Research In Motion the makers of the popular BlackBerry smartphone, is set to launch a successor to its touch-screen Storm handset after criticism of their original touchscreen model.

The new BlackBerry Storm 2 is set to be launched on the Vodafone network according to sources.

The new smartphone which is being launched to address shortcomings in the original model will include support for Wi-Fi networks and an overhaul of its touch-screen user interface which was criticised by several reviewers.

Click to enlarge

RIM’s answer to the Apple iPhone it was also criticised by many users for being clunky and unreliable.