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Yes, the biggest improvement in the Storm 2 is the typing technology and the ease at which you can type on the touchscreen. Typing on the Storm 2 is a more reassuring feeling versus the 9530, and it is far easier than typing on other touchscreen devices such as the iPhone. Another huge improvement is the addition of WiFi.

But what about everything else? There are a host of small improvements on the Storm 2 that don’t get as much exposure but will provide you with a little added comfort.

The SIM card is easier to remove

The BlackBerry Storm2 has a little opening in the back of the SIM card slot that helps in removing your SIM card. On the Storm 9530, you had to use a technique involving pinching the top of your SIM card, pulling up slightly and pulling out. For someone who switches SIM cards a lot, this is a great little improvement.

The battery cover is easier to remove

Personally, I wasn’t elated about the battery cover on the Storm 9530/9500. The original Storm required you to lift two latches on either side of the battery door, and it wasn’t the most convenient system. The Storm 9550 has the same battery door opening as the Curve 8520, making it much more convenient to open.

There is a power button on the top

Where the original Storm had a lock button, it has been replaced with a power button. This is a nice change in that the button serves a dual purpose. It will put your device in lock/sleep mode and if you hold it down, your device will power off.

The convenience keys are rubberized

The new rubberized convenience keys have been showing up on all of RIM’s latest devices including the Curve 8520. Like the trackpad, this seems to give the device a longer shelf life and will go a long way to keeping your device pristine.

The Speaker is on the bottom of the device

If you do a lot of conference calling, or you enjoy putting people on speakerphone, you will really appreciate this new feature. Having the speaker on the bottom of the phone means you get much more clarity from your speakerphone conversations.

We’ll have more Storm2 content coming at you soon.

© Kyle for BlackBerry Cool, 2009

This Windows 7 Ultimate theme is available for every device, except those running 5.0 software. Like we’ve said before, there are bugs in OS 5 themes and we’ve heard they will be corrected by Dev Con on November 9th, 2009.

Every other BlackBerry gets support on this theme, and it’s one that everyone can enjoy. The Windows 7 Ultimate theme features a fully functional Start Menu, which allows you to access your media center, music, settings, connection manager, sound profiles and application screen. Also, just like the real Start Menu, there is a shut down button as well.

Purchase the Windows 7 Ultimate theme, on sale now for $2.49 until November 1st (regularly $3.49).

© BlackBerry Cool for BlackBerry Cool, 2009

As we approach the end of 2009, it was, to say the least, an interesting year for Research in Motion. The National Post recently wrote an article with some quotes from the co-CEO Jim Balsillie that show he and Mike Lazaridis are pleased with progress and very optimistic moving forward.

Some of the major events that happened this year include one of (if not the) largest settlements between RIM and Visto Corp, for US$267.5 million. We have also seen a couple other setbacks including a failed bid for Nortel assets and a failed attempt to purchase the Phoenix Coyotes by Jim Balsillie.

UPDATE: BBCool reader Kevin is good enough to point out the settlement with Visto is small compared to the NTP case back in 2006. Still a significant enough settlement to mention in the Q2 Fiscal 2010 Conference Call though.

The pay out to Visto is less than half of what RIM paid to NTP ($612.5-million) in March 2006.

But it wasn’t all bad. This year RIM released upgrades to all their major product lines including the Curve, Storm and soon Bold series devices. RIM has also partnered with one of the most popular bands in history and sold a record number of devices in some of the toughest economic times we have seen.

Jim Balsillie has the following to say about the year in hindsight: “Bottom line is that this year is no different than any other year,” Balsillie says. “This year has had its particular challenges, but it’s also had its particular blessings because our sector has been vibrant in an economy that has not been very vibrant.”

As RIM continues to expand globally, capitalizing on partnerships with carriers around the world, the future looks very bright for the company.

“We’re very fortunate that we have the strength of position, having been here long enough, and having built this enough that you’ve built enough value and you’ve built enough credibility that you’ve got a couple in the bank, whatever that is.”

While everyone is optimistic and things look great in the foreseeable future, Balsillie is still knocking on wood:

“To me it’s like driving to the airport and you say wow, we’re making good time, or saying with five minutes left in the game that the goalie’s got a shut- out, it’s the great curse,” he says. “It’s like someone telling you that if you par out these next three holes, you’re going to shoot a record score. You’re going to go bogey, bogey, bogey.”

Let’s hope that 2010 will be an even better year.

© Kyle for BlackBerry Cool, 2009

We had some great responses from our post regarding the BlackBerry OS 5 themes bug. There are a couple of fixes that were provided in the comments that are worth reposting.

From BlackBerry Cool reader Jon:

This issue can be resolved, as posted on crackberry.com forums by wiseguy77:
“step1: obviously load the theme step2: do not use the theme wall paper change it! this is where the issue lies. step3: after changing your wall paper to something other than the theme default go to options>themes>open the little blue box to the right of the active theme. now select the layou option and change the row settings from 2 rows to one row then back to two with out leaving the theme screen, and wala your theme will not longer show the white borders when in landscape mode only bummer is that you have to repeat step 3 each time you change themes or reboot you phone as long as the wallpaper is not the theme default i guarantee you this will work.”

Another solution provided by BlackBerry Cool reader Nathan says:

1. In landscape mode, hit blackberry button, select options and change wallpaper from the theme default
2. Back in options, select layout, change to Today mode, save and close out.
3. Go back to options, select layout and change back to 2 rows.

Theme should now work properly until next reboot

Hope your themes work now!

© BlackBerry Cool for BlackBerry Cool, 2009

The latest theme from Bplay is looking very nice. It’s an animated theme called Waterfall that features running water and a tropical bird flying around your homescreen.

Also, remember how we posted saying that OS 5 is breaking themes? Well Bplay are now including a warning message on their themes saying: “IMPORTANT NOTICE: Themes may not function properly on BlackBerry Storm 9500 and 9530 devices that have upgraded to BlackBerry OS 5.0.”

Hopefully this gets resolved soon.

Purchase the animated theme Waterfall for $5.99.

© BlackBerry Cool for BlackBerry Cool, 2009