New BlackBerry Storm 2 smartphone extends Verizon's reach
(Read article summary)The BlackBerry Storm2 smartphone, a successor to the original Storm, will be available by the end of the month, Verizon Wireless announced today.
The Storm 2. Well, we're not going to give BlackBerry any points for creativity. But the new smartphone, which will be powered by Verizon Wireless, could cut deep into a market dominated by Apple's iPhone.
According to a release from Verizon and BlackBerry-maker Research in Motion, the Storm 2 "evolves the BlackBerry touchscreen platform with hundreds of hardware and software enhancements" and extends the "communications capabilities customers have come to expect from their BlackBerry smartphones."
Translation: There are some cool features here. Chief among them is a tricked-out suspension system called "SurePress," which gives the touchscreen the same clickability as a traditional keypad. And the phone itself gets an aesthetic revamp – see photo at right – from some new chrome accents to a stainless steel backplate. Verizon Wireless says the Storm 2 can make calls in more than 220 countries, and access data in 185.
You know, in case you've got a really busy itinerary.
