Verizon Storm2 on October 28th, BlackBerry OS 5.0 for original Storm out now
By Thomas Ricker 
posted Oct 26th 2009 7:17AM
posted Oct 26th 2009 7:17AM
If you have an original Storm purchased through Verizon then first, our condolences. At the risk of rubbing it in (since you're still on contract) we have to tell you that the second generation Storm2 -- the full-screen BlackBerry you should have waited for -- just got an official $179.99 (after $100 mail-in rebate and 2-year contract) October 28th release date as expected. Storm owners can, however, take solace in the BlackBerry OS 5.0 update now available for download that boasts several improvements including those keyboard and general usability enhancements we already knew were coming.
The last Storm didn't even have WiFi. Really difficult to get excited about these things. I don't like using the Blackberry interface anymore and I have tested the newest models. I'd rather have a G1 or iPhone3GS
What about OS 5.0 for the Tour?
i hope we get on soon.
*one
because getting it on would just be awkward. we just met. ha
rawr
We better get it soon. I held out for months to get a Tour b/c the V had no good phones. Now they have Android phones coming? Bastards.
Does it make it so you can just turn off the need to use the clicking screen thing for typing? If they did that, I would've considered the original Storm. But as it was, it was just god-awful to type on.
The clicking on the new Storm is indeed controlled by software, but the user cannot turn it on or off. You should really try it out though, it's vastly improved. It uses Piezo (spelling?) electric "spots", four of them actually, to tell when you're clicking. When the screen is powered off only the bottom area (where the four buttons are) clicks.
Interestingly (or not as may be) The click screen was one of the main reasons I got a storm. I tried the iphone and a couple of other touch screen phones and found the lack of tactile feedback a little odd. However I find the storm sureclick far easier to type on than other touch screens. The interface is ok but I hope Vodafone UK release v5 officially soon as it can be slow at times.
(for now) i get my internet by tethering my blackberry - is there a way for me to get this update? so far when I try, it does a backup before downloading the update, which disconnects the tether.
Rather than having desktop manager download the update, can't you just download the file directly from Verizon first and then install?
so let me get this straight -
Blackberry releases an absolutely awful phone. A year later, they release an updated version. Those early adopters who are stuck on contract are $hit outta luck.
Apple releases the original iPhone, and AT&T lets contract users upgrade after 1 year, with the 3G. Then, 3G owners are allowed to upgrade after just one year again, to the 3GS....all you apple/ATT haters are right - apple and ATT totally suck balls.
i totally agree with your sarcastic statement.
Correction, everyone was allowed to upgrade from the first iPhone to the 3g because the first one was unsubsidized. However 3g owners were not allowed to upgrade to the 3gs fully subsidized. As a 3g owner if you want a 3gs you have to pay the full unsubsidized price.
Actually, Verizon has always allowed their customers to renew their 2-year contract to get the 2-year contract price on a phone as long as they've been on their contract for at least a year...
I'll admit that I don't usually follow along all that well, so perhaps you can explain to me what was different with AT&T and the iPhone?
Actually, the story goes: Apple releases a phone with Edge and 8gb max of storage for $599, a year later releases a phone with more storage and 3G and AT&T allows people who bought the first one to get a subsidized price for the new one.
Apple releases new 3GS and AT&T tells people who bought the 3G "F*ck you all!"
Much like the 3.0 OS update Apple did, Blackberry is doing an OS update.
You make Apple/AT&T out to be a lot better, and Verizon/Blackberry out to be much worse. Nice job.
All cell companies bleed you dry and none are friendly and loving. They are a necessary evil, so why bother arguing over it?
why jump the gun now to buy a Storm2 when Motorola DROID is releasing a week after....ahhhh maannnn, i can't wait for the DROID to release!!!
The new update significantly helps this phone out. It's like upgrading the engine in a car from a V6 to a V8.
Yeah, but it's still a Chevy.
Yes, this update makes a HUUUUGE improvement in usability. I'm not so antsy about getting a storm 2 now that I have this.
Just completed the update after like an hour & 15mins. Its really like a brand new phone. This is probably going to be the exact same OS as the Storm 2. Much improved. It should have launched w/this software.
I did the update as well ... for both my storm and my wife's(don't laugh). It is definitely much, much more improved. Its very responsive and rotating the phone from portrait to landscape and back is very quick now. Word of warning though... the custom themes that we had from Themes4bb.com no longer look correct in landscape view. The edges are white now. The only theme that works correctly is the preloaded Verizon theme. Had to reinstall BB messenger as the upgrade deletes it ... by design??!!
I freaking LOVE the change that the update made to the Storm. At least for mine, speeds have increased significantly (which is the main issue for me) and it is easier to use as well. Of course, the old version made me want to smash the phone occasionally, so the new version being good seems to be that much more amazing ;)
So has anyone else had HUGE issues getting bbm 5.0 to work on the 5.0 os download? i had it on 4.7, it worked fine, then when i upgraded it "disappeared" and apparently was archived, so now i have uninstalled and reinstalled several times and still cannot get it to work whether i replace the 4.7 version or leave 5.0 on its own. Its very frustrating and i think i need to just wipe the phone...FUDGE!! help if possible
Yeah... I forgot to mention that in my earlier post.
I still do not have BB Messenger on there.
Got a bite for my phone tomorrow for $250.
Gonna have to locate a phone for a day until the Storm 2 or the Droid comes out.
Do you have the latest BBM 5.0.0.33? The previous version of 5.0.0.08 does not work, so that may be your issue. Its working perfectly on my phone.
I hated this phone -- despised it -- until the 5.0 upgrade. I had done almost every upgrade that came along and was constantly disappointed. The response lags in the O.S. were intolerable. Was ready to go buy a Droid when it comes out. Now, with 5.0 I'm happy. The phone works as it should (so far!). I won't be upgrading my phone immediately now, and am curious what Storm 2 could improve upon. Thanks, Blackberry.
It's telling me that no updates are available and I do have the storm? Anyone know where to get it otherwise?
This is what I did: "www.verizonwireless.com/storm, select "Software Download" and follow the
on-screen instructions"
I just wanted to say it was verry classy of Verizon sending me a message on my Storm to click through to a flash based webpage to upgrade my Storm... Classy indeed. Now if only my phone could render flash...
I don't normally consider myself technically challenged, but I did have major issues getting the messenger back on my phone. My wife, mean while did hers 1-2-3 no prob. So after smashing the face of the phone yet one more time she took the phone from me and handed it back to me some 5 minutes later with the messenger reinstalled and contacts restored.... sheesh! Never going to live that one down.
I upgraded to OS 5.0 and it worked fine for a bit. Then it went to sleep and never woke up. I had to get a new phone, but now I can't bring over my 3rd party apps that I had backed up (any suggestions appreciated).
I tried to re-download all the Google apps I had, but it doesn't recognize that it's the Storm, so I end up with apps that don't really work on my phone (Gmail, Maps, Sync - although I figured that last one out).
Anyone else having issues or have a work-around?
OK !!! so here is the deal....if you have issues with 5.0 i figured out the solution people! really simple. wipe the phone completely and restore an old backup. Then just download appworld from the apploader in desktop manager and download any extra programs (i.e. BBM 5.0, etc). This should do the trick for the afore mentioned issues