Verizon Announces Blackberry Storm Pricing/Release

It’s looking like it’ll be a very Stormy Black Friday as Verizon Wireless has finally lifted the lid on exactly when we’ll get our hands on the latest handset from smartphone manufacturer RIM, and how much we’ll have to fork out to get it.

Late September/early October, Verizon threw up a Blackberry Storm teaser page on its website and people were all agog at what could be the next serious contender for the iPhone. Soon after, the two companies announced the handset officially, however there was still no sign of an official launch date, other than it would be in stores in time for the holidays.

Verizon Wireless announced today that it would launch the touch-screen Blackberry on November 21, exactly a week before the whole country realizes that the Holidays are upon us and goes nuts shopping.

Pricing for the device has been up in the air over the last few weeks. With UK operator Vodafone offering the handset to customers for free with certain plans and Vodafone IRL offering the device for as little €49.99 with certain monthly plans, pricing for the U.S. was a real topic of interest. Verizon said today that the Storm will be available for $199.99, after a $50 rebate, putting it right in line with its top rival, the iPhone.

With its 3.2 inch screen, pre-loaded Facebook, Microsoft Word and PowerPoint the Storm seems like the perfect present for professionals who like to mix work and play not to mention the perfect competitor for the iPhone. It’s also really, really pretty.