BlackBerry is my favorite OS. But I also like large capacitive screen phones. Currently I can’t have both. The closest is the Storm 2. But its screen size is only 3.25”. Nowhere close to the new standard of 3.7” (Droid, Nexus One, etc.), much less the 4+” screen of the HD2 and other phones.

Further, the Storm 2 is a disappointingly incremental refresh of the original Storm, which I still use while … waiting. As one of my students told me when returning the Storm 2 for the Droid, the Storm 2 is so … yesterday. I agree. The Storm 2 is what the original Storm should have been. But the original Storm was released November 21, 2008. That’s right, 2008. RIM, it’s 2010.

Rumors are that RIM will have exciting new device news at WES 2010, which will take place April 27-29. I guess I can wait that long. But if RIM disappoints me … again … then its probably time to move on.

CrackBerry (picture source) poses this question (and possible answers).

I tend to agree with Crackberry. Big Red probably is being very careful that the device first passes its technical review. The release of the original Storm was beset with technical problems and bad press which chilled enthusiasm for the device. Big Red does not want history to repeat itself. Deferring its release of the Storm2 for a few weeks is a far smaller price to pay.

Also yet to be announced are whether Big Red will offer any special upgrade to owners of the original Storm (like me). My guess is no, we’ll be in the same boat as everyone else. But at least my one year anniversary date (Storm, not wife) is coming up, so I soon will be able to more inexpensively upgrade (Storm, not wife).

It must be coming soon. RIM now has the Storm2 (model 9550) on its website. Not much information yet. Certainly no launch date, price or upgrade options yet. But RIM’s making the Storm2 official means its release date is imminent. Though when? Speculation seems divided between later this month, or next.

In the meantime, CrackBerry (the picture source) has a comprehensive review (plus specs and an image gallery) to study if you’re one of those persons trying to decide whether to get the Storm2 as an upgrade or new device. I’m one of those persons. Do I upgrade my Storm? I’m thinking … and weakening.

Salomondrin, a growing legend when it comes to previews of the upcoming Storm2 (that’s the name, not Storm 2), has posted a video walk-through (also embedded here) of this soon to arrive device. The video is about 9 1/2 minutes long, but well worth your time if you’re considering the Storm2. The firmware on the device featured in this video is relatively recent, so what you see may be quite close to what you’d get.

What’s different between the Storm2 and the original Storm?

• The screen is much better integrated with the device; no gaps between the screen and the frame, the buttons are part of the screen.
• The screen is more responsive; 4 contact points instead of 1.
• WiFi (where none before).
• More memory.

Are the differences enough for me to spend the $$ and extend my contract to upgrade? Originally I thought not. But I’m weakening.

[via CrackBerry]

phonearena has a pre-production BlackBerry Storm 2 9550 which they have previewed. Lots of pictures, and even a video.

Their conclusion is that the onscreen keyboard is improved. They also think the browser is improved, though still behind competitors like the iPhone. They pan the stability of the device. However, this is a pre-production unit after all. 

Their overall impression is better, but not impressed. My take: Their conclusion is colored (nice word for biased) by their negative opinion of the original Storm ("It would be hard to be worse than the original ….”). But read the article, watch the video, judge for yourself.

Still no firm date as to when the Storm 2 will be available. However, it could be within the next few weeks. Then again, it could be within the next few months. With RIM and its new devices, you never really know.

CrackBerry has a video comparing the upcoming Storm 2 to the current Storm. Yes, the Storm 2 has WiFi. But the focus of the 8 minute video is on the differences in the touchscreen technologies of the Storm 2, the Storm and the iPhone. The bottom line is that the reviewer is very enthusiastic about the Storm 2’s touchscreen.

Most of the other differences also concern the screen. The screen is integrated with rather than detached from the surrounding frame. And the call, menu, back and end buttons at the bottom of the screen now are part of rather than separate from the screen.

The Storm 2 will come in two models, as the Storm does now, but one is significant for North America. 9550 is CDMA, for Verizon, and the successor to the current 9530. But the long-promised 9520 is GSM, for AT&T. The current Storm GSM model, 9500, has 3GSM frequencies, but for Europe, not North America. No word on 3GSM support for our European cousins.

I’m eligible on November 21 to upgrade my Storm. And the Storm 2 likely will be available around then. Will I upgrade? I wasn’t planning to. WiFi is nice, but I seem to get along well without it. But the improvements in the screen may be another story. The rickety and not always responsive nature of the Storm’s screen has been its weak spot (to me). And besides, how can a self-respecting geek continue to carry around a yesterday’s news Storm when his peers have a Storm 2?