Ask Kevin

[pkcable]

No Internet and I'd be climbing walls, BUT fortunately I'd still have the BB, and my work internet.

[dynot]

Originally Posted by moosc

Last I read on twitter he had no internet. So I guess well try next mon.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

Moosc....just out of curiosity, why do you keep referring to Monday? The post can happen any day. Kevin's original comment was something like "will be posting next Monday" but that doesn't mean he only posts on Mondays.

Or does he?

[blsblaze]

I herd its because he is a Vampire, and Sunday nights are the only nights he doesnt go out and find victims.

[LR7]

Anxiously awaiting new details of the next Storm iteration. Hook us up Kev!!!!

[moosc]

Because he posted it would drop on mon. Its been three mons. So I just keep posting mon. But yes he can drop any day or night . Me just be goofy.

Originally Posted by dynot

Moosc....just out of curiosity, why do you keep referring to Monday? The post can happen any day. Kevin's original comment was something like "will be posting next Monday" but that doesn't mean he only posts on Mondays.

Or does he?

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[bigrob49er]

I was searching the forums....anyone know if the battery for the Storm 2 will be the same?

[Malibu Flyer]

Originally Posted by moosc

Last I read on twitter he had no internet. So I guess well try next mon.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

Kevin posted a comment and a link late yesterday in the blogs so as of then he had an internet connection. It is an interesting video link to a stock analyst discussing Blackberries vs. iPhone. It has some discussion about the Storm 2 an its capabilities. Kevin's posting has a picture of a Storm [1 or 2???]. When Kevin is ready [or has premission] we will see him post. For now we must simply wait. He'll come through when he can.

[moosc]

Originally Posted by bigrob49er

I was searching the forums....anyone know if the battery for the Storm 2 will be the same?

yes looks to be the same as the tour and storm..

[Leo.brazuca]

Kevin, we are all waiting for you bro.. . :-D

[Kevin Michaluk]

Hey Guys,

Sorry for all the waiting. I'm just going to post some answers here so there's some stuff to look at. It's interesting because things are actually still changing as the OS development progresses (which I kind of predicted in that first video). So with some of these things things, the capability may be there, but just the current OS builds are not utilizing it yet. Won't answer every queston that's now on the list on the first page, as a lot of them are OS related and it's most likely that OS 5.0 that gets officially released will bring the improvements to both Storm 1 and have it on Storm 2.

1. Will Storm cradle work with Storm 2?
misplaced my storm cradle (searched the house looking for it) so haven't tested directly, but lining up Storm 1 with Storm 2 shows different placement. So my guess is no.

2. Does Storm 2 have a proximity sensor?
In the OS builds I have used so far, it does not have a proximity sensor. However, it could be built in and the OS just isn't utilizing it yet. I don't know. What I do know is that this one is much less clicky on the ear compared to the first Storm 2... so even as is, accidental presses while talking should be greatly reduced. Though if it had it that would be way better.

3. Does Storm 2 have a faster processor?
I believe it's the same processor, but that RIM found a way to get it "clocked" faster. Think of it as Turbo boost. I think this is part of the reason people with early prototype devices have had issues with loading software. The oldest devices didn't have turbo, the newer hardware does, and the turbo builds wouldn't run on the non-turbo builds. Again.. I *think*.

4. Explain more about that click screen in comparison to the original Storm? Is it SurePress or TruePress? How many buttons are behind the screen, or are they pressure pads and not really buttons?
This is what I find most exciting right now. I have a good idea of what the technology is here that RIM has implemented (I knew out when I first did the video) but lets just say I don't want to be the first person to blog about it. Nobody would want to see RIM lose a patent their filing for because it leaked out early. I think in that other post I did that I said there's more to the display than meets the eye. That's true. Even newer software builds are showing improved capabilities of the screen than compared to the video I first did. Am sure there will be some visual back up for what I'm talking about here to show you guys soon.

5. Is there any light bleed from around the screen?
No. THANK GOD. And there better not be any in the final versions.

6. Is there flick scrolling?
Not really yet on the builds I used. I think RIM can make that happen though.

7. Does it have an option to lock the accelerometor (mainly on homescreen) (Stop Tilt)?
Not that I noticed in any OS builds yet. Doesn't mean that feature won't be there at some point.

17. Will it have a "Storm Only" type OS with a sleek UI that is smooth running or will it look like what we got now?
I think it will mainly be like Storm 1, but maybe with differences reflected by the hardware having more capabilities that Storm 1. So obviously Storm 2 will have WiFi options whereas Storm 1 won't. If there's other features in the hardware, then it'll be in Storm 2's os to utilize them. But I think the basic look/feel/skin will be similar.

18. Will it have wifi? I think the answer has already been answered with a big fat YES!
But of course.... http://forums.crackberry.com/f145/st...n-caps-293768/

21. Is the second S2 in your video actually the 9520?
Two 9550's... no 9520

Other stuff...

OpenGL Support: Not sure at this time... Part of me thinks that Storm 1 was capable of OpenGL but they just didn't put enough memory into the device to actually ever enable its use. But am pretty sure RIM can implement it, so hope it makes it into Storm 2. I'd really love if they upped the device flash way higher than 256 megs, but that's still what I'm seeing. Still time for improvement.

Am I excited? I'm cautiously optimistic. It's clear this is a next-generation Storm vs. being "rim's response to the iphone or palm pre". So it's not a mind-boggling change from RIM's regular platform, which some will say is good and others will argue is not enough right now...that they need to do an even bigger bang. Regardless of your take on that, the Storm 2 hardware is much, much better. More of a polished device, feels better in the hand (though still kinda heavy imho), etc. but I'm excited about the hardware.

What scares me a bit is yet again the software. Because it's "Storm 2", you'd think they'd be able to pick up where Storm 1 has now left off (and Storm 1 is running much better these days than compared to when it first launched) and improve even further on it from there. But the fact is though we call it "storm 2", it's really a new device...which means RIM's software team has to go through all the same development process as they do with any new device. The software builds are getting a lot better already (excited to try 5.0.0.183) but I think when RIM has this baby hit the market the OS needs to be flying. I think they're on the way to making that happen... but I just don't want to see Storm 1 happen all over again. Dont think it will, but until i have the commercial unit in my hands and I play with it i'm not going to keep my excitement contained.

Hope that's enough to tide you guys over for now. There's still something really cool I'd love to share that to me is the "big news" of the device, but just don't want to take the risk on it right now (though if somebody else says it first i'll be happy to post about it).

[TallyHo]

Sweet....I am stoked about this device. 9520 on ATT palease!!!!!

[ediggity]

Tanks for the feedback, as always I/we appreciate everything you do for us...

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[moosc]

Thanks sounds interesting

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[dave1812]

Kevin, thanks for the info on the S2!

Bummer on the apparent lack of a prox sensor...sigh.

I'm cautiously optimistic that the touchscreen builds on what I personally loved about the first Storm--from what you've written, I'm expecting to be pleasantly surprised by the functionality of the S2's screen.

As far as the OS goes...am I being to cynical in thinking that RIM simply doesn't have the chops to get ANY OS right when it comes to a touchscreen phone? I mean, the entire concept of the interface is simply the PITS, IMHO. Even if there aren't any memory leaks, reboots, etc, the interface itself is simply poorly thought out and unless they revamp it drastically, any speed or stability improvements are going to be little more than lipstick applied to a pig. Sorry, but that's how I feel about RIM's OS-writing skills.

Having said that, my wife is so eager to get a Storm2 (pending how it turns out) that I'll likely buy two of them and once again, make good use of my 30 day return period to decide if they are "keepers".

Keep the info flowing Kev! Love ya!

[The_Shawn]

Originally Posted by Kevin Michaluk

21. Is the second S2 in your video actually the 9520?
Two 9550's... no 9520

DOH!! That's what I suspected, but thx for the confirmation... I hope this 9520 does exist for Roger network, and it's not just the UK version of the 9550. That would make me sad... lol. Thx for the update Kevin!