Included in the OS 5.0.0.1015 update for BlackBerry Storm2 are the following enhancements: the ability to send text messages to multiple recipients while receiving a call (MULTITASKING wowzers,) the ability to enter more than 160 characters in a text message whilst connected to a GSM/UMTS network, the ability to download, browse, and install widgets from V CAST apps, and smooth activation of enterprise secure whipe/lock IT policy rule sets. Finally, new access to several widgets that let users with quick access to internet content.

Check out the full update here: [VERIZON] and remember that even though this is an official update, take all precautions including backing up your info and settings incase something goes wacky.

[Via IntoMobile]

Your hard-earned dollars get you a 3.25-inch 480 x 360 capacitive touchscreen with the latest iteration of RIM’s SurePress technology, both EVDO Rev.A and UMTS/HSPA 2100 (the latter for travelling), and WiFi b/g, along with OS 5.0 and a total of 18GB of storage (2GB internal; 16GB via included microSD card).  Around the back there’s a 3.2-megapixel autofocus camera with image stabilization and flash, and a 1,400mAh replaceable battery good, Verizon claim, for up to 5.5hrs talktime or 11.2 days standby.

Other specs include a 3.5mm headset jack, GPS, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR and a proximity sensor, and Verizon’s usual apps – including Rhapsody music – are preloaded.  Unfortunately there’s no preferential upgrade rate for existing Storm owners, which given the first-gen handset’s mixed reviews seems a little short-sighted of Verizon.

Press Release:

A Powerful New Storm Rolls Onto Verizon Wireless’ Network On Oct. 28

New Operating System for Existing BlackBerry Storm Customers

BASKING RIDGE, NJ, and WATERLOO, ONTARIO — Verizon Wireless and Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced that the BlackBerry® Storm2™ smartphone will be available in Verizon Wireless Communications stores, online at www.verizonwireless.com, and through business sales channels beginning Oct. 28. The BlackBerry Storm2 with BlackBerry® OS 5.0 evolves the BlackBerry® touchscreen platform with hundreds of hardware and software enhancements – including new SurePress™ “clickable” display technology and built-in Wi-Fi® – delivering the exceptional multimedia experience and communications capabilities customers have come to expect from their BlackBerry smartphones.

Key Features:

Smooth design and premium finish with sloped edges, chrome accents, glass lens and stainless steel backplate
Large (3.25”), dazzling high-resolution 480 x 360 display at 184 ppi
Capacitive touchscreen with integrated functions (Send, End, Menu, Escape) and new SurePress technology that makes clicking the display practically effortless
3G and global connectivity support for making phone calls in more than 220 countries and accessing data in more than 185 countries (with more than 80 destinations in 3G)
Network Connectivity: EV-DO Revision A; UMTS/HSPA (2100 MHz); and quad-band EDGE/GPRS/GSM networks
Supports Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g)
256 MB of Flash memory
2 GB of onboard media storage and a microSD™/SDHD memory card slot with a 16 GB card included
Software Updates on BlackBerry Storm2:

Features BlackBerry OS 5.0, which includes typing accuracy and selection improvements, as well as usability and visual enhancements such as inertial scrolling, spin boxes that make it easier to set dates and times, gradient shading on buttons, and more use of animation
BlackBerry® Browser is improved with faster JavaScript and CSS processing as well as support for Gears and BlackBerry Widgets
Customers running BlackBerry® Enterprise Server 5.0 will gain the ability to set follow-up flags, manage e-mail folders, access remote files (Windows Shares), forward appointments, view calendar attachments, and more
Additional Features and Specifications:

3.2 megapixel camera with autofocus, Image Stabilization (IS), flash and video recording capabilities
Premium and easy-to-access phone features, background noise suppression technology, loud distortion-free speakerphone and face detection (proximity sensor) that prevents accidental clicks and blanks the screen while the customer is on the phone
Media player for videos, pictures and music, plus support for BlackBerry Desktop Manager for both PCs and Macs, and BlackBerry® Media Sync, for easily syncing Windows Media® Player music with the smartphone*
3.5 mm stereo headset jack and dedicated volume controls
Bluetooth® (v2.1) capable with support for Secure Simple Pairing, hands-free headsets, stereo headsets, car kits and other Bluetooth peripherals
Built-in GPS for maps and other location-based applications, as well as photo geotagging; and Verizon Wireless’ VZ NavigatorSM service is pre-loaded
V CAST Music with Rhapsody
Access to BlackBerry App World™, featuring a broad and growing catalog of third-party mobile applications developed specifically for BlackBerry smartphones, with categories including games, entertainment, IM and social networking, news, weather, productivity and more
Support for Verizon Wireless’ Mobile Broadband Connect tethering service
Removable, rechargeable 1400 mAhr battery that provides up to 5.5 hours of talk time or up to 11.2 days of standby time
Pricing and Availability:

The BlackBerry Storm2 smartphone is available beginning Oct. 28 for $179.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement on a voice plan with an Email and Web feature or an Email and Web for BlackBerry plan. Customers will receive the mail-in rebate in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted. Data plans for the BlackBerry Storm2 smartphone begin at $29.99 when added to any Nationwide voice plan.
New Operating System for Existing BlackBerry Storm Customers
Existing BlackBerry Storm customers will be able to update their handsets to the new BlackBerry OS 5.0 software via Web software load (www.blackberry.com/update), BlackBerry Desktop Manager, or from Verizon Wireless’ download site (www.verizonwireless.com/storm). The software is available today.
For additional information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com. Business customers can contact their Business Sales Representatives at 1-800-VZW-4BIZ.
* Certain music files may not be supported, including files that contain digital rights management technologies.

Not much to learn, admittedly, but if you want to see the Storm2 with Verizon’s logo plastered across its touchscreen and battery cover, it’s the best, official way to do so.  The Storm2 will arrive in the UK on October 26th, bearing 3G, WiFi and a new touchscreen system which hopefully rightens the many criticisms its predecessor faced.

[via IntoMobile]

It’s unclear at this stage whether there’s any true involvement with Novatel Wireless, who made the original MiFi Intelligent Mobile Hotspot, or if it’s simply sales shorthand for sharing 3G over WiFi.  The latter seems certainly more likely, though as with the HD2 we don’t know how many WiFi clients might be supported simultaneously (the MiFi itself can connect up to five at a time).

Applications to bridge a smartphone’s internal 3G connectivity with a wired or wireless client (such as a notebook or netbook) isn’t new, but given the rise in WiFi-enabled devices (and the potential for charging an extra tethering fee) it’s obviously becoming a sales driver.  Unfortunately we may have to wait a little longer than the 21st to find out exactly what’s the truth.

[via Engadget - Thanks George!]

As we already knew, the Storm 2 delivers a 3.2-megapixel autofocus camera, 2100MHz UMTS/HSPA, quadband GSM/GPRS/EDGE, Bluetooth 2.1 and WiFi b/g, together with 2GB of onboard memory and a microSD card slot.  The display is 3.25-inches 360 x 480 resolution, and uses RIM’s updated SurePress touchscreen system.

The Storm 2 9520 will come preloaded with BlackBerry OS 5, with various touch-minded enhancements such as inertial scrolling and easier number selection.  We’re expecting Verizon to announce their version any moment now, and who knows, maybe even RIM will have something to say.

Press Release:

BlackBerry® Storm2™ available first through Vodafone UK

- Second generation smartphone features a range of new enhancements including SurePress™ Technology and Wi-Fi –

The highly-anticipated BlackBerry Storm2 can now be pre-ordered online on Vodafone UK and customers ordering it today will receive their new smartphone from 26th October.

Available first in the UK through Vodafone, the BlackBerry Storm2 is available for free on pay monthly price plans from £35 with 600 minutes, unlimited texts, unlimited BlackBerry Internet Service, unlimited Vodafone Mobile Internet and broadband on a 24 month contract.

Customers who want to be the first in the UK to have a BlackBerry Storm2 smartphone can pre-order today at http://shop.vodafone.co.uk/shop/mobile-phone/blackberry-storm2

The second generation of RIM’s innovative and award-winning smartphone significantly improves the BlackBerry® touch-screen platform with new technology and features among its hundreds of hardware and software enhancements.

The BlackBerry Storm2 smartphone from Vodafone features:

· New SurePress technology based on an electronic suspension system that provides the user with tactile feedback when the touch-screen is pressed

· Fast performance Wi-Fi capability

· 3.2 MP camera with variable zoom, autofocus, flash and video recording (with enhanced speaker performance)

· Flexible storage, including 256MB flash memory and an expandable microSD/SDHD memory card slot

· Thinner, sleeker and cleaner lines than its predecessor, the BlackBerry Storm 9500

· Enhanced BlackBerry OS 5

- Ends -

Note to editors

The BlackBerry Storm2 smartphone (model 9520) from Vodafone features:

New SurePress Technology

The BlackBerry Storm2 smartphone introduces a new SurePress™ technology based on an electronic system that provides the user with tactile feedback when the touch-screen is pressed. The new system responds equally to gentle pressure applied anywhere on the surface of the screen and makes clicking the display practically effortless. Typing on the smartphone’s virtual keyboards is easier, more comfortable and more accurate. The new SurePress technology also allows the user to type a letter with one thumb even while their other thumb may still be touching or resting on another letter, enabling faster typing and multi-key actions such as Shift or Alt -key combinations.

Hardware Features

Smooth design and premium finish with sloped edges, chrome accents, glass lens and stainless steel backplate
Large (3.25”), dazzling, high resolution 360 x 480 display at 184 ppi
Capacitive touch-screen with integrated functions (Send, End, Menu, Escape) and new SurePress technology that makes clicking the display practically effortless
Global connectivity support: UMTS/HSPA (2100Mhz), quad-band EDGE/GPRS/GSM and Wi-Fi® (802.11 b/g) networks
3.2 MP camera with variable zoom, autofocus, flash and video recording
256 MB of Flash memory
2 GB of onboard memory storage and a microSD/SDHD memory card slot that supports up to 16 GB cards today and is expected to support 32 GB cards when available
Premium and easy-to-access phone features, background noise suppression technology, loud distortion-free speakerphone and face detection (proximity sensor) that prevents accidental clicks and blanks the screen while the user is on the phone
Media player for videos, pictures and music, plus BlackBerry® Desktop Manager for both PCs and Macs, and BlackBerry® Media Sync for easily syncing iTunes® and Windows Media® Player music with the smartphone*
Vodafone’s music client pre-installed, giving access to an extensive catalogue of artists
A 3.5 mm stereo headset jack and dedicated volume controls
Bluetooth® (2.1) with support for Secure Simple Pairing, hands-free headsets, stereo headsets, car kits and other Bluetooth peripherals
Built-in GPS for maps and other location-based applications, as well as photo geotagging
Access to BlackBerry App World™, featuring a broad and growing catalog of mobile applications developed specifically for BlackBerry smartphones. Categories include games, entertainment, IM and social networking, news, weather, productivity and more. Applications developed for the original BlackBerry Storm are fully compatible with the BlackBerry Storm2
BlackBerry® Internet Service and BlackBerry® Enterprise Server support
Removable, rechargeable 1400 mAhr battery that provides approximately 6 hours of talk time on 3G networks and 280 hours of standby time

BlackBerry OS 5

More responsive experience and includes usability and visual enhancements such as inertial scrolling, spin boxes that make it easier to set dates and times, gradient shading on buttons and more use of animation
Typing accuracy and selection have been significantly refined
BlackBerry® Browser improved with faster JavaScript and CSS processing as well as support for Gears and BlackBerry Widgets
Customers running BlackBerry® Enterprise Server 5 will gain the ability to:
- Set follow-up Flags on the handset like they can in Microsoft® Office Outlook®

- Manage Microsoft Exchange email folders (Add, Rename, Move, Delete) on the handset

- Access remote files shares (Windows Shares); Save, View, Edit, and Email documents from remote file shares

- Forward appointments and view calendar attachments on the handset

- Benefit from wireless sync improvements for Contacts, including sync for multiple contact folders, personal Distribution Lists and contacts in Public/Shared folders

* Certain music files may not be supported, including files that contain digital rights management technologies.

The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited. RIM, Research In Motion and BlackBerry are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and may be pending or registered in other countries. Wi-Fi is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance. All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. RIM assumes no obligations or liability and makes no representation, warranty, endorsement or guarantee in relation to any aspect of any third party products or services.

The review comes on the heels of Verizon’s CEO scooping RIM to their own Storm 2 announcement, as we discovered yesterday.  There’s no way of knowing exactly whether Mossberg had special dispensation to publish early – it wouldn’t be the first time he’s had privileged access ahead of everyone else – but since we’re still hungry for Storm 2 details we’ll forgive him anyway.

What does Walt reckon about the Storm 2?  He’s a bigger fan of it than its predecessor, praising the improved touchscreen and better on-screen keyboard, while the inclusion of WiFi gets an obvious thumbs-up.  Less convincing, though, is BlackBerry OS itself, which “cries out for a major overhaul in a touch device like this”; “RIM’s menu and folder metaphor” Mossberg suggests, “seems tired on this device.”  The browser also gets something of a smackdown.  Still, set to arrive – so he claims – most likely in November for around $200, we reckon RIM will find a fair few buyers.  First, though, they have to announce the phone themselves.

According to McAdam, he demonstrated the new device to some students shopping for a new handset.  ”I let them play with the second-generation Storm device,” he told reporters recently, “[and] they came back and said ‘Oh, my gosh.’ They were very excited. This is what they hoped the original Storm should be.”  While no release date for the Storm 2 has been revealed, RIM co-CEO Jim Balsillie has suggested that the company will announced new social-networking integration with BlackBerry devices in November.

[via PhoneScoop]

Where the original Storm’s keyboard was a lesson in botched ergonomics, both SurePress and the OS’ auto-correct have improved this time around.  The second-gen Storm seems to have transferred its button issues elsewhere, though; phoneArena’s handset periodically locked up its four shortcut keys, meaning they couldn’t be pressed at all.

It’s obviously worth pointing out that this is a preproduction device running non-final software, and so much of the stuff complained about could well be tweaked into place before the Storm 2 hits Verizon shelves later this year.  Having read this particular preview, we reckon RIM have got quite a bit of work ahead of them.

There’s no indication of what the two Palm devices might be, at least not on Verizon’s database, but it’s not the first time we’ve seen similar product codes mentioned.  The Sprint Palm Pre, for instance, was codenamed the P100, so it seems eminently possible that the P101 is Verizon’s version of the webOS smartphone.  That could suggest that the Palm P121 is Verizon’s Palm Eos, the candybar QWERTY smartphone we saw leaked earlier in the year.

Also fresh to the inventory is the Verizon Convoy U640, a somewhat more mundane device than the other five.  No pricing or launch dates, unfortunately, but at least confirmation that there’s some interesting telephony on the horizon.

The benefit is not just multiple points of touch recognition with the same tactile response as the first-gen Storm, but that it reacts quicker because the piezo system is electronic rather than physical.  There are also no dead-spots – such as the corners on the Storm, which were always tougher to press – and the display physically locks itself hard when shut-off and then softens when turned on.

Video after the cut

A sizable argument between the relative keyboard abilities of the iPhone and the Storm 2 is already underway, but we’re going to remain standoffish until we have a chance to test them side-by-side ourselves.  Until then, we’ll just be happy with another confirmation of WiFi in both the GSM and CDMA versions of the Storm 2.

[via Engadget Mobile]

The RIM devices include the BlackBerry Storm 2, which is tipped to land in October (though yet to be priced), as well as the BlackBerry Curve 2 in late November.  No details or images of that latter device, but it’s presumed to be the Curve 8530 with CDMA and WiFi support.

Elsewhere there’s the LG Chocolate Touch (no confirmation on whether this is the same device as the BL40) dropping in October for around $230, the Android-based Motorola Sholes in late October (price TBD) and the HTC Razzle/Blitz 2 at the same time.  There’ll also be a “female centric” Nokia, the Twist 7705, in late September, priced at $230.

According to the rumors that were provided to Phone Arena, it looks like the BlackBerry Storm 2 (9550) is set to launch on September 15 over on Telus. As a refresher, the Storm 2 is promoting a better screen for typing on that SurePress keyboard/screen, as well as hefting along for the ride some WiFi goodness (which the first version was sorely lacking). And, if you’re keeping tabs, then this means that it’s been less than a year since the launch of the first Storm, which is probably either a good thing or a bad thing, depending on how you look at it.

As videos are showing, there’s been an obvious improvement from the previous model to the upcoming version. When it comes to RIM and their BlackBerry phones, it’s better late than never, and we’re sure that a lot of people will be picking up the latest iteration. Will you be one of them?

[via Phone Arena]

Other than WiFi there’s european-spec 3G, a touchscreen with the latest version of RIM’s ClickThrough system and a 3.2-megapixel camera.  The BlackBerry Storm 9520 has been tipped for an October release in Europe, at the same time as the US model arrives.

Check out more details about the Verizon model here, and more live photos here.  There are also more photos of the GSM Storm 2 here.

[via GSM Arena]

First off, the CDMA HTC Touch Pro2 is expected to arrive imminently on Verizon, hopefully with the 3.5mm headset jack as seen on its Telus counterpart.  The existing Touch Pro has dropped from $419 to $99.

Secondly, the BlackBerry Storm 2 is expected to be the next, big smartphone to land, though that’s not predicted to happen before November 2009.  The Storm 2 is tipped to correct many of the issues users had with RIM’s unique click-through capacitive touchscreen, as well as adding WiFi.

[via wmpoweruser]

Now it’s worth noting that this is very early hardware and software – in fact CrackBerry say there’s already newer, changed versions of each – but already they reckon it feels nicer in the hand and better constructed than the original smartphone.  It’s also more user-friendly, particularly the new touchscreen which still moves when you “click” but without the same frustration as on the Storm 9530/9500.

The software, mind, will be little changed over what RIM have in line for the upcoming OS 5.0 update for the first-gen Storm, but it’s that tweaked hardware – which CrackBerry describe as “what Storm 1 should have been” – which may make all the difference.

Update: YouTube pulled the video after a copyright claim by RIM

The BlackBerry Storm 9550 will also have a 3.2-megapixel camera, 360 x 480 capacitive touchscreen and use BlackBerry OS 5.0.  GSM/EDGE support will be quadband.

As for the GSM version, contrary to original expectations it will be a counterpart to the new 9550 model rather than the original, more controversial Storm.  While there’s no release date for the Verizon handset, the GSM UMTS AT&T Storm 2 could arrive “relatively soon”.

[Image via Engadget]

Video hands-on after the cut

Elsewhere, the casing has been slimmed down and polished, making it feel “a wee bit higher end”, and the hardware front panel buttons of the first-gen Storm have been replaced with softkeys integrated with the touchscreen.  Build is mainly plastic, with metal trim on the edges and a metal battery cover. 

Unfortunately the device they had hands-on time with wouldn’t let them past the license screen, so things like haptic feedback are still unconfirmed.  We do know that the Storm 2 does have a 3.2-megapixel camera with autofocus, standard 3.5mm headset socket and USB charging port.  Once you’ve finished with the video below, there are plenty more photos to be found here.

[viddler id=e562d97&w=437&h=288]

Also confirmed is a new touch input method, which our source hinted at when originally revealing to us the plans for Verizon to release the Storm 2.  Yet unconfirmed is the existence of WiFi, but we feel that this would be the most obvious upgrade to the device to bring it to compete directly with the iPhone.

We’re looking forward to seeing the successor to the first Blackberry Storm, and hope that they’ve managed to work the kinks out of the clicking touchscreen. With the new App World for Blackberry, the Storm 2 could become the Pro-sumer device that RIM needs to take marketshare away from Apple.

[Via tweakers.net (Google Translation)]

In fact, according to von Banchet the phone will not be limited to Vodafone (in the Netherlands, at least) this time around.  He claims RIM will be supplying the Storm 2 to carrier KPN; it’s unclear if this is another exclusivity deal, or simply a sign that RIM will not be making the Storm 2 carrier-locked in Europe whatsoever.

SlashGear reported earlier this week that a trusted source had revealed the Storm 2 would have WiFi and be a “better pro-sumer device”, which we took to imply that the text-entry would be fettled.  However our source tipped the new Storm 2 for September of this year, earlier than von Banchet.

[Thanks Toby and Paula!]