[mrmartymac]

Read for yourself.

The email hit my BB at 06:00EDT.

BlackBerry Takes The World By Storm With Verizon Wireless And Vodafone

Plus the Verizon page now has the "Can we touch it" video linked in on the "register for updates page". Look in the lower right corner.

It is getting closer.

(BTW - I am sure there is not much new in the posting, not much more than we all already knew, but I thought I would simply share)

I will paste some of the more pertinent details here:

10/08/2008

BASKING RIDGE, NJ, NEWBURY, England, and WATERLOO, Ontario xxx8212; Verizon Wireless, Vodafone Group (NYSE and LSE: VOD) and Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced that the BlackBerry® Stormxxx8482; will be available later this fall, exclusively to Verizon Wireless customers in the U.S. and Vodafone customers in Europe, India, Australia and New Zealand.
...

Packed with Additional Features

The BlackBerry Storm smartphone, available from Verizon Wireless and Vodafone, also includes the following features and functions:

* BlackBerry® Internet Service, BlackBerry® Unite!, BlackBerry® Professional Software and BlackBerry® Enterprise Server support
* Preloaded DataViz® Documents to Go® allows users to edit Microsoft® Word, Excel and PowerPoint files directly on the handset
* 3.2 megapixel camera with variable zoom, auto focus and a powerful flash that also provides continuous lighting when recording video
* Built-in GPS supports location-based applications and services, as well as geotagging of photos
* 1 GB of onboard memory storage and a microSDxxx8482;/SDHD memory card slot that supports up to 16 GB of additional storage
* Media player that can play movies smoothly in full-screen mode, display pictures and slideshows quickly and manage an entire music collection; playlists can be created directly on the handset and therexxx8217;s an equalizer with 11 preset filters xxx8211; including xxx8220;Lounge,xxx8221; xxx8220;Jazzxxx8221; and xxx8220;Hip Hopxxx8221; xxx8211; for customized audio ranges when using wired headphones or external speakers
* A 3.5 mm stereo headset jack, support for Bluetooth® stereo audio profile (A2DP/AVRCP) and dedicated volume controls
* Sleek, elegant design with contoured corners, stainless steel back and chrome accents surrounding its large (3.25") glass lens; its exceptional 480 x 360 resolution at 184 ppi is crisp and bright with eye-pleasing clarity
* An ambient light sensor that automatically adjusts backlighting for ideal screen viewing and an accelerometer that allows customers to view applications in either portrait or landscape mode by simply rotating the handset
* Removable and rechargeable 1400 mAhr battery that provides approximately six hours of talk time on 3G networks and 15 days of standby time.

[Donbp]

This may be some new detail in how the touchscreen works. Not sure I have read this before.

" Rather than provide haptic feedback (or none at all), RIM developed something completely new called ClickThrough, which consists of a suspension system that lies beneath the display, so that when you go to select an application or enter text, you actually push the screen down like you would any other tactile button.

Admittedly, it was a little weird when I first tried it. Given that with all other touch-screen devices, it's just a matter of lightly tapping on an icon or some similar action, it wasn't my first inclination to physically push down on the screen. My colleague Kent German also tried it out and had a similar reaction; while cool, the idea behind it took some explaining to fully realize the capabilities. Now, that's not to say we don't like ClickThrough; it just takes a little acclimation. Plus, it was responsive and I was pleasantly surprised at how easy and accurate it was to compose messages and notes.

In terms of text extry, the BlackBerry Storm features a SureType keyboard when the smartphone is in portrait mode and then switches to a full QWERTY keyboard in landscape mode. The Storm has a built-in accelerometer so it will automatically rotate the screen depending on if the phone is held vertically or horizontally (left- and right-hand support included). The letter/number keys also glow blue when you're typing."

Some other details too as well as a promised pre-holiday introduction date and competitive pricing which I assume would be in the $200 range.

Verizon officially debuts RIM BlackBerry Storm | Crave, the gadget blog - CNET

[akosnitzky]

I may stay with mu 8830 until I learn more about the device from the experience of users on this site.

[JSanders]

Details all posted here as well... and may other reviews.
RIM Launches Storm Site | BlackBerryNews.com

[BMWLotAttendant]

What is the definition of "later this fall?"

[Arcangel]

seems to mean Nov 9th or 11th from what I hear!!!

[ChoRizo]

I just cant wait to get this BB

[annonymous1]

Where did you hear it was November 9th or 11th?

[Triforce66]

fyi: your verizon link goes to verizon.com/storm.. did you mean verizonwireless.com/storm?

"Built-in GPS supports location-based applications and services, as well as geotagging of photos"... I want to say this means VZW listened to everyone (such as myself) ranting about the 8830's gps being crippled and they are un-crippling this one..

[joe allen]

want it! wish i could afford the cancellation fees on top of the price of the new one.

[mrmartymac]

Originally Posted by Triforce66

fyi: your verizon link goes to verizon.com/storm.. did you mean verizonwireless.com/storm?

Yep... sorry for the typo. It is fixed now.

[dande]

LOL@ $200 range.

[TheBigNewt]

Cool, I saw the TV ad last night for it (I think the Boston/Rays game-was that exciting or what). I'm guessing with all the buzz starting to hit the eyes and ears it will launch in time for the holiday gadget buying frenzy. Seeing as there's no real Apple buzz this year this just may work. I just hope you can use GPS without paying more to Verizon (I know it'll have other maps besides Navigator installed, but don't know if they'll charge to free up the radio or not). My Tmob contract ends in a few weeks so I'm psyched about this one. I bet it's superior to the iPhone (duh) and the Bold/ATT.

[Mark_Venture]

here's some info... (just got from my rep... no longer under NDA, so I can share)....


Die_Cut_Final_horizontal
Tips__Tricks_FINAL

(sorry, I had to use RS to host them at the moment... )

[Cooknn]

Originally Posted by Mark_Venture

here's some info... (just got from my rep... no longer under NDA, so I can share)....(sorry, I had to use RS to host them at the moment... )

If the display area ends up being centered as it is on that rendering I'll be ecstatic. For whatever reason, on all the live shots I've seen, it's not (much to the dismay of graphic designers connected with the roll out).

[Demon]

Originally Posted by Cooknn

If the display area ends up being centered as it is on that rendering I'll be ecstatic. For whatever reason, on all the live shots I've seen, it's not (much to the dismay of graphic designers connected with the roll out).

I used one last week. The display is centered, same as shown in the picture.

[Cooknn]

Originally Posted by Demon

I used one last week. The display is centered, same as shown in the picture.

You must have used a different phone than everyone else, then.

[akosnitzky]

Wirelessly posted (Verizon 8830)

I am glad this thing is progressing.
I am ready to upgrade as well

[Demon]

Originally Posted by Cooknn

You must have used a different phone than everyone else, then.

Sorry, I misinterpreted your comment. I was referring to the entire screen portion of the device, not the just the viewable area. The actual viewable area is the same as the picture you posted, not the one previously posted.

[strike2tamu]

After playing w/ my ipod touch, this phone has become very enticing.