vodafone, directly into the hands of consumer and business customers.”

The phone blends communications and multimedia functions, and features a clickable touch screen, multi-media features such as music, browsing, Sat Nav, Video and social network messaging.

The touch screen measures 3.25 inches with 480 x 360 resolution 184 ppi. With a 3.2-megapixel camera able to record video, the Storm outclasses the iPhone’s lens.

Moreover, the handset backs up multiple e-mail accounts, which comprise Microsoft Exchange, Lotus Domino, Novell GroupWise, and a range of POP 3 providers. 

RIM’s touch screen will be capable of using Verizon’s EV-DO Rev. The users will also be capable of editing Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint files directly on the phone. 

Vodafone is likely to offer ‘the Storm’ free of charge with contracts above £35 ($61) a month, whereas Verizon has yet to reveal its pricing policies.