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?
Thank you Kevin, that’s what I am talking about. I bought 2 (wife and I), and love it. Trust me, the ones who are struggling either need to reload the OS or learn the tips/tricks to get around better, or read the user guide to understand how the device works. Better yet chew gum, talk and scratch and the same time first. My friend was complaining about something that he couldn’t do, then I showed him the tip to do it then he said, OHHHH. If you don’t know how to use it, learn. The only thing wrong is the lag, and that will improve shortly. If you only knew how much worse it was 1 month ago, you would know it will improve. Be patient.
Why are so many people so confident that the lag can be fixed via a patch? My notebook runs slow no matter how many times I patch Vista. Obviously RIM isn’t MS, but there must be a limit to how much performance gain is possible by software optimization. Are there previous situations where a Blackberry was a dog when it came out but got much faster after a patch?
If I were research in motion, I would figure out a way to sue your ass for your “theory” and the damage it did to my product. Downgrading the OS. I would also go after every publication that posted or referred to your missinformation. I hope you get nailed.
Wow! I got a Bold, was actually tossing up whether to wait for the Storm to come to Aus. Might end up being glad I didn’t go for the storm! LOL!
Ok then. Why is there such short supply when RIM and Verizon both swore there would not be a shortage at launch.
I call BS on RIM’s part. Sounds like they are trying to cover. I switched to Verizon 2 months ago and had 3 Voyagers that were all JUNK! So I thought maybe the Storm was for me. I checked it out in the store last Friday and I was very unimpressed. Talk about a laggy POS! It was confused the whole time as to what orientation it should be in and just lagged with every single button push. I switched back to At&t, got a Bold and I coldnt be happier! BOLD FTW!
I don’t get.
Can somebody explain again why the Storm does not have wi-fi?
The vzw HTC touch-pro, xv6800, and samsung saga all have wi-fi, so why did they leave it out (not even put the chip on the board!) of the Storm?
Does anyone think next-gen Storm will have wi-fi?
i think u guys all sounded like idiots bashing RIM for doing this and it was false… How do u feel about that?
@wk
Why dosen’t the government sue everyone for their conspiracy theroies about the JFK assasination, or NASA sue everyone who thinks we never went to the moon?? Obviously you are a moron so shut you mouth.
I think you guys are idiots for buying a Storm period.
When I went into my local Verizon store to see when the next shipment of Storms was coming in, the manager told me that Verizon told him “soon” and that there was a delay due to software updates that they are rolling out. The email that he received also said not to alert customers to this fact. Seems that the next wave of Storms should have an updated OS.
“Hello my name is RIM, and I don’t know the first thing about public relations”
Instead of just playing along and being like yes we will have an update out soon… they said OH NO WE MADE IT A PIECE OF SHIT AND YOU ALL BOUGHT IT…have fun thanks bai
not to mention the whole time it said…”THEORY NOT OFFICIAL STATEMENT”
I think it’s far more likely that the device shipped with the right OS and Verizon didn’t like something about the device.
You think RIM dropped wi-fi etc from this device as a design choice? Hardly. Little doubt that Verizon didn’t want wi-fi.
This will be a Verizon mess up – not RIM.
One thing I’d bet on – there never was a security flaw. These devices are built from the ground up with security in mind.
Now this is why ATT delayed releasing the bold. When we waited with our tongues lagging and prayed for a release date – these glitches were being fixed
Verizon should have copied that…
It seems to me that BG actually did RIM/Verizon a favor by at least floating a credible explanation for the problems. RIM/Verizon should have taken the “gift” he gave them and used it to buy them some time to actually get out corrected software. What they have now done is shoot him down and therefore in doing so are saying that this junk was released just as they intended for it to be! How stupid was that?
I personally have the sneaking suspicion that the problems are beyond software and may well be hardware related or certainly partially so. If that’s the case then everybody who’s got one with issues basically has a brick of a paperweight and that’s the end of it. Lesson learned I suppose.
I’ve personally been with Verizon from day one over 15 years ago and I’m finally hoping to AT&T for the Bold. Enough is enough.
I got my Storm at 8:00am on the 21st, and have nothing to prove or disprove. I am not commenting on the device – I’ll save that for the appropriate place and time. I owned an iPhone, and I currently own an iPhone 3g, Curve 8830, and multiple pearls as well – I am either not a fanboy or a fanboy of both. Whatever.
Here is the situation all based on fact – not rumor.
I know for a fact that there are well over 122,000 Storms sitting in the warehouse as I type this. There are absolutely no shortage issues whatsoever.
None of them are shipping anywhere – yet.
This is the unconfirmed assumption and the reasoning behind it:
If there were a significant, show-stopping hardware problem, they would not be telling us the Storm will resume shipping no later than December 8th. The only thing they really have time to do to 120k+ phones before then is re-flash with better code. Companies do it all the time…
These companies (RIM and VZW) are in damage control mode. Whether they have done a good job at that is another issue.
At a discounted price of 199.00 ea, how long do you think VZW wants to sit on that inventory? How long do you think RIM wants VZW to sit on that inventory?
With holidays approaching rapidly, that stock in the warehouse is semi-perishable. Excitement and demand will slow after the holidays.
With all that being said, and having been through this before, anyone would think that there will be code in short order.
Why wouldn’t they just sell the 122,000 units and let the customers reflash online or at a VZW store after when it’s available? They are not holding back 122,000 units for an update. I have one and it’s fine. Not perfect, but works perfectly well. I’m going to update it when the download is available and I’m sure others that want the phone would rather get it now and reflash when it’s available. I don’t know about your theory capt’n. Better call Count Chocula for a second onpion.
yes, there will be a MR1 software release for the storm in December. it will be available as a download OTA. BIS users can defer the upgrade to a later date or reject the upgrade completely. BES users are left up to the BES administrator as far as the software update goes. it will resolve a long list of issues that have been reported with the device including intermittent reboots when the device goes idle. the software update requires at least 50% battery charge or for the device to be plugged in to power. the device will be unusable during the update process which can last up to 2 hours. any questions?
^^^^^^ this guy is full of it
As I said Frank, I have nothing to prove. The inventory figure is not speculation or rumor. It is fact. Saw it in the system with my own eyes.
The rest of my post is speculation/theory as I clearly stated.
I think we should start a movement to make them take back their sucky phones. i canceled my plan to go to verizon just to get this phone, and then i end up with this sh$t….nah man, that aint cool at all.
This is a smart comment. I’m not sure why a) so many people think firmware will solve all problems, b) it’s OK to ship crap and fix it later.
Unfortunately it has become a standard operating procedure. Not telling the truth. It seems to be the corporate way. Lie, Lie, spin, and cover up as necessary so corporate execs get their bonus.
The corporate matra is sell, sell, sell. We have to get our bonus at any cost. Sell, Sell, Sell. Keep advertising, keep selling, keep our bonus coming.
10man