Blackberry Storm: November 21st!

[Dirk]

Two highly anticipated BlackBerry smart phones will be available in the U.S. within the next month, just in time for the holiday sales crunch, according to a presentation slide leaked by Best Buy and published by gadget blog the Boy Genius Report.

According to the presentation, Research In Motion (RIM) Ltd.'s oft-delayed BlackBerry Bold 9000, which has hit snags and gone back for another round of testing to ensure it works correctly with AT&T's 3G wireless network, will be available in Best Buy Mobile stores, the mobile device wing in all Best Buy retail locations, on October 26. Software issues have plagued the Bold with delays since it was announced in May, continually pushing back its expected release date, which was originally slated for sometime in the summer.

The presentation also indicates that a few weeks later BlackBerry's first ever touch screen smart phone, the BlackBerry Storm, will be available through Best Buy. The release date is pegged for November 16.

The announcements of both devices created a massive stir in the smart phone buying market, with the Bold targeting high-end users, while the Storm, BlackBerry's answer to other recent touch-screen titans like the Google Android-based T-Mobile G1 and the Apple iPhone 3G, is aimed at both consumers and professional smart phone users. Combined, the two devices represent the most coveted smart phones in BlackBerry's 10-year history.

Both devices operate on their carriers' high-speed 3G networks, the Bold on AT&T and the Storm on Verizon Wireless.

Along with leaking in-store dates for the Bold and the Storm, the Best Buy document indicates that the BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220 from T-Mobile will hit stores on October 26, despite the Pearl Flip hitting stores last week.

And the Best Buy sheet didn't just out the dates for BlackBerrys. The presentation indicated that HTC's Touch Pro will also make its in-store appearance on Oct. 26.

The leaked Best Buy document did not indicate the pricing for any of the devices.

[yahyah30]

will best buy get the storm before the verizon website

[admin_mvu]

Still almost a month away before Storm is available....

I'm still due for upgrade and I'm also carrying a blackberry curve from AT&T, which doesn't work in some countries so Storm would be a perfect candidate to replace my two phones at once.

[admin_mvu]

It's only a matter of a week or two now. The rumor is that the price will be pretty low before the holiday season to really increase the sale.

[michigan mobile]

I want this phone! and Best buy will have it after verizon corp stores! I cant wait!

[yahyah30]

so is nov 16th the internet release date or the store release date or both

[admin_mvu]

They weren't very explicit with that info but you'll have to assume it's always internet first, then store next.

[admin_mvu]

Blackberry Storm's official interactive guide page is now open

Storm™ by Blackberry®

[yahyah30]

so im confused is verizon ever going to actually give a internet release date

[admin_mvu]

The latest rumor is that Storm launch will be delayed due to software glitch.

And also, the latest rumor on the price is $219, and not $99 originally reported. It's only a rumor at this time and the actual price may vary.