BlackBerry Storm 9530 is BlackBerry Thunder, BlackBerry Thunder is BlackBerry Storm, for realz
That was a nice roller-coaster ride, no? Our main man Chris Zigz over at Engadget Mobile scored actual BlackBerry Storm packaging renders, and well, the BlackBerry Storm doesn’t look to bringing that much rain. If we read the box correctly, it seems as if there is an 8GB microSD card pre-installed (totally weak in our opinion), a 3.5mm headset jack, pre-installed SIM card, and no Wi-Fi. It is indeed a global phone, as stated on the box, our original scoop, and the SIM card bit (duh!), but other intricate details are unavailable at this time. Oh yeah, the name! Here is the break down on that: the BlackBerry Storm is for Verizon, and the BlackBerry Thunder is the name for the device on other carriers such a Rogers and Vodafone. Wait, Rogers? So much for that huge exclusivity. We guess RIM realized they’d only have a limited run with Verizon being the sole carrier in North America, and we’re not so sure about having different names for the same device. It’s one thing to have different model numbers for the slightest variations (read: wack), but for the same device? Oh well. We’re still holding true to our rumored mid-September marketing blitz and mid-October release date on Verizon Wireless.
It won’t be on telus, it is going to Bell and maybe Rogers.
@ mrHidefinition
lol some one sees it my way
@csnarpy
I’m with Bell, is that just a guess about them having it?
Are there any phones on Verizon that have WiFi?
Keep in mind Verizon has a Samsung i770 to be released this quarter that is also a world phone with GSM/CDMA and it has WI-FI. You guys that say the Storm has no WI-FI, where are you geting that from? No one has confirmed it does or doesn’t. So just wait until someone leaks it.
wow for the last time, you “Cellphone professionals” don’t understand, Verizon does not cripple GPS on ANY blackberry device, NEVER has and NEVER will, Wi-Fi on a blackberry that you are required to get the data plan with is just plain stupid, because Verizon’s REV.A network covers over 85% of the US pop. so the chances of you not being in an coverage area is just out of the question, all of the 3rd party GPS apps work perfectly fine, after all it IS a blackberry…..
You’d be stupid to think that Telus won’t be getting this device. Telus was in the top 5 overall sellers of RIM handsets in North America last quarter. This is mainly due to their great smartphone marketing on the Pearl and Curve. A touchscreen berry is just one more step for Telus’ smartphone for all marketing…
Here’s one possible explanation for the name change. I appears that the New NBA team in Oklahoma has applied for trademarks for the new team name. One of those trademarks just happens to be Thunder. Since RIM is talking and there isn’t a better explanation I guess this will have to do.
@Mike,
Complete sentences please. Your statement:
“mike Said:
@ the one
Doesn’t the iphone? Isn’t this blackberry built to beat the iphone?”
@ the one
The Storm is built to battle the iphone. Hopefully it has all the features available, including GPS, Wifi, etc. etc.
I currently own a Dare and got rid of the VZW9800. As expected windows just sucks, no matter what you put it on…
I had a Verizon 8800 and loved it but needed full HTML browsing. But when comparing Verizons BB to any other carrier, it was obvious Verizon made RIM pull features that other services offered to make sure the phone was as stable, crash-free, battery-efficient and “reliable” as possible. Annoying but appreciated (I guess).
I’m sure Verizon is pulling the same thing with the Storm. And lest we keep in mind that Verizon is usually the LAST one to get any new phone. They have to be crapping in their pants taking the first run of a BB instead of letting it get beta-tested to the nth degree on T-mobile, ATT, etc…
I just want a BB with all of the normal BB features AND full HTML web browsing. OK, WiFi would be really nice but it’s not a deal breaker…
Since I’m a devoted Verizon customer (their service is just unrivaled) I can’t go iPhone, so the BB Storm is about all I’ll have to get me the features I need…
I think BGR is doing an amazing job of getting us this info. Considering everything (including the fact that 98% of all of the other sites like this use BGR as THEIR source!!!) I think the info is relatively accurate and gives us what we need –> Enough info to make the decision to buy what is currently out or wait for what is coming.
Thanks BGR!
-Matt
@ Mike,
Yeah hopefully it does have all of those features.
I’m consolidating my Razor and Dell Axium to one device. Tried the DARE and found the touch keypad unresponsive and need other apps and Outlook sync. Took it back and now have the Blackberry 8330 which has cool features and app potential, but HATE the trackball, missed the touch. Tracball is very awkward and slow. So what do I do? Take this back and wait for the new Thunder/Storm? Try The XV6900? Try something else? My requirements are: Phone, Email, Browser, Outlook Sync, Pin Safe, Mortgage Calc. Any suggestions are much appreciated. My phone store let me return the DARE, I don’t know how many phones they’ll let try. Thanks! Joan in VA
@ Mark “wow for the last time, you “Cellphone professionals” don’t understand, Verizon does not cripple GPS on ANY blackberry device, NEVER has and NEVER will, Wi-Fi on a blackberry that you are required to get the data plan with is just plain stupid, because Verizon’s REV.A network covers over 85% of the US pop. so the chances of you not being in an coverage area is just out of the question, all of the 3rd party GPS apps work perfectly fine, after all it IS a blackberry…..”
3rd party GPS apps DO NOT WORK WITH THE VERIZON BLACKBERRIES!!
@ griff
WiFi can be important IF you are outside the US and do not want to rack up extra roaming charges for wireless data access. Having WiFi in those circumstances can be beneficial. For example, if I go to Canada to visit friends if I have WiFi on my BB I can use that to check my e-mail, etc. and save $$$.
all i have to say is who needs wi-fi when you have vzw’s evdo coverage.
and when you travel abroad, use the 64.99 global data plan so you don’t incur roaming data charges
And why pay extra for that global data plan when the phone has WiFi built in? If Verizon disables the 9530’s WiFi then bye bye Verizon for me. I’ve had enough of Verizon crippling of phones, like forcing the VZ Nav on us and locking the GPS on phones which have it. (Non BB phones of course, just to keep the peace around here…
)
From a Canadian perspective, I’m intrigued by the notion this phone will go to Rogers. I find that highly unlikely. RIM rarely makes terrible business decisions and putting this touchscreen smartphone with the only carrier in Canada to carry the iPhone, doesn’t seem too smart… I really don’t see it. Any Rogers customer who wants to be “cool” and get a touchscreen is going to opt for the iPhone. The Storm/Thunder will be totally lost with Rogers.
Rogers’ tag line for the iPhone is “The phone you’ve been waiting for, is finally here.” So how do they then turn around and try to market this BB? I really don’t see it happening. Add to that, it’s a definite this phone is going to Verizon in the US, and Telus and Verizon are very closely connected and seem to mirror (to some degree) each other’s offerings phone-wise.
I think Telus is a pretty safe bet for this phone in Canada.
Just because this is to have a touch GUI doesn’t mean its an iPhone competitor. A Treo had a touch screen interface for many years. The same people looking for a Treo aren’t necessarily the same as the iPhone buyers.
All I know is I’m looking for a blackberry that will give a better web experience than current blackberrys. I need a good/secure email/cal/contact sync (MobileMe wasnt a well thought out option), a phone, text messaging and decent web experience. I prefer a touch GUI over trackballs which is why I always liked the Treos (they did touch screen long before the iPhone).
This phone will meet all of my needs. iPhone is more about videos, music and doesn’t have the quality of apps (yet) for the items I need. I don’t see these as competitors. Storm for business users like me. iPhone for my kids that care more about watching YouTube videos since they dont have jobs requiring desktops, laptop and cell phones full of important data to be synced.
I completely agree with Anonymous loser. Well stated.
How much is this going to cost for a 2 year contract? Anyone have an actual idea?
All this hub-bub over the 8gb card. I have an 8830 on Verizon and hate the fact that I can’t actually put anything on my 2gb card besides media. At least Palm let’s you install apps on their card. I am constantly running out of system space whenever I want to install a new cool app that I come across. And what’s with no camera again? Having to go to VZPix to view pix sent to me is a pain in the butt.
Why can’t we get a Verizon world phone that has a camera, bluetooth, wifi, and the ability to install apps on the card?
While Verizon’s coverage is absolutely the best and the EVDO’s performance is stunning, there are interior rooms where I work that I get NO COVERAGE. This is not Verizon’s fault… the physics of radio make this coverage
impossible without in-building repeaters.
That being said, our company has outstanding WiFi coverage… so I would still be able to get my email in these locations if the 9530 had WiFi.
I am one of those business professionals that you talk about that would benefit from WiFi. I do consider the lack of WiFi a show stopper.
With the announcement of new firmware for the iPhone that supposedly solves the dropped call problem in marginal areas, the iPhone is looking more attractive, simply because of the WiFi.
I agree the Windows based phones are not an option… for so many reasons.
I work for a Fortune 500 company and more then one person in the c-suite have iPhones. The guy who supports Microsoft Exchange for the company has an iPhone. That is not a reason for me to get an iPhone… but these are business professionals who need exceptional phones and email functionality everywhere in the company. They are not people playing YouTube: their iPhones are business tools.
I think that Verizon and RIM had better pay close attention here. WiFi does matter for business professionals.
I would hate to be in Verizon’s position: release too early with the device not being stable and they get a slew of bad comments. Wait too long and they face attrition.
I can only hope that the device is further along that BGR reports and has WiFi. If BGR is correct, I will pay the termination penalty and I am off to AT&T.
the Bold will have WiFI but who knows when verizon will get it