Research In Motion (RIMM), the company responsible for inspiring the creation of CrackBerry.com, a site dedicated to BlackBerry users and abusers, is going to be causing many BlackBerry owners to miss out on work this upcoming Friday. People are expected to line up bright and early at Verizon Wireless retailers nationwide to get their hands on the one of the most highly anticipated mobile phone releases left in 2008, the BlackBerry Storm. But will it live up to the hype?

The reviews are out, and so far, the consensus is that the BlackBerry Storm is a good phone (certainly one of the best in Verizon’s arsenal); however, if the expectation was that this was to be an iPhone killer, then the mark was sorely missed. Don’t take my word for it though.

What They’re Saying

Wall Street Journal’s Walter Mossberg believes that the Blackberry Storm is a “good option” for those looking for a new phone:

Overall, the Storm is a very capable handheld computer that will appeal to BlackBerry users who have been pining for a touch-controlled device with a larger screen. And it offers yet another good option for anyone who is looking to buy one of the new, more powerful, pocket computers.

PhoneDog’s Noah Kravitz, a new friend of mine, sees some potential in the device, but he believes that the clickable touchscreen is holding it back:

Is Storm RIM’s iPhone killer? And is it a suitable replacement for the BlackBerry user accustomed to tapping out emails on a physical QWERTY board? Honestly, I don’t know yet. I have to spend some more time getting used to typing on Storm before I can answer that question. So far I’m impressed by the device’s software and Verizon’s network … it’s that whole newfangled clickable touchscreen that I’m still trying to wrap my thumbs around.

Engadget’s Joshua Topolsky might have had too high of expectations, and he certainly pulled no punches:

Going into this review, we really wanted to love this phone. On paper it sounds like the perfect antidote to our gripes about the iPhone, and in some ways it lives up to those promises — but more often than not while using the Storm, we felt let down or frustrated. Ultimately, this could be a great platform with a little more time in the oven, but right now, it feels undercooked — and that’s not enough for us.

Wired Magazine’s Daniel Dumas shared a similar opinion to myself. He gave the BlackBerry Storm a 6 out of 10 rating:

Would we recommend the Storm? If you’re locked into a contract with Verizon, want a touchscreen phone and are willing to put up with an OS that moves like a tranquilized yak, then yes the Storm is for you. Otherwise, your best bet is an iPhone or the very capable BlackBerry Bold. In any case, Apple need not fret; even in the face of a legitimate iPhone killer, they still offer more touchscreen goodness for the money and will undoubtedly, ahem, weather this storm.

PC World’s Yardena Arar felt that the BlackBerry Storm is, overall, a failure:

But people who were hoping for a credible iPhone alternative fortified with BlackBerry’s strengths as a mobile tool for corporate travelers will likely find the Storm a disappointment. When it comes to touch interfaces, Apple still has no peer.

It’s a Storm Alright

Unfortunately for Research In Motion, the negativity has drawn down the appeal of the BlackBerry Storm dramatically.

Sure, CrackBerry addicts are going to line up for this phone, regardless of the reviews, but as someone who was looking forward to picking up a new phone on Verizon’s network, this news isn’t reassuring.

In other words, it looks like this journalist could be waiting for brighter opportunities.