RIM's BlackBerry Storm Is No iPhone, But Should Sell Well (RIMM)

Dan Frommer | November 20, 2008 12:01 AM

blackberry-storm-vzw.jpgResearch In Motion's (RIMM) first touchscreen BlackBerry, the Storm, goes on sale Friday at Verizon Wireless. It's RIM's -- and Verizon's -- best hope to challenge Apple's/AT&T's iPhone this holiday season, so it has to be good.

Good news for RIM: It is pretty good. Not as polished or sexy as Apple's (AAPL) iPhone, but a solid gadget that should sell well to BlackBerry email users, long-term Verizon (VZ) customers, or anyone who's turned off by AT&T (T) or the iPhone.

Most important: This will help RIM and Verizon compete better with Apple and AT&T, which should help RIM and Verizon's subscriber growth and revenue.

Key points:

Pricing: Both phones are priced about the same -- around $200, though Verizon forces you go through the nuisance of a mail-in rebate; and both cost about the same $70 per month for service. Verizon charges $10 per month extra for turn-by-turn GPS, which the iPhone doesn't offer yet. Verizon also charges $3 per month for "visual voicemail," which is standard and free with the iPhone.

Typing: RIM tried to set itself apart from Apple by building its entire touchscreen into a big, floating button. To type with its touchscreen, you have to press pretty hard, and "click" the keys. This offers a nice effect when you're clicking the large buttons on RIM's navigational menu. But for typing text, it's a hassle that forces you to slow down your typing speed or risk missing keystrokes. We don't like it yet, and we're not sure if most people will. (We also wonder how this floating screen will work after a few months' worth of pocket lint has accumulated. Guess we'll get back to you on that.)

Email: We are gadget-savvy, yet we had a very hard time setting up our IMAP email on the Storm. In fact, we got so frustrated that we gave up, and just registered a new Verizon BlackBerry email address. (Seriously!) We figure we'll have time to set up our email later. Meanwhile, once you get some sort of email set up, it's as good as advertised. RIM's "push" email is truly instantaneous -- and you can search through your email, which you can't do on the iPhone.

Apps: The iPhone wins here by a wide margin. The Storm has some apps available, but few. And the ones we tried -- Facebook, Maps, games -- weren't nearly as good as those available through the iPhone App Store. If there's truly a next-gen mobile software platform war brewing here between Apple, RIM, and Google, then RIM really needs to work on this. But we're not sure how many people are buying phones for the third-party apps yet.

Web browsing: Decent on the Storm, but still much better on the iPhone. The Storm suffers, like all other phones, because it doesn't have the multi-touch "pinch" zooming that the iPhone has.

Internet/network: There's a reason people love Verizon's cellphone network: In our informal, unscientific tests, it's been much better than AT&T's. For instance, in our ground-floor Brooklyn apartment, we barely get any AT&T service on our iPhone, but Verizon's Storm gets a strong signal -- four of five bars. However, the Storm does not have wi-fi, which is a major omission. Why doesn't it? Verizon's official statement: "WiFi would add bulk, cost and is a drain on a battery so when we looked at that in context of our nationwide 3G network, we chose not to include Wi-Fi." Bad move, folks. Wi-fi is a huge asset when traveling abroad -- international data roaming is a ripoff -- or when you're in a lousy coverage area.

Design: The Storm's operating system and user interface are functional, but they don't show nearly the attention to elegance or detail that Apple's do. The UI graphics are lousy. Scrolling by flicking your finger is still much smoother and more natural feeling on an iPhone -- the Storm's response is slow and laggy. And some things are downright clunky on the Storm. For instance, you can't even read the entire text of many of the buttons on the phone's "home" screen, such as "SMS and M..." and "VZ Naviga..." and "Visual Voic..." And sometimes you just have to guess when you're supposed to use the "BlackBerry" button to pull up a contextual menu -- there aren't many cues. If you don't care about design or elegance, or are already a BlackBerry pro, that won't matter.

Multimedia: We didn't get around to trying to play music or video on the Storm. Why not? We were told we'd need to find third-party software to use it with our Mac until RIM releases a new Mac media center app. We imagine if you have a PC, it's pretty easy getting your music and movies on the Storm, and that playback is functional. But we're curious where -- besides BitTorrent, of course -- you'll be able to get DRM-free TV shows and movies to watch on the Storm.

Camera: Better on the Storm, and shoots video. But still not as good as a real digital camera.

Bottom line: If we could buy any one phone in the world, we'd still buy an iPhone. If we were serious BlackBerry email users, or signed onto a long-term Verizon contract -- the carrier has 70-plus million subscribers -- we'd buy a Storm. (If we were BlackBerry email users and not under Verizon contract, and preferred a real keyboard, we'd opt for the Bold at AT&T.)

If you have any specific questions about the Storm, let us know in comments below or via email to dfrommer@alleyinsider.com. We'll try to answer as many as possible today. We'll also work on some video, including side-by-side browser tests to compare the Storm with the iPhone.

See Also:
Live CNBC On BlackBerry Bold: Mobile TV That Makes Sense
CNBC's Erin Burnett Gushes On BlackBerry Bold, Disses iPhone
BlackBerry Storm Coming Nov. 21 For $199, iPhone Not Toast

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50 Comments

Matthew W. Caldecutt said:
I can't believe that they couldn't even fit the entire app's name on the icon. Reading your review really makes it seem like they rushed this out in advance of the holidays with some serious design glitches, not to mention the missing wi-fi.
EPS said:
I can kind-of understand not having WiFi, since they already had to shove in both CDMA and GSM radios in addition to GPS, from what I hear the phone's already fairly heavy? No excuse for not having it on the GSM European version though, I don't get that.

As for the web-browser, on the iPod touch browser I've found the pinch zoom to be more gimmicky than anything else, and that the double-tap is far more useful. Does the Storm have anything comparable to that?
The design stuff can be improved via software updates. (Though RIM's UI design team is just not nearly as good as Apple's, or even Google's, it seems.) The wi-fi can't. Not necessarily a dealbreaker, but a big omission.
EPS, yes, it does have double tapping type stuff.

And yes, the phone is heavy. But it actually feels kinda nice -- like a metal digital camera.

I don't use pinching on Safari as much as Google maps. But I'd rather have multi-touch than not have it.
gichami said:
My god, read the reviews below, it said that the Blackberry Storm battery lasted for less than 30 minutes and buttom fall off after two days, sucks big time!
http://www.mortgagebrokers4london.co.uk/article.php?article_id=1120
We'll see about that.
Pete said:
Why didn't Verizon and Apple get together. Verizon better reception, Apple better phone. I tried the iPhone for 3 days and had to return it. My customers get very frustrated with me when my phone drops them off.
The story is supposedly that Verizon didn't want to give Apple as much control as Apple wanted. Verizon might still think it's in a better position because of that.
Tom said:
Good review.

Verizon's line on no WiFi is pure BS. WiFi takes LESS battery than 3G, and by a pretty wide margin. They don't allow it on the Storm because they don't want you off their network. This, as Dan alluded to, is one reason why the iPhone could never have been built for Verizon.
Mogilny said:
Storm does fall short. It is going to be a big miss. Click-able screen, ha. This is not innovation, it is a gimmick to differentiate the product from competitor; dreamed up by marketers not demanded by users.

@Pete Iphone is GSM, Verizon's network runs on CDMA.
Willvilla (URL) said:
I love, love, love my Bold over my iPhone (that touchscreen keyboard is a nightmare). But the Storm looks like a real mess.

A nastier iPhone at the same price?
Missed again RIMM!
mobileguy said:
A mechanically actuating screen in combination with a touch screen is not a "gimmick" - it's an impressive engineering and design feat if they've pulled it off.

Typing on a mobile device takes practice, as does learning any special characteristics of the input implementation (e.g., 9-key, T9, SureType, iTap, etc.). I can't type for a d**n on an iPhone because I just don't use it enough (even though I can use it anytime I want for free) to learn it well. Typing on a Storm will also require practice... theoretically, until Apple implements a better algorithm for allowing someone to type more sloppily and still recognize the input string correctly, the Storm's implementation will be more accurate and likely even faster to use in time because of this and things like the spring action of the screen to allow you to establish a better typing rhythm. Assuming the mechanical aspects hold up, of course.

People need to stop putting the iPhone on a pedastal and recognize it for what it currently is: a portable media player that can be used as a communication tool. There are viable alternatives, and the Storm seems to be one that can be equally as good (maybe it'll require one more hardware rev)
Mobileguy: No. Typing on the Storm is less accurate, in my tests, than the iPhone, for two reasons.

First, you can't type fast, because the tilt mechanism can only recognize a certain number of taps per second. If you try too fast, it just loses the keys you've touched.

And second, the iPhone's self-correcting feature, in my experience, is much better.

There's a reason the iPhone is the best selling phone in the U.S. It's because it is still the best phone on the market by a significant margin. The next step in mobile is all about software. And so far, Apple has everyone beat. Google is second, and RIM is third.
Lynn said:
Verizon is a joke they don't want you to not purchase their data plan which is why there is no WiFi. This is a fact for all of Verizon's phones, even AT&T admits that WiFi works better and faster than their network. Verizon needs to give up this pointless battle & allow WiFi on its phones and stop trying Microsoft everything they sell so you can only use their apps!!!!!! That said they have a better network than AT&T, but who cares when all their phones SUCK!!!!
Steve Frechette said:
Lynn, your comments are right on and there are many of us in the Massachusetts 128 belt that feel exactly like you do.

To go one further, I believe VZ is a short above $30 and I think they'll have to turn tail and forge an alliance with Goog/Android sometime in the next 9 months when they realize they're losing all their high ARPU subs to the iPhone.

VZ management is beyond retarded, and omitting wifi from the Storm is all the proof you need.
dj said:
Wi Fi is Free? ya just like the wind and sun . Anyway not bad for a company 10th size of apple,thx for the review dan
DJ, RIM has had years to improve its software. This is a huge improvement over the last versions. It's done a great job leading the industry in mobile email. But it's still not winning any design awards.
EPS said:
Verizon has WinMo phones with WiFi (for example, the XV68000, and the new Samsung Saga), though, which is why all this talk of them forcing it off the Storm confuses me. You've always had to buy a special data plan with BlackBerry devices as well, that's not new.
High Plains Drifter said:
"We imagine if you have a PC..." speaks volumes about your opinion.
Bill said:
Right, it is NOT an iPhone.
That's why there lines at the stores to get them..

Scott said:
"WiFi takes LESS battery than 3G, and by a pretty wide margin. They don't allow it on the Storm because they don't want you off their network. This, as Dan alluded to, is one reason why the iPhone could never have been built for Verizon."

Well, it's not really about being on or off the network. If you pay a flat fee for unlimited data plan then it doesn't really matter if you're on the network 24/7 or one hour per month. I don't know anyone who would buy a phone and then use it only for WiFi.

Also, if you're ever in an area where 3G coverage is weak (like in the middle of nowhere), what are the chances that you'll be able to pick up a free Wifi signal? Probably very low.

Yoo said:
I really like the Storm, its finally something different than the overrated IPhone. I have used the IPhone beforel and found that the internet worked very slow. Also, the navigation on the IPhone does not work well at all, it got me completely lost.
Sandy said:
Piece of shit. Light, what a big deal if whole screen goes down when u push it. Damn Clock keeps poping all the time. While typing if word in not data base. stupid phone keeping thinking while displaying a clock on the screen. Browser does not respond to your hand gestures. Slow and has a delayed response. By the time u touch something else it will pop up last icon touched.
Verizon too much advertising but not as expected. Typical LG phone. Looks good but no brains inside.
Jim said:
Regardless of their network, Verizon will *always* try to screw you. They dont want WiFi b/c they are paranoid about VoIP. So they continue to leave it off, regardless of what customers want. Same with the GPS they refused to enable on the blackberry's.

I dropped Verizon long ago b/c of their poor tactics like this. Their attitude is simply unacceptable.

Another major issue was most of their Phones were not GSM, so roaming sucked. I had an 8830 later which also supported GSM - and it worked okay, but AT&T's global roaming is *way* better. I can switch b/t multiple nets in Chile, and it actually works in Japan, unlike the 8830. Storm is supposed to work their, but who knows.
Jim said:
And I'd like to back up Scott's statement. Yes, WiFi takes *way* less than GSM - that's b/c it requires less amps due to its short range.

I can use WiFi all day on my iPhone or BB Curve I have, and hardly drain battery at all, while 3G will kill it in a few hours.

Once again, just more lies from Verizon.
Ma$$Product (URL) said:
Yo!!!! Coming from a BlackBerry Head since 2000, I'm waiting on my storm to arrive on tuesday. So after a few days ill keep u guys posted on its hype... I'm a curve user now and I love it! I couldn't be happyer so will seean because trust me if this storm sux I'm sendin it back.... OneLove, Peace
ahumanbean (URL) said:
I can't help but wonder what you like better about the iPhone. There is really no competition. BB has a better browser than Safari, a better OS than OS X, a better UI, better email capabilities (and if you can't set it up on a BB in under 30 seconds you deserve to be fired.), better camera, can cut and paste, better contact management, does not need to horrid iTunes and it simply looks better.

I dream of the Storm for Sprint. I don't have one for one reason. I hate Verizon.
techcat said:
Yes Apple should give Verizon Wireless the next iPhone or allow them to sell the current one at least when their contract with AT&T expires. I mean by then every one with AT&T who wants the iPhone will have it. Apple will make more money by selling it to Verizon Wireless then plus more people will have it.
Marc G said:
I am pist, i thought this phone will be better then the IPHONE, being with Verizon for years, I was disappointed. The only thing that sucked is the applications is sloowwwww. When you turn the phone side ways or wanting to open a application it took to long. Oh the customers service on Westlake Blvd in Thousand Oaks store is the worst customer service I have seen in any type of store.
PJ said:
GPS is NOT disabled on the Storm. I got mine yesterday and have been using the MAPS application to GPS my way around Buffalo. It works except that the screen that keeps going to sleep, making it unusable until I figure a way to make it stop doing that!

This is my first Blackberry or smart phone so I really have nothing to compare it to, so I probably have less to be disappointed with than many of you who own other devices. Sure I'd prefer an iPhone but my main concern is the phone coverage, and Verizon beats all other carriers hands down, at least in Upstate New York.
John said:
Damn, how many people sucking the iphone HARDDDD in this review, the phone just came out a few days ago and you guys just jump on top of the wagon to talk bad, as if the iphone was perfect right from release. haha... Let's see when the first software update comes through and the 3rd party apps start rolling in.... Its not only about the phone, its the network. What's the point of saying your iphone is better if even in most parts of midtown manhattan you cant even access the internet, SAD....
Roo said:
This isn't a discussion about the iPhone, its about the Storm. Yes there are some bugs that need fixing but Blackberry has come out with a great phone. There is going to be a new update soon to quicken up the apps and the internet. It is a blackberry, not an iPhone, if your so worried about the service then don't get the phone. If people didn't want this phone then there would not have been lines at Verizon stores two hours before opening on Friday. Yea I wish the iPhone was on a CDMA network but thats gonna have to wait for another year. The contract with AT&T is up in about a year. I have heard rumors that apple has hired some engineers for CDMA. Don't bash the phone because it has only been out for a couple of days, new updates are coming. Yes it is slow, but that is the software, which Rim and Verizon are trying to fix. I think the phone in general is bad A$$, and i wouldn't trade it for an iPhone right now. Even my friends who have the new iPhone 3G say that the Storm is a better phone. So what if there is no Wi-FI, the phone is built for the working class. If you don't want to spend the extra money for the internet plan then don't get the phone.

i personally love the phone. I haven't had any problems with it. it comes with a 8 GB micro SDHC removable memory, if you need more memory then go buy another card. Unlike the iPhone where memory is limited to how much you want to spend. Ever since Rim and Verizon joined forces the sales have been up. Verizon is the best network in the US.

One of the reasons why Verizon didn't get the contract for the iPhone was because Apple wanted full control of their phones. If there was a problem with the iPhone apple requests that the customer goes to an Apple store or sends it back to Apple. Rim has allowed the staff at Verizon to work on the phones in store and not have a waiting period for a replacement.

Like I said before the phone is new, there are going to be a few problems with it, but in the long run the Storm is going to give the iPhone a run for its money the next year or so.

Just wait a couple more weeks, if the phone is still slow then bring it back and get a different phone, its not the end of the world, there are a lot of other phones out there with glitches that need to be resolved.
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Ma$$Product said:
Ok so here's the deal!!! I call on tuesday because my holster came.... Buut no phone, so I call customer care and they told me my Corporate Discount automaticly declined the order!!!!! WTF??? Because of the $50 mail in rebate, like that's my fault, man I felt like slapping that stupid b*!+h that took my phone order, And I got no call back or Email telling me this? I'm pissed off that now I have to waite till December f-ing 15th to get it.... Total B/S bro I'm tellin you.
samantha said:
i dont understand what is a wi-fi. and y do u think that the blackberry touch is a mess.? i like it and was gonna buy it but after reading this i wont until someone tells me more about this phone..
Thanx You Very Much alley

lig tv izle

forum
Matthew.k/DJMATTYD said:
THE PRICE,

THE $200 FOR THE PHONE I COULD UNDERSTAND BUT COME ONE OVER $80 A MOUNTH,THEY MADE A GOOD PHONE LIKE THIS AND IN LESS THAN 3 MOUNTHS YOU COULD BUY ANOTHER STORM I MEAN PUT THAT SERVICE CO$T DOWN,$49.99 IS THE PRICE RANGE IM IN,THAT IS WAY TOOOOOOOO MUCH FOR SERVICE ,YA ITS A VERY HIGH TECK DEVICE FROM BLACKBERRY BUT THAT DESTROYES HOLE PERPIS OF GETTING IT,KNOCK THAT PRICE DOWN,''NOW''
Mg said:
Hey, if you live in any state where Qwest is offered, they offer the Blackberry Storm - Qwest is a great network, and if you can wait for the backlog of orders (about two weeks) you won't have to struggle with the Verizon mess.
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The Man said:
This (storm) is a new ph. Remember the razor and the iph when it came out; they both were in need of a software up date. There were hardcore nut cases buying these phs for up to $2k on ebay.
I got the storm the first day it came out and I was the first cust. at that store to walk out with one. Were there a few bugs; yes. But nothing a tech rep could'nt figure out from vzw.
I'm still trying to figure out how to create seperate folders I can store email doc's in.
I like web sites like espn,msnbc,fandango,cnn,ect...
On my desk top I can click and watch video from a website. Talking with tech support; I found out that there's no video format for this ph to watch video from the sites I listed above. I can watch utube; but I'm not into that site, I just wanted to see if the video format works.
When speaking w/ vzw they said software updates were coming mid Dec. I found that most of the problems I was having were fix by removing the battery (soft reset) Music files ok; plays great. Vzw is working on fixing one problem w/ music files: When using your bluetooth ear piece to listen too music, it will only play for maybe 7 sec. and then will sound static and stop.
I like this BB. It's my 1st BB. I still have my palm trio wx that was updated to moble 6.
Of course like many of you I will wait for the updates. But if it's not getting the job done before my 30days is up; then I will return it and reactivate my palm. Based on other releases in the past and all the problems the iph & razor had; maybe vzw should have waited before launching this new BB that's not getting good reviews. Good luck to all of you and give vzw a chance to work out the problems.
VZW you need to get jumpin now!
Lee said:
The iNOTREALLYaPhone is a horrible device to use as an actual phone. It is amazing how we are expected to take this Apple bias review seriously. The iPhone wasn't the first phone with a touch screen for all of you Apple users out there, HTC has been doing this for YEARS! You are late to the game trying to act like you invented the game! Amazing... The iPhone is for faux hipsters, the Storm is for people that need to actually receive e-mail and respond to e-mail.
mark700170 said:
Weird review, got my storm 3 weeks ago and it is the easiest email set up ever, FACT. i still cant believe how easy. just type in your email address and password, and thats it!!!, no set up required at all. i set up my work email and my home email both with just an email address and password, and the work email is through an exchange server, but still the storm sorted it out with zero input from me. Awesome. The apps run well and phone use is great. However.... i replace my storm today because the battery lasted such a short time. Hoping my replacment is much better or its in the bin... So far so good.
lp said:
I Love my blackberry storm! it is an awesome phone. and who cares about the small minor glitches that it has. the updates has cleaned some of that up. and to be honest the iphone wasn't the perfect phone when it first came up. so i don't understand why people be hating on this fricking awesome phone!
Leger said:
You guys are really just misinformed.

"though Verizon forces you go through the nuisance of a mail-in rebate; and both cost about the same $70 per month for service."

That's bs.... I got all rebates, including corporate discounts, right at the counter at purchase. No hassles what-so-ever. My data plan is 26 bucks a month. Max 30 for personal and like 46 for corporate..

"Typing: .... To type with its touchscreen, you have to press pretty hard, and "click" the keys. "

This is just stupid. This apple jock riding fanboy probably typed for 30 seconds and USED the device for 30 minutes. His wrists must be pretty limp to consider this "pretty hard" to click... Weak.... Just like this biased, uninformed review.


"Email: We are gadget-savvy, yet we had a very hard time setting up our IMAP email on the Storm. In fact, we got so frustrated that we gave up, and just registered a new Verizon BlackBerry email address. (Seriously!)"

Again, just stupid... Seting up email on the BB was NOTHING.. Go to setup, email settings, create or log in... It was so simple, a caveman could do it... This and the typing problem is just user error..

"Apps: The iPhone wins here by a wide margin. ....."
Well, not much to say here... a few apps for the Storm. It has the capabilities.. Hopefully we'll see an app store soon..

"Web browsing: Decent on the Storm, but still much better on the iPhone. The Storm suffers, like all other phones, because it doesn't have the multi-touch "pinch" zooming that the iPhone has."

I don't know what to say here..... I think it's a silly narrow look at this area and just proves no time was spent on this device... I have at least 4 browsers to choose to use. Blackberry, Firefox, IE and Opera.... But damn, no Safari......
And the "pinch" zoom.... That's just a software tweak... Should have been there already but can't imagine we're too far from it. Just a matter of time.. That's why it suffers????? Life sure has been tough by having to resize with a button... Darn.. Of course those buttons sure are really, really hard to click...


"Internet/network: There's a reason people love Verizon's cellphone network: In our informal, unscientific tests, it's been much better than AT&T's......"

This seems to be the concensus about Verizon. I've never had a problem with them and the tech savvy community as a whole seems to consider them very reliable....
The wi-fi call was dumb though.. Stupid not to put it in there. The network is great and I can live without it but it should have been there.. It's probably an opportunity to entice people into buying future versions. They always have the wi-fi in the pocket... Should have been there from the start..



"Design: The Storm's operating system and user interface are functional, but they don't show nearly the attention to elegance or detail that Apple's do. The UI graphics are lousy. Scrolling by flicking your finger is still much smoother and more natural feeling on an iPhone -- the Storm's response is slow and laggy. And some things are downright clunky on the Storm. For instance, you can't even read the entire text of many of the buttons on the phone's "home" screen, such as "SMS and M..." and "VZ Naviga..." and "Visual Voic..." And sometimes you just have to guess when you're supposed to use the "BlackBerry" button to pull up a contextual menu -- there aren't many cues. If you don't care about design or elegance, or are already a BlackBerry pro, that won't matter."

This entire paragraph is just sad. I obviously have a Storm and I can just tell you this guy must not have used the device. It's just so terribly wrong. Graphics are great. Easily more vivid than the iPhone. Scrolling is scrolling... You go sideways, we go up and down and boy does the scrolling feel natural.. This guy is amazing.. You didn't get paid for this did you? I have no slow, lag issues with anything, including the interface and the only thing clunky is this guys professionalism. The Storm is a sexy device with many attractive features on a new OS... The icons on the home screen are all displayed in full text at the top of the screen, in protrait and landscape, when you highlight an icon. You don't have to use the Blackberry button to view a contextual menu to get your cues as to what you're using.. You have to look at the screen.. Pretty tough to do when you have apple blinders on.... It's all on the screen .. Right in your face... This is just bad information...


"Multimedia: We didn't get around to trying to play music or video on the Storm. Why not? We were told we'd need to find third-party software to use it with our Mac until RIM releases a new Mac media center app. We imagine if you have a PC, it's pretty easy getting your music and movies on the Storm, and that playback is functional. But we're curious where -- besides BitTorrent, of course -- you'll be able to get DRM-free TV shows and movies to watch on the Storm."

I wouldn't know about this.... I think macs are gay.. And yes, I've actually used one.. On more than one occassion for more than 30 minutes... I will again in the future as one of my dear friends has a desktop and a laptop by apple.. To each their own...

Anyway, I haven't put any music or video ON my Storm yet... I stream it all onto my Storm from my collection at my home on my desktop. Orb is great.. Works like a champ... Sirius radio and everything.
Now that Babylon AD trailer that was on the Storm as a video sample was OUTSTANDING but Mr. review guy here must not have been able to navigate the clunky, unattractive, blank menus to get there. Either that or he elected to leave this out because the resolution and clarity blows the iPhone away.... The videos that I've recorded all look great in playback too.. But why wouldn't they?


"Camera: Better on the Storm, and shoots video. But still not as good as a real digital camera."
Short, sweet and to the point... 3.2 Mega pixel camera... Works great, needs a little tweaking for speed but it works great.... Video is great... And the best part is I can send pic and vid messages to anyone I choose... Lots of fun..


Bottom line: I'm hard pressed to believe that this guy actually tried using the Storm. The review is clearly biased and absolutely untrue and uninformed in many areas. It's clear, as a Storm user, that you haven't used this device enough to form a credible opinion. Sadly, all of the Apple lemmings on this forum will lap your hollow information up with an apple biscuit... Hey, again, to each their own.
The iPhone is clearly a flawless device that has absolutely no known issues... If your iPhone glitches and locks up while your sending a picture or video message to a friend you just pull the battery out and reboot the device. Then your back on the flawless second gen iPhone highway... Good for you. But of course, there are no problems with the iPhone.. None in ther beginning either.

If you don't like the device, kudos to you, America is wonderful for free opinion. If you're going to review and inform people on this device, or ANYTHING for that matter, put some real effort into it.
Your information was terrible.
joppa said:
I've been using my BB Storm for over a week now and i have to say that when i first had it, i wasn't too impressed at all. I think Apple still has the advantage. BUT the more I use my storm, I am beginning to love it!! Im not having all the problems im reading about. Email was fine, surfing is great. I really dont use WIFI even when i had an iPhone. The more acquainted im becoming, the more im loving this phone. I love Apple products but what they have done is nothing new. Japan was already using touch screen technology. And with all the bad comments about Verizon, Apple is no saint either. Apple does a very good job with exploiting consumers and we are duped each and every time. This is why folks get sucked in with all the hype with apple products but once they get it, the novelty wears off, then its being sold on ebay or craigslist. Apple does a great job with rearranging their products appearance with the same wardrobe so to speak. Give the Storm a chance, its still new.
jay said:
"If your iPhone glitches and locks up while your sending a picture or video message to a friend you just pull the battery out and reboot the device. Then your back on the flawless second gen iPhone highway... Good for you. But of course, there are no problems with the iPhone.. None in ther beginning either."
-Legar


Legar clearly you have never used an iphone before because first off the phone would never freeze while sending a video or picture message because you cant do that on an iphone, it has no MMS. And even if that was possible you couldnt pull the battery out because you cant take the phone apart to get to a battery.

So maybe you should stop bitching about other people not really using the storm, and you should actually use an iphone.

ria said:
I just started using the Storm today and I like most of its components. The only thing that bothers me is the fact that if I lock the Storm, any single touch will activate the phone, asking to be unlocked. This obviously wastes battery life and I have yet to find a way to lock the Storm without it activating every time it's touched. If there is no solution, it's going to be very annoying because if I keep it in my pocket or my purse, the battery will most likely die before the day is even over, with the phone being touched by countless things.

Does anyone else find this feature to be annoying and a little idiotic? And is there a solution for it? I read about protector screens that somehow disable this feature...??
ReduceGadgetEnvy (URL) said:
This review has been linked from http://www.reducegadgetenvy.com/Item.aspx?i=2
Ryan (URL) said:
I HATED my Storm after messing with my girlfriends iPhone. You can't even compare them. I'm switching to the iPhone in 2 months! I can't wait!!

Wi-fi makes the iPhone so much faster and all the buttons and the stupid click screen help the Storm suck even more than the lack of wi-fi.
Perry Perrister said:
I love the storm and it now has synch functionality with I-Tunes however, although I can see the songs on the Storm they are not recognized, I think this is due to the DRM problem, has anyone found a way around this issue? I paid for the music through I-tunes so it is frustrating that I can not use this new device to here the songs. I am able to listen to music I import from CD's, funny they did not mention this issue on the Storm commercials.

SUX.

Perry

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