When we brought you those exclusive
Storm 2 pics and details just a short while ago, we touched upon the "
new approach to text entry," but unfortunately didn't have any details. However, lightning has struck again, and our source has gotten back to let us know that the Storm 2 does indeed have a stationary screen "just like the iPhone's," which lines up with what
Boy Genius Report is hearing. That's right, it looks like RIM is axing its
SurePress technology in favor of a more conventional touchscreen, though our tipster says the model he has may allow for some type of haptic feedback to be enabled. This should be great news for all you folks having dust-under-screen issues on your first-gen Storms, but obviously, we'll have to wait and see until this thing gets, you know, legit.
[Thanks, BBninja1389]
posted May 15th 2009 5:50PM
The space between the screen looks like it would unable it to be pressed down. Kinda of odd if they really are not bringing surepress back
I totally agree with you. Why would RIM spend time and money on R&D of their "screen technology" and then can it a year later?
Because it doesnt work well at al and needed to be changed. if you fail at something make it again, and make it better until you stop failing. RIM failed, now they're trying not to fail.
There's nothing wrong with the surepress screen. The software that makes use of it sucks. People complained that pressing down on the screen while typing was annoying. So why not include a setting that can enable/disable it? The touch screen is still a touch screen and doesn't need the button to be pressed to click.
When I tried the surepress I thought it was really good along with all of my friends. I think it was also awarded one of the best new technology awards recently as well.
Well duh :) Smart of RIM to listen to customers.
Look...Here's the problem with the Storm 1 when it comes to the "SurePress".
The way that the device was created, it only has 1 area which actually presses down to make the selection...and it just happens to be right in the middle of that big-ass screen.
Obviously this isn't a great design feature.
Now, I have had in my possession one build of this device (the storm 2).
I am not sure if this device is the same (look the same, yes. However without having this specific one in hand, I can't make a comment one way or another if the screen is the same).
I took this one apart and found out that the screen clicks on the board in 4 separate locations...Yep...all 4 corners...The screen feels more solid and is extremely more accurate than the current 9530. It also doesn't take as much "press" on the screen in order to get it to recognize the click.
However...RIM...seriously...WTF...
Look....The SureType keyboard is the best on a BlackBerry device to date hands down (even on the original Storm).
But you need an OS upgrade to these consumers ASAP. Take a tip from the iPhone...When someone is in Landscape mode and is hovering over a letter/key, give a "pop up" preview of what key they are actually on and about to press so that you don't run into issues of people having to go back and delete/correct what they are typing because i=o and o=p and n=m and so on and so on.
What else differs from the "Storm 2" (version I have) and Storm 1? Not a damn thing...The keys are changed which is nice IMO and the keys are actually "embedded" into the device (not my first choice the way they have them on "Storm 2" but on Storm 1, that's freaking pathetic...That shit's like so late 90's...I think I have a Samsung somewhere in my office from back then with a better set of 4 keys on it than the Storm 1).
BTW...The one I have does have WiFi on it. And it's not GSM only.
Which real quick, let me make another point real quick...
RIM IS smart in the aspect of including US GSM capabilities on all devices going forward. Screw the carriers...the devices are going to sell one way or another.
RIM knows there are people out there who are going to go out and buy these things at either full retail or from people on Craigslist/eBay who don't want them anymore, unlock them, and use them on whatever damn carrier they want.
RIM doesn't give a damn as long as the phones are selling...and the carriers shouldn't care either if someone unlocks their phone and takes it to another carrier...They are getting their money for "subsidizing" one way or another...
Ahhh how we long for the day that you go and BUY YOUR DEVICE and THEN decide what carrier to put it on.
The technology behind the screen is called TruePress. Most likely it's some new kind of haptic feedback mechanism.
SurePress wasn't a bad idea. And it's not a bad technology. The Storm gets a bad rap because the early units weren't that great. Running the newest OS and on the latest hardware revision, it's not a bad phone, and really not bad for a touchscreen phone. It's as good a product as the first generation iPhone. Storm 2 will be even better.
HSPA/3G on all frequencies, or is this baby going to Verizon in the U.S.?
what happened to the slide-out keyboard everyone was taking about? not liking typing on a screen no matter who makes it. too bad, was looking forward to getting the storm 2.