Official BlackBerry Storm Press Release, Images, and Specs!

Lots of info regarding the Storm this morning. Everyone has gone Storm crazy! Even my friend who has an iPhone said he thinks the Storm is looking real good, and he’s all about his iPhone  .

It seems like Vodafone, Verizon, and RIM did a joint press release for the Storm/Thunder. I think the European version is the Thunder right? Same difference. Here are the specs specific to the Verizon unit:

• 128MB of RAM, 1GB built-in memory
• 1400mAh battery with 15 days standby (yeah right) and 5.5 hours of talk time
• Dual-band 800/1900MHz CDMA/EV-DO Rev A
• Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE, 2100MHz HSDPA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BLACKBERRY TAKES THE WORLD BY STORM ON THE MOST RELIABLE NETWORKS IN EUROPE AND THE U.S.

Verizon Wireless, Vodafone and RIM Deliver the Power of a Smartphone with the World’s First Tactile Touch Display on a BlackBerry

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., NEWBURY, England, and WATERLOO, Ontario – Verizon Wireless, Vodafone Group (NYSE and LSE: VOD) and Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced that the BlackBerry® Storm™  will be available exclusively to Verizon Wireless customers in the U.S. and Vodafone customers in Europe, Australia and New Zealand next month.

Designed to appeal to both consumers and business customers, the BlackBerry Storm combines the powerful communication features and productivity tools of a global BlackBerry smartphone with revolutionary technology that provides for easy and precise touch screen typing on the world’s first tactile touch display that responds like a keyboard and combines multi-touch and gesture support for intuitive selection and application navigation.  In the U.S., BlackBerry Storm customers will benefit from the nation’s most reliable wireless voice network and the pervasiveness of Verizon Wireless’ reliable high-speed Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) Revision A (Rev. A) network for rich Internet browsing.  Building on the strong business heritage of BlackBerry, the Storm offers consumers a host of fun and practical features, including:

• Large high resolution screen coupled with a rich multi-media suite
• Text (SMS), picture messaging (MMS), the ability to watch 30-second video clips, instant messaging and access to popular social networking sites
• Removable and rechargeable 1400 mAhr battery that provides approximately 5.5 hours of talk time and 15 days of standby time.

“The BlackBerry Storm offers our customers more ways to stay connected to both their personal and professional lives – whether in their community or around the globe,” said Mike Lanman, vice president and chief marketing officer of Verizon Wireless.  “The BlackBerry Storm combines the reliability of our network with the dependability and network efficiency of the BlackBerry platform to deliver our customers the ultimate wireless experience – all in one of the coolest smartphones available on the market today.”

The Power is in The Touch
The BlackBerry Storm comes with a unique touch screen that gives a distinct ‘click’ confirmation when depressed ever so slightly, very similar in experience to a keyboard-based BlackBerry smartphone.  An easy to use menu adds support for multi-touches, taps, slides, swipes and other gestures, so customers can easily select, scroll, pan, and zoom for smooth navigation.
The tactile touch screen display gives customers worldwide a choice of virtual keyboards – RIM’s SureType® layout in portrait and a full QWERTY* layout in landscape orientation.   Relevant features such as cut and paste are only a touch away for the ultimate smartphone experience.

World Class Smartphone
The BlackBerry Storm is a top of the line mobile phone with global connectivity.  In the U.S., the BlackBerry Storm gives Verizon Wireless customers EV-DO Rev. A/CDMA – technology – and (2100Mhz) HSPA/UMTS as well as quad-band EDGE/GPRS/GSM for global use.  The BlackBerry Storm 9500 from Vodafone supports (2100Mhz) HSPA and quad-band EDGE/GPRS/GSM networks.

Browse the World Over
Customers will enjoy a full HTML high performance browser that works in either portrait or landscape orientation.  Navigating Web sites is fast and easy with the touch screen interface that lets users tap to zoom in and slide their finger to scroll.  Icons along the bottom of the display allow for quickly accessing “Favorites”, opening the virtual keyboard to enter text, switching between “Page View” and “Column View”, as well as the ability to toggle between “Pan” mode and “Cursor” mode.  The enhanced browser supports file downloading, streaming audio and video, and with its built-in RSS support, new content from supported Web sites can be automatically pushed to the user.

Packed with Additional Features
The BlackBerry Storm, exclusively from Verizon Wireless and Vodafone, also includes the following features and functions:

BlackBerry® Internet Service, BlackBerry® Unite!, BlackBerry® Professional Software and BlackBerry® Enterprise Server support for seamless integration with corporate email systems and the security and IT policy controls that enterprise customers require

• Edit Microsoft® Word, Excel and PowerPoint files directly on the handset
• 3.2 megapixel camera, with variable zoom, auto focus, and a powerful flash that also provides continuous lighting when recording video; the camera records video in half-VGA resolution (480×320) or at 176×144 for MMS
• 1 GB of on board memory storage and 8 GB microSD memory card included in expandable memory card slot
• Media player that can find content on the handset in an instant, display pictures and slideshows quickly, play movies smoothly in full screen mode in any orientation, and manage an entire music collection; playlists can be created directly on the handset and there’s an equalizer with 11 preset filters – including “Lounge”, “Jazz” and “Hip Hop” – for customized audio ranges when using wired headphones or external speakers
• Sleek, elegant design with contoured corners, stainless steel back and chrome side-accents that frame its large (3.26”), touch sensitive, glass lens display; its exceptional 360 x 480 resolution at 184ppi, offering the highest resolution display ever introduced on a BlackBerry smartphone, is crisp and colorful with clarity that’s easy on the eyes
• A sensor automatically adjusts to ambient light for ideal screen viewing and an orientation sensor allows customers to use the handset in a portrait or landscape position

Additional details related to availability and pricing will be announced in the coming weeks.  To learn more, visit www.verizonwireless.com/storm.
* Virtual keyboards are also available in AZERTY, QWERTZ and other configurations to support different language groups.

# # #

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 68.7 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 70,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD).  For more information, go to: www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

About Vodafone
Vodafone is the world’s leading international mobile communications group with approximately 269 million proportionate customers as of 30 June 2008. Vodafone currently has equity interests in 27 countries across five continents and over 40 partner networks worldwide. For more information, please visit www.vodafone.com

About Research In Motion
Research In Motion (RIM) is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative wireless solutions for the worldwide mobile communications market. Through the development of integrated hardware, software and services that support multiple wireless network standards, RIM provides platforms and solutions for seamless access to time-sensitive information including email, phone, SMS messaging, Internet and intranet-based applications. RIM technology also enables a broad array of third party developers and manufacturers to enhance their products and services with wireless connectivity to data. RIM’s portfolio of award-winning products, services and embedded technologies are used by thousands of organizations around the world and include the BlackBerry® wireless platform, the RIM Wireless Handheld™ product line, software development tools, radio-modems and software/hardware licensing agreements. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM operates offices in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. RIM is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market (NASDAQ: RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RIM). For more information, visit www.rim.com or www.blackberry.com.

Forward-looking statements in this news release are made pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used herein, words such as “intend” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions made by and information available to Research In Motion Limited. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, possible product defects and product liability, risks related to international sales and potential foreign currency exchange fluctuations, the initiation or outcome of litigation, acts or potential acts of terrorism, international conflicts, significant fluctuations of quarterly operating results, changes in Canadian and foreign laws and regulations, continued acceptance of RIM’s products, increased levels of competition, technological changes and the successful development of new products, dependence on third-party networks to provide services, dependence on intellectual property rights, and other risks and factors detailed from time to time in RIM’s periodic reports filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, and other regulatory authorities. RIM has no intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited. RIM, Research In Motion and BlackBerry are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and may be pending or registered in other countries. All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. RIM assumes no obligations or liability and makes no representation, warranty, endorsement or guarantee in relation to any aspect of any third party products or services.

Source – BGR

Specifications

Size (L x W x D) 4.4” x 2.4” x 0.55”
Weight (battery included) 155g or 5.46oz
Memory 128 MB RAM memory, 1 GB eMMC
Expandable Memory MicroSD located under battery door cover
Battery 1400 mAhr removable/rechargeable cryptographic lithium cell
Battery Life CDMA: 15 days standby, 6 hours of talk time
GSM: 15 days standby, 6 hours of talk time
User Interface Intuitive Touch Screen Navigation Touch Screen Navigation, with ClickThrough for user selection
Display High-resolution 480 X 360 pixel color display, Transmissive TFT LCD, supports over 65,000 colors
Camera 3.2 MP camera, flash, auto focus
Keyboard On screen keyboard – portrait SureType and Multi-tap, QWERTY landscape
Voice Input/Output Integrated speaker and microphone, hands-free headset capable, Bluetooth® headset capable, integrated hands-free speakerphone
Ringtones 32 polyphonic – MIDI, MP3
GPS Stand-alone and Assisted GPS. Preloaded with BlackBerry® Maps.
Video format support: MPEG4 H.263, MPEG4 Part 2 Simple Profile, H.264 (encoding and decoding 30fps), WMV
Audio Format Support: MP3, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, WMA, WMA ProPlus
Bluetooth Bluetooth v2.0; Mono/Stereo Headset, Handsfree, Phone Book Access Profile (PBAP), and Serial Port Profile Supported. Bluetooth Stereo Audio (A2DP/AVCRP), DUN.
Headset 3.5mm stereo headset capable
USB Port Enables charging and high-speed data synchronization via USB “A”
to micro-USB “B” cable

Power Adapter +5V DC/500 mA AC power adapter, with interchangeable,
location-specific plugs
Network Support Quad-Band: 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE networks
Single-Band: 2100 MHz UMTS/HSPA networks
Dual-Band: 8
00/1900 MHz CDMA/EVDO Rev A networks
Desktop Software Synchronizes calendar, address book, tasks and memos between your smartphone and desktop. Loads new applications and upgrades from your PC to the BlackBerry smartphone.
Smartphone Security Password protection

Email Integration Supports multiple email accounts on a single smartphone, including:
ISP email (such as POP3, IMAP4 – SSL supported), Microsoft Outlook Web Access, Microsoft Exchange, IBM Lotus Domino, Novell GroupWise.
Organizer Integration When used with BlackBerry Enterprise Solution, the BlackBerry Storm supports wireless synchronization with: IBM Lotus Notes, Microsoft Outlook, Novell GroupWise. When used with BlackBerry Desktop Manager, the BlackBerry Storm supports desktop synchronization with: ACT! 4.0.2/2000/6.0; ASCII Text File Importer/Exporter; Novell GroupWise 5.5/6.0; Lotus Notes 4.5/4.6/5.0/6.0/6.5; Lotus Organizer 5.0/6.0; Microsoft Outlook 97/98/2000/2002/2003 (XP); Microsoft Outlook Express; Microsoft Schedule +7.5; Microsoft Schedule + Default; Netscape.

Features

Impressive Screen
Press and Be Impressed
As you enter characters or commands your finger receives a subtle signal to let you know the device is responding to your input.

Multimedia
BlackBerry Media Sync
Sync your desktop iTunes music files with your BlackBerry smartphone. BlackBerry Media Sync makes getting more from your music quick and easy! Media Player & Expandable memory capability. You can listen to your tunes or watch your videos on the built-in media player. And, you can use microSD cards to expand the amount of memory available to 8 GB to accommodate your music and image files.

Camera and Video Recording
3.2-MP camera, auto flash, auto focus, 2x digital zoom stabilization Take a shot with this quality digital camera. Then share it with friends, family and contacts in an email or picture message.

Instant video on the go
Capture all the action with the built-in video camera. Then replay it with the built-in media player or share it in an email or picture message.

HSPA Compatibility
Data and Voice
Take calls while sending and responding to email or browsing the Internet.

Browser
HTML Browsing
For work or for fun, get the information you need online. The BlackBerry Storm smartphone delivers a responsive, dynamic browsing
experience. You’ll wonder how you ever got by without it.

Mobile Streaming
In the car, at a restaurant or even the park, access videos, music or sports and news clips from web sites built for mobile streaming.

GPS & BlackBerry Maps
Built-in Global Positioning
System capabilities
Use the GPS capabilities with BlackBerry® Maps or other third-party mapping applications to access text-based turn-by-turn directions and route maps.

Phone
Full-Featured Phone
The tools you need to make calls—and life—easier. Have the features of a professional desktop phone with you when you’re between
appointments or stuck in traffic.

Email & Messaging
View attachments
Open popular document and graphic attachments and view them with LCD-quality color and clarity.11 That includes JPEG, Adobe PDF, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft PowerPoint files.

Edit Microsoft Word andPowerPoint Files
Download attachments and get to work – copy and paste, font size and color, even bullets, numbering and more.12 The LCD display’s color and clarity make working on the go an invaluable option.

Text, Picture and Instant Messaging
Send and receive text, picture and instant messages (SMS, MMS and IM)
Keep in better touch with your contacts who like to use text and picture messaging. Or chat from just about anywhere with Windows Live™ Messenger for BlackBerry Smartphones, Yahoo Messenger for BlackBerry Smartphones, AOL Instant Messenger for
BlackBerry Smartphones and ICQ for BlackBerry Smartphones.

Social Mobility
Mobilize your social life
The BlackBerry Storm smartphone comes preloaded with custom-built social networking applications like Facebook® for BlackBerry®
Smartphones as well as mobile instant messaging and photo uploader programs.

BlackBerry Services
BlackBerry service
Right out of the box, the BlackBerry Storm smartphone is ready to impress. With activation, you’ve got the freedom to browse the Internet, make a call or chat with an instant messaging contact, from just about anywhere.6, 8, 15

Business ready
The BlackBerry Storm smartphone is ideal for businesses of all sizes. For small to medium-sized businesses, BlackBerry Internet Service, Hosted BlackBerry services and BlackBerry Professional Software are designed to offer affordable, easy-to-set up solution options. For large organizations, BlackBerry Enterprise Solution is designed to provide advanced security features, enterprise-grade functionality and hands-on control to implement a comprehensive wireless solution.

Source – PinStack