Dark clouds, a fingerprint, a shady character named "Mike" -- wait a second, don't tell us: Verizon's engaged in some sort of CSI-esque hunt for a rogue network technician (named Mike, we figure) who's casting evil spells on towers and degrading EV-DO speeds. Oh, no? We're way off, you say? Well, our next guess is that this might have something to do with the announcement of the
Storm, RIM's very first touchscreen device that's been rumored for a Verizon debut
since the wee months of the year. Whatever it is, it seems it'll be revealed tomorrow from the graphic being sent out to Verizon employees -- so let's all cram in as much rampant, unfounded speculation as we can this evening, shall we?
[Via
Boy Genius Report, thanks to everyone who sent this in]
posted Sep 14th 2008 at 11:11PM
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
VZW guy @ Sep 14th 2008 11:34PM
Mike = Mike Lanman Chief Marketing Officer for VZW.
Bebo @ Sep 15th 2008 12:27AM
Mike = Mike Lazaridis, CEO of RIM and creator of the BlackBerry
roach @ Sep 15th 2008 7:17AM
Mike = Michael Jordan and Mike Tyson
backbeat @ Sep 15th 2008 12:02PM
@t-pain
Those phone "experts" know less than your average 15 year-old, pimple-faced kid. They simply have purchased a web presence. If it weren't for their sales of cheap Chinese-built gadget-crap, they'd have all the presence they deserve. None. Reserve judgment until you've had a couple of weeks of personal use under your belt with the device.
One calling themselves an "expert" yet not providing firsthand genuine expertise is akin to one calling themselves a "straight-talking maverick" yet maintaining the status quo. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IH0xzsogzAk
Cycomachead @ Sep 14th 2008 11:41PM
I'll be surprised if it is a touchscreen blackberry as ATT doesnt even have the bold yet.
It could the touch diamond or pro, which as good as they look I need something better than WinMo. The xv6800 can be annoying.
t-pain @ Sep 14th 2008 11:56PM
Are you being serious, or are you a moron? It's the Storm boygenius, and from all accounts it's going to be a very frustrating device to use. And I hated when Verizon did this last fall with the Pearl, Voyager, and Venus- they are announcing tomorrow that they are going to release a device in a month and a half? That is some marketing BS for you...
Killer @ Sep 15th 2008 12:15AM
@t-pain
"from all accounts it's going to be a very frustrating device to use."
Really now...from all accounts being a guy that just whines about the phone on video using a prototype of it and can't even remember the name and calls it the "thunder"? Or the other account from when they were still developing the phone? Gosh, I love how people can have already bias opinions based off the non-finalized phone information.
t-pain @ Sep 15th 2008 1:52AM
Yes "Killer" from the account of the so-called "ninja" and also from what cellphone 'experts' have said about the full-screen as a button technology. It is slow and deliberate, and while it may cut down on mistakes that monkeys often incur while typing on their touch-screen devices, it will undoubtedly be annoying for those that want to access programs or type quickly.
Killer @ Sep 15th 2008 8:19PM
"it will undoubtedly be annoying for those that want to access programs or type quickly." How do you know!? You're still basing it off information that has been leaked before the phone was finalized. I mean no one knows the full details of the phone. RIM might have a selector that can turn off the need to use the hyptic-keyboard and just use touch. That would make the phone flexible to everyone.
sahdsnhudn @ Sep 15th 2008 12:09AM
yep, its probably the storm by the looks of the fingerprint (touchscreen) and the clouds in the background
jordan @ Sep 15th 2008 1:16AM
well the thing is i disagree with the ninja i like the fact that you have to push the screen in i hope that doesn't change and im sure they made the screen hard to crack if you have to push it in its not like there amateurs at this stuff plus why would you sell a phone if you knew your customers were going to be getting warranty replacements all the time... you dont im sure the device is fine
SoCoolCurt (PSN: KillaKornbread) @ Sep 15th 2008 1:43AM
*sigh* i heard rumors they were announcing the Treo 800w on the 15th but that graphic certainly leans towards the Storm. hopefully they announce both.
and why does every phone on Verizon now have to be a full touchscreen device? i dont want that crap, gimme a QWERTY keypad.
oakie @ Sep 15th 2008 5:50AM
you dolts. it's not the Blackberry Storm. it's for a new fingerprint security system... you have to swipe your finger to unlock all the next-gen devices from Verizon. they're going to charge $9.99 per month for the privilege to use the fingerprint scanner, but if you dont subscribe, you cant unlock the phone.
AND each fingerprint image will be sent to the FBI along with your account info.
backbeat @ Sep 15th 2008 8:13PM
@oakie
If you believe the FBI/CIA/DIA/NSA/et al don't already have verbatim transcripts of each and every text/email/IM/VM or cell call via their own blackbox servers installed a few years ago along side each carrier's, I've got some beachfront property in downtown Omaha, Nebraska you're just gonna luv!
SLVR6 @ Sep 15th 2008 7:25AM
Oakie, you know it's the Storm!
Kobutah @ Sep 15th 2008 11:36AM
Dude. Are you serious that you think Oakie is serious?
PEZ @ Sep 15th 2008 8:20AM
Mike = Mike & Ike of Mike & Ike fame.
VZW @ Sep 15th 2008 10:47AM
So I just got another email that says "Can't wait another minute? Click here to see what Mike has to say!"
But i'm not at work, So i can't click on it because its brings us to an intranet page. Same background and big red thumbprint.