Verizon BlackBerry Storm2 Officially Announced Available This Wednesday at $180

Just one minute before we officially started to party for the weekend,
our late night writer Chris Smith has managed to break it that the
BlackBerry Storm2 pricing and release date on Big Red have leaked ahead
of an official announcement. Things, however, have confirmed today, when
Verizon came straight forward saying that the BlackBerry Storm2 is going
to be available this coming Wednesday, October 28th, for $179.99 after a
$100 mail-in rebate — if you hop on a new two year contract, that is.

For those who don't know already, the new Storm2 is will come with a
<3.25-inch 480 x 360 capacitive touchscreen, will feature RIM's
latest SurePress technology and will run on the up and coming OS 5.0.
Other specs include a 3.2-megapixel autofocus camera with image
stabilization and flash, both EVDO Rev.A and UMTS/HSPA 2100, GPS,
Bluetooth 2.1+EDR and WiFi connectivity (b/g). There's also 2GB of
built-in memory and a microSD slot for an additional 16GB.

Concerning battery life, the Storm2 will feature an upgraded 1,400mAh
replaceable battery that will give the handset juice for up to 5.5hrs
when talking or 11.2 days when in standby.

Check out the full press release below:

BASKING RIDGE, NJ, and WATERLOO, ONTARIO " Verizon Wireless and
Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced that
the BlackBerryยฎ Storm2 smartphone will be available in Verizon
Wireless Communications stores, online at www.verizonwireless.com, and
through business sales channels beginning Oct. 28. The BlackBerry Storm2
with BlackBerryยฎ OS 5.0 evolves the BlackBerryยฎ touchscreen platform
with hundreds of hardware and software enhancements " including new
SurePress �clickable � display technology and built-in Wi-Fiยฎ "
delivering the exceptional multimedia experience and communications
capabilities customers have come to expect from their BlackBerry
smartphones.

Key Features:

* Smooth design and premium finish with sloped edges, chrome accents,
glass lens and stainless steel backplate
* Large (3.25 �), dazzling high-resolution 480 x 360 display at 184 ppi
* Capacitive touchscreen with integrated functions (Send, End, Menu,
Escape) and new SurePress technology that makes clicking the display
practically effortless
* 3G and global connectivity support for making phone calls in more than
220 countries and accessing data in more than 185 countries (with more
than 80 destinations in 3G)
* Network Connectivity: EV-DO Revision A; UMTS/HSPA (2100 MHz); and
quad-band EDGE/GPRS/GSM networks
* Supports Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g)
* 256 MB of Flash memory
* 2 GB of onboard media storage and a microSD /SDHD memory card slot
with a 16 GB card included

Software Updates on BlackBerry Storm2:

* Features BlackBerry OS 5.0, which includes typing accuracy and
selection improvements, as well as usability and visual enhancements
such as inertial scrolling, spin boxes that make it easier to set dates
and times, gradient shading on buttons, and more use of animation
* BlackBerryยฎ Browser is improved with faster JavaScript and CSS
processing as well as support for Gears and BlackBerry Widgets
* Customers running BlackBerryยฎ Enterprise Server 5.0 will gain the
ability to set follow-up flags, manage e-mail folders, access remote
files (Windows Shares), forward appointments, view calendar attachments,
and more

Additional Features and Specifications:

* 3.2 megapixel camera with autofocus, Image Stabilization (IS), flash
and video recording capabilities
* Premium and easy-to-access phone features, background noise
suppression technology, loud distortion-free speakerphone and face
detection (proximity sensor) that prevents accidental clicks and blanks
the screen while the customer is on the phone
* Media player for videos, pictures and music, plus support for
BlackBerry Desktop Manager for both PCs and Macs, and BlackBerryยฎ Media
Sync, for easily syncing Windows Mediaยฎ Player music with the smartphone*
* 3.5 mm stereo headset jack and dedicated volume controls
* Bluetoothยฎ (v2.1) capable with support for Secure Simple Pairing,
hands-free headsets, stereo headsets, car kits and other Bluetooth
peripherals
* Built-in GPS for maps and other location-based applications, as well
as photo geotagging; and Verizon Wireless VZ NavigatorSM service is
pre-loaded
* V CAST Music with Rhapsody
* Access to BlackBerry App World , featuring a broad and growing catalog
of third-party mobile applications developed specifically for BlackBerry
smartphones, with categories including games, entertainment, IM and
social networking, news, weather, productivity and more
* Support for Verizon Wireless Mobile Broadband Connect tethering service
* Removable, rechargeable 1400 mAhr battery that provides up to 5.5
hours of talk time or up to 11.2 days of standby time

Pricing and Availability:

* The BlackBerry Storm2 smartphone is available beginning Oct. 28 for
$179.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer
agreement on a voice plan with an Email and Web feature or an Email and
Web for BlackBerry plan. Customers will receive the mail-in rebate in
the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as
cash anywhere debit cards are accepted. Data plans for the BlackBerry
Storm2 smartphone begin at $29.99 when added to any Nationwide voice plan.
* New Operating System for Existing BlackBerry Storm Customers
* Existing BlackBerry Storm customers will be able to update their
handsets to the new BlackBerry OS 5.0 software via Web software load
(www.blackberry.com/update), BlackBerry Desktop Manager, or from Verizon
Wireless download site (www.verizonwireless.com/storm). The software is
available today.
* For additional information on Verizon Wireless products and services,
visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or
go to www.verizonwireless.com. Business customers can contact their
Business Sales Representatives at 1-800-VZW-4BIZ.

* Certain music files may not be supported, including files that contain
digital rights management technologies.