Add to del.icio.us     Digg this

Oct. 26, 2009

Verizon Wireless has confirmed it will roll out the BlackBerry Storm2 on Wednesday.

Research In Motion's new Storm2 mobile handset is the highly anticipated successor to the original Storm, which launched last year with many problems and subsequent customer returns.

So far, RIM is capitalizing on a new touch screen and a new operating system to improve on the original Storm.

RIM's new Storm2 smartphone comes with a full touch screen, which has been improved with new BlackBerry "Sure Press" technology, as well as the new BlackBerry OS 5.0.

The Storm2 also will feature Wi-Fi, which the original Storm didn't.

The Storm2 will be available Wednesday for $179.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement on a Verizon Wireless voice plan with an e-mail and Web feature or an e-mail and Web for a BlackBerry plan.

Overall, initial reviews of the new smartphone have been positive, with some saying that the original problems associated with the older device largely have been solved.

Additional features include 3G and global connectivity support for making phone calls in more than 220 countries and accessing data in more than 185 countries, a 3.2-megapixel camera, 256 MB of Flash memory, 2 GB of onboard media storage and a microSD/SDHD memory card slot with a 16 GB card included.

However, this announcement could come as very sad news for wireless customers who purchased the original Storm back in November of last year and are still under contract.

Those customers will either have to pay the unsubsidized price for the device or wait another year before indulging in the Storm2.

Verizon's bold new move will create pressure on other market players such as Apple and Palm to come with improved smartphone models as well.

There are already some rumors that Nokia is about to launch a new smartphone before November rolls around.

As for Motorola and Sunsung, the jury is still out as to when those two might produce a competing product to RIM's Storm2 in November.

This is the time of the year when the wireless industry heats up with amazing accuracy and timing.

It will be interesting to see the deluge of new mobile products that could hit store shelves just in time for the Holidays.

Add to del.icio.us     Digg this

    This article was featured on Business 5.0 and on Tech Blog.

Source: Verizon Wireless.