Research In Motion Unveils New BlackBerry Torch

As expected, Research In Motion (RIMM) revealed its new smartphone device today, the BlackBerry Torch 9800, and a new operating system, as it battles to maintain its lead in a market where the Apple (AAPL) iPhone and Google (GOOG) Android operating system have rapidly established themselves.

"With a new user interface, new browser and new handset design, the highly anticipated BlackBerry Torch and BlackBerry 6 deliver integrated and uncompromising capabilities for consumers and business professionals that preserve the industry-leading strengths of the BlackBerry platform while adding exciting new dimensions," said RIM co-ceo Mike Lazaridis.

Research In Motion is easily the leader in smartphone sales, with a healthy 41.7% market share of smartphone subscriptions. Still, Apple and Google have pulled ahead in terms of creating devices that are easy to use and let users browse the Web. Meanwhile, growth in the use of BlackBerrys has stalled, and The United Arab Emirates is threatening to ban the use of the device.