The Blackberry Torch 9860 - A preview

Blackberry has recently launched a new handset - the Blackberry Torch 9860. A single look at this handset certifies that it is just a Storm phone reinvented.

The Storm series did not fare as a success for Blackberry. There were many problems with it. The Operating System wasn't touch-optimized. The touchscreen was a bit to sensitive and this made it less user-friendly.

But, Blackberry has redeemed itself with the much-popular Blackberry Torch 9860. Blackberry has taken a cue from its successful phones and mixed up the Torch and the Storm series to bring out the Blackberry Torch 9860.

We sure hope this becomes Blackberry's recipe for success. Lets take a look at this new handset.

The Blackberry Torch 9860 is thinner than the previous Torch and Storm phones. It measures just 11.5mm, same as  another OS 7 handset - the Blackberry Bold 9900.

With this phone Blackberry has done away with the sliding keypad and provided us a full-touchscreen handset . This can actually be a cause of worry as Blackberry's keypads are one of its best features. This turn from the usual has taken place because this handset competes with none other than the iPhone 5.

But removing the keypad offers its own advantages. The screen now measures 3.7". This makes the phone attractive but on the downside, the touchscreen buttons are a bit too small on this handset.

This phone, like all Blackberry phones has a sturdy and sleek built. The rear is a bit different from the conventional Blackberrys but that does not mean that one should expect anything less from this phone.

Blackberry offers the usual buttons below the screen such as the call, back, call end and menu buttons.

 This phone runs on the new Blackberry operating system - the Blackberry OS 7. Like its sibling, the Blackberry Torch 9810 it is equipped with RIM's new technology - the Liquid Graphics Technology (LGT). This technology provides enhances graphics and faster response by connecting the processors and the graphics unit to provide enriched graphics and better response.

The Torch 9860 is a pretty dynamic handset. One can easily switch between multiple touchscreens. This phone works on a 1.2 GHz processor.

Even the icons now present themselves in a much cleaner and efficient way. They are easy to use and simple to look at.

It looks like Blackberry has finally made an attempt to catch with the Android and the iOS operating systems with its OS 7.

Blackberry has provided us with new apps such as Facebook 2.0, which is much better than the previous version. The browser on this phone works faster than the one on the previous operating system.

Blackberry has ventured into a new arena with its Torch 9860. It is a decent phone although one might refrain from calling it a revolutionary one.

Watch this space for more on Blackberrys and smartphones.

Win a free iPad 2 Wi-Fi 16GB tablet from Know Your Mobile India