In advance of the BlackBerry Storm2 release, RIM has released OS 5.0 for the first generation BlackBerry Storm. There are a host of improvements as detailed by RIM.

New Power / Lock button usage

Using the Power or Lock button on the top of the BlackBerry smartphone, you can perform the following tasks depending on the state of the BlackBerry smartphone:

State of the BlackBerry smartphone: Unlocked and the back light is turned on

Action: Press and release button.
Result: Locks the BlackBerry smartphone and turns off the back light.

Action: Press and hold button.
Result: Turns off the BlackBerry smartphone.

State of the BlackBerry smartphone: Unlocked and the back light is turned off

Action: Press and release button.
Result: Turns on the back light.

Action: Press and hold button.
Result: Turns on the back light and displays the power off prompt.

State of the BlackBerry smartphone: Locked and the back light is turned off

Action: Press and release button.
Result: Turns on the back light and displays the unlock prompt.

Action: Press and hold button.
Result: Turns on the back light and presents the power off prompt.

State of the BlackBerry smartphone: Locked and back light is turned on

Action: Press and release button.
Result: Presents the unlock prompt.

Action: Press and hold.
Result: Presents the power off prompt.

You can download BlackBerry OS 5.0 update directly from Verizon.

[via GearDiary]