BlackBerry Storm 2 could hit as early as June

The rumored BlackBerry Storm 2

(Credit: Engadget Mobile)

As if June wasn't packed enough with new smartphone launches, there are rumors that the RIM BlackBerry Storm 2 may just hit Verizon Wireless stores in the same month.

BlackberryOS.com says it received a tip from an "insider" (a senior-level Verizon employee, apparently) who says Verizon has been training its tech support on the Storm 2 all week and that they've been told to be ready to support the smartphone by the end of May. Though the tipster could not give a specific release date, she said it would be out by the end of June at the latest.

The next-generation Storm was confirmed by RIM co-CEO Jim Balsillie in early May, though he did not provide much information about the device. There's some speculation that the new Storm will forgo the SurePress touch screen and will have Wi-Fi.

Perhaps Verizon was feeling a little left out of the party with Sprint's Palm Pre launch and the imminent iPhone announcement. And while hope springs eternal that the BlackBerry Storm 2 will be better than the first, what does this mean for current BlackBerry Storm customers?

(Additional sources: Electronista, Engadget Mobile)

[BlitzBoy1120]

It's gotta be almost as fast, if not as fast as the Bold to really compete with the Pre and iPhone.

[SlimGem]

This will be the REAL 'iPhone Killer'. Or not.

[rrod182]

Only thing that can kill the iPhone is the next iPhone.

[garce1]

its such a contrast (and funny) that a Storm two post on CNET will get maybe like 20 comments at most (right now there are three, including mine), yet on CrackBerry the latest Storm Post has over 2000 comments. I know, I know, but I found it noteworthy.

[Mr. Dee]

And the first gen Storm just arrived in Jamaica on LIME (carrier) with the slow 2G network.

[Voice_Of_Logic]

They really pissed me off with their first generation Storm and the entire process by which you had to get it. There were far too many in-the-dark Verizon employees, too many that flat out lied to me and then the Storm, itself, sucked beyond all imagination. I am glad I went with the iPhone. I will never consider Storm, blackberry or Verizon again.

[seven7dust]

it'll be dead on arrival
the storm first generation was terrible and so will the next
Rim should stick to it's non-touchscreen phones or make a proper touch O.S first !

[wwwmattcom]

I have recently been caught on the blackberry hype and have been patiently waiting the NEW BB. I will avoid touch screen phones, however I have an ipod touch and i have never had a problem with scratchings its screen. So now i wonder IPHONE or Blackberry Bold. Something tells me to stay away from apple, and another part of me thinks BB is too professional. I will avoid the Storm 2 simply because of the original.

[Shawn7676]

Coming from someone who is highly critical of Mac computers, I love my IPhone 3G. It is unquestionably the best device I have ever owned! For example, my riding friends are putting 25-40 dollar computers on their road bikes, cables and all, I just downloaded an IPhone app that does the same thing! Sure it's not tour de france accurate but it works for a weekend rider like me.