The real story behind the Verizon BlackBerry Storm OS?
I want to preface this by saying that the following statements are my opinions and hypotheses, and have not be confirmed nor denied by any of sources of mine or official contacts at either corporation. It should serve as a nice little “conspiracy theory,” though. Here’s the deal:
- When we met with Verizon and RIM about the Storm, we asked about the software version. They confirmed it to be 4.7.0.65. We had heard otherwise, just like most of you, and didn’t understand why that OS version was so low when versions up to .90 were being talked about, and some demo units in stores showing .75 or higher.
- We believed this to be a non-final OS and was partly why we thought the OS would get better before release.
- We reported of a Storm shortage last night because of a last minute glitch.
- We think that 4.7.0.82, the version of the Storm box I got from Verizon directly was the cause of the glitch, and instead of a new version being flashed on Storms, what they were in fact doing was downgrading the OS to 4.7.0.65.
Now, why would we say that Verizon has downgraded these units? Do we know this for a fact? Absolutely not, and we said that above. None of this has been confirmed to us at all, but here’s the kicker… check on your Verizon BlackBerry Storm box where the product label is. It should say Version: 4.7.0.65, right? Well, after looking at a box from a Verizon store just now, I noticed a couple layers of stickers. I decided to peel those off, and what did I find? A product label underneath with version 4.7.0.82! So, they realized that there was possibly a huge security vulnerability they couldn’t fix in time, started flashing the units with the .65 software in order to not miss the release date, thus the cause of the shortages, the limited stock, and the direct fulfillment units not shipping until December the 5th. Go ahead, you know you want to peel back those product labels with yellow stickers! Let us know in the comments, ok? The pictures are after the break!
HAAHAHA…man…
Try 12/15. With limited availability until then.
http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/11/22/blackberry-storm-shipments-delayed-due-to-apparent-version-glitc/
I looked at the Storm at the local store here and they had the zip tie on so tight that the screen wouldn’t click when you used it. I talked to em about it and they agreed and actually cut off the zip tie, after this it worked 100% better. At first I thought it was a POS but after they cut off the really really tight zip tie it worked alot better.
Its interesting how the simple application of pressure on the side makes the screen not work…
I got my Storm yesterday, cominfg from am 8830. First thought – I hated it. The trackball and hard keys are so much easier to use. what took a couple of rolls and a click now takes 5 or 6 steps clicking all over the screen. I have now used it fora a day and I must say I am getting used to it. The Suretype is very accurate. The OS seems to be getting faster the more that I use it. Also, in the settings there is now a choice to wirelessly upgrade the operating system. I searches to see if there is an an update, which it does not say there is at this time. Hopefully this is how Verizon will get us the new OS version. All in all, I expect that I will be returning this and going back to my old blackberry with the hard keys and trackball but I am going to givethis the 30 day tryout to see if I can learn to live with it.
I got a confirmation email with order number. My friend received his today he ordered 3 hours after me. So I have no idea what is going on.
I got a Storm yesterday and it works great. Not slow… Not buggy….yet
I purchased a Storm from the Verizon Wireless website at 4:00 p.m. on November 21st. I just received an e-mail update with my FedEx tracking number. I should receive my phone on Monday, 11/23/2008. Because I order the phone late in the afternoon, I was expecting an early December delivery. Verizon has exceeded expectations in this case.
I spoke with a VZW rep over the phone today regarding my order that I placed yesterday at 1:58PM PST exactly. She told me that they are trying to ship out all orders placed on Friday by Tuesday the 25th, so that would mean I could possibly have my Storm by Wednesday with overnight shipping or Friday the latest. =)
Opps,
BlackBerry Storm shipments delayed due to apparent version glitch:
http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/22/blackberry-storm-shipments-delayed-due-to-apparent-version-glitc/
Guess it is a Stormy release!
I cant wait for Bell to get this device with a fully functional, operational, non glitchy/buggy, error message popping OS.
Thank you Verizon for ensuring I get a better device!
i went into my local store yesterday and fig. they would be sold out, which they were. today we called customer service and ordered one to come back the 15th (hopefully). i was shopping with my family later today and my brother made me go into a little best buy mobile store to look at the new itouch. we were messing around with it and i saw they had a dummy model of the storm. i asked when they were getting their next shipment (fig. they’d for sure be out) and they said that they had gotten 6 that morn ready to go out! they called and verizon wouldnt let me get it cuz im not eligible for an upgrade until friday, but we put down a little deposit and the guy locked it in a safe and im guranteed it when i get back in town! look around the nice little local stores!
I also went into the store on Friday, was told my phone would be here today (Saturday) and did not receive it. I called the store because the customer service department can’t look up store orders “different system” I was told and the store said it should arrive Wednesday.
I think it is interesting that they cannot provide a tracking number, order number or confirmation number.
Honestly I’m surprised that RIMM let this happen. They are usually a lot more conservative with these kinds of issues.
Maybe Verizon pressured them not to delay the launch.
I waited an eternity for the bold to be released, but I’m glad they spent the extra time taking care of the issues it had. My Bold works extremely well, no bugs, and its fast.
Bought a Storm, just one label, works good to great. Sure they will be coming out with software upgrades soon, just like all the rest of the carriers. My Storm is quite fast, no need for WiFi. Grow up, if you need to surf the net at the coffee shop…buy a laptop. I like a good phone, good email, with a few extras…..not a toy.
Oh I’m glad everyone out there is just so perfect…Right.
I stopped by a Verizon store on Friday and played with the Storm just to see what it was like. The one I played with seemed slow and the screen orientation changed a couple of times when it seemed to me that it shouldn’t have. Gestures seems a little sluggish too. I kind of wrote it off to folks playing all day, changing settings, and maybe the phone just need to be completely reset. Based on what I’ve read here that it appears the Storm is not quite ready for prime time.
RE: STORM A
SHOW ME A PHONE THAT HAS THE 20+LISTED ITEMS… I WILL PAYPAL U MONEY FOR YOUR TIME AND EFFORT!
I read everything in the comments and laugh in shame for all.
Firstly… On July 11th when the iPhone 3G came out… It was sold out. People didnt complain.
Secondly, iTunes went down. People complained a bit.
Thirdly, firmware 2.0 and 2.0.1 and 2.0.2 still had bugs galore. People didn’t complain.
Fourth, 3G issues and white hair line cracks… A little bit of complaints…
Fifth… Call drops/Call connection problems and safari issues!
Now 5 months after launch it seems the iPhone is getting better… This is Day 1 for Blackberry Storm… Give it 5 months and I am sure it will be where the iPhone is! They both where rushed out with us been the BETA Testers!
So Shut up and live with it…
I buy phones like food. I had the MDA. great for many things, sinked with my tom tom for live traffic no problem. upgraded to the Wing. wouldn’t sink with tom tom and neither MDA, nor Wing supported certain video files like You Tube (wtf). they are both great phones for internet, mms, sms, talking. the wing is FAR better than the Iphone. just not as fancy. I have a sidekick. great email, and the danger network is the best there is. they store ALL info input into your device from notes to contacts. you lose your phone, get a new one and all info will be restored. I ordered the Storm 11/21 in CC with a ship date of 12/5. regardless of the OS, I loved the demo for what the phone does (plays you tube). my point….no ONE phone does it all. you need 3 phones. im keeping 1 phone line with Tmobile, switching the other to Verizon, and the sidekick will share the sim with the Wing. MDA was stolen. all was lost. can’t wait for the Storm! sounds like a category 5!!!!!
First this is a pretty cool site. I had never been here today until I saw a link off of phonescoop.com. I actually own a Verizon store in the Bay Area. And I’m so glad we didn’t get our phones on Friday as promised. This was actually a bleasing. Now I know what to expect and can give an informed response as problems come up. From all reports that I have the independent Verizon stores will get Blackberry Storms next week. Most of the vendors that I go through have the Storms in stock but are having to reload the Firmware. This is what’s causing the delay. So check around next week. Specifically next Friday. We have known this for two months now that this was in fact the day that the Storm would be readily available. Unfortunetly this software issue has popped up and is going to cause some headaches. But Verizon has too much invested in this and I’m sure they will get it right with a patch very very soon.Also if I hear anything I will check the post and inform what already hasn’t been already said before. I really do hope they get it right. I’ve been waiting for this device for two years now and selling against the iphone has been tough. ,People are stupid crazy over that thing. With the exception of one phone all we have gotten is half assed concoctions that can come close but either lack some critical piece,or is just a piece altogether. And the shame of it all is the fact that AT&T got the iphone before Verizon did. Not a good move on Verizons part. The iphone is way cool but the service is a complete joke. And having to go to Apple or a Direct AT&T store for a phone? Come on now Apple get over your arrogant self. That company is about one thing and one thing only. Taking your money and stuffing you down a silo so you can’t get out. Wake up! Sorry for the rant! But my replacement Ipod just took a crap again and the last one it replaced caught on fire and almost burned my office down. Nice
@MarcoR
The first iPhone was stable, from top to bottom when it launched.
And you don’t understand the reason behind people complaining. They’re not complaining because it sold out; they’re complaining that it’s sold out because RIM and Verizon decided to downgrade every unit in their inventory to an unstable OS at the last minute, which also artificially constrained available inventory. This situation is entirely RIM and Verizon’s making, and they should be criticized for it. (Just like Apple should be, and was, criticized for 2.0, as well as for the iTunes issues on launch day)
You realize it’s pointless to photoshop out the printed numbers from the label if you leave the barcode, right? Is the idea just to look cool and secretive? Because lots of software will easily decode the barcode back to the very numbers you’ve removed.
could this be why when i plug it in and it says updates available but when i go to install it tells me there are no updates?
@Damien
“The iPhone is on version 2(3G) with 2.2 software out, now that is sad!”
Isn’t your storm on 4.7.065? And itsn’t it going to get another software update in about two weeks? The iPhone has been on the market about a year and a half and is only on 2.2 (which 1.XX didn’t even go all the way to 2.0). So shut your pie hole. Updates are meant to fix phones. I’m sure your storm will have many to come
Oh, and I played with this guys Storm at a party last night. It was exactly how bad BG said it was. He went to open up the camera app… I waited about 10 seconds, pulled out my iphone and opened my camera before his did. The browser sucks. Srcolling sucks. And typing is a pain. It’s a work out to press those keys. I’ll keep my iPhone 3G any day. I wouldn’t have a Storm if you gave it to me
The iPhone updates have added more features not just fixed bugs. RIM has never done that with their firmware updates. The Storm will have to get updates and they will be bug fixes only!
The software will be able to be upgraded wirelessly. No need to go into the store. under options, advanced options…scroll all the way down and there should be an option for wireless upgrade. When you open it you can check for updates. I did the ones in my store from .61 to .65. Very simple.
IF THIS REALLY DID HAPPEND WHICH IT ACTUALLY DOES MAKE SENSE, VERIZON SHOULDVE PUSHED THE DATE BACK, IT SEEMS LIKE BLACKBERRY IS FOLLOWING IN APPLES EXACT FOOTSTEPS WITH WHAT HAPPEND WITH THE IPHONE AND ITS SOFTWARE PROBLEMS. THIS SEEMS LIKE IT WAS 1 OF THE WORST LAUNCH DATES FOR A PHONE SINCE THE IPHONE 3G DOESNT IT? IN CALIFORNIA IT SEEMS AS THOUGH IF A VERIZON, CIRCUIT CITY OR BESTBUY HAD THE STORM THEY PROBABLY ONLY HAD ABOUT 4 PHONES FOR EACH STORE. WHAT KINDA LAUNCH IS THAT? AT LEAST APPLE AND ATT STORES HAD 100X MORE THAN THAT ON LAUNCH.