BlackBerry Storm official press images and specs!
What’s an embargo? We’ve never heard that word before… Here’s your first look at what all the other sites will soon start reporting on — official BlackBerry Storm press images and spec sheet! Here’s the official specs for the Verizon unit which we already knew:
- 128MB of RAM, 1GB built-in memory
- 1400mAh battery with 15 days standby (yeah right) and 5.5 hours of talk time
- Dual-band 800/1900MHz CDMA/EV-DO Rev A
- Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE, 2100MHz HSDPA
More images, spec sheet and joint Verizon, Vodafone, and RIM press release after the jumpage! All they say is a release next month. Anyone notice that there isn’t tri-band HSDPA at all?
****DRAFT ****DRAFT **** DRAFT **** DRAFT ****DRAFT **** DRAFT ****
**********UNDER EMBARGO UNTIL 12:01 AM ET ON WEDS. OCT. 8**********
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACTS:
BLACKBERRY TAKES THE WORLD BY STORM ON THE MOST RELIABLE NETWORKS IN EUROPE AND THE U.S.
Verizon Wireless, Vodafone and RIM Deliver the Power of a Smartphone with the World’s First Tactile Touch Display on a BlackBerry
BASKING RIDGE, N.J., NEWBURY, England, and WATERLOO, Ontario – Verizon Wireless, Vodafone Group (NYSE and LSE: VOD) and Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced that the BlackBerry® Storm™ will be available exclusively to Verizon Wireless customers in the U.S. and Vodafone customers in Europe, Australia and New Zealand next month.
Designed to appeal to both consumers and business customers, the BlackBerry Storm combines the powerful communication features and productivity tools of a global BlackBerry smartphone with revolutionary technology that provides for easy and precise touch screen typing on the world’s first tactile touch display that responds like a keyboard and combines multi-touch and gesture support for intuitive selection and application navigation.
In the U.S., BlackBerry Storm customers will benefit from the nation’s most reliable wireless voice network and the pervasiveness of Verizon Wireless’ reliable high-speed Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) Revision A (Rev. A) network for rich Internet browsing. Building on the strong business heritage of BlackBerry, the Storm offers consumers a host of fun and practical features, including:
• Large high resolution screen coupled with a rich multi-media suite
• Text (SMS), picture messaging (MMS), the ability to watch 30-second video clips, instant messaging and access to popular social networking sites
• Removable and rechargeable 1400 mAhr battery that provides approximately 5.5 hours of talk time and 15 days of standby time.
“The BlackBerry Storm offers our customers more ways to stay connected to both their personal and professional lives – whether in their community or around the globe,” said Mike Lanman, vice president and chief marketing officer of Verizon Wireless. “The BlackBerry Storm combines the reliability of our network with the dependability and network efficiency of the BlackBerry platform to deliver our customers the ultimate wireless experience – all in one of the coolest smartphones available on the market today.”
The Power is in The Touch
The BlackBerry Storm comes with a unique touch screen that gives a distinct ‘click’ confirmation when depressed ever so slightly, very similar in experience to a keyboard-based BlackBerry smartphone. An easy to use menu adds support for multi-touches, taps, slides, swipes and other gestures, so customers can easily select, scroll, pan, and zoom for smooth navigation.
The tactile touch screen display gives customers worldwide a choice of virtual keyboards – RIM’s SureType® layout in portrait and a full QWERTY* layout in landscape orientation. Relevant features such as cut and paste are only a touch away for the ultimate smartphone experience.
World Class Smartphone
The BlackBerry Storm is a top of the line mobile phone with global connectivity. In the U.S., the BlackBerry Storm gives Verizon Wireless customers EV-DO Rev. A/CDMA – technology – and (2100Mhz) HSPA/UMTS as well as quad-band EDGE/GPRS/GSM for global use. The BlackBerry Storm 9500 from Vodafone supports (2100Mhz) HSPA and quad-band EDGE/GPRS/GSM networks.
Browse the World Over
Customers will enjoy a full HTML high performance browser that works in either portrait or landscape orientation. Navigating Web sites is fast and easy with the touch screen interface that lets users tap to zoom in and slide their finger to scroll. Icons along the bottom of the display allow for quickly accessing “Favorites”, opening the virtual keyboard to enter text, switching between “Page View” and “Column View”, as well as the ability to toggle between “Pan” mode and “Cursor” mode. The enhanced browser supports file downloading, streaming audio and video, and with its built-in RSS support, new content from supported Web sites can be automatically pushed to the user.
Packed with Additional Features
The BlackBerry Storm, exclusively from Verizon Wireless and Vodafone, also includes the following features and functions:
• BlackBerry® Internet Service, BlackBerry® Unite!, BlackBerry® Professional Software and BlackBerry® Enterprise Server support for seamless integration with corporate email systems and the security and IT policy controls that enterprise customers require
• Edit Microsoft® Word, Excel and PowerPoint files directly on the handset
• 3.2 megapixel camera, with variable zoom, auto focus, and a powerful flash that also provides continuous lighting when recording video; the camera records video in half-VGA resolution (480×320) or at 176×144 for MMS
• 1 GB of on board memory storage and 8 GB microSD memory card included in expandable memory card slot
• Media player that can find content on the handset in an instant, display pictures and slideshows quickly, play movies smoothly in full screen mode in any orientation, and manage an entire music collection; playlists can be created directly on the handset and there’s an equalizer with 11 preset filters – including “Lounge”, “Jazz” and “Hip Hop” – for customized audio ranges when using wired headphones or external speakers
• Sleek, elegant design with contoured corners, stainless steel back and chrome side-accents that frame its large (3.26”), touch sensitive, glass lens display; its exceptional 360 x 480 resolution at 184ppi, offering the highest resolution display ever introduced on a BlackBerry smartphone, is crisp and colorful with clarity that’s easy on the eyes
• A sensor automatically adjusts to ambient light for ideal screen viewing and an orientation sensor allows customers to use the handset in a portrait or landscape position
Additional details related to availability and pricing will be announced in the coming weeks. To learn more, visit www.verizonwireless.com/storm.
* Virtual keyboards are also available in AZERTY, QWERTZ and other configurations to support different language groups.
# # #
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 68.7 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 70,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, go to: www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.
About Vodafone
Vodafone is the world’s leading international mobile communications group with approximately 269 million proportionate customers as of 30 June 2008. Vodafone currently has equity interests in 27 countries across five continents and over 40 partner networks worldwide. For more information, please visit www.vodafone.com
About Research In Motion
Research In Motion (RIM) is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative wireless solutions for the worldwide mobile communications market. Through the development of integrated hardware, software and services that support multiple wireless network standards, RIM provides platforms and solutions for seamless access to time-sensitive information including email, phone, SMS messaging, Internet and intranet-based applications. RIM technology also enables a broad array of third party developers and manufacturers to enhance their products and services with wireless connectivity to data. RIM’s portfolio of award-winning products, services and embedded technologies are used by thousands of organizations around the world and include the BlackBerry® wireless platform, the RIM Wireless Handheld™ product line, software development tools, radio-modems and software/hardware licensing agreements. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM operates offices in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. RIM is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market (NASDAQ: RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RIM). For more information, visit www.rim.com or www.blackberry.com.
Forward-looking statements in this news release are made pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used herein, words such as “intend” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions made by and information available to Research In Motion Limited. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, possible product defects and product liability, risks related to international sales and potential foreign currency exchange fluctuations, the initiation or outcome of litigation, acts or potential acts of terrorism, international conflicts, significant fluctuations of quarterly operating results, changes in Canadian and foreign laws and regulations, continued acceptance of RIM’s products, increased levels of competition, technological changes and the successful development of new products, dependence on third-party networks to provide services, dependence on intellectual property rights, and other risks and factors detailed from time to time in RIM’s periodic reports filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, and other regulatory authorities. RIM has no intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited. RIM, Research In Motion and BlackBerry are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and may be pending or registered in other countries. All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. RIM assumes no obligations or liability and makes no representation, warranty, endorsement or guarantee in relation to any aspect of any third party products or services.
My main concern at this point is the build quality. The Pearl was absolute crap as far as materials are concerned, the Curve wasn’t much better, and the 8300 was just okay. From the sounds of your reviews, the Bold’s build quality is still pretty iffy, especially in the materials department.
The screen sounds like it’ll be great, since its glass and not plastic, but what are the rest of the materials like? (I know the battery cover is metal) Is the ‘chrome’ band real metal, or is it plastic like on the bold? Is the plastic of the soft-touch variety that HTC is fond of? (and RIM is, at least on the Verizon Curve) With a device like this, the quality will make or break it, and RIM hasn’t always been known for making quality devices.
How can this phone not have wi-fi? Is that a dealbreaker for anyone? Also, anyone thinking that RIM/Verizon, etc. may actually believe they have real competition for the iphone, which is why they’ve launched this crazy viral marketing campaign?
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m kind of happy the Bold has been delayed, because I may pick up the Storm instead, which I thought I never would. Gonna have to experience the funky keyboard for myself though.
@John: I’d say it’s plastic. Have a look here at Engadget’s hands-on gallery: http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/2008/10/storm-hands-1028.jpg
http://www.engadget.com/photos/blackberry-storm-hands-on/
@pfastfoot
The Storm does not need WIFI, Verizons hi-speed network does not SUCK like AT&Ts hence the need for wifi on the IPHONE.
the gsm sold version should have tri-band hsdpa and wifi
Hey Mon, whats wit all this monkey business ya know. This ting be like buck, buck, buck. Wish we had crazy tings like this on the island. Oh well, we leave them tings for you bumbaclot boys. When you cross them briges to babylon up da mountain of zion everyting gon be irey rassclot.
RE:: Perspective
At least the storm can do VIDEO
gots a better LCD
has better battery
CAN DO MMS
Can remove battery at any time…
has a landscape and portrait Keyboard
TOUCH feedback
stick with a phone that offers you less for more!
THANK YOU BLACKBERRY!
John, you need to actually get your hands on a Bold before you go off and just take people’s (in this situations, BGR’s) word that the materials are crap. I’ve had a Bold for a while now and the build quality is fine. If I had a complaint about ANYTHING, it’d be that the battery door cover slips off pretty easily when you push it, but what’s interesting about that is that it’s never fell off despite the fact that it seems like it would. I just mean when u push it in the direction it needs to go to slide it off, it comes right out without having to press the release button.
As far as cheap plastics, the device I’d say is fine. Honestly, you guys are just looking for something to nitpick about.
It’s like all you people that go out and buy BMW’s WITHOUT the premium package, but don’t complain that you have that fake, plastic-like leather they called Leatherette. Because if you don’t get the premium, you have a nice car with fake leather, but I don’t hear no complaints. The Bold is the same thing. You have a nice phone, but instead are just nitpicking over minute details instead of ignoring them as you should.
I think RIM is being left behind in the OS dept. iPhone and G1 look considerably better to me. And if the iPhone didn’t have WiFi Jobs would get raked over the coals on here. But RIM for the most part gets a pass.
@konklifer:
Jobs would get raked over the coals because his phone is on a craptacular 3G network. If the iPhone had ended up in Verizon’s hands at the end of it all, nobody would really care about lack of WiFi.
and still not official release date!
It’s official
http://www.blackberry.com/blackberrystorm/
Do you think the browser will be accessible in Wi-Fi hotspots or is Verizon just going to make it exclusively accessible with an internet access plan. I hope the same goes for the GPS on it too.
konklifer I totally agree. I love my Pearl, but the OS and browser are primitive. RIM needs to update those something fierce. But I love the new phones they are coming out with. Can’t wait for the Javelin.
It doesn’t who or what you are a fanboy of, anyone who looks at the industry with an open mind knows this thing is SMOKIN! Wow NICE! This will benefit EVERY fanboy as all companies will step up their game. Apple fans you will get your copy and paste and MMS sooner rather than later now. lol…
Thank you Verizon! They’ve famously lagged their competitors for years in terms of having the best handsets, but now – they’ve leapfrogged them all!
I’m kissing my trusty Treo 700p goodbye once the Storm is available!
Is there any confirmation from Verizon that they will disable GPS capabilities in the unit in favor of the VZ Navigator? The screenshots show VZNavigator but the Blackberry Storm publication tells what the device is capable of. I am assuming that Verizon will try to continue squeezing as much cash out of us as possible.
So this is just a consumer device? Without wi-fi, I can’t see many corporations switching to this device. Getting 1x-ev signals inside buildings is quite difficult hence the need for wi-fi.
“Anyone notice that there isn’t tri-band HSDPA at all?”
None of the specs for the Verizon version I have seen had said anything about Tri-Band for HSPA.. Just CDMA RevA, Quad Band GSM, and UMTS2100.
“blah Said:
So this is just a consumer device? Without wi-fi, I can’t see many corporations switching to this device. Getting 1x-ev signals inside buildings is quite difficult hence the need for wi-fi.”
Supporting a Global corporation on their USA headquarters campus, I have to dissagree with your statement.
None of my blackberry users feel the need for Wi-Fi. None of those with a 8120, 8320 or 8820 are making use of its Wi-Fi.
I know the BGR team hasn’t officially thrown out pics of having a Storm (though it wouldn’t surprise me if ones playing hot potato between the team as we speak) so maybe you all might be able to answer this:
I know that Haptic Feedback is done through the Immersion Corporation, but is it just the same type as what you find on the touch screen razrs or has it been specialized in some way for the upcoming Storm?
“b.N Said:
I know that Haptic Feedback is done through the Immersion Corporation, but is it just the same type as what you find on the touch screen razrs or has it been specialized in some way for the upcoming Storm?”
I don’t know that the Storm has Haptic Feedback.
“Click Through”, which the Storm does have, is not Haptic Feedback. Its completely different.
Haptic simulates a feeling of pressing a key by making a vibration or such… Click Through is actually pressing the screen and feeling it actually indent like pressing a real button…
Are you high? In an office setting who needs WiFi?? You should have a frickin laptop or at the very least desktop in front of you with a dedicated internet connection. If anything I think most employers would not want you playing with your toy (Iphone, a toy but a very nice toy) while you are supposed to be working. And while RIM’s traditional qwerty setups are nice, and the Storms looks incredible, you can type infinitly faster on a traditional laptop. So you can’t make the argument that doing work in the office on a mobile is efficient.
Wifi is important to many users. Consumer and business alike. If you think that EVDO Rev anything is as good as wifi then you are sadly mistaken. It does help to have better 3G coverage, but RIM devices have been known to be slow on EVDO and wifi due to the OS and the slow processors. Wifi may not be necessary for you but to some of us, it’s inexcusable that RIM failed to put it on a Flagship device such as this. I say RIM failed but it was more likely VZW that forced them to exclude it. I already have mine reserved through business channels for launch day but it’s going to have to be one heck of a device for me to consider keeping it over the iPhone.
To those that say the iPhone is a toy, I really don’t get how you consider a device that is a smartphone in every way including push email through Exchange to be a toy? I run an IT department for a national chain of banks and I can tell you I wouldn’t use it if it were merely a toy. LG Vu, Voyager, Dare, Sidekicks, etc. Those are toys. And not very fun ones. At least when you WANT to use your device for play, nothing can touch the iPhone.
Even as someone who prefers WM I have to say this is one impressive looking device and if I was inclined to use a Blackberry would definitely consider this device. Looks slick, and nice take on the touchscreen and virtual buttons. Hope it sells well for RIM.