New BlackBerrys grab for Apple's market

Research In Motion unveiled two new versions of its touch-screen BlackBerry Torch Wednesday as it sought to regain ground it has lost to Apple and Google with powerful consumer-friendly models.

Investors reacted favorably, pushing RIM's deflated stock price up 4.89 percent. But some analysts were skeptical, given delays leading up to this launch. They said a radically new software package due next year would be RIM's big test.

The new Torch models include an all-touch version that mimics the popular style of Apple's iPhone and most Android devices. Along with a previously announced upgrade to its workhorse Bold model, they are part of what the Canadian company called the biggest global launch in its history.

"The pure touch model could be very interesting. It has some great tech in terms of computing horsepower," said Will Stofega, a mobile device analyst at research firm IDC.

He dismissed concern that consumers would snub the devices while waiting for "superphones" that are due out next year.

Those phones use the QNX operating system that powers RIM's Playbook tablet and could tempt buyers away from the iPhone, he said. "What people seem to want is a vibrant, iconic, shiny device," he said.

RIM has lagged its competitors in bringing out must-have phones with speedy browsers, and its Playbook competitor to Apple's iPad launched to dismal reviews in April.

The company is slashing 2,000 jobs to reduce costs and streamline operations after reporting a fall in quarterly profit.