Archive for: storm 2
The BlackBerry Storm 2 is an infant in the public’s eye yet reports are already circulating this morning that a rather nasty WiFi bug has made itself known. The issue stems around the device being unable to fully connect to a WiFi network which of course means no data and simultaneous voice for you. Word is that the beef should lie with Verizon, not RIM. Understandable, Verizon is a bit of a newcomer to this found WiFi technology on smartphones….
There is a temporary “fix” though that term should be used loosely. It involves calling up Verizon and having them upgrade your BIS plan to the more expensive $45 BES plan, re-sync your service books, and power cycling your device. See, not exactly a very easy or cost effective fix now is it. It’s better than nothing though so do with the info what you will. Anyone with a Storm 2 care to comment?
It’s worth noting that as I’m writing this some users are reporting a simple resending of service books and/or power cycling the device without upgrading to the BES plan has worked while others are still left yearning for a fully functioning Berry. Looks like mileage will once again vary by user.
CrackBerry
I haven’t yet touched and felt the new Storm 2 for myself. But I can assure you I will be heading to the local Verizon store today to give it a try. Am I going to buy one? No! But after reading Zdnet’s review, my initial excitement at hardware based improvements on the latest iteration have effectively been squelched. I already knew that save for the re-worked touchscreen and some good ‘ol WiFI, everything else in the physical sense was more or less the same. But I still hoped that those subtle improvements would give me a more favorable opinion on the 2nd version which were vacant from the first. The lack of any real physical advancments coupled with the fact that the software, OS 5.0, while new, is in reality anything but, means I will yet again find myself dissatisfied with RIM’s touchscreen attempts.
As Highlighted in Zdnet’s review, OS 5.0 for BlackBerry is “nothing revolutionary and barely evolutionary”. Ouch! I don’t say this with hate. I came from a long lineage of BlackBerry usage and still love the platform. I just with the software would catch up into 2007. That’s all. As the reviews trickle in and more people get to play with the device, do you think Zdnet’s and my opinions are going to be shared? RIM really needs to take a step back and rethink their touchscreen strategy. If the Storm 3 is already in development, I only hope they do something major. Because their current progress in touchscreen land is pathetic.
Zdnet
Image Source
- October 24, 2009 10:30 am
While not much can be done to save the not so greatness that plagues the first gen BlackBerry Storm, those looking to ride out the storm (no pun intended) and continue on with their trusty device have a few fixes coming their way this Sunday, October 25th. It is on this magnificent day that RIM will officially release the OS 5.0 upgrade. For CrackBerry fanatics needing a more specific number, note this OS as 5.0.0.328. Besides some subtle UI tweaks here and there, users can expect to see threaded text messages, flick scrolling ala iPhone, an improved browser, and faster loading of apps. Various bug fixes and performance tweaks under the hood also make the cut, though, we don’t really care about those now do we? One thing that’s rather disappointing is that RIM appears to be ignoring the OTA OS upgrade feature built in to the OS as this one will have to be done the old fashioned way of baby sitting your comp while all of the little 1′s and 0′s shuttle to and fro. Come sunday, you can download the new BlackBerry Storm 5.0.0.328 OS at www.blackberry.com/storm/updates. Anyone excited? Or are you already eyeing the Storm 2, not giving a care in the world to your decrepit 1st gen Storm?
Unwired > Electric
What’s today? For me in (EST) I’m still staring at Thursday on the computer. *sigh*. If you’re in the same slump, cheer up! For October 28th is but a mere 6 days away. You know what that means? The BlackBerry Storm 2 which is exponentially leaps and bounds ahead of it’s more trouble ridden, 1st gen brother. The image above comes from CrackBerry via some brave Verizon worker who was able to snap a shot of the Verizon intranet page in all it’s underground glory. With the Storm2, text input is drastically improved as is many other areas pertaining to software. On the hardware side of things, the Storm2 received a gentle face lift that overall is a nice step up from the original. Still, with the Moto DROID breathing down the Storm 2′s launch date neck, who’s looking at giving this Berry a pass?
CrackBerry
I know. It’s Monday morning. It’s hard enough to wake up and crawl in to work let alone actually focus on small organizations and patterns of text on a screen and try to even remotely grab any of the information. Besides, we all know the saying: “A picture is worth a thousand words”. So we’ll give you just that. The BlackBerry Storm 2 was spotted recently getting some more hands and eyes on time with Benez Blog (German). While there isn’t any new information or pictures that we haven’t seen before, another look at a refined and hopefully much better attempt at this whole touchscreen thing certainly can’t hurt. Right? Click the link above for a few more pics of Storm 2 action.
Source: Berry Review, Benez Blog
Number counters and those of you who long for the never tiring workhorse that is BlackBerry have something to celebrate this fine Tuesday morning. Claims and assumptions that the Storm 2 was taking the model number 9550 were correct. While it isn’t leaked shots of the hardware (which we’ve already seen) or images of a completely revamped OS (keep dreaming), it is a small victory none the less. With rumors and mounting confirmation of no more craptactic clicky touchscreen I can only say: “Bring it on!”
Source: Into Mobile, CrackBerry
While new info about the Storm 2 was revealed last week, most importantly, the observation that the Surepress “click” touchscreen was missing, would lead one to assume that said technology won’t be present on RIM’s next rendition of the love-it-or-hate-it Blackberry. However, after RIM CEO Mike Lazaridis sat down and layed the record straight at D7 yesterday, the Storm 2′s typing abilities are now even more in question. Mr. Lazaridis was quoted as saying: “Surepress is here to stay”, which also would leave many to assume that “click” touchscreens will be on the next Storm. But what about that new screen on the Storm 2 that was floating around Crackberry? It could be possible that RIM has figured out a new way to mimic clicking on screen without having to actually have the screen move (a great idea). Whatever the case, there are still plenty of questions regarding the screen left unanswered. Confused?
Source: Engadget, Image Source
While a constant, continuous, and reliable production schedule is good for business, I’m not too sure Verizon and RIM’s latest drama entitles. Word in the ninja catacombs is that Verizon reps are or will be very soon starting on training for the upcoming Storm 2. Not even a year into the Storms debut and we are already talking about its more attractive sibling. Ouch. While technology is a fast paced market and hobby to get in to, that is still a fast product replacement even by Apple standards. According to the source, we could be physically staring down a Storm 2 as early as this month if all goes well and no later than June if not so well. Of course, the biggest news around the Storm 2 is the addition of WiFi, the apparent relocation of the 4 physical buttons onto the touchscreen part of the phone, and rumors of the clicky surepress getting kicked to the curb. Hopefully soon we’ll get some more concrete evidence as to get a better timeline together regarding a real release date. I just can’t believe that Verizon and RIM would outdate they greatly hyped device that is not even a year old. Eh, I’ve seen stranger things. Until then we’ll just have to make do with what little we know and all that our imaginations can create!
Source: BG, BlackberryOS
