I still think it's a huge misstep in terms of weakening brand identity but it's no longer just a theoretical one. 

RIM gone and announced the first touchscreen BlackBerry, which is being called the BlackBerry Thunder or Blackberry 9500. It will be exclusive to Verizon Wireless in the States and Vodafone in Europe, though I understand if certain sales quotas aren't met that could change. 

It will only have four tactile buttons, the send key, end phone key, BlackBerry Menu, and the back key. It is rumored that the unit will have somesort of 4G option, but it's unlikely even if it's true that would be useable in the 4G barren USA.

To be clear, while I think BlackBerrys are great, and touchscreens are great; they're two very different types of phone, and RIM trying to be something it's not could take away from what they have accomplished with the QWERTY keyboard style.

Via