The Second Storm: BlackBerry Storm 2 9520
The BlackBerry’s Storm 2 is RIM’s second BlackBerry touch screen phone. The Storm series is new and has had a rough start, quite becoming of its name. In this light, RIM has taken the time and effort to create a BlackBerry phone that would still carry the brand name proudly. While their efforts in fixing the problems that plagued the old Storm are excellent (all the previous problems have been fixed), the new Storm 2 still lacks some of the features that make BlackBerry phones unique –namely, messaging capabilities. While the lack of a physical keyboard is understandable, an on screen keyboard on a transmissive touch screen is difficult to use.
Changes from the Original
The Storm 2 9520 features an improved SurePress screen. The contact portion of the old Storm used a central focal point. This meant that tapping the screen near the edges required a stronger push and moving over the center even lightly would accidentally register as a tap. The device uses four focal points that are spread evenly on the edges of the screen (more or less the four corners). This allows users to tap anywhere and it would be recognized. The screen also allowed for multi touch, using the onscreen keyboard now feels more natural because of this by allowing an alternating left right rhythm as compared to a tap-pause-tap rhythm required for the old Storm.
Aside from the screen, this mobile phone also features a better built casing and parts. The buttons no longer easily fall off and the casing no longer has the old gaps that cause dirt build-up.
In Conclusion
The BlackBerry Storm 2 9520 is a nice touch screen phone, but considering that it is a BlackBerry, it still fails to live up to expectations. The fact that it lacks one of the key selling points for other BlackBerry devices (easy messaging) means that this device still has a long way to go. Interested buyers can get this phone from Vodafone on individual or business plans.
