Verizon Finally Ships BlackBerry Storm 2

31st October, 2009 by adina
Tags: BlackBerry, Mobile, Phones, RIM, Verizon

After a two weeks delay from the launching date, Verizon finally revealed details of its version of RIM’s BlackBerry Storm 2.

This new version of the original Storm adds CDMA and EVDO Revision A for its initial phone as well as 3G networking. Quad-band GSM/EDGE and single-band 2,100MHz HSPA 3G allow roaming in other areas. A 16GB microSDHC card is also included by the carrier in order to balance the capabilities of the 16GB iPhone 3GS.

The new phone has the same features of the Vodafone version, everything turning around the advanced touchscreen providing two-point touch and providing simulated physical feedback. The new Storm 2 is faster and has 256MB of memory. Wi-Fi is added compared to the original handset. The device has the same 3.2-megapixel camera. The BlackBerry OS 5.0 provides a more performing web browser, flick scrolling and improved messaging.

Verizon was supposed to sacrifice the Storm 2 in favour of the Motorola Droid by placing its launch together with the Droid’s one. The Droid is intended to be the flagship device for the coming holidays because Verizon thinks it is the best competitor for the iPhone. With a mail-in rebate of $100 and a two-year contract signed, the BlackBerry Storm 2 will cost $180.

The owners of the original BlackBerry Storm can also benefit from a BlackBerry OS 5.0 upgrade which adds the new browser, flick scrolling and all other Storm 2 features that are not hardware-specific. This software upgrade is available as freeware.

The first Storm was intended to be the iPhone’s valuable rival, but some early software bugs as well as the absence of Wi-Fi have prevented it to really threaten iPhone’s position on the market. This was the reason for multiple price cuts operated by the carrier, which brought the BlackBerry Storm to a price of only $50 on contract.

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