It’s No Storm2, but the Original Storm with BlackBerry OS 5.0 is a Solid Storm1.8
The big buzz, or rather the quiet background buzz, about the launch of the Storm2 pushed the ways the new Storm2 was better than the original. Truth be told, the hardware update is largely incremental over the Storm, and with the release of the BlackBerry OS 5.0 for the original Storm it has become clear just how incremental the Storm2 really is. I applied the OS update to my original Storm and it has turned the handset into a whole new phone. I have been using it non-stop since the update and while I was impressed with the Storm at launch, I am really pleased at how good a unit it is with the new OS.
The most visible difference with the new OS is the speed. Everything now happens almost instantly, from menu pop-ups to screen scrolling. You touch and something happens right away. This also applies to the screen auto-rotation, which is so fast now if you blink you miss it. The whole user experience is a fluid, fast one. While it is certainly not definitive, the Storm is as fast as the Storm2 I have seen in a few video reviews.
Another area much improved is the on-screen keyboard. I couldn’t find on the Research In Motion support site exactly what they changed, but the keyboard seems much faster and more accurate. I can double-thumb the landscape keyboard very fast, which makes me think the update made the keyboard more “multitouch friendly.” The predictive text suggestions seem more accurate, too. I am very comfortable using the keyboard in any scenario.
I am also impressed with the web browser. While it is no WebKit browser, this new version is light-years ahead of where the BlackBerry browser was just a year ago. Whole web pages load quickly and look nice. In many ways the browser seems like the WebKit-based browsers found on the iPhone, Android and webOS devices, which is quite an accomplishment. There is no pinch and zoom, of course, but the double-tap zooming happens instantly with hardly any rendering lag. I have been surprised to find that I can now use most pages optimized for the iPhone on the Storm, and they work the same. I could never use the iPhone version of Google Reader on the Storm before, but it works just like on the iPhone now. That’s pretty good for a non-WebKit browser.
I’m sure there are ways in which the Storm2 outshines the Storm. The inclusion of Wi-Fi is certainly a biggie. But I can state having used it for a few days solid, that the Storm with OS 5.0 is now a good Storm1.8, in my view. And that native eReader app is awesome on the Storm, something Android just can’t claim.
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PLEASE fix the voice recognition. Big safety issue!!!!!
James. I agree 100%. The 5.0 upgrade on my Storm has made a world of difference. I used to notice the keyboard being very slow and unable to keep up with my typing. That is gone with 5.0. I also am noticing that the camera takes pictures instantly now. Overall, I am please, but still expect to pick up a new Android phone with Verizon in the next couple months (or maybe Friday).
I would not say 100%. Had Storm for a year and just picked up Storm 2. I upgraded to 5.0 on my original unit and was very happy. Received my S2 and was even more happy. Speed was different for one. The screen locks out and stops you from pressing it when power is off. WiFi is great!!!!. No more buttons on the bottom, instead buttons are integrated with screen (seamless design) Audio is better camera response is improved. 16 GB memory. Just better!!!
Agreed. OS 5.0 on the BlackBerry Storm (1) is a huge leap and after upgrading to the Verizon 5.0.0.328 from leaked betas I’ve been running as I follow the new OS availability, the biggest difference is only the lack of Wi-Fi.
If that’s no deal breaker, hold out on upgrading and let the Storm 2 blow over. You can find the original Storm reasonably priced on eBay.
After loading OS 5.0, it feels like I have a new phone. I can live with the Storm 1.8 for a long time without too much envy for the 2.
Other difference is also that the Storm 2 has double memory. This is nice if you run a lot of apps; this will keep you from getting the hour glass when your BB starts to run low on memory. The other thing that is nice about the Storm 2 is the new 4 sensors on the phone. Much easier to type compare Storm. Now the Storm 2 has the approximity sensor, its like the iPhone. When your on a phone call it turns the screen off and the sensors are disabled so if you press the screen it actually locks it so you don’t press it to turn on something, like the speaker phone while on a call. :) Its nice that it has WiFi, but I really don’t mind it at this point no skype to take advantage of it. The vibration is totally new.
James, thanks for this post! After reading it I updated my Storm via the BlackBerry Desktop Manager, and the difference it made on my phone was night and day. I loved my Storm before, but after this update everything is a whole lot faster and smoother.
Did anyone notice the difference in text messaging? It’s almost like typing into a messenger, has smileys now, and includes the picture I.D. image from contacts. Very slick.