RIM Technology is expected to release this month their latest mobile device, the Blackberry 9000. Though it features a sexy new body, a spanking new user-interface and 3G capabilities, gadget-junkies are left wondering why they haven’t joined the whole touch screen bandwagon.

Blackberry 9000 (right-most) with its predecessors - image courtesy of Engadget

Mike Lazaridis, RIM’s co-chief executive, probably answers it best, “I couldn’t type on it and I still can’t type on it, and a lot of my friends can’t type on it.” He shared this sentiment on the now popular interface in a query from the New York Times. While his statements may shoot down any early speculations of a touch screen device being planned, two independent developers, however, confirm that such a device is indeed in the works. Dubbed as the Apple Killer, other details such as projected release date and specifications are still yet to be known.

With new competition coming from Apple, RIM should get their act together unless they want to get left behind by the more innovating pack.