Archive for January 22nd, 2010

BlackBerry Storm2 Review

RIMs original Storm was not the best device, although it was the first touch screen BlackBerry. Now that RIM have redesigned a few features, most importantly the screen, will the Storm2 make current BlackBerry users switch to it or entice other platform users to give it a try?

BlackBerry Storm2 9520

What’s in the box:

• Device
• Battery
• Wall Charger
• Case
• USB Cable
• Cleaning Cloth
• Headset
• Manual
• Software Disc

You can get an insight into the OS by viewing Matt’s BlackBerry Storm2 unboxing video.

The ten second review:

Device: BlackBerry 9520 Storm2

Price: From free with contract

Summary: A touch screen messaging device with all the good bits you would expect.

Best of: Push email, Wi-Fi, 3G, Media

Worst of: Screen is an acquired taste, weight.

Buy it now from: Vodafone

BlackBerry 9520 Storm2 Specification:

• 2G Network : GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
• 3G Network: HSDPA 2100
• Dimensions: 112.5 x 62.2 x 14 mm
• Weight: 160 g
• Display: TFT capacitive touchscreen, 65K colors
• Size: 360 x 480 pixels, 3.25 inches
• Memory: Internal 2 GB
• Card slot: microSD (TransFlash) up to 16GB
• GPRS: Class 10 (4+1/3+2 slots), 32 – 48 kbps
• EDGE: Class 10, 236.8 kbps
• 3G: HSDPA, 7.2 Mbps; HSUPA
• WLAN: Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
• Bluetooth: v2.1 with A2DP
• USB: microUSB v2.0
• Camera : Primary 3.15 MP, 2048×1536 pixels, autofocus, LED flash
• Messaging: SMS, MMS, Email, IM
• GPS: with A-GPS support
• Document editor (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF)
• MP3/WMA/AAC+ player
• MP4/H.264/H.263/WMV player
• Battery: Standard battery, Li-Ion 1400 mAh
• Stand-by: Up to 305 h (2G) / Up to 280 h (3G)
• Talk time: Up to 5 h (2G) / Up to 6 h (3G)

General:

Located on the top of the BlackBerry is the power and standby mode buttons. These are flush with the casing and if you dont know they are there you may miss them!

BlackBerry Storm2 9520 Top

The bottom of the device is bare apart from a tiny microphone.

BlackBerry Storm2 9520 Bottom

On the left side of the handset is the MicroUSB port and also a shortcut key. This is pre-set to voice commands.

BlackBerry Storm2 9520 Left Side

Over on the right side is the 3.5mm headset jack, the up/down volume rocker and the camera key.

BlackBerry Storm2 9520 Right Side

The rear of the device contains the camera lens and flash.

BlackBerry Storm2 9520 Rear

At the top of the front of the Storm2 is a speaker grill and light sensor. At the bottom are the four hardware keys.

BlackBerry Storm2 9520 Front

Highlights:

• Connectivity
• Multiple Push Email Accounts
• Video Player
• BlackBerry Messenger

Lowlights:

• Touch Screen
• Weight

Review:

I was pretty excited about getting the BlackBerry Storm2 to review. Firstly because I had not had a go with the original Storm, so I was intrigued, and secondly as I am a BlackBerry user myself and wanted to check out the touch screen action.

Out of the box I was pleased with the look of the Storm2. Its not really different from the first edition but still, its a good looking phone. Its pretty heavy though, weighing in at 160g which is a dammed sight more than my Bold 9700 at only 122g. Size wise its very similar to the 9700, being only slightly bigger in each of the three dimensions.

The device feels extreamly sturdy and I should think so too, due to that weight! The back cover on the Storm2 is made from metal and this gives it a bit more of a robust feel. Its a wee bit slippery though! The buttons on the sides are identical to those on the 9700, being made from a rubbery plastic.

The main feature on the BlackBerry Storm 2 has to be the touch screen. The original Storm got some stick, so those issues it had have been sorted now. Originally there was one sensor under the centre of the screen. This has now been replaced with four, giving for a much better typing experience. Before, you needed to press a key and make sure your finger was off it before pressing the next. Now, the Storm can handle pressing two keys at once so typing is more fluent.

Although the screen still clicks when you press it, it does not move around from side to side like on the original Storm. I have had no experience with the Storm1 but I would imagine if the screen was loose it would be prone to getting dust under it. Thank god the Storm2 screen is fixed!

The screen is extreamly sensitive but it takes a bit of getting used to. If you touch an on-screen item it will then appear highlighted. To actually select it you click the screen. Yes its odd, but its a case of adapting to it.

Another feature that is present in the Storm2 which was not on the original is Wi-Fi. Dont ask me why it wasn’t on the Storm1 as many other phones had it, but at least its here now.

If you have used a BlackBerry before then getting to grips with the operating system will be a piece of cake. Its more or less the same as on other BlackBerry devices but just set out slightly different due to having a large touch screen.

The Storm2 also comes with an internal memory upgrade, double in fact. With 2GB now, you will be able to store a decent amount of documents and media files on the device.

If you are going to buy a BlackBerry then messaging is going to be most important to you. Using email and sms is just as easy on the Storm2 as on any other BlackBerry. The only difference is using the onscreen keyboard instead of a hardware one. Being a BlackBerry means you get BBM, BlackBerry Messenger. This is an instant messaging client unique to BlackBerry devices and once you have it, and you have some mates with a BB, its great. I would not want to be without it!

The BlackBerry Storm2 gives you a few different keyboard options to allow you to use the one that is most suited. This is great when using the device one handed in portrait mode. In landscape mode though you really want the full QWERTY.

SureType on BlackBerry Storm2

Full QWERTY on BlackBerry STorm2

Most other things on the BlackBerry Storm2 are more of less the same as on other recent BlackBerry Smartphones.

BlackBerry Storm2 Home Screen

You now get eight icons on the home screen instead of six like on the Curves and Bolds. Below these on screen icons are the hardware keys. They consist of call send/end, back and BlackBerry menu. The menu key is used a lot as it not only takes you to the main menu but once in an application it then allows you into the options within that application.

BlackBerry Storm2 Menu

One of the first things you need to do when you have your new Blackberry is download Blackberry App World. Although its not on par with Apples iPhone app store its not bad. There is some decent stuff in there and the prices are reasonable. Of course there are loads of free apps as well . Its easy to navigate round App World and you are given a lot of info about the apps before you download, including screen shots. The graphics are not great for gaming but you must remember that a Blackberry is primarily a messaging device.

The web browser on the BlackBerry Storm2 is typical BlackBerry and not the best, but it works. Having this nice big screen means a better browsing experience compared to the standard BlackBerry devices. The screen auto rotates on the Storm2 really quickly so you have the option of using the phone in portrait or landscape. Zooming is done one of two ways. Either a double tap on screen or there are zoom in and out buttons at the bottom of the display. Unfortunately I could not get the screen capture software to work on the Storm2 for some reason so I cant show you any images. You will have to watch my BlackBerry Storm2 demo video.

With built in A-GPS you will never get lost again with your Storm2.

BlackBerry running Google Maps

The BlackBerry Storm2 comes with BlackBerry maps pre-installed but you can download Google Maps as well, which I prefer. Although no voice guided turn by turn navigation the maps do look pretty good on the Storms screen.

The 3.1mp camera on the Storm2 is far from superb but its okay for taking snaps and uploading to Facebook or Twitter. The LED flash is blinding but obviously the subject needs to be reasonably close to get a decent shot in very low light conditions. The camera interface is dead easy to use.  The only thing I did not like was the positioning of the camera button. It just felt a bit strange using it.

BlackBerry Storm2 Camera Samples

One thing I love about using a BlackBerry is the way I can keep my life organised. The Storm2 will hold an infinite number of contacts and calendar events. I use my BlackBerry as my diary so when I am out, doing what I do in the daytime, I can enter contacts and make appointments straight onto my BlackBerry. When I get home I sync the device with Outlook via Bluetooth and within 30 seconds all my new recorded information is on the PC. I know most other Smartphone platforms do this but I particularly like using it on BlackBerry. Its simple pimple to use!

Listening to music on the Storm2 was not at all bad. The external speaker is really loud but you clearly get a better quality when using the earphones. As I have said in previous reviews I really dont like the earphones supplied with BlackBerry handsets but as the Storm2 comes with a 3.5mm jack you can use your own.  The music interface is not the best eye candy but it does the job.

BlackBerry Storm2 Music Player

Watching video on the Storm2 is great. The screen is a perfect size and the picture quality is on par with other touch screen devices. If not using earphones the loud external speaker really helps out here. With 2GB of onboard storage available and extra via microSD you can get a lot of movies onto the Storm2, perfect for travelling.

The BlackBerry Storm2 has all the usual bits found on most smartphones such as document viewers, calculator, memo pad, voice dialling. The alarm clock is wicked and I use this daily. Still manage to oversleep most days though!

Conclusion:

My overall impressions of the BlackBerry Storm2 were that its a decent device. I’m not sure if hardcore BlackBerry users will be going out and getting one, just because they love their hardware keyboards, but for new BlackBerry users or someone who wants their first smatphone its not a bad choice, as long as you are on Vodafone in the UK!

Compared to other touch screen devices on the market such as the iPhone and some of HTCs and Samsungs its certainly not as flashy to look at but that’s just the BlackBerry OS for you. The Storm2 does exactly what it says on the box but I just feel that its stuck in the middle between the for mentioned touch screen devices and the other BlackBerry devices with proper hardware keyboards. You really need to try before you buy with this one I think.

To see the the device in more detail please have a look at my BlackBerry Storm2 demonstration video.

Posted by: James