In an apparent attempt to narrow Apple and Google’s lead in the smartphone market, Research In Motion this week announced the launch of three new touchscreen versions of its phones ^[1]. They include the first touchscreen version of the Bold, a new version of the Torch slider phone, and a touchscreen-only BlackBerry.

These are RIM’s first phone updates in a year and “the biggest launch in the history of BlackBerry,” according to a company exec. But will it be too little too late? RIM’s share of the U.S. smartphone market dropped 4.2 percent in March through May of this year. Less than 25 percent of U.S. smartphone subscribers now us RIM phones.

Timing seems to be working against RIM. Last week, the company announced it was laying off 2,000 employees to reduce costs. And things are only likely to get worse next month when Apple debuts its much-awaited iPhone with more powerful processing and a better camera. And Motorola will launch its new Droid Bionic phone that same month.

Read more at Bloomberg ^[1].