RIM BlackBerry Storm 2 due in September, has Wi-Fi

Verizon has given the green light for RIM to release the BlackBerry Storm 2 in September of this year, according to a confidential source of SlashGear.

The followup to the first touchscreen Blackberry has both big shoes to fill and a lot more to prove. Addressing one criticism, RIM's new device will support Wi-Fi, SlashGear reports.

"We can say that we've no doubts regarding the veracity of their information," SlashGear's Steven Grady writes. "The source gave us their assurances that the Storm 2 would have WiFi, and would be an even better Pro-consumer device than the first Storm."

Some other criticisms aired about the first Storm include a not-so-accurate touchscreen and an underpowered processor. The New York Times' David Pogue called the device "by far the worst product RIM has ever produced." [Read Josh Taylor's original hands-on with the first Storm and the follow-up review]

Still, it's no question that, if true, the BlackBerry Storm 2 represents RIM's chance to make good on some of the promises it made (but, depending on who you ask, didn't keep) with the first Storm -- including the traditional GTD BlackBerry experience on a touchscreen device.

Moreover, as the competition heats up -- Google Android and HTC on T-Mobile, Palm's Pre on Sprint, the next iPhone on AT&T -- Verizon could use another bump.

Then again, who knows -- maybe RIM will see it fit to have a touchscreen and a keyboard. You never know.