A promotional email from Verizon Wireless (VZ) says Research in Motion (RIMM) plans to launch a touch-screen version of its BlackBerry smartphone.

The new device will be called the BlackBerry Storm 9530 and will offer "global capabilities"; Verizon offered no additional details.

Verizon didn't give a launch date, but noted that the new smartphone is "coming soon." Pricing details weren't released.

Reportedly, the new device will offer high-speed browsing, a 3.2 megapixel camera and will run on a 3G network. It's designed to work in about 195 destinations worldwide.

Techie bloggers have long speculated that Research in Motion would offer a new touch device to compete with Apple's (AAPL) iPhone; some said the new device would be called "Thunder."

With BlackBerry use steadily on the rise, a recent survey found that 35% of respondents would rather send text messages on the device than, you know, talk about baseball with their spouse - an ailment some have called "Crackberry addiction."

Research in Motion didn't post any details about the launch of the new device on its investor relations website. But it's clear that some smart cookie at Verizon earned a day's pay by cranking up the hype.

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