The BlackBerry Storm2 from Research In Motion (RIM) is a smart phone for those who are fond of BlackBerry functions and large touch-screen displays.
The Storm2 (9520) has all the BlackBerry features, such as BB Chat and Push Mail, but it also has the benefits of the big touch screen. It has the look and feel of other BlackBerry smart phones, but the screen is much larger because it does not have make room for a physical Qwerty keyboard.
The screen is 3.25-inches wide. It is really bright and is great for watching videos and browsing web pages.
The phone has an on-screen virtual Qwerty keyboard, and typing is not difficult. The keyboard pops up whenever you need it and what I liked most about it was stretching the keyboard in horizontal view for more comfortable use.
The Storm2 uses next-generation SurePress technology that provides the user with tactile feedback when the touch-screen is pressed. The system responds to gentle pressure applied anywhere on the surface of the screen. Clicking the display is practically effortless.
I thought the touch screen responded well.
Since Advanced Info Service distributes the Storm2 for RIM, I tested it on AIS's Edge network. I had no problems in receiving e-mail from my HotMail address using the PushMail technology.
The BB Chat system also worked well on the Edge network, using the phone's virtual keyboard.
During the test, I found I could update my Facebook status effortlessly using the Edge network while riding a bus.
The Storm2 also supports 3G, but since 3G networks are still not available, I used a Wi-Fi connection for the test. I was able to upload photos to my Facebook page with ease.
And yes, you can connect to the BlackBerry Application Store to download a free BlackBerry Facebook application.
The Storm2 is not just for business use, but is also made for entertainment, thanks to that big screen, a 3.5mm stereo jack and a stereo headset that comes with the phone.
The screen has 480 x 360 resolution and I enjoyed watching YouTube and other video files on the Storm2. The provided stereo headset also delivered high-quality music.
The Storm2 supports MPEG4, H.264 and WMV video playback and can play MP3, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, WMA and WMA ProPlus audio files.
The phone also comes with 3.2-megapixel camera that delivers good quality. The photos can easily be shared on Facebook.
AIS distributes the BlackBerry Storm2 at a cost of Bt21,400. AIS customers can also apply for a Bt450-per-month package that includes unlimited e-mail, chat and social networking and Internet browsing up to 50MB.
Key specs: BlackBerry Storm2
Wireless Networks: quad-band, 850, 900, 1800 and 1900MHz GSM, GPRS and Edge networks; single-band, 2100MHz UMTS and HSPA networks
Camera: 3.2 megapixels
Display: 3.25-inch TFT LCD with 480 x 360-pixel colour display
Memory: 2GB embedded plus multimedia card
Size (mm): 112.5 x 62.2 x 13.95
Weight: 160g