Posted on October 15, 2009, at 7:42 PM .
It isn’t often we make predictions at BlackBerry Cool but when we do, they generally come true.
With the BlackBerry Storm2 on the way, we’ve been getting a lot of tips about content available for the device. It’s highly possible that the launch of themes in App World will coincide with the Storm2 launch, and users will be able to download a wide variety of themes, games and apps for the new device.
The reason for opening themes to App World is probably due to the fact that RIM is banking on the Storm2 being the ultimate consumer device and themes are the hottest item in the BlackBerry consumer market right now. You can’t launch the Storm2 without great consumer content so it just makes sense. In order to get that content out to Storm2 users, RIM would currently have to rely on third party vendors such as Mobihand, Bplay and Handango. Opening themes to App World therefore eats their lunch and helps App World sales.
Something that will inevitably disappoint about Storm2 content will be the lack of multi-touch games available on the device. Also, we have heard rumors that the Storm2 features support for OpenGL, but it’s not clear whether developers are taking advantage of the APIs. So while the Storm2 will, assuming we’re correct, feature themes and games, that content will simply be ported, with no specific attention given to the new hardware features of the device.
So if you’re a developer, get your hands on a Storm2 and start making some great Storm2 specific content. Storm users buy a disproportionate amount of software and they’re a great market for your applications.
Posted on October 15, 2009, at 2:38 PM .
The BlackBerry Storm2 is available for pre-order from Vodafone and it’s free with a new service plan. The service plan is reasonable and the fact that these devices are being offered for free is a huge step in device pricing.
The Storm2 pricing seems to be indicative of a much more competitive pricing model which could be traced to some improvements in the manufacturing process. Since RIM and carriers have much more freedom in pricing, we could see some great sales figures from this device. The original Storm retailed for a couple hundred dollars after a rebate, therefore this device is relatively cheap.
On a less positive note, it’s clear that the new way of naming the Storm as the Storm2 is confusing a lot of people. For example, the Vodafone website lists the device as the Storm2, but the title of the page is “BlackBerry Storm 2.” While I appreciate the marketing efforts to give the Storm a cool name, it’s not exactly the most practical marketing effort.
If you pre-order the Storm2 today, Vodafone says it will aim to deliver from October 26th.
Posted on October 15, 2009, at 2:07 PM .
The gesture brochure for the BlackBerry Storm2 doesn’t show anything too incredible. It points out that SurePress has been upgraded, and due to the multi-touch capabilities, typing is a much faster experience.
Scrolling on the Storm2 has been upgraded and now features inertial scrolling. This is the type of scrolling that you get on an iPhone, and the developers behind BerryScroll have addressed for the original Storm. This brings up an interesting point about RIM eating the developer’s lunch. What’s stopping RIM from implementing your app natively and not purchasing a license? I’m sure the guys at BerryScroll have much more up their sleeves but it leaves you wondering.
On another note, while zooming in is as easy as double tapping the screen, I’m not sure if it was the greatest way to handle the function. Personally, I would much rather a pinch gesture, or something entirely new. Zooming is a gesture that requires a range of motion, rather than a binary style approach. This is a minor criticism but it’s something that you begin to notice after using the Storm2 for a long time.
Posted on October 15, 2009, at 1:43 PM .
The Blackberry Storm2 9550 is official, yet unofficial in that RIM marketing hasn’t put up a press release on their site yet. At least we now have access to the full specs for the BlackBerry Storm2 and while we can always complain about memory, it has some crucial features such as WiFi.
Click through for the full specs of the BlackBerry Storm2 9550
Posted on October 15, 2009, at 1:03 PM .
RIM has gone ahead and made the BlackBerry Storm2 official and now you can get updates for when this device will be officially launched.
The BlackBerry Storm2 9550 still does not have any specific availability, but the it’s interesting to see the current prices of the Storm 9530.
Some of the prices include:
Bell: $299 on a 3 year contract
Amazon: $0.01 on a new service plan
Let’s Talk: Free on a new service plan
Verizon: $49.99 on a new service plan and includes a Buy One Get One Free promotion.
WireFly: Free on a new service plan
MTS: $249.99 on a 3 year contract
TELUS: $99.99 on a 3 year contract
These prices are reflective of carriers and vendors trying to offload their original Storm stock but still some carriers have some relatively high prices. Is anyone seriously still paying $249.99 on a three year contract for a year old device? It just goes to show that carriers are dropping the ball when it comes to offering good deals on devices. When the Storm2 launches, it will probably be in your best interests to skip the carrier and find an online vendor who will give you a better deal.
[Hat tip James L.]
Posted on October 14, 2009, at 11:08 PM .
R-Vintage Lookup for BlackBerry is a first in a series of wine enthusiast utilities from REGARD Solutions. With the free trial version of this app, you can see vintage ratings by country, region and varietal, thereby increasing your changes of selecting a fine wine from a wine list.
If you’re one to frequent nice restaurants, and you’re always looking to pair the meal with a potential winner, this app is for you.
In the latest updates to the product, R-Vintage Lookup 2.0 includes:
- Many look and feel enhancements with new graphics and easier to read.
- Release of a Storm specific version with slide navigation between years.
- Non-storm version when drilled in specific region vintage, quick keys “n” & “p” to navigate to next and previous vintage.
- Make a comment on a specific vintage.
- Read comments of other users on a specific vintage.
- Thumbs up & Thumbs down to denote if you think the region experts rate is right or wrong.
- See thumbs up and thumbs down totals by other users.
As you can see, this application only gets better as the number of users increase. If you think you are a Regional Expert, contact REGARD and you can apply to be one of their experts.
As an early registrant to R-Vintage, REGARD would like to offer R-Vintage Deluxe v2.0 when released later this month, for $2.00 (regularly $2.99).
Until then, enjoy the trial from this link or in App World. Or visit http://www.regard.com/rv from your BlackBerry device.
