BlackBerry Torch 9850 (Verizon Wireless): First Look

I'm Nicole Lee, Senior Associated Editor for CNET.com, and this is a first look at the RIM BlackBerry Torch 9850 for Verizon Wireless. It's essentially the same phone as the one for Sprint, and it is the first full touchscreen BlackBerry phone since the Storm and the Storm 2. Gone is the Storm's SurePress technology. It looks nice and colorful as you can see here, and it measures 3.7 inches diagonally. The phone is also quite slim and svelte. Underneath the display, you do get the usual BlackBerry keys. On the side here is the volume control as well as a customizable convenience key. On the other side is the micro USB port. On the back is a 5-megapixel camera. OS 7 boosts a number of improvements to the BlackBerry system. They include voice-activated universal search, 720p HD video, as well as a Liquid Graphics Technology that helps improve the overall responsiveness of the touchscreen. The Torch 9850 has plenty of smartphone features to please most smartphone customers. They include Wi-Fi, GPS, corporate email support, of course, as well as regular email. The Torch 9850 for Verizon retails for $199.99 if you're on a 2-year service agreement. I'm Nicole Lee, this has been the first look at the BlackBerry Torch 9850 for Verizon Wireless.