RIM Lights Up the BlackBerry Torch

With all the buzz surrounding the latest Android phones and Apple's new iPhone, 

it's easy to forget that Research In Motion's BlackBerry devices are some of the best smartphones around. RIM and AT&T held a press conference on Thursday 

that was designed to remind you of this fact, however. The two companies took the wraps off of the BlackBerry Torch, a BlackBerry smartphone that has been completely redesigned, inside and out.

The slider-style Torch is the first BlackBerry to feature both a touch-screen and a hardware QWERTY keyboard. Additional features include a 5-megapixel camera, built-in GPS, support for 3G and Wi-Fi wireless networks.

The Torch also will be the first BlackBerry to ship with the new BlackBerry 6 OS. The updated operating system adds new customization options,
 
as well as new features like a universal search tool, unified inbox, and a unified social feed.

 BlackBerry Torch videos

The BlackBerry Torch will be available from AT&T beginning August 12 for $199.99 when you sign a new two-year service agreement.

 BlackBerry Torch video