So I did it, I went and purchased the new BlackBerry Storm this past Friday.

For those of you that do not know. This product was so widely anticipated that most of the Verizon stores were sold out by mid-morning and the warehouse was sold out by the afternoon. So if you got one, you either sat outside the store doors early that morning or it was just your lucky day.

For me it was just my lucky day.

I have had a BlackBerry device for the better part of this year. I was hesitant at first, but once I got used to the trackball functionality I was hooked. There was so much about my BlackBerry Curve, and just BlackBerry’s service and software that was just ‘right’ for me.

So fast-forward to now.

BlackBerry and Verizon Wireless decided to ride the iPhone wave by creating a touch-screen BlackBerry device. The first of it’s kind. Until now BlackBerry has always been operated with the infamous trackball function.

It was like the iPhone… but not. It had the cool touch screen options but not all the functionality of the I-Phone. Needless to say the public, including myself, was interested. BlackBerry users new and old were salivating at the mouth to see just how this thing was going to function.

The most anticipated function was the Sure-Touch screen technology. It functions just like the I-Phone to a degree. It scrolls left to right and up or down with the sweep of your finger on the screen. The unique portion of this technology is that you have to choose and/or click an object or application twice. You first choose an application by lightly touching your finger over the screen.. The application is highlighted. Then you press down on the actual screen to select what you highlighted. It’s great for those of us who accidentally click something and then have to go back constantly (Yep that would be me)

The Sure-Touch screen at first glance and first touch feels shoddy or even ‘loose’. But apparently that’s the way it’s made. It can and does shift in all 4 directions as well as depressing when you push for an application.

Here is a great article I found that gives a much better analysis and more defined detail of is machinery and mechanical make: BlackBerry Storm – Review and Teardown

It takes some practices to get used to, but like all other new things, time is the best indicator of it’s worth.

I’m still on the Fence. I can’t seem to decide. I can’t decide if I’m going to commit to the Storm, or simply get another BlackBerry device- either back to a BB Curve, or go for the BB Bold.

So here are my Pro’s and Con’s of my new toy:

Pro:

• The look is sharp and sleek
• The transition and graphic interface is quite impressive
• It does have the option to use a QWERTY keyboard OR predictive text
• The portrait versus landscape option is pretty slick (even if it’s not iPhone worthy)
• It does allow zoom in and out camera function by simply sliding your finger across the screen

Con:

• It does have slow moments when transitioning between applications and screens
• The sure-touch screen takes some getting used to, but it does eliminate accidental clicking
• The QWERTY keyboard doesn’t allow for fast typing.. Fast typing = mistakes.
• I don’t like the lack of options with ringtones- with the Curve, I could choose to have a ringtone or alert to be in increasing volume or have it ‘ring’ 1-3 times. You don’t have that option with the Storm
• It is a tad heavier/bulkier than other BlackBerry devices

I’ll keep you posted on my progress and final decision. I believe I have 14 -15 days to decide. The real test will be during a typical work day for me. See how it performs then.

I’d love to hear your thoughts (whether you purchased one or not)

Carpe Diem

Image Source: BlackBerry.com