(Credit:
RIM)
We all knew it was approaching, but brace yourself, the Storm has made landfall. Tuesday night, Research In Motion and Verizon Wireless officially introduced the first touch-screen BlackBerry to the world: the RIM BlackBerry Storm.
Also known by its code name, BlackBerry Thunder, the Storm features a touch-sensitive display that's unlike that on any other touch-screen smartphone available today, thanks to RIM's own twist (more on this below). There are plenty of other highlights as well, including dual-mode functionality, support for Verizon's EV-DO Rev. A, integrated GPS, BlackBerry OS 4.7, and more.
Now, before you run out to the nearest Verizon store, we've got some bad news. Unfortunately, you won't be able to get your hands on the BlackBerry Storm quite yet (groan). A specific release date and pricing were not announced, but Verizon said the Storm would be out by the holiday season with "competitive" pricing. Obviously, we're not fans (and we're guessing you're not either) of such vague answers, especially in light of the RIM BlackBerry Bold delay.
RIM and Verizon did come by our office to give us a full rundown on the features, as well as some brief hands-on time with the device, so without further ado, here are all the details and our impressions of the RIM BlackBerry Storm.
Design
Obviously, the touch screen is the biggest highlight of the BlackBerry Storm, but as we mentioned earlier, it's unlike any other touch-screen smartphone we've seen so far, including the Apple iPhone, T-Mobile G1, and Samsung Omnia.
Rather than provide haptic feedback (or none at all), RIM developed something completely new called ClickThrough, which consists of a suspension system that lies beneath the display, so that when you go to select an application or enter text, you actually push the screen down like you would any other tactile button.
Admittedly, it was a little weird when I first tried it. Given that with all other touch-screen devices, it's just a matter of lightly tapping on an icon or some similar action, it wasn't my first inclination to physically push down on the screen. My colleague Kent German also tried it out and had a similar reaction; while cool, the idea behind it took some explaining to fully realize the capabilities. Now, that's not to say we don't like ClickThrough; it just takes a little acclimation. Plus, it was responsive and I was pleasantly surprised at how easy and accurate it was to compose messages and notes.
In terms of text extry, the BlackBerry Storm features a SureType keyboard when the smartphone is in portrait mode and then switches to a full QWERTY keyboard in landscape mode. The Storm has a built-in accelerometer so it will automatically rotate the screen depending on if the phone is held vertically or horizontally (left- and right-hand support included). The letter/number keys also glow blue when you're typing.
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Looks like the days of the triple-update are long gone as this week is another two-game showdown on the Virtual Console.
- Harvest Moon (1997, SNES, 800 Wii points): What's considered to be a relatively rare title is no longer scarce as Harvest Moon makes its way to the virtual console today. The game is basically a farm simulator in which you must raise livestock and grow crops in addition to turning a run-down farm into a thriving success.
- Lords of Thunder (1993, Turbografx 16, 800 Wii points): Lords of Thunder is a side-scrolling shooter with a heavy-metal soundtrack. Blast through six stages of intense action as you try to revive "The Dark One."
(Credit:
IWantOneOfThose.com)
This may come as a surprise to non-enthusiasts, but paintball tanks have been around for years. Yet most of them aren't exactly street legal, and many look like some DIY project right out of Mad Max.
The "Paintball Panzer" from Funtrak provides the best of all worlds. Not only does it subdue the enemy just like full-size armored vehicles, but this mini-tank will also fit in the garage without sacrificing key features, such as an engine firefall, rollover bar and roll cage, according to BornRich.
It also resembles the real thing and can be customized in your choice of six colors--and all for just $14,400. Funtrak says it takes about three months to build each machine to your specs, however, so time is running out if you want one by Christmas.
Glad to see another Nintendo 64 title has made it to the virtual console, although I'm anticipating some disappointment with the selection.
- Yoshi's Story (1998, Nintendo 64, 1,000 Wii points)--After Baby Bowser casts a spell on Yoshi Island leaving it in the form of a storybook, six Yoshis must band together and dethrone the evil Baby Browser and restore happiness to Yoshi Island.
- Super Thunder Blade (1988, Genesis, 800 Wii points)--A Sega Genesis launch title, Super Thunder Blade is a helicopter combat game where you must fire upon all kinds of submarines, tanks, and more through four levels of play.
- World Class Baseball (1991, Turbografx 16, 600 Wii points)--World Class Baseball was the only baseball game on the system worth playing. The main campaign, Pennant Mode, allows you to progress through 12 teams all competing for the World Title.
(Credit:
Brando)
What ever happened to old-fashioned sirens? We hate the way that just one tap on the obnoxious horns of today's fire engines routinely make everyone jump out of their skin. But there's a something on the market that can give everyday sclubs like us a chance to do the same thing right back--from a bike, no less.
The frame-mounted "Thunder Horn" claims to emit a 115-decibel auditory assault, which Technabob says is the equivalent of "standing in the front row of a Metallica concert." Brando, its Hong Kong-based manufacturer, warns not to use it within 18 inches of your ears to avoid permanent injury.
It may not be pretty, but it's a lot better than trying to strap a "Sonic Bomb" alarm clock to your handlebars. Besides, everyone knows that Critical Mass needs more noise.
(Credit:
Hammacher Schlemmer)
Maybe we're missing something, but we can't quite figure out why gadget makers seem obsessed with lightning these days. In recent weeks, we've seen everything from a "Personal Lightning Detector" to a planned Nokia phone that warns of approaching electrical storms.
And now we have yet another lightning finder, the "75-Mile Range Thunderstorm Detector." How does it work? Here's just one excerpt from Hammacher Schlemmer's description: "Its built-in microprocessor and software analyzes the waveform and voltage the antenna detects to tell you how far away a lightning strike was, which indicates the presence of approaching storm cells and squall lines, and provides you with storm approach speed, estimated time of arrival, distance, and more." There'll be a pop quiz in the morning.
If all this sounds long-winded (unintentional bad pun), consider the price--$430. For that kind of money, you deserve as much meteorological jargon as they can dish out.
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