I don’t tend to dedicate a lot of space on this blog to devices. So many of them are really nothing more than a slight improvement over the one they are replacing.

But considering that I did spend some time on the Apple iPhone, it seems fair that I mention this new entrant by Blackberry, the Storm. It is, after all, aimed at the same group of consumers.

Much like the iPhone - and quite unlike previous Blackberrys - this one features a large touch screen. Just like the iPhone, it converts from portrait mode to landscape mode as the handset rotates.

But taking the concept one step further, this screen is actually built on a spring base, meaning that when you push buttons on the virtual keyboard, you get the feeling of actually pushing a button. You even get to hear a slight “click.”

The phone also will operate on a 3G network, just like the iPhone.

No price has been revealed yet, but the phone is supposed to be available around the holidays. It will be sold in the U.S. by Verizon Wireless and overseas by Vodafone Group PLC.

Here are some thoughts by Jeff Kagan, a telecom industry analyst.

If this new Blackberry works as well as advertised, this is the kind of device that Verizon Wireless has needed for more than a year to effectively compete with the Apple iPhone on AT&T.
This new RIM device is a big departure because of the touch screen. We will watch it to see how well it sells. Traditionally Blackberry users haven’t needed touch screen or they would have chosen a competing device. So it will be interesting to watch the customer demand on this one.

Never been a big fan of touchscreens myself. But maybe I should have held off on my Blackberry Curve to see this new phone in action.