I know it's early yet, but I am not really impressed at all.

So far it doesn't look worth upgrading from 9530 to 9550.
Thanks for the video !!

I want to see some hard proof of Wifi

Wow finally Rogers is going to be offering the Storm2... So that does mean now that Bell and Telus will be offering the Bold replacement?

If you notice it has no branding.
Just because it says Rogers on the screen, doesnt mean rogers will have, just means that the device is unlocked (was never locked) and the guy showing is using a rogers sim.

1st, the phone has the verizon desktop logo.
2nd, if you look closely there is a signal bar when he turns it on. Unless all CDMA and GRPS phones work on each others network now meaning I can take my Bold from Rogers and put a CDMA SIM in it and use it on the CDMA 3G network the phone would not show any signal strength regardless if it's unlocked and from a CDMA 3G on a GRPS 3G network.

:D

1st, you can unlock vendor controlled themes. This doesn't prove anything.
http://blackberryfaq.com/index.php/H..._Locked_Themes

2nd, there is no such thing as a CDMA SIM card. And the Storm does work on both GSM and CDMA frequencies, if unlocked.

You know what mean, CDMA network phones don't work on GPRS (or GRPS) networks. Thus the demo phone of the 9550 would have not shown any signal if it had CDMA hardware in it. :o)

That is not entirely true. The 8830 runs on international GPRS/GSM networks with a SIM card. The Storm runs on both international and North American GPRS/GSM networks. Notice how you will see 9530 users on AT&T, T-Mobile, etc. The Tour is the same as the Storm 9530.

I would imagine the 9550 would be the same. I haven't seen any specs to confirm this yet.

Well I have tired the Storm from Bell and Telus here in Toronto on my Rogers SIM is it does not work. I have even tried it with my friends SIM from his Storm in my Bold and no signal.

I think it's up to the carriers to purchase the devices that have the correct hardware inside them otherwise you would have people lining up for miles who were on the Rogers GPRS network at the Bell stores (CDMA) who really wanted a Storm.

Also I know that carriers enter in exclusive contracts with RIM when they carry the devices so I am willing to be one of the clauses are the device works on their network only. I use to work for a software company that was a Telus dealer as well so I got to learn the ins and outs of how they do business with RIM.

the Storm and the Storm 2 work on both CDMA AND GSM networks...
Also as its a very early test unit, i would assume it was never locked to a network and doesnt have the themes "locked" to begin with.

Was the Storm you tried unlocked? If not, then it wouldn't work. Also, the SIM in the Storm is for international use. It is not active unless the user calls the carrier (Bell or Telus in your case) and asks to provision the device for international use. That would explain why it wouldn't work in your Bold.

Normally you would be correct. But seeing how CDMA is typically used in North America and very rarely used in other countries, they've began making them GSM/GPRS capable to support those that travel outside of NA.

As for the exclusivity contracts, yes, they do exist. However, the Storm 9530 is exclusive to Verizon here in the US. However, people have purchased them, had them unlocked and use them on AT&T and T-Mobile.

Take a look here for some more info:

http://www.blackberryforums.com/gene...-t-mobile.html

Logically there's no point to RIM locking any hardware until its actual shipping product, doing otherwise would just make things more difficult for themselves with regards to all the certification and approval stuff they need to complete before launching a new device.

I came across this article today and tought I'd throw it on here. No real new info on the device, especially not that elusive release date. It is kind of an interesting read tho.

enjoy.

New Details Emerge About The Storm 2 AKA BlackBerry 9550 – SoftSailor

YouTube - Blackberry Storm 2 (odin) in action video re-upload

Last video was removed by RIM so here's the re-upload......ENJOY!!!

So what's really new or different with the Storm 2? Did I miss something? It looks like in the Video he's playing with the same phone?

I might be wrong, but from the looks of the video, the Storm 2 has a solid touch screen this time; as for the first one the entire screen moved slightly when pressing it down. And I'm sure the Storm 2 will probably have an updated version with added features.

The whole thing is a touch screen yes, no separate keys for phone, menu, back keys.

I figured they would eventually make the BB Storm a full touch screen device.

Yea, I just want to see how that SurePress works out... If it isn't a one handed device it isn't a BlackBerry

WIFI = new phone for me. If storm2 has it im getting it.

Very true I might give it that 30 day test run VZW lets me have.. I'm interesting in using the Storm 2 with an external keyboard

It would be easier for me to bang out emails/blogs/study guides/etc !!

But the whole touch screen thing is what I don't like it has to be one handed to be BB!

But the whole touch screen thing is what I don't like it has to be one handed to be BB!

what's wrong with two handed?

One handed means I can be on my BB and do other things at the same time.

Agreed. Especially when you're driving ..

BB's + Driving Don't mix too well...

okay i have a question. my parents wouldnt let me get the BB storm when the alltel verizon merger went through cause i would have to pay market price; but im eligable for an upgrade at the end of september. does anybody know a REAL release date for the 2? would it be worth it to wait for this one even if it takes forever cause my pearl is pretty well used and i need a new phone anyways or would it be that big of a difference if i just got the old one? but then i would probly regret it; idk :/. advice?

No one knows when its coming out.
hence why its still in the rumours section.

The odds are that if you are able to upgrade in september then you wouldn't have to wait more than a couple of months for it to show up since its likely that verizon will want it on sale before the holidays.

Also note.. It will probably be a tad more expensive upon release.