First pictures and data leaked on Blackberry’s next device – Storm… While we published some news on RIM’s iPhone “clone” few months ago, this new information shows that Storm is closer to completion than thought before. From what we learned Storm will be available by mid November in Europe (Vodafone) and US (Verizon). AT&T will probably stay loyal to iPhone 3G/3,5G as shows their internal document.

So, what is Storm bringing to the table? Storm will be available in two models – GSM only, and EVDO/CDMA version. It looks like Storm will not have tri-band HSDPA, and all favorite Wi-Fi radio is also among missing. There was a lot of speculation about interface, and whether Storm will support multi-touch as Apple’s iPhone does. But with Storm, you will still be able to sync your BlackBerry with DRM-free music in iTunes which means saving a couple of dollars in music stores…

As seen on the photos, the keyboard-less slick new interface for the BlackBerry Storm looks promising, and of course very much like iPhone’s. Is RIM entering a battle with Apple? Overall feeling is that iPhone is for play only and BlackBerry is for business. Is merging of the two concepts possible? Storm will definitely tell.

The resolution on the screen is quite nice but many noticed, that the interface, looks too much like a text only Blackberry. The calendar, email, and browser look incredibly text-based for a touch screen device, where one would expect a lot of heavy graphics, nice icons that user can tap on? But on other hand, the spreadsheet function looks great, at least compared to older BB phones.

As this is the first Blackberry with virtual keyboard, RIM is entering the unknown territory. RIM hinted that there will be a choice on clicking methods. In some materials they mention keyboards–click, non-click and suretype.

And this is definitely and update on iPhone's touch screen. The “click/push” feature should prevent accidentally hitting a button.

While the message screen shot shows a nice suretype keyboard many are concerned, that RIM just wasted a lot of valuable screen real estate with it.

Plus - is virtual keyboard enough to do all things we did with physical keyboards? How to insert quick text, where are context/Options buttons, how to copy/paste text, format the text,set priority level, switch between letters and numbers, where to switch to full screen keyboard? All questions, and so few answers at this time.

All we know so far is that hitting the Blackberry menu button brings up copy/paste menu.

Sources: Storm-reviews, BoyGenius and CrackBerry