UPDATE: We've published our full BlackBerry Storm 2 review.

RIM has finally announced one of the worst kept secrets in the mobile phone world with the BlackBerry Storm 2, and we managed to bag loads of face time with the new device.

It's basically an update to the original Storm, which debuted to mixed reception last year, and the obvious differences are fairly subtle.

The physical keys on the front have gone from individual buttons to being included in the touchscreen itself, although they are clickable.

EVOLUTION: The design of the Storm 2 apes that of the original

The Storm 2 has been made a lot sleeker than its predecessor, reducing the size of the device and recessing the 3.5mm headphone jack. Anecdotal evidence suggested the volume control buttons fell off the original Storm, and RIM has rectified this by placing them within the chassis as rubberised keys.

RECESSED: The headphone jack is now flush with the chassis