Introduction to the Blackberry Storm 2
Introduction
The BlackBerry Storm 2 is the follow-up to the BlackBerry Storm developed by Research in Motion. The BlackBerry Storm was not exactly the best phone in the world, as critics smashed it for having bugs and various performance problems. Although they were resolved by software updates, the original Storm still had a lukewarm reception.
The BlackBerry Storm 2 is considered to be a significant improvement over the older phone. It has reconfigured SurePress technology that makes for a better touchscreen experience. The memory has also been doubled, while other features like Wi-Fi have been added. However, there are still issues with the web browsing capability of this phone, which pales in comparison with other smartphones available on the market.
Design (5 out of 5)
The BlackBerry Storm 2 may be seen as a copycat of its predecessor in terms of design. Both models share the same dimensions, having a length of 4.4 inches, a width of 2.4 inches and a depth of 0.5 inches. It weighs 5.6 ounces. There are, however, subtle improvements from the first model. For example, it boasts a tinted chrome ring located around the edge. The side controls likewise have a soft touch look similar to those of the BlackBerry Curve 8520.
RIM also reconfigured the SurePress technology to stimulate the feeling of a click. This is quite an improvement from the original Storm. The phone’s touchscreen feels more uniform and the display does not move physically like in the original model. This also allows easier typing and faster rollover of the keys.
User Interface (3 out of 5)
Although the Storm 2’s user interface is a lot better compared to its predecessor, some critics feel the touchscreen is still miles away from that of other smartphones. One common complaint is picking up the wrong item when browsing the list menu. It may take some acclimation for users to get used to the touchscreen.
The screen measures 3.2 inches and has a resolution of 480x360 pixels. The touchscreen also comes with an integrated accelerometer plus a proximity sensor which means the screen will automatically switch off when the user is on the phone in order to prevent unwanted presses.
At the bottom of the screen is a mute button, power and lock button, while there is a port for micro-USB on the left spine and on the right, a headphone jack. There are also slots for microSD expansion and SIM card behind the cover of the battery.
Features (4 out of 5)
The BlackBerry Storm 2 brings in many additions in terms of features, most notably the integrated Wi-Fi, increased memory and more advanced operating system which enables the phone to have more improvements in terms of applications.
The Storm 2 is the first BlackBerry compatible with the CDMA network to provide integrated Wi-Fi. This should allow users to get faster web browsing especially when they are out of 3G coverage. There are also noticeable improvements with the browser, rendering pages quickly thanks to the CSS and JavaScript processing.
Other features of the BlackBerry Storm 2 are voice dialing, speaker phone, smart dialing, speed dial, and conference calling. Of course, it supports both multimedia and text messaging. The phone’s address book can be customized to include pertinent information like email address, home and work address, multiple numbers and job title. The phone also includes wireless headset support and stereo support with its Bluetooth capability.
Like other BlackBerry models, the Storm 2 can be synced with various email applications like the BlackBerry Enterprise Server, IBM Lotus Domino, Microsoft Exchange and Groupwise, enabling the user to get corporate emails. The phone also has an attachment viewer capable of opening files such as PDF, GIF, JPEG, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. There are other instant messaging applications on this phone as well like the Google Talk, AIM, Yahoo Messenger, and Windows Live.
The BlackBerry Storm 2 also features download links for popular websites like Flickr, MySpace and Facebook. There are other apps that can be downloaded from Blackberry’s App World section. The device also has an integrated media player which supports common video and audio files.
Performance (4 out of 5)
The BlackBerry Storm 2 is known to provide good quality calls, as users can expect rich and clear audio quality. In terms of web browsing the phone can be relied upon to load websites quickly, with popular portals loaded in less than a minute.
While the Storm 2 utilizes the very same processor as that of the Storm, the newer model feels snappier and quicker to load thanks to its updated software and better memory. The phone comes with a 1400 mAh lithium battery and lasts up to 12 days in idle time. It has a talk time lasting for about 5.5 hours.
Verdict (4 out of 5)
Overall, the BlackBerry Storm 2 is a nice improvement on its predecessors and is highly recommended to business-oriented individuals in need of a smartphone to enable them to be always in touch with their associates and partners.
