Attention BlackBerry Storm 9530 owners: If you haven't already, plug your phone into your computer, launch BlackBerry Desktop Manager, and install the new OS 5.0.0.328 system software ASAP.Before you do that, however, be sure to back up everything on your device first. Use the BlackBerry Desktop Manager tools to make a back-up for all your settings, data and especially your applications. Once you've taken that precaution, then perform the system update.

RIM says that the update should take about 25 to 30 minutes. Between downloading and installing the software and then restoring the device, you'd better figure on more like an hour. If the update goes badly, it may take longer.

I updated my Storm this morning with little problems. After the initial software update is complete, you have to make sure to re-sync the device to reinstall your settings, data and applications. I had no problems, but some users across the Internet were reporting lost applications. The entire process took longer than I wanted it to, but in the end, it was worth it. The Storm is a whole new device with system software 5.0.0.328 installed.

The Storm basically works as it should have -- as was promised -- when the device launched nearly a year ago. It moves lightening quick now and doesn't pause, lag, or hang any more. When you rotate the Storm, the software instantly flips the on-screen orientation to match whichever way you happen to be holding it. Previously, I had to wait 3 to 5 seconds for the device to realize that it had been rotated.

The new system software also has nice animations when uses open and close applications, its makes improvements to how well the typing software works, and the browser is just a wee bit snappier to use.

The biggest improvement for me is the typing. The Storm's software now keeps up with your thumbs and it feels as though it makes fewer mistakes when typing out words. I still found that the SurePress-style keyboard layout (two letters per key) gave the Storm trouble, but the onscreen QWERTY keyboard is much improved.

Perhaps the new feature I like second most is the inclusion of threaded SMS conversations. Before, the Storm sort of lumped SMS conversations together, but it was inconsistent and users had to reply to each individual message to get them to appear together in one conversation. Now, it works flawlessly.

In all, system software 5.0.0.328 makes the Storm 9530 feel as though it is a new device. The improvements in usability are a breath of fresh air.