A couple of weeks ago, we heard a rumor that the BlackBerry Storm 3 had gotten the axe.  It turns out, though, that rumors of its demise may have been exaggerated.  Analysis firm Jeffries & Co. has issued a note claiming that the Storm 3 will, in fact, be released, coming at the end of November.  The confusion surrounding the alleged cancellation, the firm believes, came about because there are three different models of the Storm 3 floating around: a haptic touch version (which has been canceled), a non-haptic touch with "more memory, and [BlackBerry 6]" which will be released in November, and an entirely new Storm with a "new iPhone-like form factor, but slimmer," which is said to be running the same QNX software found on the PlayBook.  The QNX-powered Storm is rumored to launch in the first half of next year.  Speaking of the PlayBook, Jeffries & Co. claim that a PlayBook 2 will be released in the second half of 2011.  This new PlayBook is said to be coming in two different sizes and include both 3G and 4G connectivity.

While the Storm line of BlackBerrys hasn't exactly enjoyed tremendous success, I would be surprised to see them completely cancel the newest model.  Even if it's not a huge update, there are still a decent amount of people that long for a full-touch 'Berry, or any touch experience for that matter, on Verizon.  All of VZW's Androids have likely stolen some potential customers from the Storm, but I'd wager that Storms are still being sold to those looking for the BlackBerry email experience or BBM.  The QNX Storm rumor sounds plausible, too, considering that we've heard in the past that RIM will eventually be transitioning to all QNX-based devices.  I'm not so sold on the rumored first half of 2011 launch, though, since RIM's VP has said that the seventh version of the BB OS would serve as a stepping stone to QNX.  The alleged PlayBook 2 information seems a little shaky, too, considering that the PlayBook 1 isn't even out yet.  What do you make of all of these rumors?  Would you buy a Storm 3 if one was released?

Via IntoMobile, eWeek