RIM
RIM's BlackBerry Storm is aimed squarely at Apple's iPhone 3G and T-Mobile's G1 Google phone.
Research In Motion's BlackBerry Storm comes out for Verizon network Friday. The mobile communication device does email, GPS, music, movies, and internet browsing, in addition to making phone calls. (RIM)
Review round-up: BlackBerry Storm
By Andrew Heining | 11.20.08
The holiday smartphone forecast is getting gusty. Last month the “Google phone” – T-Mobile’s G1 – arrived. Before that came Sprint’s Instinct and Apple’s iPhone 3G for AT&T. On Friday, Research In Motion and Verizon will begin selling the BlackBerry Storm for $199 with a two-year contract. The reviews are already in. The first BlackBerry to eschew a keyboard for a touchscreen, the Storm also boasts GPS, video recording, and that old Blackberry standard, corporate email.
Should President-elect Obama and email addicts everywhere ditch their old BlackBerrys for this new one? Should iPhone fanboys put their beloved devices on eBay? The reviews tell the story:
The innovative “click screen”
When you push the screen and it clicks, it’s a genuinely satisfying tactile sensation that … is clearly a finely tuned experience. You won’t accidentally press it when you don’t mean to, but you don’t have to drop a sledgehammer on it, either. Like the rest of the body, it’s a sturdy piece of hardware that seems like it will hold up over the many, many thousands of clicks it will endure in its lifetime. The only concern is that it seems like the chasm between the screen and rest of the body is a lint nest waiting to happen. But the gap is large enough you should be able to clean your pocket gunk out with the edge of a toothpick. [via Gizmodo]
Where Storm beats iPhone 3G
The Storm has copy and paste functionality; MMS (a service for sending photos directly to other phones without using email); voice dialing; and the ability to act as a modem for your laptop. It also allows you to edit, and not just to view, Microsoft Office documents. All of these features are missing from the iPhone out of the box. [via The Wall Street Journal]
Where iPhone has an edge
Storm lacks Wi-Fi — and that’s a mistake. You’re not always going to be able to access Verizon’s speedy EV-DO wireless network, which was the case in my basement. Verizon says Wi-Fi would have added to the size and cost. Storm has no direct answer for the iTunes App Store, at least not yet. And some existing third-party BlackBerry apps are not yet available for the touch-screen. [via USA Today]
The network
In addition to Verizon’s CDMA, EV-DO, Rev. A madness, the Storm sports a GSM radio (a number of them), so you can grab HSPA in the rest of the world, and truck on some sweet, sweet EDGE here in the States. Speaking of that EV-DO, the download speeds and network stability of the Storm seem pretty tight. Although the phone omits WiFi, as long as you stay inside decent Verizon coverage areas, you won’t feel that sting too badly. [via Engadget]
The monthly fee
There are a variety of options, but a couple of things to note. One, Verizon will let you use the Storm with a data-only plan, which is a nice touch. Two, once you’re a Verizon Wireless customer for at least 60 days, you can ask the company to unlock your phone for you if you’re traveling overseas to a country that uses GSM, allowing you to use local prepaid SIM cards, as opposed to paying exorbitant international roaming rates. [via ZDNet]
Navigation and interface
Though RIM generally produces first-rate hardware (especially the QWERTY keyboards that it pioneered on handhelds), I found the Storm awkward to use for everyday data entry tasks. RIM’s stated intention in developing its Click-Through technology was to enable users to navigate with the touch screen and to make menu selections (most of which appear in blue when highlighted) with a fingertip; depressing the screen would confirm a selection and initiate the selected action. But in my tests, things sometimes didn’t work out that way. I’d tap a menu item, for example, but then when I depressed the screen, the selection would somehow shift and a different item would execute. [via PC World]
Battery life
The first day we used the phone with a full charge, we quickly found our battery depleting faster than we had hoped. There wasn’t even any voice-calling done. Absolutely zero. Just email, BlackBerry Messenger, little MP3 playing, and some light web browsing. If we started the day at 9AM, the unit had around 20% battery life by 4PM. That’s worse than the Bold. Granted, CDMA devices get less battery life than GSM devices in general, so we’re guessing this has something to do with it. Still, we had hoped for more, and if you’re a power user, we strongly recommend you picking up a second battery and an external battery charger. Throw in a car charger and an extra travel charger while you’re at it. We’re just kidding. Kind of. [via Boy Genius Report]
The final word
<< Google’s mobile voice search: Can you hear me now? | MainOverall, I think RIM has come out with a device that will give any consumer seriously considering a new touch screen smartphone an alternative to the iPhone. As a result, I think it could help Verizon retain customers, who have been tempted to leave the carrier for the iPhone. [via CNET]
If you can get used to the click screen and I’m sure you will (and so will I, but I’ve only had it for 36 hours thus far) then the Storm combines what’s great about RIM and their products and does a decent job of bringing in the touch-screen aspect. I don’t think you hardcore BlackBerry users will like it, especially if you’re used to shortcuts and hot keys and hammering out text, but if you’re a casual user looking for a touch-screen device (which is the market RIM seems to be going after here) then go for it. [via CrunchGear]
The Storm is a compelling phone, and shows that RIM is serious about competing as an innovative company that is willing to take risks. As of now, the phone is a bit too frustrating to be an iPhone killer. However, future firmware updates may fix the phone’s two biggest weaknesses: its tendency to lag, and the imprecision of its virtual keyboard. Fix those flaws, and the Storm graduates from good phone to great phone. Verizon users who are loathe to leave their provider for AT&T won’t find a better touchscreen phone. But BlackBerry addicts who love their keyboard should make sure to test drive a Storm before making the switch. [via Popular Mechanics]
Comments
2. Mark | 11.20.08
Questions about the new Storm phone…
I heard the phone has faster internet than the iPhone because of its HSDPA data connection, but since I will only use it in the US (EVDO) will it still be faster for me? I don’t mind the wi-fi because I live in a pretty covered area (L.A. city).
Does this phone not have a proximity sensor like the iPhone does — when I put it by my face, it knows? I’m only asking because I heard Google’s new voice search makes use of this feature well.
Is the lag in the accelerometer and navigation fixable with a firmware upgrade, or is it a hardware issue (like a bare bones version)?
A feature that makes me lean towards the Storm is its bluetooth. However, I heard that the iPhone might fix its bluetooth to have stereo sound, but is that really something that can be done with a firmware patch, or is it something I’ll have to wait for in a version?
In the US, since Verizon has the VZ-Navigator, does that lock the GPS to only work if you subscribe to their VZ-Navigator service (is it 10 per month on top of the voice/data plan?). I’m asking this because I wanted to know if GPS enabled searches from Google will exist, and also GPS coded pictures (so I know where the pic was taken).
And lastly, do you think that Verizon/Blackberry’s control of the apstore will greatly hinder the Storm from having cool, new and free aps. I know that iPhone seems to have a tight control, but decent features come out (maybe more expensive, but still many). I’m guessing that Google will have a lot more and cheaper aps available due to its openness.
Thanks.
-M
3. Kristen | 11.20.08
Wow. I was really excited for this phone and even held a copy at Best Buy, but now I’m having second thoughts about switching from my current carrier and paying around $400 for the phone and cancellation charges…
5. Danny | 11.21.08
I’ve had one for a week now. Used to have 8800. Keyboard on storm is VERY inaccurate. The pressing of the screen you just about get used to, but only just - shame there is no option. In fact the whole thing is generally lacking in options to change things.
The weight/gravity sensor thing in it is very sluggish - it flips the orientation of whatever prog you are using, but you have to give it a jolt sometimes, at others it simply never changes.
Battery life is terrible. You may think that I’m just playing with it too much, but actually I have been in my office this week and have hardly had to use it compared to when I am normally on customers sites. The 8800 used to last me 3 days with my standard usage (normally very high), but with this one week of lower than usual usage the Storm has lasted for no longer than 12hrs without a charge. Two of my colleagues got the phones on the same day and they are also experiencing dire battery life.
The screen’s nice though!
6. unknown | 11.24.08
I don’t have an email account but this phone seem pretty awesome.I am really considering buying this phone but I am concerned that they might charge me for have the email account because it IS a Blackberry. I’m not sure if they would not charge me for not having an email. Any help answering my question? if so thanks. =)
9. David | 11.25.08
I got my Storm at 7:10am the day of launch. I’ve had it long enough to say the touch screen is fantastic, once you get the hang of it. I can’t find a thing wrong with the Storm except it seems there is only room for 9 speed dials, which Verizon techs have no info yet as to whether that has an option to install more. That may be a big blunder if 9 is the max.
I have had touch screens that do not click and I would take the clik any day of the week over non click. My battery life is great as it lasts me all day, just as long as my LG 8300 with the upgraded large battery, so I’m very cool with that. The web is fastfast and I see no reason for Wifi….you can’t get wifi in the woods so who cares. The phone signal for the web is very fast.
The phone is set for Suretype, which searches out words and tries to guess what your typing for say text or browser entry, it’s a TOTAL drag and they never should have set the phone that way out of the box. You have to go to menu and click multitap to get it to read each letter you type, then the phone roars along nicely.
The phone is prettier than any blind date I’ve ever had, really sexy black blues and reds, warm colors, great graphics. It’s truly visually stunning.
The blinking blue light is annoying when in dim lit areas as it bleeps right in your eyes while typing or reading. A black marker pen may be in order to dim the blinking. Verizon doesn’t do drops outs like ATnT, so they can have the iphone. Drop outs are demoralizing.
It’s a slick hot accessory and everyone wants to touch my Storm. Sure go ahead. Touch. My. Storm. All in all I’m totally sold.
10. love innovation | 11.25.08
I was at the verizon store and had the pleasure of toying with the new blackberry storm, which did not impress me at all - the device froze a few times displaying a java error - it is not very user friendly and a bit slow to my surprise - my contract with verizon ends in less than 3 weeks and I will probably switch to AT&T and get the Iphone - the only drawback with the Iphone is the integrated battery (my opinion), other than that I think the Iphone is a superior product, overall. I also think that apple will not relinquish any ground to RIM any time soon - don’t be surprised to see something better coming from Apple within the next few months. I tried, many times to like the blackberry devices - however, it just does not seem to work for me - they simply are not user friendly (once again, it is my opinion and how I feel about it, overall)
11. Campbe0911 | 11.25.08
The battery thing you are talking about seems crazy to me. I did not put my phone for more than a couple of minutes all day and still had half a charge left in the battery.
12. Kev G | 11.27.08
I have a Storm here in the UK and I am extremely dissapointed with the battery life. Full charge at 0845 hrs when I left for work, made two short calls (under a minute) and received three SMS and two emails during the day. Battery dead by 1615 hrs!!! I am thinking of returning this phone as its not fit for purpose if I can’t get a buisness day out of it. Shudder to think when the battery will quit if I actully use the thing!
13. G | 12.10.08
I want to purchase a storm but…the frequent battery problems make me want to re-think this! I live in Waterloo, where they make it and wanted to buy local…but I need a great product for a great price!
14. Tim | 12.10.08
They have released updates to the OS software for the STORM and have made all the issues of hanging and slow rotations a thing of the past. I have a friend with an ipod touch and me with my storm we compared the rotation mechanism in them and the storm is smoother and more responsive. Most people that complain either didn’t want to give the phone a chance in the first place or are typically apple fanboys just waiting to trash this spectacular piece of technology.
15. Bigg D | 12.15.08
People.. People.. Listen! I have to say that I was extremely excited when the Blackberry Storm was finally released.. I had a choice of going with the iPhone, Google Phone, the Bold, or the Storm.. Unfortunately I’ve made the wrong decision going with the Storm. 1. The advertised that the Storm was fully HTML compatabile. It is not! Try going to Yahoo.com main page not Yahoo Front page. When it loads lock at the page display (Different) also try clicking on the links.. They dont open.. After 3 hours with tech support Verizons NRB (Network Research Bureau) stated “the Storm is not full HTML” and the problem could not be fixed at this point.. I’ve also had this same problem with other sites as well on the Storm
2. The Storm won’t allow me to download mp3’s 2- 3 Mbs in size or over. Not even allows a preview of it. It prompts with an error page of file is too large. What the heck is that all about. I’ve had the phone 2 1/2 weeks.. Its going back and I think I’m iphone of Google phone bound..
16. Me | 12.16.08
I think everyone here has seen to much of the iphone. True, the iphone is a magnificent device…device! The phone portion of it is horrible. Apple has been around for years, and you wouldn’t expect anything less but since that beautiful DEVICE lacks in phone service you might as well buy an iTouch. RIM’s Storm may have a couple glitches here and there and may be no iphone, but if you notice they never tried to follow an iphone clone, they actually designed a totally new concept. Plus RIM Blackberry’s are meant for one thing keeping the business man connected not playing with his phone. One more thing…go to an apple store and see what phone they have, in my local city’s Apple store most if not all of them didn’t own an iphone and most were on VERIZON.
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1. E Blackburn | 11.20.08
Thanks CSM for rounding up many different sources for reviews. However, I advise readers to take these with a grain of salt. I know PC World was giving it negative reviews and advocating the Iphone before they even got their hands on an actual Storm. Go to a verizon store and try it out yourself. And I know they used to have a 15 day trial period for returns if hate it.