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"Enough!! Wi-Fi is NOT a make or break on this device." on by MB0320TB
Pros: 1) Blackberry Product Quality
2) Tremendous battery life
3) Strong network support with Verizon (unlike someone else we know)Cons: 1) The App Store is truly the make or break here (sorry, not Wi-Fi) and it's success will be critical!!
2) Speaking of Apple, I love my iTunes. Can the Storm manage my library?? Hmmm
3) FINE!!!! No Wi-Fi. But I put it third so take that!!Summary: I don't write for any sites & this is my first review ever, so easy on the criticism. What I can say is that I'm as much of a Geek as the next guy & I probably know more about the Storm than most. Enough with the disclaimer & onto the review...
I own an iTouch (I understand the functionality of the iPhone outside of making calls), I own an LG Dare, & I own both a Blackberry Pearl & the 8830. I refuse to go on in case my wife is reading & realizes where all of our money has gone but this shows my user experience.
When it all boils down, what are the critical components of phone? A strong network so my calls can go through & strong enough battery life so it doesn't crap out. Everything else today is a 'creature comfort' but we have grown to expect all the bells & whistles to be shoe-horned into an all-in-one device. Trust me, I want my phone to be jammed with the 'coolness factor' items but what good does all of that do me if I can?t get a signal or my battery dies?
The sole reason I'm writing this review is that most reviews I've read are really pissing me off. Wi-Fi? It's THAT critical? Come on now! Am I disappointed that the Storm won't have it? Sure! Do I think this one omission is deserving of a full star reduction (or maybe even two) in its overall rating? Really?
I've read practically every blog, website and fact sheet that's out there, including CNET, BGR, Howard Forums and Crackberry. I will again preface that this is my only means of gathering data so take it for what it is. Like the saying goes, opinions are like.....well, nevermind.
Looking at my key needs for a phone, battery life & network, the Blackberry line has always been known for outstanding battery life. Specifically, the Storm is sporting a 1400 mAhr battery & claims 15 days standby & 5.5 hours of talk time. Now, hasn't battery life been a critical issue for the iPhone? Agree with me here that battery life clearly favors the Storm.
Network, again...I haven't used an iPhone for calls so I have no frame of reference. Bottom line, it really depends on where you live & who has better coverage. That being said, I live in the New York Metro area. I have had several instances where I have been with an AT&T user & I, as a Verizon user, have had a full signal while my friend has had none. For example, in the IZOD Center, beneath Manhattan on the subway systems and once locked in an iron box with David Blaine buried 65 feet below the Hudson...okay, I lied about the last one. Simply, Verizon is known for having a superior network but it really depends on where you live. As a Verizon user I have never had anything but superior network connectivity.
Now the Wi-Fi. Why is this really such a make or break? I can see if perhaps, down the road, Wi-Max actually becomes an option, or if Google Wi-Fi gets serious but as of now? The only thing Wi-Fi can be used for is wireless synchronization at a hot spot (usually your home router) & maybe....MAYBE using a Wi-Fi based application on your iPhone to make your calls. If you're making Wi-Fi calls on your iPhone, isn't that kind of defeating the purpose of even having it though? You can use Vonage or Skype & pay a heckuva lot less a month. Right??
So where does that leave us? The "Creature Comforts". The Storm is going to be packed but again, I?ll stick to the major points here. The screen will set a new standard with a resolution of 480x360 or 184ppi which surpasses the iPhone at 480x320 or 163ppi. The Storm has Stand-alone GPS and Assisted GPS but also, you'll have your choice software with VZ Navigator, Google Maps or Blackberry Maps as options. The Storm will have all of the functionality of a Blackberry from industry defining e-mail capabilities to Microsoft document support to built-in Text, Picture & Instant Messaging functionality. It's got a 3.2 MP camera with auto-flash & auto-focus as well as video recording. The Storm has an accelerometer & HTML browsing like the iPhone & it'll finally reveal its much touted ClickThrough technology. It's also my understanding that it may have future VZ Mobile TV capabilities (SWEET! Don't quote me).
The bottom line is that this phone will be a serious competitor to the iPhone. What is the make or break for me is how successful the Blackberry App Store will be since the Apple App Store is the standard. Also, can I sync my iTunes crap to the Storm because iTunes is hands-down (my opinion so quit your eye rolling) the best multi-media application out there. I'm not so concerned about the size because it is smaller than the iPhone except for the thickness for which the iPhone has a .05" advantage. Regarding weight, the iPhone is 4.7oz/133g & the Storm is 5.46oz/155g. In 1907, Dr. Duncan MacDougall theorized that the soul weighs 21 ounces. Just assume that 'massive' weight discrepancy between the Storm & the iPhone as the iPhone just doesn't have a soul!
Thanks for your patience & remember...it's just one man's opinion but I can't wait. -
"How can you rate this phone when you have no experience" on by dmcquade
Pros: It is ridiculous that people are complaining/raving about features this phone might or might not have. All of you who have rated this phone should really have waited until you were able to get your hands on one; your reviews are worthless.
Cons: The fact that CNet allows morons to review products that have not been released.
Summary: It is ridiculous that people are complaining/raving about features this phone might or might not have. All of you who have rated this phone should really have waited until you were able to get your hands on one; your reviews are worthless.
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"Give it some time...It will take you by Storm" on by absorber
Pros: 1. solid, well built design
2. excellent screen quality
3 click screen improves on standard touchscreen
4 best BB browser to date.
5. global phone
6. removable battery
7. good camera if you turn on stabilization feature
8 good sound qualityCons: 1. Software bugs need corrected:
- most have been fix with release of OS ver. 4.7.0.75
2. spelling auto correction complicates typing (disable it)
3. BB interface not intuitive, steeper learning curve
4. Track ball would have been niceSummary: I have used the Storm for my business now for 2 weeks, The Storm has a solid, quality build. It is heftier than other touch screen or BB offerings. The battery accounts for about 20% of weight. Width is about the same as a BB Curve. Turning it on, the screen quality is immediately impressive. Even small (7-8 pt font) print is crisp and clear. Better the Curve. Just by touching or tapping the screen icons, the phone instantly knows your there, highlighting the choice. Activate or select by pushing down until you feel (and hear) the click. Pushing causes the whole screen to travel down about 1 mm. The tactile feel is quite good. Opening menus and applications is fairly quickly. (especially after upgrading to 4.7.0.75)
I used this phone last week on a trip to Japan. The phone worked even better than in the US. All 3G connections. Dialing and connection time was even faster than in my home area. Call quality was superior to other phones I have used while abroad, including Japan. Email came through easily from my home server. A fellow traveler with the iphone could not use it for calls or email while in Japan.
Typing at first was harder than hoped. Targeting the proper key can be difficult when you are not familiar with a touch screen. Many reviewers have complained about the typing problems of the Storm. I have actually come to like typing on the Storm. I would agree at first I had mixed feelings, but with practice, and now with in the OS upgrade, typing is much easier and efficient. The click screen increases accuracy. But go into the options file and customize the screen/keyboard and spell check options. I recommend disabling auto correction and increase word size to 4 letters from 2 letter. In the keyboard options you can adjust touch screen tap interval, senstivity and hover time. This will help customize to your personal feel and improve the typing experience.
The click screen is a good solution to avoid many touch screen problems, like accidentally pressing keys, activating applications, or calling listed contacts. The click screen takes more than a touch to active an action. This a big plus for the user experience. Finger scrolling through the menu or email list takes some practice, but becomes easier with practice. A trackball on the Storm would have been a plus for navigation lists and menus, but the size of screen does not allow for good placement. Once you get accustomed to finger scrolling, hovering and tapping to select, a trackball is not as missed. .
Some reviewers down grade the phone for Verizon service, like no wifi, or expensive contract services. Still if you going to get the Storm, Verizon is the provider. I also tested an iPhone while considering AT&T service. It was fun to use. Loved the screen, applications, and connectivity options. But the iPhone is not a good option for our business use. The iphone is first and foremost a video ipod with phone, messaging and camera capability. It messaging seemed more dedicated to social networking than business email and scheduling capability.
with BB Email is the key advantage. The Storm meets the BB performance and provides a bridge for Verizon to users who wished they had access to an iphone-like features.
Web pages load faster on the Storm than other BB models. The Storm browser seems friendlier too. You can even tether the Storm to your laptop for Broadband internet access. Speaking as one who has had a Verizon broadband card now for about 15 months, it is the way to go when traveling. The Storm's Verizon Broadband service is really all you need. Relying on WiFi can be more expensive when using it in airports, hotels and other locations. The Verizon service is overall cheaper than having to pay wifi daily charges over the course of a month. So for all those complaining that the Storm does not having WiFi, remember that no Verizon phone offers Wifi. Verizon sells a better internet service. I am sure Wifi will be available when other mobile companies have the Storm in their offering, . So if Wifi is a must for you, stay away from the Storm and Verizon service for now. Plus, web page viewing on telephones screens is suitable only for checking airline schedules and stock quotes at best.
The Storm, as with all BB models, has non-intuitive operation and complicated menus. The Storm may be more so. The OS that comes with the Storm is Version 4.7.0.5. Replace it immediately, this is the one causing the problems cited by most reviews. The upgraded version is much better. Lag times are reduced and the OS is speedier than before. Reading the manual is a must with the Storm to getting through the menus and interface basics. Still RIM put so much business emphasis on the Storm interface that it is slightly complcated to make basic phone calls. It assumes all calls are made by speed dial, or contact list selection or voice command. The key pad likes to disaapear after dialing forcing you to file the recall the key pad. Which is a hassle when needing to dial in an extension or paasword. Hopefully, future upgrade will improve on the key pad usage.
I recommend the Storm to someone who wants a touch screem smartphone for business. If you are looking for an iPhone, then go buy an iPhone. The Storm is not same. In many ways it is better. Still The Storm is not a perfect smartphone, but give it some time to grow on you.
Updated on Dec 19, 2008
today is my 28th day with this phone.. it is not perfect, as I said in my first review. The phone sometimes lags at the strangest times, but so does the iphone. I plan to keep it this phone past the 30 day grace period at Verizon. The pluses far outweigh the minuses, It is a very good, production business phone, that seems to only get better with age and experience . -
"Planned to buy it, glad I spent 45 minutes with it" on by offroader80106
Pros: It's still a Blackberry (1 star) It's still on Verizon's great network (1 star) The screen is larger, which makes web browsing easier (1/2 star)
Cons: The device is terribly slow. The transition from land scape to portrait view was ridiculously slow, scrolling on the device was choppy, jerky and slow. Application selection and launch was slow. Had to reboot the device after about 10 minutes.
Summary: Don't buy it, save your money. Stay on the Curve, Bold or 8830 World Edition if you have them, you'll be happier. If there aren't already plans to release a software update to fix the speed issues, RIM better get on it. iPhone killer? I think not, the meteorologists forecasted this storm wrong, it's a dud.
I've used Blackberries for about 8 years and have loved every one, I'm glad I was able to test this one and didn't order it online. I would have been POed, big time. Anyhow, I won't be making the upgrade any time soon.
When I get a new device, I expect it to perform better than the one I'm replacing. This one doesn't come close, this thing is terribly slow and I'm really not impressed with the touch screen, Apple's implementation is much nicer. I've got to wonder how many maintenance issues RIM will have the screen.
WiFi, while not required, is a really nice add on. Especially when you're in as many airports as I am and don't want to boot up a laptop to check news, scores or do some quick searches and have a less than quality signal on the carrier network.
I did find that typing was quite accurate and easy in normal BB fashion, even with my giant meathooks, but I couldn't get past the terrible response from the system every time I tried to get it to something.
I'll keep my eye on the reports, forums, etc and if some of these issues might get fixed, I might reconsider.
I gave it 2 1/2 stars because it's not terrible, but it's not worthy of "Good" or "Average" that a 3 star rating insinuates. -
"Finally an iPhone killer to get the job done!" on by nks1521
Pros: -ClickTouch technology
-Blackberry dependability
-Full HTML
-Streaming Video in browser
-3g Verizon Network
-MMS/SMS(iPhone has no MMS)
-GPS
-Visual Voicemail
-1gb onboard memory(8gb sansdisk included in package for card reader)
-Multitouch/gesturesCons: -no WiFi(not really an issue to me and ill explain why but it is unfortunately a con)
-Apps in app store are relegated by the carrier(this is what ive heard)
-on Verizon so no sim card shenanigans for the AT.T / TMobile users of the world.Summary: pros continued:
some sneak peek pictures
had to finish off the extensive list
-attachments downloadable from within browser
-3.5 headphone jack
-removable/replaceable battery
-full virtual qwerty and suretype
-edit Word,Excel, Powerpoint docs
-accelerometer
-CDMA / EV-DO Rev. A, quadband EDGE, and 2100MHz HSPA, making it one of the most global phones ever to hit the market
-Media Player(music/video)
-Video Recording as well as 3.2 megapix cam
-Memory is upgradable to 16gb of flash mem via card reader
-screen res: 184ppi(storm) vs 163ppi(iPhone)
-bluetooth
-full-on BlackBerry e-mail support, complete with push e-mail and access to POP and IMAP e-mail servers. Also on board: SMS, picture and instant messaging.
this thing looks amazing. ive held a 3g iphone in my hands as im sure most of you have and this thing is only .01 inches thicker. so its gonna feel great. add that to this massive list of features(believe me there is more but i dont have the character space) and you have something that will finally make the iPhone meet its successor. i pointed out in the lists the things that the Storm will offer that the iPhone doesnt but i'll reiterate them really quick:
-MMS(iPhone does not have picture or video messaging)
-Upgradable Memory(card slot)
-ClickTouch
-SureType keyboard
-removable/replaceable battery
-video recording
among many others..
let me take a second to address the WiFi issue that everyone seems to be taking..lol its funny actually. plain and simple wifi doesnt matter. using it and constantly searching for it drain your battery fast enough to make your head spin. ask anyone with an iphone if they have their wifi turned off. theyll probably say yes. with the storm you will most likely get unlimited data. i cant think of any reason why anyone who is buying a blackberry would not get unlimited data. so couple that with verizons 3g and boom you are set. 3g is fast. anyone whos touched an iphone could tell you that. so i really dont see the issue. something to whine about i guess.
ill say a little about the App store here too. from what i know the carrier will have to approve the third party apps. my solution to that is crackberryappstore.com. and also the Apps are installed via the browser i think.
Updated on Oct 9, 2008
http://common.ziffdavisinternet.com/util_get_image/19/0,1425,sz=1&i=193605,00.jpg
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Updated on Oct 9, 2008-id just like to note that the GPS is usable with google maps, blackberry maps, or VZ navigation thingy
Updated on Oct 9, 2008great slide show
http://www.pcmag.com/slideshow_viewer/0,1205,l=232789&a=232729&po=1,00.asp?p=y
informative captions
Updated on Oct 9, 2008you move your finger over the screen to highlight and press down to select. this is an example of ClickTouch technology.
Updated on Oct 9, 2008http://common.ziffdavisinternet.com/util_get_image/19/0,1425,sz=1&i=193607,00.jpg
http://common.ziffdavisinternet.com/util_get_image/19/0,1425,sz=1&i=193621,00.jpg
http://common.ziffdavisinternet.com/util_get_image/19/0,1425,sz=1&i=193617,00.jpg
Updated on Oct 9, 2008http://common.ziffdavisinternet.com/util_get_image/19/0,1425,sz=1&i=193607,00.jpg
http://common.ziffdavisinternet.com/util_get_image/19/0,1425,sz=1&i=193621,00.jpg
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Updated on Oct 11, 2008you have in your cons that your wondering about snycing with your itunes. from what i know that is a feature for the device.
Updated on Oct 11, 2008on my cons i have no SIM card. from what i know now there will be a SIM card. not sure how itll work exactly though. as in im not sure if youll be able to pop that SIM card into your ATT, Tmobile or unlocked phone and suddenly have your verizon service on a european HTC Touch Diamond...
Updated on Oct 11, 2008UPDATE ON THE SIM CARD
its pre-installed. ie: no slot. that stinks but whatever. itll work overseas. sweet.
Updated on Oct 11, 2008box revealed apparently:
pic
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2008/08/blackberry-storm-verizon-box.jpg
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