BlackBerry Storm rumor recap: Vodafone BES issues, software update, mass hysteria
We figured that instead of making you comb the internets trying to hunt down the latest information on the BlackBerry Storm, we’d compile a nice recap of sorts. Some of it is new exclusive information, and some of it is just other things that have been floating around. Let’s get into it…
- We’ve heard that Vodafone UK has absolutely no intention of selling the Storm to BES users until 2009. We’re not exactly clear on this (since the two Vodafone Storms we have were converted to a business BES account after purchase), but we believe it means that there will be no direct-to-business sales of the handset. Not that you couldn’t as an individual purchase one and simply add a BES plan and convert it to a business account. We’re told that the reason of the hold-up is that Vodafone is worried the device, with the on-going hardware and software issues, isn’t up to snuff for their corporate users.
- For more information on the issues with the Vodafone BlackBerry Storm, hit Vodafone’s forum. You’ll see an enormous amount of complaints about signal reception, buttons falling off, and software issues.
- BlackBerry Storm OS 4.7.0.75 seems to be floating around in some circles. There’s been a ton of misinformation out there, but the update appears to be real, and is currently NOT — let’s stress the word, “NOT” — available to the general public. As many times as you might try to check for updates in Desktop Manager or in the Upgrade portion of Options on your device, you won’t get anything at the moment. We’ll obviously keep you updated on this, but don’t get your hopes up just yet.
- Some BlackBerry Storm users have complained about the difficulty of pressing edges of the touch panel on their devices. It’s a mixed bag, and out of the five Storms we’ve had, two were perfect and three were terrible. We noted this in our review, and the remedy seems to be inserting business cards or paper (you believe this?) underneath the battery or on top of the battery under the battery door. Don’t bother. Just return them and get them swapped out. It’s not your problem, it’s their problem.
- In terms of unlocking the BlackBerry Storm, you’ll have a much easier time getting the unlock code from Verizon. It’s rather simple, really. As long as you have an account that is current with no past due charges and the device on your account, you can call Verizon’s Global Support number and request an unlock code for the handset. Nine times out of ten they’ll give you the code while you are still on the phone. Easy. As. Pie.
Read [BGR's BlackBerry Storm review]
Read [Vodafone's eForum]
I’m having the issues with the pressing of the screen but I’m afraid that if I return it to get another one, ill have to wait for it because there isn’t enough.
I was hoping that the Storm would be a major update to the Curve I had, but unfortunately had to return it and go back to the Curve. I can now finally understand what everyone is talking about…I think the upcoming firmware will improve the responsiveness of the device(minor lag issues), however for me the need to pres down the screen every single time and let go and then to the next letter was just insanely cumbersome. The screen was definitely the best I’ve seen on a blackberry…however not the best text input method. Typing out a 3 sentence email was just impossible.
I must have received a good one because mine is working fine. There is sometimes a lag (especially if I don’t close out apps) but other than that I’m not having any problems. Typing took about 2 hours to get used to, at first I wanted to smash it, I admit, but I can type about as fast as I could on my curve now. I wouldn’t swap it back for the curve for anything. I’m sure the lag issues will be worked out in an update soon.
I just got word a few minutes ago that Sprint will have the BB Storm next month
Mine works fine too. The word is impatience. people don’t wanna give it a chance, most of the returning parties played with it for 15 min. pleeease
@ tsears
Read the damn posts above you. We already acknowledged that the iPhone had issues when it release, difference…it wasn’t as frustrating as the Storm.
@ Storm User
That’s great for you. I tried it out for a WEEK and moved on to the better Omnia.
@Michael- Yes I guess the both of us got the only 2 working units they produced. I have posted a couple times before on how much I like my new Storm. Call me crazy but love it. Michael I suggest you google tips and trick for Storm, found some really cool things you can do.
Have 3 close friends who have the phone also and they love as well. I am used to “you are an idiot for liking anything but what I like” on this site. Talking trash about phones and heated discussions “on why my phone is best” lol. BUT when BG let this one blogger continually bash the Gay folks, allow them to be insulted and on the verge of hate crimes, I lost all respect for him. I will for sure report the next incident to the 3rd largest gay watch group located here in ATL. Trust me they have a large reach and can make sites known. Sorry to get off subject with this post. The incidents I am referring too happened about a week ago and I didn’t want to post anything until my temper calmed and I didn’t post something hateful toward BG. I like what he has done here, but you simply can’t let that go on in here. Gay guys are SOO into the latest devices and at least most of my friends do and they we’re outraged BG didn’t step. Enough rant.
Love my Storm, hell it has become my best friend..lol
Apologize for long post, however warranted.
The iPhone was released in the middle of the summer–I don’ think there were any freak snow storms in the U.S. that day.
RIM fanboys built this up so much in their minds that this was finally going to be the iPhone killer and just can’t admit that it’s a fail. This thing is going to need more than a firmware update. It needs a complete OS rewrite. Anyone saying this device is working perfectly for them except for a “little lag” has got to be outright lying or just kidding themselves. I have barely been able to send a single sentence message without multiple errors. The closest thing to accurate typing I’ve gotten is with the SureType in portrait mode.
It doesn’t matter if you play with this in the store for 15 minutes or own it for a week. The user experience is the same. Terrible.
The iPhone was buggy at launch, but no where near the mess this thing has been. I spoke with my rep today about the Ommia and she told me that the Storm has been the biggest mess of a device that she can remember. Considering the iPhone was Apples FIRST device, they did a helluva lot better than RIM who’d been doing this for what… 10 plus years? More???
As far as I know, a firmware update has been promised, but I’ve heard of NO solid release date nor have is seen a list of confirmed fixes. So who knows how long it will be before the Storm is the awesome device that we were promised?
Come on…this device was released to keep shareholders happy…both VZ and RIM. It’s not ready!
VZ telling me to remove VZ navigator, the stupid Vin Diesel movie and other “non-essential” apps to improve the lag…Slow messenger performance…Corners of screen sucking…slow re-orientation…lag everywhere…Why the hell does it take soooooo long to active on BES?
d
Simply not ready. It will be a great device at 4.7.99999
My girlfriend and I both love our storms. First thing we did was delete VZ Nav because we will never use it and it free’s up some memory. That seemed to make the thing fly(I dont know why). We have not had one crash on either of our phones since be bought them. The only complaint I have on this phone is, the accelerometer gets a little weird, but besides that I love it. I came from using a curve and she came from using a pearl, so we were both BB users. I use mostly sure type because I just dont like the qwerty key pad on the storm. You also have to play with the key settings to make the storms input perfect for YOU. I think too many people had too high of hopes for this phone. The same thing happened with the G1. Like the Storm, the G1 is a great phone but people compare it to the Iphone. No phone will be an Iphone except an Iphone. Each phone is slightly different. The G1 has its faults so does the Iphone and so does the Strom. Just pick the phone that fits you best on the network that works best in your area and enjoy your device. They all have positive and negatives. At the end of the day I dont care what the reviews or the fanboys say, the strom is a great device and if you are on verizon its the best phone they have.
Oh and FYI, I played with the Omnia and the whole touch wiz is a joke. If people ripped the storms UI appart then I would hate to see what they say about this. Its a horrible attempt at the touchflow that HTC used. I have never experienced any lag on my storm that compares to the lag on the WinMo powered Omnia.
for all of you storm bashers and iphone lovers here is a link that will show everyone how many issues the “beloved” iphone has and had that needed updates… ps remember it still cant do alot that the storm can even with these updates…mms, copy paste, forward text, video etc etc… so without further ado the link from the horses mouth…http://www.apple.com/iphone/softwareupdate/
Face it, It sucks
“I played with the Omnia and the whole touch wiz is a joke…Its a horrible attempt at the touchflow that HTC used.”
The wonderful rantings of a BB fanboi.
Update has been leaked, its a million times better! no lagging, camera is a bit faster and keypad is much more responsive, those are things i noticed right off the bat..
firmware update leaked by Don Nguyen on CB:
http://forums.crackberry.com/f86/os-4-7-0-75-leak-105593/
it’s legit and Mr. Storm is rockin’ and rollin’ as it should have on release date! I have screen shots of update if you are concerned about the legitimacy of the leaked file!
BG, here’s the new OS info for BB Storm: http://forums.crackberry.com/f86/os-4-7-0-75-leak-105593/
I hope you cover the positives equally as you have covered negatives. The patch appears to show some significant improvements.
Oh, Verizon also lowered the price to $149.
Obviously Maikel is not a programmer. I am very familiar with the issues and firmware will resolve them. When you get a job as a programmer than you can talk like you know what you are talking about. The new patch has already improved things and with a few more patches I don’t think anyone will have anything to complain about. I think iPhone has been out for well over a year and they still don’t have Video, Image Stabilization, 3.2 megapixel camera, COPY, CUT and PASTE, MULTI-THREADING (that’s right, iPhone can only run use one program at a time), landscape-mode for all applications, and the list goes on. So DUUUH, I don’t think the iPhone is that much to brag about. Come on, CUT/COPY/PASTE!!!! That should be a given. Once the Storm is dialed in iPhone will be playing catch up. Plus the BOLD and the new 8900 Curve will outsell the iPhone by itself. Let’s see when 4 quarter report comes out late March. RIM will sell 2mill+ more than iPhone. Remember, RIM sold 6.1mill “OLD” devices to Apple’s 6.9 “NEW” devices. Once RIM has a full quarter of “NEW” devices on the market let’s see what you iPhone junkies are going to be talking about. The BOLD and new CURVE ROCKS and it’s just a matter of time before the Storm puts a beating on iPhone. Nobody that I know who needs to be “productive” has an iPhone. And everyone that I know that has made that switch, after they get over the gaga factor, they come back and start saying how much they miss their BlackBerry…no cut/copy/paste…give me a break. That’s a toy. Oh, that’s what I will get for my 7 year old. My wife and I have BB’s.
I think it would be better if some of the Storm haters applied this “leaked” patch, and then got back to us. You have the link; click it.
I still have the Storm on my short list for my holiday gift (for me), alongside the Bold and HTC Fuze. My wife has an iPhone; she loves it, but then, she never syncs her phone ever. I am a corporate professional and I need to sync all my meetings and the like. iPhone doesn’t sync without iTunes, and iTunes is illegal where I work. Apple should have built a standalone sync app – (mistake).
I forgot to mention that I have a farm in the country and AT&T service out in the country is poor, while Sprint/Verizon service is solid. I have been with AT&T for a decade, but I am considing going to Verizon so that I can use my mobile at the farm, on the weekends.
Few minutes in and you can say it sucks. I guess I had the same impression of a few minutes with your ma.
You have to love people running their traps about phones being returned. Sell as many units in the first week and half that Vodafone/Verizon did and thousands upon thousands will be returned. They are still going out the door 30 times faster then they’re coming back. Vodafone still expects the storm to account for 1 in 6 units sold during the run up to christmas. Yeah, thats a failure.
It has issues but sales have been phenomenal; so someone must be telling their friends and family that they like it.
The Iphone is considered a success right? Maybe BGR could enlighten some of you as to the amount of iphones that have been returned. It’ll make your eyes pop out of your head.
Hold yourself over by typing iphone returned into google. Going by those results you’d think it was only good as a paper weight!
The iPhone/Storm comparisons are a joke, and this is true for multiple reasons. However, the bottom line is sales. Nearly 7 million phones sold last quarter for the iPhone 3G. RIM would be lucky to do 2 million this quarter for the Storm, even WITH holiday shoppers.
But come on, no proximity sensor on a touchscreen phone? Seriously? You make a call and buttons are pushed by your face? This is a joke, right? How complicated would it have been to add this sensor? This decision, all by itself, is proof that RIM needs to stick with their last-gen QWERTY keyboard phones. To be fair, Apple will agree to leave that segment all to RIM (since that segment is shrinking anyway, hence the Storm). For all you that bought the Storm, please let me know when they get that whole call-face thing fixed in a manner that doesn’t require inserting business cards or holding the phone an inch from your face.
Maybe I received a “Perfect Storm”..haha
Anyway…these iPHone junkies are craaaaazzzzy! Damn, i mean,,, i had the new 3G iPhone for 3 hours and clenched it in my hand to try to crush it.. truly a piece of junk. Then my second one almost went through the window at the AT¬_me store. The AT&T rep sadi, “i told you so” the iPhone is not for a business user…
it took me two iPhones to realize its for the average everyday user…
Now, i will say the Storm has alot to be desired, but still hands down better then the “NoPhone” i swear, i never dropped so many calls in two weeks than i did with the iPhone.
So, lighten up all you iPhone junkies, you like your phone, we business people like ours…
enjoy your dropped calls.