Verizon’s official launch date is tomorrow (November 21st) for the BlackBerry Storm. A ton of unboxing and actual reviews have surfaced.

We will start off with Boy Genius who has both a Vodafone and Verizon BlackBerry Storm in hand. Here is a sniplit from his conclusion “…At the end of the day, if you’ve been eyeing the Storm, we suggest you either go play with a demo unit at a store, or go ahead and buy one. That way you’ll be able to decide for yourself if you really love the thing, or maybe just don’t care for it. This isn’t a cookie-cutter device, and it’s not for everyone. That said, we’re sure these things are going to fly off the shelves at Verizon stores on Friday, we just have a feeling there will also be a lot of returns.” Read the rest of his review here.

Kevin from CrackBerry also got his hands on a Verizon BlackBerry Storm to unbox. He actually flew down to New York to pick this bad boy up (a true addict!). Here is his unboxing video:

Another great review review (over 20 minutes in length) by the folks at MobilityToday.com:

One thing the BBSync team noticed and was kind of disappointed by is the lack of premium headphones in box. I personally was hoping to see headphones similar to the ones found with the BlackBerry Bold. Of course you will be able to purchase them afterwards.

Other reviews: PhoneScoop, Engadget and Gizmodo.

Everyone’s favorite BlackBerry app Facebook is due to get upgraded to version 1.5 in early 2009. Recently RIM introduced the new MySpace application for BlackBerry and it allows users to do more than the Facebook one. Not to mention if you take a look at the iPhone’s Facebook application it kills the BlackBerry one. Maybe and Facebook will release a special version for the Storm?

[Via CrackBerry]

[via BBNews]

With the release of the BlackBerry Storm in the UK and coming up in North America very soon. RIM has released version 4.7 of BlackBerry Desktop Manager for PC. You have the option to download this software with or without the media manager as well. You can grab a copy of the new Desktop Manager right here from RIM directly.

Now that the BlackBerry Curve 8900 is official, RIM has released the Curve 8900 device simulator for developers. This simulator helps developers testing applications they are designing to make sure they work perfect on the OS 4.6.1. So if your bored and you want something to test out check out the device simulator available for download here.

Verizon has officially announced the BlackBerry Storm will be available starting November 21st at all corporate and retail channels. The Storm will be priced at $199 with two year contract. Rumor has it Verizon has a mass amount of stock ready to go around.

Now that Verizon has announced the launch of their Storm. Bell and TELUS in Canada can’t be too far behind either…

Verizon BlackBerry Storm Page

Early this morning T-Mobile Germany and RIM announced the release of the BlackBerry Curve 8900 (formally known as Javelin). Available Mid-November, the Curve 8900 is the latest upgrade in the Curve series of smartphones. It features a large 2.4″ high resolution display, 3.2 megapixel camera with flash, enhanced media player with podcast support, EDGE, Wi-Fi, OS 4.6 and a thinner desig with full QWERTY keyboard.

The Curve 8900 will cost 359 Euros ($450 USD) with no contract or 4.95 Euros with 24 month contract. Now that T-Mobile Germany has announced this new Curve. Announcements from AT&T, Maybe T-Mobile USA? and Rogers can’t be too far behind.

Interesting enough in this announcement they didn’t make any comments to a newly re-designed trackball? Originally it was said that the Curve 8900 would launch with an Atomic trackball. I wonder if thats still a go?

RIM Press Release:

T-Mobile and RIM launch the new BlackBerry Curve 8900 smartphone in Germany
- Expansive feature set, striking 480×360 pixel display, 3.2MP Camera with autofocus, flash and video recording, enhanced media player with podcast support

- Thinnest full-QWERTZ BlackBerry smartphone

- Global connectivity with fast Internet access on broadly available EDGE and Wi-Fi networks

- Easy to use navigation with built-in GPS

BONN, GERMANY and WATERLOO, ONTARIO–(Marketwire - Nov. 12, 2008) - T-Mobile Germany and Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ:RIMM)(TSX:RIM) today launched the BlackBerry(R) Curve(TM) 8900 smartphone. The new BlackBerry Curve 8900 has an expansive feature set that keeps users easily connected with their office, friends and family. In addition to exceptional phone, email, messaging, organizer, web browser and multimedia applications, the new BlackBerry Curve 8900 also features global connectivity support, built-in Wi-Fi(R) and GPS, a fast processor (512Mhz) and a dazzling hi-resolution display, enabling customers to remain productive and entertained while on the go.

In a sleek and new style, the BlackBerry Curve 8900 smartphone from T-Mobile Germany has on-the-go video, text and maps, a full QWERTZ keyboard and an intuitive trackball navigation system that allows users to enjoy an exceptional communications experience. Its full-featured media player supports media streaming and can play all your favorite songs and videos. With its new 3.2 megapixel camera, including auto focus, digital zoom and flash, you can take sharp, print-quality pictures to capture the moment and immediately send them to a friend or post them on the Internet. The microSD/SDHC expandable memory slot supports up to 16GB, giving users plenty of storage that is easily interchangeable.

Enhanced web browsing and multimedia features

The BlackBerry Curve 8900 is a quad-band smartphone, providing global connectivity that is compatible with T-Mobile’s nationwide EDGE network for fast data access and web browsing. The handset can be used in conjunction with T-Mobile’s web’n'walk plans for Internet browsing and accessing emails using BlackBerry(R) Internet Service and BlackBerry(R) Enterprise Server.

At approximately 110 grams and 109 x 60 x 13.5 millimeters, the BlackBerry Curve 8900 from T-Mobile Germany is the thinnest full QWERTZ BlackBerry smartphone to date and comes with a sleek and refined design that feels comfortable for either one-handed or two-handed use. Its large, striking 2.4 inch HVGA+ display (480×360 pixels) projects vivid color and makes information easier to read. The BlackBerry Curve 8900 provides flexible connectivity and helps people find their way, combining built-in Wi-Fi(R) (802.11 b/g) support and GPS capabilities.

E-Mail Push Service, free of charge for six months

T-Mobile Germany is currently offering a special promotion for customers who purchase the BlackBerry Curve 8900 smartphone and subscribe to BlackBerry(R) Internet Service with T-Mobile’s BlackBerry Webmail plan for individuals and small enterprises. The offer, which is initially limited until December 31, 2008, is available with many rate plans and is open to consumers and business customers who take out a new contract or extend an existing contract. For example, customers can currently try out T-Mobile’s BlackBerry Webmail S plan (which costs EUR 4.95 a month and includes a volume of one megabyte for six months) free of charge.

The BlackBerry(R) Curve(TM) 8900 smartphone will be available from T-Mobile Germany from mid of November 2008 and will cost a one-time charge of EUR 4.95 with a 24-month contract on the Relax 200 Plus rate with BlackBerry Webmail S and EUR 359.90 without contract.

RIM has just released a interactive guide called “BlackBerry 101” for the BlackBerry Storm 9530. This guide explains how to use the Storm’s basic features such as calling, messaging, etc. Plus it shows off a little more advanced features such as using the Desktop software to switch devices. Its a pretty handy little guide so check it out!

Check out the Storm’s interactive guide >>

Great news for those in the UK. Vodafone will be launching the BlackBerry Storm on November 14th! The good news is several UK sites have posted Storm video views (see here). Now if we could any get an official release date for Verizon, TELUS and Bell…

“We know customers are excited about the Storm and the early pre-orders really emphasise this. We continue to take orders and are excited that customers are responding so enthusiastically,” commented Ian Shepherd, consumer director, Vodafone UK. “Our customers told us that they wanted a single phone that would give them the most secure, reliable email and messaging experience possible combined with all the desirable smartphone features, and at a price that’s affordable. The BlackBerry Storm has delivered all of this and more and will give our customers incredible power in their hands to make the most of now.”

The highly anticipated Blackberry® Storm 9500, the first ever touch-screen BlackBerry smartphone, purpose built exclusively for Vodafone, will be available to buy from 14th November. Available on a range of high value price-plans, the device offers consumers and business customers easy access to voice and email, a range of social media applications, multimedia content, satellite navigation and many other services on the move.

Customers who want to be the first in the UK to have a BlackBerry Storm can pre-order in Vodafone stores, online at www.vodafone.co.uk/storm and telesales, and account managers for our business customers from November 14. It will also be available for sale through Vodafone’s retail partner Phones 4U in store and online.

“We know customers are excited about the Storm and the early pre-orders really emphasise this. We continue to take orders and are excited that customers are responding so enthusiastically,” commented Ian Shepherd, consumer director, Vodafone UK. “Our customers told us that they wanted a single phone that would give them the most secure, reliable email and messaging experience possible combined with all the desirable smartphone features, and at a price that’s affordable. The BlackBerry Storm has delivered all of this and more and will give our customers incredible power in their hands to make the most of now.”

One of the first reviews has been carried out by the Gadget Show’s, Jason Bradbury.

Ian Shepherd, Consumer Director, Vodafone UK comments on the BlackBerry Storm.

Download full product specifications (PDF 96kb).

The BlackBerry Storm pricing starts from free on a two year contract at £35 per month on a Best for Text plan that will include 600 minutes and unlimited texts*. Go to www.vodafone.co.uk/storm for more information on pre-order, pricing and full specifications.

Notes to editors:

*subject to fair usage of 3,000 texts a month, see www.vodafone.co.uk for additional pricing details

T3 first posted an unboxing of the Vodafone branded BlackBerry Storm 9500, and now its time for the full on video review. They really liked the Storm and had time to show off Vodafone’s App Center and exactly how the Surepress display works. Their headline “Storm blows T3 away”.

Next up Stuff.tv known for their popular Stuff electronics magazine in the UK has also got then their hands on a Vodafone Storm. You can check out their full video review as well and see what you think.

Another video has arrived. This time from Megawhat:

Hopefully by now you aren’t getting sick of all the Storm news. Personally I just want to get my hands on one.