Storm2 Launch Day - Photos, Initial Reactions, etc.

[hastings]

So I just went out today and picked up a Storm 2, M2M...came to almost $700...ouch.

I'm not totally impressed. I liked the Storm 1, I developed for it, it was a good device, especially with OS 5.0.

Is it really worth it to go to the Storm 2? Maybe, but only if you really need WiFi and a ton of room for more applications.

Cons coming from Storm 1:

- LED indicator light isn't centered with the transparent "hole", so LED notifications are very dim. This is a huge problem for me since I leave my phone on silent at all times and depend on the LED notifications + BerryBuzz to alert me.
- The four buttons at the bottom, previously hardware keys, are now part of the screen, and many times they refuse to click. This appears to be a software issue, and will likely be fixed in future OS updates.
- The speaker volume is weaker than the Storm 1, this is disappointing since I use my Storm 1 to play music when a stereo isn't available. (it was really loud, and clear)
- The screen is uncomfortably difficult to type on. It seems to require a lot more force than the original, it's a bit of a chore to type on. This is extremely disappointing since the reason the Storm 2 exists is because of the "improved" touch screen.
- The vibrate is the worst I've ever had. It's really, really loud, it emits a "buzzing" sound that sounds like a ring tone. What a joke, I actually got the stare down in a lecture today because it sounded like my phone was ringing.
- The previous metal back on the Storm 1 was a lot higher quality than the new one on the Storm 2. The new one seems to flex inwards and actually "click" when you put pressure on it with one finger. This is even noticeable when you type as you can feel and hear the cover clicking against the phone.

Pros coming from Storm 1:

- Wifi...no explanation necessary. It seems to work well enough.
- Twice the Application Memory. This is perhaps the biggest change for developers. The Storm 1 was plagued with memory leaks, and I used to boot up with about 35MB and watch it fall all day. This was always the case when you ran a theme, although I still found it worth the morning battery pull. I now boot up at 125MB free, and I've yet to drop even a MB despite running a theme.
- Comes with a 16GB memory card.
- Camera seems a *bit* faster.

Overall, it's a good device, but a poor upgrade for previous Storm 1 users, especially if you have to pay $700 for it. =P

Hope this helps some of you looking to make the purchase!

[bjames2785]

i love my S2!!!

[db1561]

Originally Posted by hastings

So I just went out today and picked up a Storm 2, M2M...came to almost $700...ouch.

I'm not totally impressed. I liked the Storm 1, I developed for it, it was a good device, especially with OS 5.0.

Is it really worth it to go to the Storm 2? Maybe, but only if you really need WiFi and a ton of room for more applications.

Cons coming from Storm 1:

- LED indicator light isn't centered with the transparent "hole", so LED notifications are very dim. This is a huge problem for me since I leave my phone on silent at all times and depend on the LED notifications + BerryBuzz to alert me.
- The four buttons at the bottom, previously hardware keys, are now part of the screen, and many times they refuse to click. This appears to be a software issue, and will likely be fixed in future OS updates.
- The speaker volume is weaker than the Storm 1, this is disappointing since I use my Storm 1 to play music when a stereo isn't available. (it was really loud, and clear)
- The screen is uncomfortably difficult to type on. It seems to require a lot more force than the original, it's a bit of a chore to type on. This is extremely disappointing since the reason the Storm 2 exists is because of the "improved" touch screen.
- The vibrate is the worst I've ever had. It's really, really loud, it emits a "buzzing" sound that sounds like a ring tone. What a joke, I actually got the stare down in a lecture today because it sounded like my phone was ringing.
- The previous metal back on the Storm 1 was a lot higher quality than the new one on the Storm 2. The new one seems to flex inwards and actually "click" when you put pressure on it with one finger. This is even noticeable when you type as you can feel and hear the cover clicking against the phone.

Pros coming from Storm 1:

- Wifi...no explanation necessary. It seems to work well enough.
- Twice the Application Memory. This is perhaps the biggest change for developers. The Storm 1 was plagued with memory leaks, and I used to boot up with about 35MB and watch it fall all day. This was always the case when you ran a theme, although I still found it worth the morning battery pull. I now boot up at 125MB free, and I've yet to drop even a MB despite running a theme.
- Comes with a 16GB memory card.
- Camera seems a *bit* faster.

Overall, it's a good device, but a poor upgrade for previous Storm 1 users, especially if you have to pay $700 for it. =P

Hope this helps some of you looking to make the purchase!

700.00 !?! is it solid gold?

It's a nice phone but I had a hard time paying $99.00! Why did it cost you so much?

I had the S1 also but I'm glad that I made the switch.. But I would not have done it if would have cost over $99.00..

[Afterfire]

Originally Posted by hastings

So I just went out today and picked up a Storm 2, M2M...came to almost $700...ouch.

I'm not totally impressed. I liked the Storm 1, I developed for it, it was a good device, especially with OS 5.0.

Is it really worth it to go to the Storm 2? Maybe, but only if you really need WiFi and a ton of room for more applications.

Cons coming from Storm 1:

- LED indicator light isn't centered with the transparent "hole", so LED notifications are very dim. This is a huge problem for me since I leave my phone on silent at all times and depend on the LED notifications + BerryBuzz to alert me.
- The four buttons at the bottom, previously hardware keys, are now part of the screen, and many times they refuse to click. This appears to be a software issue, and will likely be fixed in future OS updates.
- The speaker volume is weaker than the Storm 1, this is disappointing since I use my Storm 1 to play music when a stereo isn't available. (it was really loud, and clear)
- The screen is uncomfortably difficult to type on. It seems to require a lot more force than the original, it's a bit of a chore to type on. This is extremely disappointing since the reason the Storm 2 exists is because of the "improved" touch screen.
- The vibrate is the worst I've ever had. It's really, really loud, it emits a "buzzing" sound that sounds like a ring tone. What a joke, I actually got the stare down in a lecture today because it sounded like my phone was ringing.
- The previous metal back on the Storm 1 was a lot higher quality than the new one on the Storm 2. The new one seems to flex inwards and actually "click" when you put pressure on it with one finger. This is even noticeable when you type as you can feel and hear the cover clicking against the phone.

Pros coming from Storm 1:

- Wifi...no explanation necessary. It seems to work well enough.
- Twice the Application Memory. This is perhaps the biggest change for developers. The Storm 1 was plagued with memory leaks, and I used to boot up with about 35MB and watch it fall all day. This was always the case when you ran a theme, although I still found it worth the morning battery pull. I now boot up at 125MB free, and I've yet to drop even a MB despite running a theme.
- Comes with a 16GB memory card.
- Camera seems a *bit* faster.

Overall, it's a good device, but a poor upgrade for previous Storm 1 users, especially if you have to pay $700 for it. =P

Hope this helps some of you looking to make the purchase!

You have some good points but I HAVE to say that typing on the S2 was easier and faster. I understand its your opinion but this is only like one of 2 or 3 that have said its hard to push down on. You may have a bad one. The touch screen is improved.

[hastings]

Originally Posted by Afterfire

You have some good points but I HAVE to say that typing on the S2 was easier and faster. I understand its your opinion but this is only like one of 2 or 3 that have said its hard to push down on. You may have a bad one. The touch screen is improved.

Or I had a really good Storm 1. =P

I have the two side by side right now, and unequivocally, the Storm 1 is significantly easier to click down.

[mrspock2002]

Originally Posted by jlanelson

To be completely honest there isn't much of a change on this one compared to the first Storm.

The click feels...weird. I don't know how to explain it, but it is definately different than the Storm1. I REALLY wish they had made the click an optional thing so that we could keep the screen solid for typing. With that said, I can type faster on the Storm2 which is a good thing. Still has a crappy browser and its not on HSPA, but I guess we can't have everything can we?

With Telus now carrying the iPhone, Blackberry now has a serious contender that seems to be a more polished and refined smartphone. Yes, I am still a fan of BB, but the iPhone has a lot of great features too.

In a time where smartphones are becoming more and more capable, we as consumers expect more. With regard to the Storm2, I'm glad they doubled the internal memory. I have multitasked the crap out of it with multiple apps running and still haven't got the hourglass to come on, so thats a huge bonus.

In my opinion, is the Storm2 better than the Storm1? Marginally yes. Is it the huge improvement I was hoping it to be? Not at all. The Storm2 is what the Storm1 SHOULD have been. Its like RIM said, "oops guys we really buggered that Storm1! Lets quickly make another one, fix all the problems, call it the Storm2, and get it out in time for Christmas next year so that we can **** off the customers who are already in a contract with the Storm1!!!!"

At this point in the game, I think RIM needs to take a look at the cometition, feedback from their customers and design a kick *** BB that will knock our socks off...

Marginally better? Are you on crack? Double the App memory is marginally better? Solid piezo tech screen marginally better? Can I please have some of what you are smoking sir?

The Storm 2 is miles a head of the Storm 1. MUCH faster processor with full OpenGL ES 2.0 support for one, double the app memory, 256MB of ram vs the 192MB of ram, double the on board memory, piezo tech screen, sleaker design, no "floating" screen, WiFi for voice and data at the same time, true multi touch, full flash support for GUI/Apps. I'd say that's a whole helluva lot better than marginally. Oh and don't forget the proximity sensor for face detection.

[Afterfire]

Originally Posted by hastings

Or I had a really good Storm 1. =P

I have the two side by side right now, and unequivocally, the Storm 1 is significantly easier to click down.

so youre telling me that pressing on the outer edges or corners of the S1 is just as hard as pressing the same spots on the S2? Yeah, you must have an awesome S1 AND a broken S2. If anything I would compare it to pressing directly on the middle button the S1 screen as the uniform click of the S2 but even then the S1 has more of a travel to wait for, not to mention you have to wait for the rebound to even enter another selection.

[hastings]

Originally Posted by Afterfire

so youre telling me that pressing on the outer edges or corners of the S1 is just as hard as pressing the same spots on the S2? Yeah, you must have an awesome S1 AND a broken S2. If anything I would compare it to pressing directly on the middle button the S1 screen as the uniform click of the S2 but even then the S1 has more of a travel to wait for, not to mention you have to wait for the rebound to even enter another selection.

I definitely agree that the click is *better* on the Storm 2, if you're talking about uniformity, etc - but my Storm 1 had a great click that was very *easy* to trigger. I had four "hardcore" BlackBerry users directly compare it last night, and they all agreed, my particular Storm 1 was easier to click then my Storm 2 - it just seems to require more effort.

I'm going to get a swap unit today though, I'm hoping you're right. (=

[Afterfire]

Originally Posted by hastings

I definitely agree that the click is *better* on the Storm 2, if you're talking about uniformity, etc - but my Storm 1 had a great click that was very *easy* to trigger. I had four "hardcore" BlackBerry users directly compare it last night, and they all agreed, my particular Storm 1 was easier to click then my Storm 2 - it just seems to require more effort.

I'm going to get a swap unit today though, I'm hoping you're right. (=

I definitely want to hear if it was just the storm 2's problem. Like i said before, this will be one of the very rare few times Ive heard that the S1 click is better than the S2. I'm curious. Hope it works out for you.

[5 point 1]

Originally Posted by Senechka

I don't get it who came up w/ the name Odin for Storm 2 when Odin means One (like the number 1) in Slavic languages. They should have called it Dva.

Umm...

Jedan = 1 (at least on serbo-croatian)


jedan, dva, tri, ceteri, pet, sest, sedam, osam, devet, deset

[Afterfire]

Originally Posted by hastings

I definitely agree that the click is *better* on the Storm 2, if you're talking about uniformity, etc - but my Storm 1 had a great click that was very *easy* to trigger. I had four "hardcore" BlackBerry users directly compare it last night, and they all agreed, my particular Storm 1 was easier to click then my Storm 2 - it just seems to require more effort.

I'm going to get a swap unit today though, I'm hoping you're right. (=

so how did it turn out?

[frmky2tx]

This is kind of for those who had a storm one.. To see if this is just me.. I really loved the intensity of the storm one status light.. Its bright, down right annoying in some dark circumstances.. My storm2 seems to have the same light.. In portrait.. If I tilt I to the left I can see it the way it was on my first storm.. Was this intentional or do u think its a defect? Thanks..

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[Hup55]

Originally Posted by hastings

So I just went out today and picked up a Storm 2, M2M...came to almost $700...ouch.

I'm not totally impressed. I liked the Storm 1, I developed for it, it was a good device, especially with OS 5.0.

Is it really worth it to go to the Storm 2? Maybe, but only if you really need WiFi and a ton of room for more applications.

Cons coming from Storm 1:

- LED indicator light isn't centered with the transparent "hole", so LED notifications are very dim. This is a huge problem for me since I leave my phone on silent at all times and depend on the LED notifications + BerryBuzz to alert me.
- The four buttons at the bottom, previously hardware keys, are now part of the screen, and many times they refuse to click. This appears to be a software issue, and will likely be fixed in future OS updates.
- The speaker volume is weaker than the Storm 1, this is disappointing since I use my Storm 1 to play music when a stereo isn't available. (it was really loud, and clear)
- The screen is uncomfortably difficult to type on. It seems to require a lot more force than the original, it's a bit of a chore to type on. This is extremely disappointing since the reason the Storm 2 exists is because of the "improved" touch screen.
- The vibrate is the worst I've ever had. It's really, really loud, it emits a "buzzing" sound that sounds like a ring tone. What a joke, I actually got the stare down in a lecture today because it sounded like my phone was ringing.
- The previous metal back on the Storm 1 was a lot higher quality than the new one on the Storm 2. The new one seems to flex inwards and actually "click" when you put pressure on it with one finger. This is even noticeable when you type as you can feel and hear the cover clicking against the phone.

Pros coming from Storm 1:

- Wifi...no explanation necessary. It seems to work well enough.
- Twice the Application Memory. This is perhaps the biggest change for developers. The Storm 1 was plagued with memory leaks, and I used to boot up with about 35MB and watch it fall all day. This was always the case when you ran a theme, although I still found it worth the morning battery pull. I now boot up at 125MB free, and I've yet to drop even a MB despite running a theme.
- Comes with a 16GB memory card.
- Camera seems a *bit* faster.

Overall, it's a good device, but a poor upgrade for previous Storm 1 users, especially if you have to pay $700 for it. =P

Hope this helps some of you looking to make the purchase!

Hastings I too agree on the LED & the Vibration! It (vibration) now sounds like you are buzzing someone in from an apartment door! I also noticed how the LED is not as bright (dull) and lined up as good as my S1. The other too many to list positives was well worth the upgrade in my opinion! I too had to pay $700 as I am only 11 months into my 3 year contract.

[hastings]

Originally Posted by Afterfire

so how did it turn out?

My carrier couldn't swap my device out on Saturday when I went to make the change, but I'll make sure to post some follow up when I go in later this week for a swap unit.

[shaydlife]

Originally Posted by hastings

My carrier couldn't swap my device out on Saturday when I went to make the change, but I'll make sure to post some follow up when I go in later this week for a swap unit.

Quick question as my team have found that a certain number of the S2's are faulty. Where does it say that yours was made? I'm hoping that it was made in Mexico because the devices made in Canada have been flawless.