We’ve got to say, we are really quite impressed with how zippy the new Storm, erm, Torch looks from the video. The virtual keyboard looks responsive and switching from landscape to portrait mode seems to act just as quick as you would like it to. You can see it in action by scrolling down to the end of this post.

After playing around with the menu’s that also seem to work impressively, the video gives us a glimpse into video performance and playback. The video seamlessly switches from portrait and landscape too, with no lag to speak of. Maybe this could be down to having no other software, pictures, video or music stored on the phone, but it is still quite satisfying for BlackBerry users nonetheless.

You have got to admit, the looks and design on the BlackBerry Torch 9860 are something to be admired too. It finally feels like RIM has fallen into the popular form-factor that most handsets use in today’s world, such as Apple, HTC, and Samsung branded smartphones. Could this potentially be the start of a major uprising from RIM? Can they crawl back up the ranks? We still believe that they have got a long way to go, but it is a step in the right direction, we are just a little confused about RIM’s choice of name for this device, so are the guys over at Crackberry.

According to some, RIM is using the Torch name to be-rid of the Storm franchise which has not gone down too well in BlackBerry history. As we know, Torch’s are traditionally built with physical keyboards, but for some reason, the Torch 9860 is more like a Storm device, previously the Storm and Storm 2 were RIM’s only devices on the market not to house a physical keyboard. As far as we understand it, there is going to be 2 models of BlackBerry Bold and a BlackBerry Bold Torch, the latter will come in two forms, one with a keyboard and one without. Confusing eh?

As for carriers that will get this device first, there are no obvious choices. Saying that, there has been reports of a BlackBerry Torch 9860 showing off an AT&T background, although none of the hardware is branded by AT&T famous logo.

The future of this device is a little cloudy. We all know that the Torch 9860 comes with a 1.2GHz processor and high resolution 3.7″ WVGA display, but pricing, carriers and release date information is currently unknown.

Could Verizon still release this device under the Storm branding? Will the Torch 9860 appeal to more than your average BlackBerry user? Only time will tell.

More About: Blackberry Storm, Blackberry Torch 9860, RIM

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Let us have a look at a few of these issues and see if they are the same as what you have been experiencing? One problem is that the Storm has been freezing for certain users, and that when people call it does not ring; although you are still left with a missed call.

Most issues that I found have to do with not only the software, but the screen as well. We all know how bad the first BlackBerry Storm was with its SurePress technology – maybe this was the reason that the handset has now been shelved?

These are just a few problems that I have picked up on just by spending 20 minutes looking around; what issues have you go with your BlackBerry Storm?

More About: blackberry, Blackberry Storm, RIM

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Berry Review have posted some images of the BlackBerry Storm 3, well they claim they were sent to them and that they are “supposedly” of the next Storm Smartphone. They could be created in Photoshop, but we’re not sure if that’s the case, as all seems to match up with what we have heard in the rumor vine.

The tipster in question touched on some specs for the Storm 3, saying that it will come with 8GB of internal memory, a 3.7-inch display, and will support mobile Wi-Fi hotspot connections. They posted another image too, which was said to be the BlackBerry Torch 9800 in red.

Visit their article for the images, and let us know what you think of them. Do you think these are the real deal?

More About: blackberry, Blackberry Storm, RIM

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According to an article on Electronista, RIM has only managed to shift 150,000 units of the Torch handset on its debut weekend – ten times less than the iPhone 4. 150,000 units is still a huge amount, but knowing that you are shifting ten times less than your competitor means that something is majorly wrong.

There are some who say that it does not help being tied to one carrier, but this has not done any harm to iPhone or Droid handset sales. I begin to wonder if the BlackBerry Torch 9800 is Rim’s Kin. Microsoft knew that they had made a huge mistake with the two Kin handsets and pulled the plug to save further embarrassment.

RIM is always at a disadvantage as their handsets have mostly been tailored for the business sector. They have tried on a number of occasions to take advantage of the lucrative consumer sector with the first two Storm devices, but we all know how that went. Now we await the arrival of the Storm 3, as it is needed now more than ever.

Has RIM finally lost Touch? Will the BlackBerry maker ever be able to compete with the likes of Android or the iPhone?

More About: Blackberry Storm

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