FCC approves GSM-only Blackberry Storm
All ye’ faithful Blackberry fans hear this: the GSM-only Blackberry Storm has passed through the FCC! That’s right, Bold folks are just hours away from officially snagging their devices (if they didn’t already get it on Nov 2) and Verizon Storm people are still anxiously waiting, but the GSM Storm news has already hit the masses before the latest and greatest hits the streets. This version is apparently only going to sport GSM and WCDMA 2100, not CDMA like the World Phone that is going to be out soon. Here are some specs for the device, practically the same as the Storm 9500, which is what Vodafone is currently offering:
- 1GB of memory, 192MB RAM
- 1400 mAhr battery. Standby time: 528 hours
- MicroUSB port
- MicroSD and MicroSDHC expandable up to 8GB
- 3.2 megapixel camera, flash, 2.5x digital zoom, auto focus, and image stabilization
- Video capture. Normal mode (480×320) and MMS mode (176×144)
- Assisted GPS – Enhanced version of GPS that performs at a faster speed
- Quad-band
It doesn’t look like it will be supporting tri-band HSDPA, however, so it’s highly doubtful at this point, if it is just like the Vodafone 9500, that it will be able to get 3G on AT&T’s network because it’s only a quad-band GSM phone with WCDMA 2100. So, what do you guys think? Is all this Blackberry news just making you go crazy with anticipation and anxiety?
Thanks to everyone that sent this in!
@Kiwi
Did you read the complete post?
I wouldn’t wonder if you get some folks angry out there.
But anyhow that thing is getting to political, just toss a damn HSPDA Chip in there and everbody is happy.
Just toss a HSPDA Chip in that phone and all of us are sitting happy around the X-Mas Tree.
So the ? still is… will it run on At&t network? edge or 3g?
Tone Bone, and all the other folks struggling with reading comprehensions:
The Storm models 9500 and 9530 DO NOT have AT&T 3G.
So the answers:
1) An unlocked Storm potentially can run on AT&T on Edge but NOT on 3G
2) An unlocked Storm potentially can run on T-Mobile on Edge but NOT on 3G.
i’ve been rocking my bold for hours!!!!!
what storm?
the bold is incredible im not waiting for no storm
Too bad. I would have bought that one, too, most likely. Then again, the XPERIA X1 will actually be better.
Blackberry Bold 4.6.0.167, bought for a ridiculous deal on 11/3. Wooohoo! How do I tether with it is my only concern…;)
sitting in a t-mo inventory room right now and I aint seening no neww blackberrys laying atround besides the flippin flip…
Is it THAT hard to use a tri-band UMTS chipset?
Fail, RIM. Fail.
i know it has been answered quite a few times…but still i have my doubts
i have t-mobile and i am not going anywhere so that means if i buy the verizon storm unlocked i can still use it in tmobile but without 3g?
i know 3g it’s faster but i am use to the edge so i really wouldn’t care…
so again…can i unlock it and use it in tmobile?
Thanks Canis. Could you do a little less scarcasm? Lol.
T-Mobile has a new blackberry coming out in January..its confirmed..which one you ask, now that I don’t know. Its either the Javelin, Bold or maybe this sexy GSM version of the Storm..who knows..my Store manager attended some RIM event and actually told us about it. Let’s see what happens!..also look out for a T-Mobile February release of the Samsung Pixon..saw it myself in person, t-mobile branded with the myFaves logo on the back..back to bberries..can’t wait for the new one from t-mobile!
Also, no WiFi?
I want to SLAP idiots at tmobile corporate AND RIM. What in the muther FCUK?? Why would you roll service for 3G out then IGNORE all the beyond-first-gen (eh hem, android presently sucks, I have two, I’d konw) handsets??? I need to find the decision maker at RIM and punch that fvckwad right square in the face and follow each bone cracking punch with one staggered word building to the question as to WHY they’d have THREADED in their FVCKING BBIM but NOT for SMS (native – thanks the 3rd party app sucks because they don’t have an open OS)!? How much fvcking longer can they ‘play stupid’ for? ???? Why is this whole “supposed” techno industry cutting edge with the right hand and using lopsided wheels, cuneiform writing and a bird pecking holes in a scantron on the left? Can SOMEONE make sense of the elective ignorance that runs this whole sham of a technology sector? ??? AT LEAST microsoft has REASONS for the duration of their problems. Like RIM doesn’t have the resources or awareness to just SELL a 3G tmobile handset??? Its not like they have to ask permission! Why would they now allow a consumer to choose between dogsh1t SMS sorted by time vs iPhones threaded, NATIVE, FROM THE SAME CARRIER! I hope they suffer losses for that. PLEASE consumers! And while I’m mentioning that, remember – the bold CRASHES, no android style app options (hello Shazam, ID a track for free, and then give you youtube options and download choices (integrate limewire anyone?!! Where ya at RIM!? ) I’m getting disgusted with all these scheduled failures that take months to launch. I should get a freakin samsung flip phone.
BGR,
Will this GSM Storm have WiFi?
Q
So much hate and ignorance in this thread…
Doesn’t matter. No WiFi, No 3G, No Deal. Anybody who markets a smartphone without supporting the fastest data modes available should be slapped silly. DOuble if the Death Star and TMo neutered the phone for US operations.
I sure hope they change these Specs and include Wifi with all the hate Verizon’s version got for allegedly crippling it.
@DavidB
Well said my friend… more ignorance than anything.
I’m torn! I would really like to get this device, but all this talk of the things getting left out,(WiFi, 3G), it’s not worth it. Also the price! Just imagine what it will cost without the breaks by the major carriers!?! It’s not enough for me to hope for. I’ll pass. The IP3G looks more pleasing to me…
Why would they run this by the FCC? Is that needed for people using phones from overseas while visiting the US?
Seems like the specs don’t allow for any US GSM 3G coverage so its likely not going to be sold by any US GSM carriers. If its not sold in the US does it still need to pass the US FCC? Forgive my ignorance on FCC rules.
Handled this baby recently at the airport as the guy in front of me was a Verizon exec who let me play with the phone
It is fantastic… 3g or not I am getting a no commitment unlocked one and taking it to use on my t-mo
Between this and the Touch Diamond/Pro situation, isn’t Verizon officially the laughingstock of the holiday season?
I mean… wow. You almost have to try to fuck up this badly.
Orga Nov 3, 2008 @ 7:44 pm
Orga, by trying to fuck up do you mean like AT&T announcing the Bold & not releasing for months? At least Verizon recently made the official Storm announcement so they have about 3 months before they reach AT&T fuck up territory.
For the record, the holiday season hasn’t started so its a little early to tell what company will be the laughing stock. But its safe to say since Verizon hasn’t made an official announcement of release date or pricing they won’t be in the running to miss expectations.
Well at least not expectations from the normal buying consumer. People that obsess over blogs full of unofficial information don’t count. Those people loose their perspective fast… like you thinking Verizon has become a Holiday laughing stock before holiday shopping has started and before there is even an official Storm release date.
Will this phone come to US Cellular? They carry BB’s but not sny new ones that have been released by other companies. I do not know If i could by an unlocked one and Use it on USCC.
So who is going to sell this GSM spec. storm w~o WiFi, and 3G in the US and aprox. how much?