Verizon announces BlackBerry Storm release date, November 21st, $199
At least y’all will have to wait less, not longer, right? We’re finally allowed to publish what the BlackBerry world has been waiting for — the official release date for the BlackBerry Storm. November 21st is the date that shall live in infamy. Well, not really, but you get the point! So… does this mean any Joe Six-pack or Joe The Plumber can walk into a Verizon Wireless store and get a Storm? Yes sir! The 21st is the general availability date and that includes corporate stores, telesales, online, etc. The price? $199 like we’ve said all along. That’s after a $50 MIR, but hey, do you really care at this point? Nope. We’re also told stock levels will be enormous, so there shouldn’t be any issue getting a unit on launch day. Just don’t come cryin’ to us if some pimple-faced adolescent manages to grab the last one right before you. Let’s quickly recap so there is no confusion:
- November 21st
- $199
Thank you and good night (or good day, for you folks on the other side of the world).
Don’t go hoping they will let you use your new every two early. My brother was at a Verizon store this week, two days before his new every two was up, and they told him he had to wait two more days.
So funny! I’m being released. Thanks for the update BG.
Probably the easiest way to get an upgrade would be to call and tell them you want to cancel your service. They will do ANYTHING to retain your business…
On Nov 13, 2008 @ 3:05 am, zmooseman Said:
Finally!!! I cannot wait to get my hands on this device! The only thing that I am really concerned about is the speed of software as well as ease of use for the people in my company. But it is good to have some meat finally.
What? Your boyfriend wasn’t good enough?
I will be switching over from US Cellular since I moved to another state i just didnt want to pay them the early disconnect fee. My questions.
1. What are the monthly plans? Are they same as the current plans on Verizon?
2. What is the cost of the activation?
3. Do you have to pay the first months bill up front?
I havent bought a new cell in two years and cant remember what i did when i got home from Korea and got my first one two years ago. This will be my first BB.
This was all expected, more or less. What I want to know is this: are the kinks worked out? Given the trashing this phone got at the LA release party, what we need is BGR, Engadget, etc. to score a production model BEFORE the 21st, so we can tell whether it’s even worth worrying about. Given the price discrepancy between this, the Bold and the Fuze, if it works, I’m switching to the dreaded Verizon rather than re-upping with ATT.
What is with the crappy renewal policy at ATT? I’ve been with them for years, and all you get at the end of your contract is the priviledge of being treated like a new customer.
The Bold sure had a short time in the spotlight.
Sorry AT&T, but you deserved it…
Finally! I can’t wait… and it’s very possible to have an iPhone killer without Wi-Fi… IT’S ABOUT THE NETWORK! What good is crappy Big Blue when they drop calls, have piss poor 3G reception that runs sometimes at the speed of GPRS, and have to rely on Wi-Fi to make the phone work the way Apple intended. Sorry, but this Apple fanboy is going Storm.. but still loving my MacBook Pro
. Now if RIM can release a Mac Desktop Manager or allow OS upgrades OTA we’d be set.
What happened to “Sign up and be the first to know when the Storm will be released” message on the VZW website? Anyone get an e-mail yet?
I see they are also listing it on their home page as the 21st. I figured once they put it up on the web they would also e-mail me. WTF!
I called VZW yesterday, and raised a minor rucus since the trackball on my pearl is fading fast. My NE2 was not up until July ‘09, since I got the Pearl 11/07, and they said they could make an exception re promo pricing for the Storm but that they have to send me the phone, since it was up to each store to deal with how they wanted to handle making an exception for me…. i was told that the day it is in stock, it will be sent out to me. I suppose this was a pre-order. It was all a bit bizarre, but I went along with it since it would eliminate hassling wiht a store. I was actually curious as to whether this means I would actually receive it before launch day since, presumably, it needs to be in stock before it goes to the stores. I guess we’ll see, but, the long and short of it, is call VZW directly re your NE2 issues. I’m sure that VZW is going to be very eager to sell as many of these as possible.
Verizon also offers an ‘annual upgrade’ program for new phones -> http://support.vzw.com/faqs/Wireless%20Service/faq_worry_free_guarantee.html#item16
The new 2yr contract is end dated 2yrs from when you get your new phone, not end dated 2yrs after your current contract ends.
What about business will we get it a week early as has been in the past?
God Damm it! I’m really torn up on what to get…
The Storm does look sick, but I’ve got to hold it in my hand before I even make half a decision. I’ll say this, if it’s build quality is up to par with the iphone, and the keyboard feels every bit as real as they say it does, I’m in! If not, I’ll skip it!
finally we can stop hearing so much about that piece of crap iphone on that piece of crap at&t.. GO STORM! GO VERIZON!
sure, like the podcaster. Apple is the 4th reich when it comes to the app store
Question: I’ve only owned one phone before, have had it for four years, and used a leather case to protect it. For those who are experienced, should I purchase some sort of protective case (like an InvisbleSHIELD advertised earlier in the posting)? If so, what would people recommend?
FOR ALL YOU FOLKS THAT ARE SAD ABOUT HAVING TO WAIT UNTIL YOUR CONTRACT IS UP, YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT VZW WILL RENEW YOUR “NEW EVERY TWO” 6 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE OFFICIAL CONTRACT DATE. IT’S WAY FOR THEM TO KEEP THEIR PREVIOUS CUSTOMERS FROM ROAMING—–NO PUN INTENDED :p
MY CONTRACT IS UP IN FEB BUT I QUALIFIED TO RENEW THIS PAST OCT. WOOO HOOOO!! I’M GETTING MY RAIN GEAR BC A BIG STORM IS HEADING THIS AWAY—-AGAIN NO PUN INTENDED :p
Thanks BGR, are we still looking at $499-$520 for full retail?
Exactly 2 months after my birthday, happy belated birthday, now someone kick the economy in the a$$ so I don’t get buyers remorse.
This is what I’ve been waiting for. For those with the contract pricing ?s and whatnot you can pretty much call Verizon and have them answered or check their site with the blackberries they have now…that’ll tell you the data and contract prices and you just have to figure out the difference. I’m leaving town on the 21st so hopefully I can talk them into sending mine the day off or before I leave.
…Any word on retail pricing, i’m approx 6 mo into my contract, and really want to get rid of this pearl. They screwed me when they released the curve(after my 30 day trial period)and I really dont want to miss out on this one!
to mholland:
Just tried your route with both the consumer and biz line and got denied… they did confirm the 21st is the date, but they would not allow me to order the phone or confirm pricing for the annual upgrade since i am not eligible for NE2. They did mention a $20 fee for the annual upgrade, did you get this too?
Let’s sum up. Take the iPhone, then subtract full iTunes sync, the App Store (RIM’s is a joke), wi-fi, “polish,” decent media capabilities, a solid browser and built-in memory. Then add a “clickable” screen. Voilà! The Blackberry Katrina, er, Storm. Oh yeah, despite the reduced functionality above, it’s priced the same as the iPhone 3G. What a deal!
hmm let’s sum it up…Take the iPhone…add a keyboard that actually works…add functions of a smartphone such as MMS and copy and paste, a removable battery, better e-mail, better screen and better video viewing…price is the same as the iPhone and you have a WINNER!
If you are the primary line on the account you can actually get a new phone every 12 months and get the full 150 off. However this also comes with a new 2 year contract.