The real story behind the Verizon Storm OS? Part 2
So here’s the deal… by now, you’ve no doubt seen our theory on why the OS that shipped with the Verizon BlackBerry Storm was so low. We had all along thought that this OS was never actually intended to be released. While we ran our story on what we thought happened, we did make our best efforts to convey that the information published was nothing more than a theory from me personally, not from any of our official contacts, nor sources. We just received an official statement from RIM which effectively debunks our theory about the OS and the issues they faced prior to launch. Instead of commenting on the actual statement ourselves, we’ll let you. It’s after the jump, fellas and all my single ladies in the house!
1) The official code shipping with the BlackBerry Storm from Verizon Wireless is “v4.7.0.65 (Platform 4.0.0.82).” This information appears in the Options / About section on the handset. The first number (v4.7.0.65) is the software version that appears on the bar code sticker applied to the outside of the BlackBerry/Verizon Wireless box.
2) A limited batch of bar code stickers was initially printed with an incorrect software version number (the last two digits of the number was incorrectly listed as .82 instead of .65) and the stickers were applied to several thousand boxes. The error was detected early (and prior to launch) and new stickers with the correct software version number were printed and applied to the boxes over top of the incorrect stickers. Again, this only involved a relatively small batch of boxes.
3) There is not and never was a software version 4.7.0.82. A blogger noticed the incorrect sticker (underneath the correct sticker) on a box provided to him by Verizon Wireless and posted a “theory” suggesting (as a potential explanation for the second sticker) that the software may have been “downgraded” at the last minute and the blogger further speculated that this may have been due to a “security vulnerability”. It is very important to note that the blogger clearly and voluntarily stated upfront that it was only a theory. In fact, the blogger even described it as a “conspiracy theory” and wrote the following in his original post: “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.”
4) The theory was incorrect. A software version 4.7.0.82 has never existed and there was no such security vulnerability. Further, the software was not downgraded as incorrectly theorized. The simple explanation for the presence of two stickers on a relatively small batch of boxes is that a limited number of misprinted stickers were discovered on boxes prior to launch and were covered with new (correct) stickers.”
So, there you have it. Thoughts?
Tags: BlackBerry, correction, RIM, statement, storm, theory, update, Verizon
So when will we be offered a new OS update?
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This is supposed to help? At lease according to the theory we could understand problems with the software, which could be upgraded with the correct software. Now we see RIM/VZWS released their top phone with laggy software? how is this an improvement?
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……
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I’m not buying it.
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More importantly, were does it leave the credibility of our favorite ‘berry insider Crucial_Xtreme, who supported this theory, and who kept saying the Storm would launch with a stable OS?
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That storm really disappointed me. Now what? Bold? iPhone? Thoughts?
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Didn’t finish what I was about to say
Makes some sense but isn’t it a lil too late… to cover for the glitches
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so….they just had a shortage because they suck then….not because they actually tried to fix their own suck….
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Then what’s the explanation for the limited stock in stores and the delay until 12/15 for units ordered two days after launch day? The original press releases from Verizon assured plenty of inventory for the stores.
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Like Ari said, what comfort does that give those who actually would have purchased/have purchased the device had the phone been lag free?
While I wouldn’t consider myself a “fanboy”, I do (did?) believe RIM makes quality products. I was disappointed to discover the problems w/ the Storm and was hopeing BGR’s “conspiracy theory” was correct. I understand RIM’s press release may have just been a corporate CYA, but still, no comfort was given. In fact, its got me shopping for other phones.
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How much is RIM paying you to detract your theory?
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>That storm really disappointed me. Now what? >Bold? iPhone? Thoughts?
iPhone - Been there…done that
Bold.
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I am unsure if I believe that either. Does a precedent exist for the Platform and Software Version to be different? Do other blackberries and releases have two different or comparatively (on the flip side) close Platform and Software versions?
They just may be trying to save face with all the recent delays and software issues as of late.
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I dont buy it…..Tho I dont think if BGR was right that Rim would actually admit it anyways…
Ordered 2 Storms 11/21 @ 8am :(……
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@ Adam:
I agree, I would have been more understanding if they would have sent the phones back to get the OS flashed. How would the most important device that my company ever released in such short supply…
Here’s what I wonder about though, I work for big red and in the software release notes we have the most current S/W version as .92? So are we gonna see an update soon? Who knows at this point
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@Dante
Wait, first I’m on Apple’s payroll and I “bash all BlackBerrys,” and now I’m on RIM’s payroll? Good one there, Dante. Way to use those braincells to think of an engaging and well thought-out comment which will add value to the site.
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RIM is so full of shit! If this entire drama has only been about misprinted stickers, why the hell were all the stores re-flashing their devices the night before?! Clearly, RIM is dodging the real issue, which is that devices were shipped with poor code, albeit insecure code or slow-ass code.
Either way, thanks for taking the high road BG and letting us rip them for you.
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Rim really F’d this one all up. I love Blackberry and I hate admit that they dropped the ball, but the storm could have been so much better. Hate to use a cliche but patience is a virtue. I highly doubt that RIM or VZW SERIOUSLY believes this is an iPhone contender.
I’m not sure if it was VZW pushing RIM to release the Storm before RIM [in their opinion] perfected it or what, but we all got hoodwinked. Bamboozeled even.
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@BGR
I’m just not buying into it and frankly I don’t think you do either.
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In my opinion, while these are/were flying off the shelves, VZW was thinking (quoting Chappelle) “Gotchya bitches!”
$35 retocking fees are a mother.
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@Dante
It’s all good, and you can believe what you’d like to believe. But to suggest we posted this because of any ulterior motive is highly offending.
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Not buying it, I’m sure RIM was hoping the issue would go unnoticed, but when they started getting calls from informed (BGR) customers asking about the flash, they had to go into spin mode like a president caught with his cigar in the cookie jar.
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So, that means the current OS .65 just flat-out sucks — and that’s how it was *SUPPOSED* to function. Then the storm laggedy-lag-lags on purpose. Nice.
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this has conspiracy theory written all over it. I say, Elvis is still alive in area 51 and this OS also exists. Hahahah
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@liquid platinum
Actually I think Verizon would be willing to eat the restocking fee on this one. The devices are clearly defective in one way or another.
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