Well, I located an East Asia version of the OS .167.
Ran the .exe file and this time it loaded into my PC. For some reason the IUSACELL version didn't work for me.
Ran the apploader and this time it saw the new OS. Took about 15 minutes total to load the new OS.
Before the battery pull, I got two strange emails from RIM from the email address:
Both discussed a Java log issue. Anyone experience this?
Right away I noticed, for the first time, an noteworthy improvement in speed of phone operations. The new screen transition is very iPhone-esque. I likey!
After the battery pull I got another email from RIM, same addy, detailing the battery pull power down and then power up operations. Appeared to be some log of some sort with regard to memory, speed, etc. Looks like I am getting reports from RIM with regard to operations on my phone specifically. Am I supposed to get these? They aren't bad I guess.
So far I am quite happy with .167
The Storm IS running noticeably faster and with no exaggeration, transitioning faster. Is it my eyes or is the landscape keyboard different?