BlackBerry Storm Not Launching Quite as Soon as Expected

For several weeks, there have been numerous reports that said Verizon will launch the BlackBerry Storm around Nov. 17. Now, however, a new report indicates that the release will actually be a week later, on Nov. 24.

This carrier is planning to make a huge deal out of the debut of the first BlackBerry with a touchscreen, according to information leaked to BGR. This will start off on Nov. 20 with an invitation-only event at which Verizon representatives will show off the Storm to small business customers. Attendees will be able to pre-order devices that won't be available until launch day.

On Nov. 24, the Storm will go on sale. Verizon stores will be open an hour early, both that day and the following one.

Update (Nov. 13): The time for rumors and leaks about the BlackBerry Storm is over: Verizon Reveals BlackBerry Storm Launch Date and Price

And the Price Will Be...

As the BlackBerry Storm is a touchscreen-based device, many have pegged it as a competitor for the iPhone. And it will reportedly have another thing in common with Apple's smartphone: price.

Verizon will charge $200 for the Storm, as long as the purchaser signs up for a two-year contract and returns a mail-in rebate, according to BGR's source.

An Overview of the BlackBerry Storm

Vodafone released its version of the BlackBerry Storm last week, so the launch on Verizon won't be the world premier.

This smartphone has a tablet shape with a 3.25-inch, 360-by-480-pixel display, with both landscape and portrait support. It doesn't have a built-in keyboard, so all text is entered on the display.

Naturally, RIM is emphasizing the email capabilities of this BlackBerry, it comes with DataViz Documents to Go, which lets users edit Office files directly on the handset. But it won't be all business; RIM is also pushing the Storm's use as a music and video player.

Verizon's version of this smartphone, will have support for this carrier's EV-DO network and Bluetooth, but not Wi-Fi.

The Storm also has a GPS receiver and a 3.2 MPx camera with flash.

RIM says its 1400 mAh battery will provide approximately six hours of talk time on 3G networks or 15 days of standby time.

The GSM version of this device, the one released by Vodafone, is the Storm 9500. Verizon's will be the Storm 9530.

Related Articles:

• Best Buy Taking Pre-Orders for BlackBerry Storm
• BlackBerry Storm Officially Unveiled

Via Boy Genius Report