RIM BlackBerry Storm 2 Rumors Include Wi-Fi, September Release
A BlackBerry Storm 2 with Wi-Fi will debut this September-if the rumors are
to be believed. A September release would mean a less than one-year run for the
original BlackBerry Storm, which was launched in November 2008.
Lack of Wi-Fi in the original Storm, Research In Motion's first touch-screen
BlackBerry, was part of what prevented it from being the Apple iPhone killer
Verizon Wireless was hoping for. (Others
would also add sluggishness.)
SlashGear
reported April 7 that, while it wasn't able to name its source, it has "no
doubts regarding the veracity of their information. The source gave us their
assurances that the Storm 2 would have Wi-Fi and would be an even better
Pro-consumer device than the first Storm."
The
Boy Genius Report cites two independent sources of its own, and writes
that, in addition to Wi-Fi, the BlackBerry Storm 2 will have a new screen
technology, replacing its SurePress technology with TruePress-which it says
will make typing "really pleasurable."
However, not everyone thought SurePress was such a drag. In February, the
SurePress technology-which makes the touch-screen depress ever so slightly to
create the sensation, along with sound cues, of using a traditional keypad-was awarded a Global Mobile Award
for Best Mobile Technology Breakthrough.
A bit of icing on the rumor cake: Boy Genius additionally posits that the Storm
will get the upgrade of a 5-megapixel camera.
On April 1, RIM launched its BlackBerry
App World applications store.
"We are launching BlackBerry App World with a solid selection," said Jim
Balsillie, co-CEO of RIM, "and we look
forward to working with our partners to continue delivering the types of apps
that best suit our customers' personalized needs and interests."
If the Storm 2 rumors prove true, RIM will be meeting still more of interests
and needs.
A spokesperson for RIM said it is company policy to decline comment on rumors
and speculation.
