First Impressions: BlackBerry Curve 8530 (Verizon)

Curve8530_1

One day before its retail launch, UPS delivered Verizon Wireless’ BlackBerry Curve 8530 to my doorstep.  I’ve been working with it all morning, and as the replacement to the Curve 8330, I’m very pleased with it.  It’s a needed stepping stone in the BlackBerry line, and I’m excited that it’s joining the ranks at Verizon (with Sprint picking it up soon).

Admittedly, I was a bit upset that I didn’t get the “smoky violet” color.  Just kidding.

It’s the third retail unit to ship with an OS 5.0 build (after the Storm2 and Bold 9700), and the third to feature a trackpad (after Curve 8520 and Bold 9700), both of which symbolize RIM’s new design direction.  Like the other two, threaded text messaging is now a regular feature, along with small changes (revamped icons, a refreshed “home” screen, and more).  Aside from threaded text messaging, the improved boot time should please most users (especially BlackBerry users that are familiar with the 4-5 minute boot times of the past).

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BlackBerry 8530 hitting Verizon in lavender, too

Curve 8530 lavender

Guys, if black isn’t your color of choice, you have another option: lavender (and we’re really talking lavender here – it’s bold).  Thanks to tipsters reporting to PhoneArena, we get an up-close picture of RIM’s latest CDMA device.  November 20th isn’t too far away – who’s storming the doors of their local Best Buy/Verizon store?

First television ad spot launches for BlackBerry Storm2


I’ll admit, the dual launch of the BlackBerry Storm2 and Motorola Droid (even if it was just the announcement) was a bit frustrating, as it seemed to overshadow the announcement of RIM’s newest BlackBerry.  They’re not leaving it in the dark, though – billed as “the perfect Storm,” Verizon’s first television spot highlighting the Storm2′s capabilities (and their 3G dominance to AT&T) debuted late yesterday.

Is the advertising alone enough to change the public’s perception of the Storm line?

Source: Engadget Mobile

First Impressions: BlackBerry Storm2 (Verizon)

BlackBerry Storm2

Almost one full year later, RIM and Verizon Wireless are at it again with the BlackBerry Storm2, their second attempt at a full touchscreen BlackBerry device.  Despite the relatively strong sales numbers, reports of build quality problems, typing issues, and the like surfaced on the internet within moments of the device launching.  Months and numerous software revisions later, the world (and more specifically, the BlackBerry community) is well aware of the original Storm frustrations.

My BlackBerry Storm2 came in today, and I’ll be the first to admit – I was nervous.  I carried the original Storm twice – once when it first came out (that very day, to be exact), and a second time in early 2009.  Both times, I wanted to love the device.  It offers RIM’s award winning e-mail solution, a giant touchscreen, and it’s centered around multimedia.  Based on the paper specifications, I wanted it.  However, in the history of my love for all things RIM, the Storm was the first BlackBerry device that I have ever returned out of dissatisfaction.  Needless to say, I wanted the Storm2 to blow it out of the park.  The form factor was there from the beginning; the phone just needed some tweaks when it came to typing, as well as some screen improvements to become a great media-centric BlackBerry.

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BlackBerry Storm2 lands on RIM’s website, complete with video


The day is getting closer and closer, as Research In Motion has officially placed the upcoming BlackBerry Storm2 on its website.  Complete with video, we get the first true (and official) look at the replacement to the original Storm.

As I’ve said before, the BlackBerry Storm2 has a branding scar that it has to get rid of.  Shortly after the launch of the original device, users complained about everything from battery life to software crashes (despite the phone selling quite well).  Their criticism was certainly justified, and though it took RIM some time to respond, the latest software builds have finally placed the original Storm at where it should have been at launch last November.

That being said, RIM needs a smooth and successful launch to counter the challenges from the original Storm.  With the early reviews being largely positive, it looks like RIM may have a winner on its hands.

Source: Crackberry