BlackBerry Torch launches on AT&T Mobility

Research In Motion Ltd. (RIMM) launched the Torch, its latest flagship BlackBerry device, on AT&T Mobility (T) today.
At the typical $200 price point, after rebates on a new contract, the Torch is the BlackBerry maker’s latest attempt to breathe new life into its well-regarded brand. The device mixes RIM’s wildly popular keyboard with a large touchscreen in a slider form factor, making it very much a top draw for enterprise and consumer customers alike.
After two lackluster touchscreen devices under the Storm brand, RIM is hoping it finally has a new winning form factor on its hands that can stand up against the latest offerings from Google Inc. (GOOG) and Apple Inc. (AAPL). RIM has been very rigid with its device design over the years, making the Torch only its fifth major form factor to be released so far.
Following its official unveiling of the device earlier this month, RIM has taken some heat for offering a new device with a comparably slow processor and what many consider to still be a insufficient operating system for a modern smart phone.
Much is riding on the Torch because while BlackBerry clearly has its fans and avid users, much of RIM’s future growth could depend on its ability to sway customers away from competing devices like Apple’s iPhone and Google’s growing legion of Android devices.