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?

Verizon’s Blackberry Tour website is now live. Not much info there yet. About all you can do is sign up for more information and an invitation to preorder online. Update: Sprint also has a similar site. And RIM has its own site for the Tour.

Like the Blackberry Storm, the Tour is a world phone, with support for CDMA networks in the US such as Verizon and Sprint, and GSM networks in Europe and beyond. Unfortunately also like the Storm, apparently no WiFi.

The Tour should be available later this Summer. While you’re waiting,  you can read part I and part II of CrackBerry’s review.

The Storm 2 is coming. But that’s not the only premium Blackberry which is. Engadget Mobile has scored the internal AT&T photos shown here of two new premium Blackberries headed AT&T’s way, the Onyx and the Magnum. (If you click on the pictures the specs will be more readable).

CrackBerry has an excellent review of a pre-release Onyx, including photos and a video. The Onyx basically is a new and improved Bold. CrackBerry’s take:

“RIM has finally packed it ALL into one device with the Onyx — 3G, WiFi, GPS, 3.2 megapixel camera – and they’ve done it in a tight form factor. If you put the Onyx side by side with the BlackBerry Bold and compare the specs, you realize the triumph in engineering RIM has accomplished here. The Onyx is basically better in every way but has a much smaller footprint (though arguably the Bold’s extra width makes for a better keyboard and physically wider display that some users may prefer).”

No release date yet. Though it appears the the Onyx will be coming sooner than the …

Magnum. This device is earlier in the production cycle than the Onyx. So details are hard to come by. But it appears that the Magnum will be a Bold with a touchscreen. 

Both look like strong competitors for Verizon’s upcoming Blackberry Tour.

Blackberry Storm 2 due in September, has WiFi (source of picture) is a self-explanatory title. The Storm 2, like the current Storm, is coming to Verizon.

WiFi is a very welcome addition. But BGR reports that WiFi is not the only addition; the touchscreen also will be improved!

Unclear yet whether Big Red will offer an upgrade path to its loyal customers who own the current Storm (like me). While we’re waiting, you can read or join the speculation in this CrackBerry thread.

Blackberry 9630 Niagara told you about that upcoming model. New images of BlackBerry Niagra [sic] 9630 surface and First Device-On Photo of the BlackBerry 9630 show, well, new images of the 9630.

But maybe the 9630 is already old news.

Exclusive: BlackBerry 9900 – Touchscreen BlackBerry Bold! (the source of the picture) speculates that the 9900, aka Pluto, will be the long-rumored Bold/Storm “Franken-Berry” with the Bold’s form factor but the Storm’s SurePress touchscreen. 

It’s not clear if the 9900/Pluto is for real, or just a figment of someone’s imagination or Photoshop. See BoyGeniusReport’s skepticism and CrackBerry’s response.

The Pluto is (rumored to be) slated for release in the third quarter by the Canadian carrier Rogers. Which means it’s a GSM device that also can be used (unlocked) on the AT&T network in the US. If it’s for real.