Getting a Storm 2 After All

[mikestorm]

Well, despite even my own expectations, I ordered my 9550 yesterday, and it's coming tomorrow. As I write this, I'm still a bit surprised I'm sticking with BB.

I liked the 9530, but my biggest complaint was I didn't really use it till .328 came out. From the day I first brought it home in December of 2008 with version 4.7.0.065 preloaded through early October of 2009 when VZW dropped the official .328 build I did not feel like I had formally 'moved in' to my phone, or my phone had 'moved in' to my heart

That's not to say the phone wasn't usable...it was. It's just that during that time I spent endless hours trying leak after leak, hybrid after hybrid, always hoping I could eek out a bit more in terms of usability. In retrospect, I was subconsciously waiting for the phone to come into its own. It did...eventually. With the launch of app world followed by a better BBM experience, a better SMS experience, and more and more apps being added every day, little by little I felt like it was getting there.

"There" formally happened for me in October of this year, but it wasn't what I had hoped it would be. Once I upgraded to the first official 5.0 build for the device, my supreme enjoyment was tempered by the newer devices hitting the scene. The moment I declared the 9530 was everything I had hoped it would be, it felt like the phone was old news already. It looked stale and it looked dated.

At that point, I resolved that my next device be completely usable right out of the box, and I was soured on the whole BB experience, and turned my attention to Android.

I wasn't thrilled with VZW's current Android offering, and at first decided to wait to see the next latest and greatest would be in January or February. Well, during this time I really began to enjoy my 9530 more and more. I began to 'miss' it even though I hadn't yet decided on a new device. At that point, I began to reevaluate what I wanted and why. I decided that I wanted an Android powered phone primarily because it's currently the phone to have. Taking ego out of the equation, I decided that my Storm did everything I wanted a smartphone to do admirably, and I shouldn't let my lukewarm experience with the 9530 turn me away from RIM altogether.

My decision solidified when my GF informed me she wanted the 8550 Curve in Violet currently offered for VZW for $80. Since she represents 99% of my SMS activity, I decided I could drop my SMS plan and communicate with her via BBM...saving $60 a year in the process.

So, I took the plunge and ordered myself a Storm 2. While I had my finger on the pulse of the 9530 from inception to sunsetting, I'm woefully ignorant of the current comings and goings of the 9550 device. I'm sure that will change when I have it in-hand and begin to leverage this forum yet again for info, tips and tricks.

All in all, I've decided I'm content to stick around and see what RIM has in store (*cough* webkit enabled browser *cough*) for us in the coming year, and I'm certainly glad I have an excuse to hang around here some more.

[kb5zht]

Let us, or at least me, know how the storm II works for you. Loved the storm I more and more as time has gone by and I'm contemplating getting a storm II when my contract allows for the cheap upgrade.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[mikestorm]

I've had it for a few days and have decided I definitely made the right choice. From a usability standpoint, it feels just like my 9530, but where a normal complement of applications on my 9530 had me at 20MB and quickpulling left and right, with this phone I've been downloading apps with abandon and currently still have 129 MB free.

Typing is the same (my 9530 was exceptional when it came to screen click) and I don't really care about wifi, but the double app memory alone is worth the upgrade. Psychologically, this lone enhancement really opens up enjoyment of the phone.

[kinggeoff]

Nice! That was a solid post. It's nice to be able to read something that isn't a mess of bashing one way or another.

Glad to hear you're enjoying your new phone!

[Ronindan]

Glad to hear that your S2 is being good to you.

[fecurtis]

Couldn't of put it better myself...except I type much faster on the S2 than I did on the S1....in fact I haven't met anyone (even other S2 owners) who can type as fast as I can now.

Since the screen clicks, folks can hear me going away at an email or what have you and I'll normally get a comment of how insanely fast I'm typing.

Sadly this really sucks for SMS messaging.....as I type far too fast for it to even process....hopefully RIM gets on that and we get a leak or official OS that resolves that issue.

[schlemer67]

[QUOTE=mikestorm;4397720]
That's not to say the phone wasn't usable...it was. It's just that during that time I spent endless hours trying leak after leak, hybrid after hybrid, always hoping I could eek out a bit more in terms of usability. In retrospect, I was subconsciously waiting for the phone to come into its own. It did...eventually. With the launch of app world followed by a better BBM experience, a better SMS experience, and more and more apps being added every day, little by little I felt like it was getting there.

"There" formally happened for me in October of this year, but it wasn't what I had hoped it would be. Once I upgraded to the first official 5.0 build for the device, my supreme enjoyment was tempered by the newer devices hitting the scene. The moment I declared the 9530 was everything I had hoped it would be, it felt like the phone was old news already. It looked stale and it looked dated.

At that point, I resolved that my next device be completely usable right out of the box, and I was soured on the whole BB experience, and turned my attention to Android.

I wasn't thrilled with VZW's current Android offering, and at first decided to wait to see the next latest and greatest would be in January or February. Well, during this time I really began to enjoy my 9530 more and more. I began to 'miss' it even though I hadn't yet decided on a new device. At that point, I began to reevaluate what I wanted and why. I decided that I wanted an Android powered phone primarily because it's currently the phone to have. Taking ego out of the equation, I decided that my Storm did everything I wanted a smartphone to do admirably, and I shouldn't let my lukewarm experience with the 9530 turn me away from RIM altogether.
QUOTE]

Excellent post mike. It's very hard not to get caught up into all the hype that is generated within these forums. I found that "my" experience with the Storm one was so enjoyable, that I went ahead and bought the Storm 2 (yes I paid full retail and don't care what anyone thinks).

Currently, my best friend has spent the last week visiting my wife and I with his brand new Motorola Droid. So I have had a week to mess around with it. What I feel is that Android is a wonderful OS that will give Apple's iphone a run for the money. My only issue is hat I am not pleased with the hardware. I don't like the slide out keyboard. The form factor is to ridgid. I miss the click that I have grown fond of on my Storm. The Eris does not WoW me neither. It is the elegant design of the Storm that draws me in every day.

Now, in all fairness to the Storms detractors. If I were to have as many issues that they have had. I would move on to another platform. I d think that something is seriously wrong when users state that they are on there 5,6,7th etc Storm. After the second replacement, I'd be demanding something different.

Mike, you hit the nail on the head when you said,
"Taking ego out of the equation, I decided that my Storm did everything I wanted a smartphone to do admirably, and I shouldn't let my lukewarm experience with the 9530 turn me away from RIM altogether."

Enjoy your Storm.

[mikestorm]

Thanks schlemer!

Actually, three weeks later and I can't put the damn thing down. I don't regret my purchase one bit.

[leglace]

Thanks for the write up. I am where you were. I know the 2 would make me happy. It is sort of ego that is luring me to sexy features. The new webkit enabled phones (Pre, Droid) are like temptresses. You want bite on that hook, but deep inside you feel that your not thinking straight. Oh, and the Google maps with voice nav is a great bonus. I wonder what BB is doing with their acquisition of DASH.

Anyhow, I am giving Android a hard look. I really want to like the underdog, Droid Eris. But I will wait. A 2 year contract is a big commitment. A lot changes within that time. So there is no need to rush. I just don't like handling a phone that is not a focus anymore from its company. That would be my 9530.

I have had several days I had the storm 2 checked out for payment on the Verizon wireless site, only to click off the page. With confidence shown from many of you having made the plunge, I may just do it.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[Hellbound1]

This is the best post I've read on any forum. Thanks. I'm currently using the original Storm. I realized that I was an early adopter when I got the phone. Like everyone else, I wished RIM had move faster to correct issues. It seems as though, the Storm2 is working out well. If the Storm2 does what we hoped the Storm1 would have done, what's the problem? I use my phone for my small business and for pleasure. THe other phones seem to have some nice bells and whistles, but the things that brought me to the Storm will probably keep me here. I have about 9-10 months before my 2 years are up, so we'll see what happens. As it stands right now, my phone is doing most of the things I want it to do and doing them well.

[leglace]

I got the Storm 2 afterall, lol...

What was I thinking! This phone is everything I wanted the storm to be. I love typing with it. Whether its SureType (portrait) or surepress, its
a joy to use now. I have Garmin and Telenav installed at the at the same time , and I am concerned with my app memory whatsoever. I can finally enjoy the phone and its apps. And its solid.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[blkbryluva]

The Storm 2 is a very solid phone...Very happy that I upgraded. :-)

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[Bob61]

I have the 9530 and resonate your same comments, despite significantly lower app memory.

.328 was great step forward for the 9530. The upgrade to .419 really made the unit rock solid. My screen has never been a problem, very responsive to typing (at least fast enough to keep up with my pecking). With all the apps I need/want, I still boot up at 35MB. I was really looking forward to 9550, even considered paying the premium to get the Storm 2, but with the .419 on my phone I no longer have that urge, will close out my 2 year contract and then see what's out there - will be interesting to see what another year brings to phone offerings