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?
I think that statement is bullshit, but whatever. Whats done is done. I’m more interested in when they are gonig to release an update to fix the bugs.
It was a good try rim……..but i dont buy it. Something just seems a bit fishy
What in the hell? So they have effectively dashed hopes of a stable OS being in existence just around the corner. SHIT.
Im calling shenanigans also
Why would Verizon be up late on the 20th flashing devices with a OS that Voda shipped with a week before……..
@ mach1n3
Exactly. VZW never surprises me with some of the highly touted yet disappointing devices they launch… Chocolate 1 and 2, original Moto Q (AKA the Boomerang because it always found it’s way back to the store), etc.
But RIM?!? Really? The fact that they could release a device as good as the Bold then release this? Especially with all of the hype? Wow….
@GT
dont be stupid
I’m just happy my order was never processed….Never thought I would be happy about my initial order never going through….Thanks VZW for having your systems crash when they did.
RIM that is pure BS I don’t believe you for one second. Now i believe that there was a security issue since there wasn’t…well, there is but that’s not here or there. RIM go back to CANADA and take your girly men with you, you pansy Frenchies.
IMHO – I think BG made more sense than RIM did. I’m hoping this doesnt mean there wont be an OS update for the storm in the very near future. I like this phone a lot but it needs it badly. There are too many problems with features that work flawless on every other blackberry. I think they should also be working on an equivalent to iphone 2.0 update to address the different features needed for a touchscreen blackberry – they basically made tiny adjustments to make the Bold OS work on a touchscreen. This phone is capable of so much more
I don’t fully buy their press release. My storm has platform 4.0.0.76, not 4.0.0.82. Either they messed it up in the stores or in the press release. Either way, they still need to work out a few kinks in the OS.
When I picked up my phone on Friday (Eugene, OR), I was handed a slip of paper with upgrade instructions and was told by the service rep that I would be getting a text message later in the day notifying me that an upgraded operating system was available for download…still waiting. So don’t give up, it is out there and will be coming in the near future.
If .65 is the official firmware release, how can they explain the .71 (or was it .75 I forget now) on the in store demo units?
Regardless of the explanation the current build is terrible and the UI is an embarrassment to RIM. If you are a bberry faithful (I used to be until I bought the Storm), get a Bold. I took my Storm back and am now using an iPhone and am happy.
I just Updated my OS
and my storm run fast now.
Its on the website
Legolus
@BGR
You know I dig your site. I’m just bustin your balls. Relax boo.
I wish one of them just came out with a statement saying we screwed up. Whoever it was just cop to the screw up. It would make me feel a whole lot better when I do decide about purchasing this phone.
well. thats a good thing that i didnt wake up and wait in line haha.
but what i did was just wait about two days after the release and then i just preordered a storm at verizon store and now theyre gonna send me a storm in the mail to my house with the updated software. so i guess i can wait a couple more days
Stop all the VZW and RIM bashing. The Storm is the best phone ever. It cures world hunger, saves the seals, stops global warming, and saves lives. RIM and VZW lives will be better when you buy the Storm.
No one needs WiFi, the Storm screen is loose no way, there is no way there was anything but the PERFECT OS that is on this PERFECT device.
I saw the lines. It is popular. That is all that matters. Stop complaining or I will debate you and attack you.
What OS update? The one on Verizon’s site has been there for three days?
I love Verizon and was looking forward to this phone. Its really useless, slow slow and slower!
Weird, my storm works just fine. Barely any issues or bugs. Hasn’t crashed once since Friday morning, and I’ve been using it non-stop.
The biggest issue I’ve found so far is that the accelerometer turns my Word Mole and Brickbreaker games sideways, so I can’t play them. Thats the *only* issue that I haven’t been able to fix by waiting 1 second or less.
I’m upset that google maps and the mySpace app haven’t been updated for it yet, so they only work in portrait. Facebook works fine.
Viigo (best app ever) also isn’t released for Storm yet.
oh, but back on topic. I totally believe this because… I have no reason not to. It totally makes sense.
Why was verizon up late on Nov 20 flashing devices? Because they could! And, doing a last minute update means they have all that extra time to change/test the release OS.
Think about it, if they shipped the phone with the OS that was final, it would have probably taken at least a week away from Development.
Yes, the storm has a few issues, but it’s far from unacceptable. it works fine and future updates will make it even better.
I like the write up here but there are several concerns. I am privy to three Storms (my relatives also pick one up) purchased from there different stores. One in Florida and two in Tennessee. I have yet to confirm the OS’s on 2 of these devices but mine does have the sticker ending in .65 and is running the platform .82. All is great but here is the kicker… if there was an error in printing why does my box have .86 underneath the .65 sticker? Is all this information provided really inaccurate? Could you explain how .86 plays into this conspiracy theory that is being dubbed untrue?
TOTALLY don’t believe it!
Glad to see Dante has apologized to BG. It really matters little if the theory was right or not. What matters is BG was 100% right about all the problems with the phone and all the other pro reviews back him up. I’m washing my hands in getting the Storm. I’ll either wait for a similar Verizon item to show up (hopefully soon) or I’ll hop to AT&T for the Bold. I would prefer the Bold came to Verizon though. What a mess.