Flashy new slides circulating among Verizon staffers are calling out the
Storm for everything that makes it just so darned Stormy, and the list is pretty impressive -- particularly the bit about the radios. As we've heard before, the Storm will pack CDMA / EV-DO Rev. A, quadband EDGE, and 2100MHz HSPA, making it one of the most global phones ever to hit the market. The list of "WOW factors" (Verizon's verbiage, not ours) doesn't stop there, though: we've also got a 3.25-inch 480 x 360 display dubbed "1/2 VGA+," which puts it just a notch above the Bold's 480 x 320 setup. The screen offers tactile feedback and auto-rotation to boot, plus you've got that 3.2-megapixel autofocus camera with flash, 1GB of onboard memory with microSD expansion -- an 8GB card is included in the box -- and "enhanced background noise cancellation." Turning our attention to software, RIM calls the Storm's web browsing experience "best in class," which is a good sign if those guys really know their competition, and we've got AGPS and
visual voicemail (post-launch, sadly) in the pipe. Still no solid date on a launch for this blasted thing, but we'll be listening for...
ahem, thunder.
[Thanks, anonymous tipster]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Jason Talley @ Sep 23rd 2008 11:51AM
They are trying to steal some thunder from the G1 release
Ari @ Sep 23rd 2008 12:45PM
Maybe, but I'm not sure if these devices compete. With no exchange compatibility this actually seems to compete with the original iphone. Thus far they seem to be going after the non business user. The Storm looks perfect for me, while the G1 looks perfect for my wife.
sharon @ Nov 16th 2008 8:46PM
I had the G1 and I returned it. It's clunky and the battery life is horrid. There were some cool factors about it but not enough to convince me to keep it for 2 years .
Storm Princess @ Nov 17th 2008 7:32PM
that g1 was the ugliest phone i have seen in my life.
Daniel Perz @ Sep 23rd 2008 12:29PM
Official confirmation that it DOES have Quadband GSM. Only 2100 HSPA though. This exact device could easily end up on Voda too. So what if it also has CDMA? It has the bands Voda needs, and it can roam on Verizon in the states.
So nay to all the naysayers who said it would never have GSM 850/1900.
Didi @ Sep 23rd 2008 1:59PM
I called Vodafone (my local carrier in the Netherlands) and based on these specifications they said yeah, this phone should function on their network
They use GSM bands 900/1800 and they use 2100 Mhz for 3G.
So the Storm should be a fully functioning 3G Touch Berry on Vodafone Europe.
Of course you could just wait for the GSM version (9500) which will be released through Vodafone the same time VWZ releases the 9530. But it may be cheaper to import so I understand your dilemma.
Steven @ Sep 23rd 2008 12:30PM
Thinner than I initially thought. Looked chubby with the straight on pics.
Standalone and Assisted GPS with Blackberry Maps seems promising as well...Maybe we will FINALLY have open GPS on it.
Ari @ Sep 23rd 2008 12:42PM
Agreed on the size. It looks chubby but its actually a little shorter and narrower than the 8830 and the same depth.
As far as GPS i am skeptical, they said VZ Navigator will be on there, than leads me to believe it will not be open. Remember how they killed the Blackberry maps GPS capabilities on the 8830.
Regardless, if they can get this touchscreen right, with a good keyboard this will be a real winner for them. Around here in NYC the 8830 is everywhere and this is the heir apparent.
Jerry @ Sep 23rd 2008 12:50PM
Why be skeptical? There's no reason to be...that slide clearly said that GPS would be available standalone and for BlackBerry Maps....this is the most perfect device around.
Anon-e-mouse @ Sep 23rd 2008 1:12PM
Standalone GPS will in fact be unlocked--how else could Verizon and Vodafone offer a global phone if GPS wasn't available abroad? Yes, BlackBerry Maps will work with the built-in GPS, as will photo geotagging in the camera app. Assisted GPS will be limited to certain applications.
The One @ Sep 23rd 2008 1:11PM
Is it a sin to have impure thoughts about a phone? lol
likeabite @ Sep 23rd 2008 8:34PM
LMAO...good one THE ONE
Lohengrin @ Oct 24th 2008 5:47PM
Not if you are planning to get a contract with it.
Feb30th @ Sep 23rd 2008 1:58PM
Very disappointed that the screen is only 480 x 360 unlike the HTC Touch HD or Xperia X1 at 800 x 480...
Eddie @ Sep 23rd 2008 2:53PM
Gosh. So many exciting phones coming out. I wonder if this will keep me on verizon :O
striggity @ Sep 23rd 2008 3:51PM
there is a chance i will wanna buy this...i'm not too into touchscreen phones cuz i text/email like no one's business on my current 8830. But...if i can play around w/ this in the store and i like it, it shall be mine.
Mike @ Sep 23rd 2008 5:01PM
No WIFI, not a deal for me.
No information about the cpu/chipset
Still, the iphone is a like a Lion, you can't beat the king
Also HTC HD is way far better than the storm, no comparison.
I don't know why they say WOW.
tra la la @ Sep 23rd 2008 7:45PM
can you use the iphone to send me a picture of the HTC HD? no? that's too bad... If I find a pic, can I send it to you? no? geez. such a perfect device, but it doesn't have this 1 little feature that some free phones have. hmm...
orangecat @ Sep 23rd 2008 8:47PM
please come to Sprint with a fairly reasonable price!!
lolz @ Oct 14th 2008 12:39AM
Sprint!? (insert captain insaino laugh)
tra la la @ Sep 24th 2008 3:08AM
weren't the words "exclusive" and "verizon wireless" mentioned? I think it was a few times...
orangecat @ Sep 24th 2008 2:22PM
I would think that the exclusivity period would end sometime in the future. Why would RIM choose to keep the phone to only Verizon forever?
Bob @ Sep 24th 2008 11:07PM
Verizon has the exclusive in the US as long as they meet their quota. RIM signed on to that because they are guaranteed a certain quota - thats a no loose for RIM. With the large customer base of Verizon, soon to be the largest in the US with Alltel acquisition, and Verizon having the largest US blackberry base it makes sense that RIM did this agreement. Plus Verizon is willing to put a lot behind this device whereas the other large US carrier, AT&T, wouldn't be able to push this phone while still pushing its biggest competitor (IPhone). If at AT&T the sales of touch devices would be split between the iPhone & Storm giving RIM less sales than when its at a carrier with no formidable phone competitor. This agreement puts RIM in a position to have Verizon do all that's possible to get more sales, meet the quota and try to take customers from their competitors. There are some Sprint people that will leave and pick between AT&T or Verizon based on whether they want an iPhone or Storm.
Eventually the exclusivity will run out on all these devices. By that time there will be another device you will rather buy than an iPhone or a Storm.
Ryan @ Sep 25th 2008 12:05PM
Man I hope the Verizon/Alltel merger goes through and happens fast! And if/when it does, hopefully verizon might be nice enough to let former alltel customer's do a "one time" upgrade (if not I'll have to wait til june!). I've been enjoying my LG Glimmer, but the 2 drawbacks I have on it are a) its not full html browsing and b) the touchscreen keypad is just like a regular number pad so it takes some learning and is sometimes a lil slower to text with.
All I want for christmas is a BB Storm in my stocking!
Mike @ Sep 26th 2008 9:11AM
They had me for a moment until I realized there was still no Wifi.
liquidamber5 @ Sep 26th 2008 10:08AM
What is the point of wi-fi? The Storm will require a data package which offers wider and faster data access than wi-fi.
Guanaco @ Sep 29th 2008 9:30AM
I don’t know what all of you guys are talking about, everything sounds like non-sense to me, but I like the fact that will compete against the iPhone [I think]
VZWLongTimer @ Sep 29th 2008 6:37PM
Hi - if you are reading this, you are most likely a VZW customer.
Please request of Verizon Wireless, as I just did, that they unlock the GPS/AGPS capabilities of their upcoming BlackBerry Storm so that we can enjoy AGPS/GPS for applications other than just their VZ Navigator which costs $10/month. VZW monopolizes the GPS/AGPS functionality and does not allow any other independent/3rd party applications to use the position-location (GPS/AGPS) capabilities of the BlackBerry. AT&T allows iPhone 3G users to utilize the iPhone's GPS capability regardless of whether the application is AT&T branded or not. Verizon Wireless is still expecting its customers to buy applications from their 'walled garden' application store, even though free alternatives do exist (e.g. case in point - VZ Navigator versus Google Maps).
Please also remind Verizon Wireless that locking down GPS/AGPS capabilities on the BlackBerry as well as any other GPS enabled phone they sell, flies straight in the face of their brand new "any apps/any device" paradigm they announced last year.
Also, threaten to convert to an iPhone 3G user, and make good on that threat, if they do not, within a timeframe you set for yourself.
Hold VZW accountable for their new "any apps/any device" policy! They aren't living up to their word!
JAY#%)Z @ Sep 29th 2008 7:05PM
If you dont know what you are talking about please dont comment. I see a lot of idiots on this forum. The Thunder is exclusive to VODAFONE, and the storm is the for Verizonwireless. Its a Blackberry so it will be compatible with BES. If people dont know what they are talking about please dont post.
JAY#%)Z @ Sep 30th 2008 1:25PM
If you dont know what you are talking about please dont comment. I
see a lot of idiots on this forum. The Thunder is exclusive to
VODAFONE, and the storm is the for Verizonwireless. Its a Blackberry
so it will be compatible with BES. If people dont know what they are
talking about please dont post.
stevenj @ Oct 2nd 2008 1:19AM
Please tell me this is coming to Canada on Telus!
Jon Kepler @ Oct 3rd 2008 2:33AM
Stevenj, Rogers usually wins with Blackberry products, but this one may be an exception. I'm disappointed that RIM didn't go for a 640x480 screen.
T-Dallas @ Oct 9th 2008 3:03PM
NO Wifi on the Storm is not acceptable!
I was looking forward to the release of the Storm & having WiFi too.
There is no wireless signal from any carrier where I work, in the basement. VerizonWireless has promised a better signal for the past 4 years in University Park, TX, but has not delivered. I cannot use a Blackberry where I most need it in my server room in the basement.
No WiFi on the Storm? This is a really BIG disappointment!!!
I have waited over a year for a better Blackberry, this one is so, so close. This is not close enough, I guess I will wait some more.
What US carrier will have the Blackberry Bold ??
When will WiFi be added to the Storm or a “sister phone”?
BBguy @ Oct 12th 2008 6:02PM
The Bold will be released through AT&T Exclusive, will also have both WI-FI and GPS, lots of new BlackBerry products coming out. Should be something for everybody. Other's have not been pres released yet!
lancia_b @ Oct 9th 2008 4:53PM
I like Google but, come on, G1 is so~~~~ugly in appearance. I mean, it's great that Google hardly seems to care much about the aesthetics of hardware or their web-pages for that matter but it's ridiculous. G1 looks like some military Radio-Shack gadget from the 80's. Considering half the world population is females who carry pretty looking purses, G1 made a huge marketing flaw. Blackberry Storm looks sleek, sophisticated, and comfortable to look at. G1? oh man, put that thing back in the box!
mase @ Oct 12th 2008 1:30AM
This new blackberry is sick... I have had several blackberry's in the past 6 years... Truly great phone, but the Storm, it WILL take the cake, watch out APPLE... oh, and you don't need WI FI... idiots...
btw, if you have a phone that doesn't have internet, catch up... really, buy a new phone; saying this because someone commented that you can't get pix and stuff to and sent, umm, INTERNET has EMAIL... WOW people, clueless...
but anywayz, sweet phone, thanks Verizon, been a long time customer and will continue
Hamilton @ Oct 14th 2008 12:21PM
Why haven't they included WiFi - isn't WiFi browsing much quicker than through the telephone network? My EDGE browser on my current blackberry doesn't come close to WiFi so I was v dissapointed to see its exclusion in the Storm.
IVEHadThemAll @ Oct 16th 2008 12:03AM
I am the final word.
Wifi on phones sucks unless you are too poor to afford a data plan (sucks batteries and annoys all your friends becuase you have to give them your Wep/Wap access)....if you can't afford the data plan this phone isn't for you anyways, so no more talking about Wifi! And for the 10th time in this discussion, wifi isn't that much faster than the data plan, pending you don't live in bfe (butt f'in egypt), or a farm, or in the ghetto.
Next, VZW are bastards for forcing us to use their crap vz navigator, music, and all their other crappy apps, VZW listen to me, you suck at apps, go back to being "the network" or whatever you call yourself nowadays. Also, here is an eye opener for VZW, any phone that has a built in GPS has available cracks on the internet, anyone who really wants their GPS to work correctly will find these, so stop turning awesome phones into crap with your CRAAPPS (pronounced Crap Apps). Google "turn on the gps in my craapp vzw phone and you will find a hack", well you get the idea. Also, VZW your PDAs freaking suck ass, hopefully this will usher in a new era. And if you question me, I've had them all and will gladly tell you why and how each one suck!
No exchange access??? Common blackberry, get with the times, your a phone company now, you used to be the leader in email, that was like 5 years ago though with the "push" revolution. We depend on exchange now, not just for email anymore either, appointments, tasks, sharepoint and more!
keith @ Oct 17th 2008 2:34PM
pre order from below web site
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Brand: Blackberry
SKU: BB9530
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Expected Arrival Date
Nov. 10, 2008
keith @ Oct 17th 2008 2:35PM
Pre-Orders are being offered at below web site
http://www.mobilecityonline.com/wireless/store/productdetail.asp?productid=23799&refid=froogle&utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=organic&utm_term=BB9530&utm_campaign=froogle
Brand: Blackberry
SKU: BB9530
Availability: Preorder
Retail Price: $699.99
Our Price: $599.99
Expected Arrival Date
Nov. 10, 2008
alltouchdiamondcom @ Oct 20th 2008 9:56PM
To put it mildly, we’ve seen a butt-load of handset makers jump on the iClone bandwagon since Apple’s device was announced in 2007. Without exception, every attempt has failed to come close to matching the iPhone’s nearly mythic combination of intuitive UI, responsive touchscreen, and gorgeous hardware. The Storm, though, gets closer than any device we’ve ever laid hands on.
And in one critical area — you might want to sit down for this — The Storm actually beats the iPhone.
see http://www.Storm-BlackBerry.com
guy @ Oct 29th 2008 11:45AM
I got a chance to evaluate the Blackberry Storm hands on. I own an iphone 3g. All i have ot say is i disliked the blackberry big time. its way too complicating to go through menus, text and email compared to iphone. u can actually click on the screen but it does more bad than good in my opinion. the advantages are that you can hook it up to laptop and get internet through it, replace the battery and add memory card to the already 8 /16 gig onboard.
if you think that the iphone had chokey software issues when it came out you should see the blackberry. too frustrating for me. anyways it looks and sounds interesting but it is no threat to the iphone..
ALL of you Nerds saying "watch out Apple" will be surprised when you play with the Storm. this blackberry makes the iphone look good and you'll see this for yourselves when it comes out. I cant stand it personally
Jeremy @ Oct 29th 2008 6:18PM
The speces says that is an edge enabled phone. Does this mean That you can use on tmobile sim card.
ubiquityman @ Oct 31st 2008 11:07PM
I have a Verizon wireless broadband card, and I can tell you that wifi would have been almost completely useless on the Storm. Verizon does not charge for data roaming for the broadband card in the US. The coverage is fantastic and the speed is very good. I'm expecting the same for the data plans on the phones but I've not confirmed this.
The only time I use WiFi on my laptop when I'm traveling is when I'm doing big downloads so I don't exceed the VZ 5GB limit (which is unlikely to be an issue on a cell phone). Otherwise, I much prefer to use the VZ card for consistency and security.
I've had 2 smart phones based on PocketPC in the past (both sucked) but currently have a VZ Blackberry 8830 for work which I'm very happy with. I also have a personal Samsung Sprint cell phone. I will likely switch my personal phone to Verizon in the near future because coverage is better than Sprint and Sprint does not have free call forwarding. I certainly will be looking at the Storm when it comes out, but I think it will need a good web browser to compete again the iPhone. The Storm is almost guaranteed to have better battery life and reception though!
malcolm @ Nov 11th 2008 2:18AM
i want this phone so bad but the price is not in my range 800 dollars thats a computer but if i had the money i would not care and i guessed i will stick to my venus until i get my voyager but thats a nice phone maybe in the future i might go there , good job verizon , i cant keep up you stay having something new coming out every five minutes nice blackberry.
Alicson @ Nov 13th 2008 2:32PM
wait.. $800? what?
My impression is that it will be around $200-250 (depending on your eligibility)..
BG @ Nov 13th 2008 3:27PM
I don't need WiFi on a phone when I can hook it up to my WiFi laptop ... and hook it up to my LCD TV for viewing documents that only a Blackberry can do ... it has more available memory than the iPhone 3G, and for anyone that knows, functionality is the core of any machine that runs circuits. So there's my netowrk - Verizon broadband, to my Sager WiFi laptop/media center to my LCD TV. There's nothin better :)
And no more LAN line :)
That is until a decent 4G with WiMAX comes out in a couple years ... especially can't wait for that one...
the ken @ Nov 13th 2008 7:02PM
when is it going to be released? and how mush is it going to cost?
JB @ Nov 17th 2008 1:00PM
I love how every Iphone people is crying about how this cant beat there Iphone. Sorry apple fans but as soon as Blackberry tossed its hat into the game you losed. WiFi??? Really ??? haha who cares THE BROWSER IS FASTER!!!!!
tflexxx @ Nov 18th 2008 5:13PM
Man, all of you guys are having too much time on your hands. Just do wtf ever you want, if you don't like da phone then go out and get a different one. All of you morons are a part of a design called the "Matrix".