Should I torch my i-phone?

Canada’s Research in Motion (RIM) has unveiled the Blackberry Torch in the US and is supposed to make its way north of the border by October 1st. The torch has a  3.2-inch touchscreen display and a slide-out keyboard.

I saw one about 2 weeks ago and I've got to say, the experience is a nice one. You get the satisfaction of the tactile keys for typing (a big complaint from most i-phone users) and the touch activated sensation that we've come to expect from basically everything technological that we can get our hands on. (ever catch someone touching the screen of a pay terminal that isn't touch enabled? I have - and its hilarious).

I have an i-phone, and despite my 3 hour cursing session of Rogers after receiving my bill, I've never been so enamored with a product before. Its so friendly, so sleek and so reliable, I really have to struggle to find any reason to switch to a blackberry phone. In fact, I wouldn't even need to switch carriers because Telus, Bell and Rogers will all offer plans for the torch. That said, I would love to be able to BBM my friends like my wife does every 3.6 seconds, only problem is: all my friends have i-phones too.

That's it! Carriers should market to groups of 3-5 and offer them a sweet package if they switch. The only way I'd consider ditching my apps and my little piece of mobile happiness is if everyone else is doing it. (Yes - I am saying that peer pressure matters).

Here's a demo that AT&T & RIM completed. Notice the tag line about "Engaging Multimedia". Yah - that'll be a huge selling point. "Hey Tom, have you seen the new torch. Really engaging multimedia dude!"