Verizon Storm Release Update: It’s Here!

****Update Nov 21st:  It is finally here.  The BlackBerry Storm is officially released in the US on Verizon Wireless.  We’ve had reports already that some stores have had lines in front of them before opening, and as we already knew there was a rumored shortage of Storms in store.  I am here to further confirm that rumor as being true.  As I arrived at 6:30am to the Verizon store at the Orange mall in Orange, CA, there was a line of about 13 people waiting already.  At the time of opening there were almost 25; the kicker was that there were only 28 Storms on hand not including the 4 working displays they had.  So, by 7:30 there were probably about 40 people in store, and only 28 including myself that were going to walk out with one today.  I have heard of stores getting less than 28 and I have heard of stores getting more.  So, if you are looking to pick one up today, you better stop reading and get your butt over to a Verizon store or Best Buy (if they have any left, which is doubtful because most stores I spoke with got less than 10).  I will have a video of speed comparisons with other BlackBerries and a review up later.

***Update!: I just spoke with another Verizon rep at a different store and I am happy to report that they have about 40 Storms in stock ready for tomorrow!!!!  So, maybe some bigger stores are getting a lot more, this is better news.

**Update: I just spoke to a Verizon rep at a local store near me and he said that they were supposedly getting 70-80 Storms for tomorrow, however they did not have them yet.  This is just rumor because I’m almost certain that they will not get that many even though it is a fairly large store.  That will be the store I will be visiting in the morning so I will let you guys know what the deal is.

*Update: The new word is that there was a security flaw found in the OS so RIM has been re-flashing like crazy to get devices out to stores.  So as I said before, line up tomorrow morning, because I know I will be.

So here is the update on Verizon’s Storm release.  Verizon stores will probably be holding out on us with only a tiny bit of Storm stock for tomorrow’s release.  This is a stupid move to help foil any insider theft going on.  Furthermore, my partner Stephen told me that the Best Buy near his house told him they “may or may not” be getting more than 4 Storms in for the release.

I spoke to my Best Buy insider, that confirmed that their expected shipment of 16 was reduced to 4 BlackBerry Storms.  They only good news that comes out of this mess, is that Best Buy will be selling Storms beginning tomorrow and not waiting until Sunday Nov. 23rd.  So, if you are expecting to walk out of a Verizon store or Best Buy with a Storm in hand tomorrow, you better get there early.