Review: BlackBerry Storm
The Storm: BlackBerry’s sort-of attempt at an iPhone killer
November 2008 By Stephen SilverThe keyboard responds to an internal accelerometer when the device is tilted horizontally or vertically; in vertical mode, it lapses into the classical BlackBerry mode of two letters per key, while the horizontal version features a more traditional QWERTY keyboard. Either way, typing is way too difficult and takes a great deal of getting used to.
There are three other areas where the Storm falls short of the iPhone. While the touchscreen’s method of scrolling up or down, and zooming, isn’t so difficult once one is used to it, the Apple’s device’s “multitouch” method is both easier and a lot more fun. Then there’s the music: the Storm requires either VCast Music or Rhapsody -neither of which is available yet- when it comes to loading music, two systems that are, in this reviewer’s opinion, vastly inferior to Apple’s iTunes. And RIM’s BlackBerry Application Center, while impressive, can’t hold a candle to Apple’s App Store.
The Storm does do a great many “little things” right, however. Its camera is excellent, one of the best I’ve seen on a smartphone. Its GPS feature, a version of VZ Navigator, is awesome, both in effectiveness and look. And the battery life, at least at the start, is strong.
The BlackBerry and iPhone sort of have rival cults at this point. I can expect the Storm to win a few converts, especially from those still in the smartphone “minor leagues.” However cool the device is, it doesn’t have quite enough to overtake the iPhone anytime soon.
Blackberry Storm
www.blackberry.com
$199.99 (after $50 mail-in rebate)
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Guys, BlackBerry has released a new firmware (4.7.0.75) for the Storm. This release has Reduced lag and response time of the Storm. Users have reported that this release has made a huge difference in performance. Visit http://smartphone-guru.blogspot.com/2008/12/blackberry-storm-bug-fixes-with.html for a list of bugs fixed by the firmware update.
The only bad thing is that this release is not for Apple Mac users. Yep, BlackBerry does not support Apple Mac that well
Rec'd mine only 3 days ago. I like it. Replaced a Treo, which was easier (so far) to type on, but other than getting the hang of that, the Storm is wonderful.
The browser is great -- way, way better than the Treo's. The big screen is excellent -- like having a plasma TV in your hand -- and the clarity is simply amazing. Don't need my "cheater" glasses with the Storm. That's why I didn't get a different BBerry -- screen too small.
It's true that iTunes offers a better selection of music. But, if you already own an iPod (like me) and have access to iTunes, you can easily transfer music and video files to the Storm (even on a Mac, if you use software like "Missing Sync."
Plus, the Storm has impressive stereo bluetooth capabilities (great for wireless headphones), and the video quality is better than the iPhone and iPods--this is like the HDTV of Smarthphones.
Although the phone is packed with good components and features, its battery is absolutely rubbish!
It doesn't even hold for 24 hours.