BlackBerry Storm 2 to blow in this week

Research In Motion's BlackBerry Storm 2 will be available to Verizon Wireless customers Wednesday, according to the carrier.

BlackBerry Storm 2

(Credit: CBS Interactive)

Like its predecessor, the BlackBerry Storm 2 will feature a touch screen. Unlike the BlackBerry Storm, though, the Storm 2's SurePress "clickable" display doesn't actually move (except for around corners). Instead, the display provides an electronic feedback that mimics the feeling of a click. It also features multi-touch support, allowing users to click two keys (like shift plus a letter) on the virtual keyboard at the same time.

Aside from a revamped touch screen, the Storm 2 offers built-in Wi-Fi and EV-DO Revision A. The Storm 2 provides global support, allowing users to make calls and get 3G data overseas, thanks to an included SIM card. The phone comes with 256MB of flash memory, and 2GB of "onboard" memory. It also ships with a 16GB MicroSD card.

The Storm 2 runs BlackBerry OS 5.0. According to Verizon, the new software will improve the device's typing and selection accuracy. It also features more use of animations.

The Storm 2 has a 3.2-megapixel camera and video recording. The phone comes with BlackBerry Maps, which allows users to access turn-by-turn directions and maps, and to find local businesses. RIM has also included Verizon's VZ Navigator service, which adds voice-guided directions, but costs an additional $9.99 per month.

Like some of the latest BlackBerry smartphones, the Storm 2 will provide access to the BlackBerry App World. It also supports Verizon's tethering service.

The phone features a removable battery that, according to Verizon Wireless, will offer up to 5.5 hours of talk time. It asserts that the battery will last for 11 days on standby.

When the Storm 2 hits store shelves for $179.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate, both RIM and Verizon will be hoping that users have forgotten about the mistakes made in the original BlackBerry Storm. That phone's touch screen and software annoyances yielded some unhappy customers. It also failed to break three stars in a CNET review last year.

That said, Bonnie Cha at CNET Reviews had an opportunity to check out a near-final version of the Storm 2 recently. According to Cha, the Storm 2's SurePress touch screen is much improved over its predecessor. She was also happy to see Wi-Fi make its way to the follow-up smartphone. Still, she found that the software reset spontaneously at times and that, overall, the GPS performance was sub-par.

Check out CNET's full evaluation of the BlackBerry Storm 2 here.

[jaxstephens]

It seems to me like BlackBerry is in danger of falling behind in the mobile OS wars just like Microsoft has with Windows "slow-Mo"-bile.

[frozenjello]

If this were an iPhone or Android article, there would have been 20 or 30 comments by now. This lack of comments shows how unpassionate people are (either pro or con) about the Storm.

[bramathon]

Yeah its weird. Its almost like the blackberry users have other things to do.

[seven7dust]

the main problem with the storm is that blackberry users are heavy email and text users
so they'll stick to phones like the onyx and Bold, the storm is neither a blackberry nor a iPhone

[tsull07]

DAMN, I have endured almost one year of horrific keyboard use and the total lack of switching from phone mode! WHERE IS MY FREE STORM 2 UPGRADE? I am Impassioned!

[jimhonsberger]

I played around with the first Storm and it was the worst smartphone Ive
ever seen.Slow,buggy,not worth a penny in my opinion.

Why should I bother looking at Storm 2.First impressions are very important.

[James.Rice]

I've had the original Storm since the day it was released, and yes it has not been smooth sailing. The device software was far from ready for prime time. The incremental updates have helped a bit, but only a bit. However, yesterday's official release of OS 5 for the Storm has made a very vast improvement. Ironically this is two days before the Storm 2 comes out, which I will likely purchase.
RIM jumped the gun with the first Storm, and I do wish RIM or Verizon would offer some incentive/discount for existing Storm owners to upgrade. Although the new software does seem much improved, I will still likely upgrade to the Storm2 in for the upgraded screen and wifi.

I could understand someone who just walked into a VZW store and tested the Storm thinking it was the worst phone ever, because in many cases all these devices were still running the original software. I went into a VZW store to look at the Tour (which I purchase but then returned because although I've had issues with the Storm, I did immediately miss the large screen), and every Storm demo model in the store was practically frozen and essentially impossible to use. The Storm may have issue, but these effed up demos are not representative of reality.

[Kinoonik]

I want this badly!!! When is this going to arrive to Canada????

[george_liquor]

Think the Storm 2 will blow as hard as the Storm?

[inflammable]

The first view of the Storm2 by Bonnie Cha was not really fair... I know they are opinions but to give a bad reputation of stability for a second party app its not fair... If Bing is a problem I would uninstall it in 2 seconds... As for the GPS, well that could be firmware fixable but its not what this phone is all about isn't it?

[Dan7637]

i played with the original storm and was unimpressed but hopefully rim fix those problems

[slapppy]

Great title. Just like the first version, it will blow! LOL

[windooor7]

Right now verizon has enough good phones,HTC Touch Pro2?, HTC Imagio? +now STORM but they still want an iphone. If HTC can stop making new phone everyday, and focus on perfecting the above named phones, then verizon can have an "iphone" one day. HTC Imagio? can be powered up(more cpu power, more thinner, and solid,darkest "apple like" frontpage icons.covered with Glass. and the usb can be made smaller and hidden(engraved).

[Genemba]

Isn't it funny how RIM is a Canadian company, yet we are always last to get the devices...how ironic. Canada gets shafted yet again!

gg RIM.

[jonimated]

It's because the US has a bigger market because there are more people living there. Nothing new really. I just think about it as testing products in the US before they bring the final good version to Canada.

Been using the original Storm for about a year now. Out of the box, it was not that good, loaded up version 148 and it was night and day. Now I am running 5.0 and it is even better. Verizon stores are doing this device an injustice by leaving old clunky software on the demos. I have not had the stability issues that I read about. My only complaint is the camera, it is a little slow. But I didn't buy a BlackBerry for a camera....

[DavidONLINE_]

OMG, I have got to get one of these!

[robgold]

In fairness to the original Storm, the software updates (including "unoffical" updates beyond version .148) have made it much, much better than it was originally and I have been very happy with the Storm for the past several months. Based on what I have been reading, the new 5.0 OS sounds even better, so I am really looking forward to getting the Storm2. For a heavy enterprise email user who likes the BB interface, but also wants the touchscreen capabilities and multimedia functionality, I don't think there will be a better phone out there.

[John Elberling]

Gee Don, just one year ago you wrote "Apple is scared" of the Storm 1, "running scared," and a lot more dumb stuff:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-10105263-17.html

where's that big humble pie you need to eat?

no equally brave hype for Storm 2, eh? that's better. oh, waiting for Android?

[bbstar2]

http://rapidshare.com/files/309558472/9500_omadrmM_PBr5.0.0_rel508_PL4.2.0.128_A5.0.0.328.rar

[bbstar2]

http://rapidshare.com/files/309558472/9500_omadrmM_PBr5.0.0_rel508_PL4.2.0.128_A5.0.0.328.rar