BlackBerry Storm 2: the official unofficial hands-on
by Sean Cooper 
posted May 21st 2009 at 1:00PM
We've been bumping into the new BlackBerry Storm 2 for quite a while now on the so-called "information superhighway," but we've finally had a chance to escalate those encounters and spend a few sweet moments with a live unit in the flesh. First off, let's confirm the huge news: RIM's abandoned the original Storm's SurePress click-screen and gone with a traditional fixed capacitive display for the sequel. It's over, guys. Unfortunately, the Verizon-branded dual-mode GSM / CDMA unit that we played with has a bug preventing us from getting past the license screen, so we couldn't dive deep into the OS, but we can tell you what we do know: the Storm 2's sleeker style and more heft combined with the newly-stable screen collaborate to make everything feel a wee bit higher end than the original. Follow the break for more impressions!
Update: On the advice of our legal team, we've had to pull the images and videos originally seen in this post. Sorry, everyone!
Update: On the advice of our legal team, we've had to pull the images and videos originally seen in this post. Sorry, everyone!
We'd heard buzz of haptic support -- and while it is possible it is somewhere in there, we can't get at it, so we'll leave that one up in the air for now. We'll leave the device with the heroes and hope we get another chance with it if they can get into the OS for a tour. Meanwhile, follow on for the gallery and a quick video showing off some Verizon branding right after the break. Of course, if you have any questions, drop them in the post and we'll do our level best to get you an answer -- or at least try to lie in a convincing fashion.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
mike @ May 21st 2009 1:13PM
1ST.....WOW is this fantastic!!!! There seems to be a lot of sightings and info. on this device now..I can only pray for it to be fast tracked and come out in early july....
Nerdherder @ May 21st 2009 1:53PM
Wow, you're an idiot. This is you, one of the many online idiot's;
http://tech.msn.com/products/slideshow.aspx?cp-documentid=19445651&imageindex=2
Sin City @ May 21st 2009 1:12PM
Sean, all of that is good but does the phone have WiFi? I'm not with Verizon but that would be a great step in the right direction.
Michael @ May 24th 2009 9:26PM
For verizon services you don't need wifi. As long as you can make a call you have internet so having wifi would be pointless and would just make the device more bulky.
JustinTime @ May 26th 2009 9:07PM
There are good reasons to have Wi-Fi:
1. Fast internet, even if the cellular internet data connection is strong, it will not be as fast or consistent as Wi-Fi connected to a DSL or Cable modem in most cases.
2. You don't have a cell signal, but you are at a house with a landline internet connection and Wi-Fi.
3. You want to network (over Wi-Fi) with a device on the WLAN.
4. Your cellular radio fails or the network has an outage.
5. You are on a plane where they offer Wi-Fi internet in flight.
I mean, if a lot of people are asking for it, and you don't get why... you should ask yourself, could it be that I am the ignorant one?
Codey H. @ May 21st 2009 1:23PM
Scroll to the bottom of the license agreement?? does it scroll like an iPhone?
Codey H. @ May 21st 2009 1:23PM
Oh, and if that works and you're able to review... Send me one! :)
Enigma @ May 21st 2009 1:38PM
Software version? 4.7.????
God @ May 21st 2009 1:39PM
Maybe it was user error on not being able to press the screen. Some new style of touchscreen perhaps? haha...
ryder.nate @ May 21st 2009 1:51PM
I have to drop ATT and get Verizon due to an upcoming move. If this thing has WiFi and the TP2 is not out by then, This will be my next phone for sure.
Anticrawl @ May 26th 2009 2:12AM
I don't get you people and your WiFi. You have to buy a data package and you can get the 49.99 unlimited package for Blackberries. What the fuck would you wanna use WiFi for if you have an ulimited data package when WiFi would only drain the battery faster?
anantha92 @ May 26th 2009 11:06AM
Maybe its cos, not everyone who is going to use this phone is going to be in the US and buy it with verizons subscription.
Cameron @ May 27th 2009 9:39PM
Maybe because WiFi is WAY faster! When I'm at home, where the signal is present but low strength, my home WiFi AP would allow me to do my big downloads faster. The manufacturers don't put WiFi on there because they like to, but because the consumers WANT it. Now stop whining!
zephxiii @ May 21st 2009 1:38PM
That surepress screen was what i hated most about the original storm.....minus the fact that it was a blackberry (read no exchange support or normal email client).
Jerry @ May 21st 2009 1:54PM
Try hitting the LOCK button before clicking "OK"...chances are it locked upon start up -- My current storm does that on occasion...
duke @ May 21st 2009 2:10PM
sexy
NateDog @ May 21st 2009 3:00PM
Sean,
Have you tried removing the IT security policy from the device? It's black magic, but it can be done.
If you want further instructions, I'm positive you can dig up my email address from this post.
oscar @ May 21st 2009 4:07PM
NOT INTERESTED STORM 1 OR 2 OR EVEN 3
JUST HERE WAITTING FOR MY PRE
THE MOST ANTICIPATED GADGET OF THE YEAR
PALM PRE
Cameron @ May 27th 2009 9:34PM
PALM PRE -- MOST ANTICIPATED DEVICE OF THE YEAR ON THE SHITTIEST NETWORK IN THE WHOLE US!
Well, maybe T-Mobile is worse, but Sprint HAS to be a close second. I'd love to have a Pre too, but I'm not willing to give up the best (coverage-wise) network in the country.
chris @ May 21st 2009 4:17PM
I wanted a Storm 1 but decided to wait until this is released. Does anyone know when this is going to be released? I read in September but would like confirmation of that. Thanks
stockett.adam @ May 21st 2009 5:10PM
any chance that this storm will be released on other cdma carriers in the us? verizon isnt available where i live.
VZW @ May 21st 2009 5:46PM
Where do you live? And no, this will be Verizon only.
gyroslice @ May 21st 2009 7:01PM
i live in hattiesburg, mississippi. there are verizon stores on the ms gulf coast and in jackson but nothing in hattiesburg.
tluv @ May 21st 2009 5:31PM
Was it just me or did it sound like he was reviewing this from the bathroom.......whispering and not having access to the device. We are not MAC lemmings, aesthetics mean less to us than actual hardware/software. This is not a review.....it's a tech blog trying to get a scoop and it FAILED!
netviper @ May 21st 2009 6:01PM
Looks sweet. Might have to get one. I was thinking about the iPhone but I use BB messenger too much! This looks to be as good as the iPhone minus the aps.. for now.
jordan @ May 21st 2009 11:49PM
umm what are you talking about minus the apps they released a blackberry app world which is very similar
Free upgrade? @ May 21st 2009 9:41PM
wished Verizon would give storm 1 users a free upgrade to storm 2. i have had nothing but problems from software to hardware.
theidoctor @ May 22nd 2009 12:45PM
nice!
http://www.theidoctor.org
Kobe @ May 27th 2009 1:16PM
Guys and Girls,
I have to agree with JustinTime. During katrina the city's Wi-Fi was the only thing working (until it finally shut down), while all other network communications were down for days. Emails and IM's was my only means of communications to the outside world. Also, I travel overseas alot and it's great to get emails, IM's and surfing the net using Wi-Fi while flying. It costs a flat rate per travel but its worth it on a 10 to 14 hour flight. While in other country's, you can use free Wi-Fi hotspots to save money instead of using overseas networks to communicate (emails, IM's). I will never buy another cell without Wi-Fi no matter what network its on.....
zahid @ Jun 11th 2009 11:38PM
it's really a good smart phone .
http://www.zahipedia.com/2009/05/31/blackberry-storm-2-affirmative-by-rim/
Naveen Chaudhary @ Jun 22nd 2009 5:16AM
the person in the picture looks like benny hill. u kidding??
Penny @ Jul 6th 2009 8:43AM
Any idea on the date of release?
alisha @ Jul 9th 2009 11:42AM
how much do you think the blackberry storm 2 will coast compared to the blackberry storm 1?