6) Expandable Memory

The BlackBerry Storm ships with just 1GB of on-board memory, but it also has an expandable microSD media card slot that can accommodate cards up to 16GB.

The 16GB iPhone sells for $299 on contract. The $199 Storm plus a 16GB media card comes to about $265, so the price is comparable. However, Storm users can buy as many media cards as they can afford, so they have more of their digital media collections on hand at any given time. (Keep in mind, microSD cards are small enough to fit into a wallet or purse. In fact, I've got three of them in my wallet as I write this.)

Whether or not an expandable memory card slot is for you largely depends on the size of your digital media collection, as well as how often you want to access it via mobile device. As stated in my "reasons to choose the iPhone over the Storm, some folks may value the iPhone's fixed 8GB or 16 GB memory because it means never having to mess with tiny cards.

5) Digital Camera, Video Recording

The Storm sports a 3.2 megapixel digital camera, as compared to the iPhone's 2.0 megapixel camera. In theory, the Storm should be able to snap higher quality images than the iPhone, though we'll have to wait until the Storm is officially released to know for sure.

And though the iPhone has a digital camera, it cannot yet capture video clips, while the Storm can. If video capture is essential, you'll want to choose the Storm over the iPhone 3G.

4) Storm Works as a Tethered Modem

Many smartphone owners, particularly business users, employ their handhelds' Internet connections to access the Web via otherwise unconnected PCs or laptop computers. The ability to tether can come in extremely handy while travelling and visiting various hotels, airports, lounges, etc. that charge for Wi-Fi access. In such situations, you can simply connect your smartphone and computer and avoid Wi-Fi fees.

Currently, wireless carriers determine which devices can be used for tethering. Though AT&T BlackBerry owners can already pay a premium for tethering functionality, iPhone users still cannot--at least without "jailbreaking" their devices. AT&T has said that an iPhone tethering solution is in the works—but no specific details are available, so it could be some time before Apple smartphone owners can legitimately tether.

Though Verizon has not officially said whether or not Storm users will be able to pay extra for tethering functionality, the carrier offers the option to all of its existing BlackBerry owners, so it's very likely Storm users will get the same treatment.

If tethering is a must for you, choose the Storm.

3) Touch Screen Provides Tactile Feedback

One longstanding complaint about the iPhone's touch screen is its lack of tactile feedback--in other words, the screen offers no response when you hit a key, making it difficult to type without staring directly at the screen.

RIM listened to the frustrated iPhone users when it developed the Storm's keyboard, which uses "Click Through" technology to provide both audible and tactile feedback whenever you click the screen. In fact, the screen on the Storm is really just one large button that actually depresses when you click it.

I recently spent some time with the Storm, and though the device I experimented with was a preproduction unit and the software was buggy, it was easy to see how the small amount of feedback the new screen provides could potentially improve typing efficiency.

If rapid typing is a must, you might want to consider a device with a full QWERTY, physical keyboard. But if your mind is set on a touch screen smartphone, choose the Storm.