Blackberry Thunder & LG Dare
09-03-2008, 01:42 PM
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Well, expect a Oct. 13th release date as of now, and it to be named the 9530. Speculation on whether it's a Storm or Thunder is still up in the air, but who gives a fuck what it's called, just give me it!
http://crackberry.com/verizon-blackb...d-storm-oct-13
http://crackberry.com/verizon-blackb...d-storm-oct-13
Neighbors up north version: Thunder
Both RIMM and Verizon are set to speak about this device at the CTIA conference on September 10th. Official release date should follow. Hopefully they will pull an Apple and release it the day they announce it.
Just a small rundown of what is "known"
OS 4.0.7.99
3.2MP Camera
Multi-Touch
8GB and SIM card Preinstalled
1GB internal memory dedicated to Multimedia
Dimensions are 2.41" X 4.40" X .54"
The screen is 3.25" HVGA+ 480x360
Rhapsody Music OTA
09-03-2008, 02:11 PM
#43
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good job I forgot to post this the other day...I've been on howardforums non-stop for the past month lol...
Crucial and Omie and hookin it up with info
Crucial and Omie and hookin it up with info
09-11-2008, 06:59 PM
#46
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fucking bullshit neither Verizon or RIM announced it at CTIA! ugh!!!!!
And here's some douchebag trying to talk shit about the Storm (first video of it). Just realize this isn't the finalized version. Either way, it looks sick and I want it!
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jwwNmNVqzQg&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jwwNmNVqzQg&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
And here's some douchebag trying to talk shit about the Storm (first video of it). Just realize this isn't the finalized version. Either way, it looks sick and I want it!
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jwwNmNVqzQg&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jwwNmNVqzQg&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
09-12-2008, 01:33 PM
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^^ The folks at Crackberry.com are saying that that was one of the original prototypes that has everything locked up. Thats why that homo only shows you the txting
09-15-2008, 08:11 PM
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<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-eO5E2xwyXA&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-eO5E2xwyXA&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
The Official Minute with Mike Details
* Just a brief introduction, nothing to do with a website.
* The name is the Storm - "Designed to take the world by storm" global marketing name since it's available to work in 195 destinations or more.
* One of the highest resolution screens on the market today.... no details....
* Revolutionary Touch Screen
* High Speed HTML
* 3.2 MP camera with lots of multimedia capabiliteies....
* Visual Voicemail
* And everything else blackberry is known for....
* Lots of images and videos for us internal people... it looks AMAZING!!!!! Sorry I can't post the video for ya, you would be drooling!
* Just a brief introduction, nothing to do with a website.
* The name is the Storm - "Designed to take the world by storm" global marketing name since it's available to work in 195 destinations or more.
* One of the highest resolution screens on the market today.... no details....
* Revolutionary Touch Screen
* High Speed HTML
* 3.2 MP camera with lots of multimedia capabiliteies....
* Visual Voicemail
* And everything else blackberry is known for....
* Lots of images and videos for us internal people... it looks AMAZING!!!!! Sorry I can't post the video for ya, you would be drooling!
09-19-2008, 12:10 PM
#53
What Would Don Draper Do?
09-19-2008, 12:14 PM
#54
What Would Don Draper Do?
09-23-2008, 01:25 PM
#56
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this device is going to kick ass!!Check out the link below for some good info..
http://www.engadgetmobile.com/photos...ors-1/1050557/
Flashy new slides circulating among Verizon staffers are calling out the Storm for everything that makes it just so darned Stormy, and the list is pretty impressive -- particularly the bit about the radios. As we've heard before, the Storm will pack CDMA / EV-DO Rev. A, quadband EDGE, and 2100MHz HSPA, making it one of the most global phones ever to hit the market. The list of "WOW factors" (Verizon's verbiage, not ours) doesn't stop there, though: we've also got a 3.25-inch 480 x 360 display dubbed "1/2 VGA+," which puts it just a notch above the Bold's 480 x 320 setup. The screen offers tactile feedback and auto-rotation to boot, plus you've got that 3.2-megapixel autofocus camera with flash, 1GB of onboard memory with microSD expansion -- an 8GB card is included in the box -- and "enhanced background noise cancellation." Turning our attention to software, RIM calls the Storm's web browsing experience "best in class," which is a good sign if those guys really know their competition, and we've got AGPS and visual voicemail (post-launch, sadly) in the pipe. Still no solid date on a launch for this blasted thing, but we'll be listening for... ahem, thunder.
09-23-2008, 04:29 PM
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On top of all this I heard today that Verizon is going to month-to-month contracts as well as their normal contracts. The only thing is that monthly users will always have to pay full price for the phones.
09-25-2008, 03:24 PM
#60
Chloe @ 17mo
10-07-2008, 09:28 AM
#66
What Would Don Draper Do?
BlackBerry's Storm Aims to Blow the iPhone Away
http://www.time.com/time/business/ar...0.html?cnn=yes
You just can't keep a secret in the tech industry these days. Early pictures of T-Mobile's Google phone leaked onto the Web the week before its Sep. 23 launch, and now images are surfacing online of another eagerly awaited device: a new handheld from Research in Motion (RIM), the BlackBerry Storm. RIM hasn't officially launched the new device yet — and declined to comment on the leaks — but the Storm is clearly a direct assault on the Apple iPhone 3G and the T-Mobile G1. It's also an attempt to wow consumers both with a jazzy new design and an App Center filled with games and other add-on programs.
On Saturday, an independent site called Boy Genius Report leaked a 17-page PowerPoint presentation that purported to show the touch-screen Storm, along with an App Center that will mimic Apple's App Store and Google's Android Market. The site followed up on Monday with a Storm user guide that we were unable to access — probably because too many other folks were attempting to do the same thing — but that was promptly re-posted on CrackBerry. RIM would not confirm that the leaked photos are of the Storm, but by Monday afternoon the images had been published and identified as RIM's new device on a handful of sites, including ZDnet.com, Information Week, Gizmodo, CNET News.com and CrunchGear.
What's so exciting about yet another BlackBerry? The brand has built a reputation as a secure and reliable, though somewhat stodgy, e-mail device for corporate types, but the Storm could help recast BlackBerry as a real and exciting option for consumers as well. Unlike most devices from the smartphone maker based in Waterloo, Canada, the Storm won't have a physical keyboard, allowing for a larger, 3.2-in. touchscreen and a much neater appearance. And by letting users add a wide range of after-market applications, including Facebook, a blackjack game, and a GPS navigation program, it's also a lot more fun to use. All apps can be downloaded via a built-in browser, but it is not clear whether the App Center can be accessed on older models of BlackBerry handhelds. The Storm is epxected to run on Verizon's 3G network and also support Wi-Fi, so downloading the apps should be fairly quick. As an added bonus, the Storm will reportedly feature intuitive cut-and-paste functionality — a huge selling point for e-mail junkies who have long favored the BlackBerry brand.
Other noteworthy features include the built-in GPS, a media player, and landscape mode for viewing web pages horizontally and typing e-mails. (The iPhone 3G does not let you type emails in horizontal mode.) The screen is about the same size and resolution as the iPhone, while the built-in camera is slightly better at 3.2 megapixels, versus 2.0 megapixels on the iPhone. You can also record video — a featuring strangely lacking on the iPhone, but available on the forthcoming G1 from T-Mobile.
Feature-rich smartphones like the BlackBerry and iPhone are one of the few bright spots in an otherwise stagnant cell-phone market. Of the estimated 1 billion cell phones sold worldwide this year, over 181 million were smartphones — a number that is expected to more than double by 2011, according to ABI Research. One out of 10 cell phones currently has a touch screen.
RIM declined TIME's request for comment on the leaked information about the Storm. But with a formal announcement expected by Wednesday, the Web buzz that began this spring about the hot new BlackBerry has turned into a roar.
On Saturday, an independent site called Boy Genius Report leaked a 17-page PowerPoint presentation that purported to show the touch-screen Storm, along with an App Center that will mimic Apple's App Store and Google's Android Market. The site followed up on Monday with a Storm user guide that we were unable to access — probably because too many other folks were attempting to do the same thing — but that was promptly re-posted on CrackBerry. RIM would not confirm that the leaked photos are of the Storm, but by Monday afternoon the images had been published and identified as RIM's new device on a handful of sites, including ZDnet.com, Information Week, Gizmodo, CNET News.com and CrunchGear.
What's so exciting about yet another BlackBerry? The brand has built a reputation as a secure and reliable, though somewhat stodgy, e-mail device for corporate types, but the Storm could help recast BlackBerry as a real and exciting option for consumers as well. Unlike most devices from the smartphone maker based in Waterloo, Canada, the Storm won't have a physical keyboard, allowing for a larger, 3.2-in. touchscreen and a much neater appearance. And by letting users add a wide range of after-market applications, including Facebook, a blackjack game, and a GPS navigation program, it's also a lot more fun to use. All apps can be downloaded via a built-in browser, but it is not clear whether the App Center can be accessed on older models of BlackBerry handhelds. The Storm is epxected to run on Verizon's 3G network and also support Wi-Fi, so downloading the apps should be fairly quick. As an added bonus, the Storm will reportedly feature intuitive cut-and-paste functionality — a huge selling point for e-mail junkies who have long favored the BlackBerry brand.
Other noteworthy features include the built-in GPS, a media player, and landscape mode for viewing web pages horizontally and typing e-mails. (The iPhone 3G does not let you type emails in horizontal mode.) The screen is about the same size and resolution as the iPhone, while the built-in camera is slightly better at 3.2 megapixels, versus 2.0 megapixels on the iPhone. You can also record video — a featuring strangely lacking on the iPhone, but available on the forthcoming G1 from T-Mobile.
Feature-rich smartphones like the BlackBerry and iPhone are one of the few bright spots in an otherwise stagnant cell-phone market. Of the estimated 1 billion cell phones sold worldwide this year, over 181 million were smartphones — a number that is expected to more than double by 2011, according to ABI Research. One out of 10 cell phones currently has a touch screen.
RIM declined TIME's request for comment on the leaked information about the Storm. But with a formal announcement expected by Wednesday, the Web buzz that began this spring about the hot new BlackBerry has turned into a roar.
10-07-2008, 10:14 AM
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New Commercial for Vodafone
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<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ewvahHutfao&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en& fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ewvahHutfao&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en& fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
10-07-2008, 01:00 PM
#68
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werd, I was getting lazy 
also.
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2GTa_p3sWaE&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2GTa_p3sWaE&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
http://link.brightcove.com/services/...ctid1840812389
http://crackberry.com/leaked-blackbe...orm-user-guide
http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2008/...pex/#more-5964
Just go to crackberry.com or boygeniusreport and you'll find everything
also.<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2GTa_p3sWaE&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2GTa_p3sWaE&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
http://link.brightcove.com/services/...ctid1840812389
http://crackberry.com/leaked-blackbe...orm-user-guide
http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2008/...pex/#more-5964
Just go to crackberry.com or boygeniusreport and you'll find everything
Last edited by Dem1K; 10-07-2008 at 01:04 PM.
10-07-2008, 06:03 PM
#72
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Official page for the BB Storm w/ Vodafone:
http://blackberry.vodafone.co.uk/sto...r2-Pym-Phns-16
Spec Sheet:
http://blackberry.vodafone.co.uk/sto...cification.pdf
http://blackberry.vodafone.co.uk/sto...r2-Pym-Phns-16
Spec Sheet:
http://blackberry.vodafone.co.uk/sto...cification.pdf
10-08-2008, 12:40 AM
#73
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Ohhh boy, today has been one hell of a day in terms of info. being released....
http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2008/...ges-and-specs/
http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/08/b...9500-hands-on/
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10059498-1.html
http://www.blackberry.com/blackberry...cp=OTC-STORM00
http://gizmodo.com/5060378/blackberr...first-hands-on
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2331977,00.asp
http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2008/...ner/#more-6078
http://www.phonescoop.com/articles/article.php?a=225
http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2008/...ges-and-specs/
http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/08/b...9500-hands-on/
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10059498-1.html
http://www.blackberry.com/blackberry...cp=OTC-STORM00
http://gizmodo.com/5060378/blackberr...first-hands-on
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2331977,00.asp
http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2008/...ner/#more-6078
http://www.phonescoop.com/articles/article.php?a=225
10-08-2008, 12:42 AM
#74
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Sorry, too lazy to post a shit ton of pics and reviews, so just click the links 
http://link.brightcove.com/services/...ctid1840812389
http://link.brightcove.com/services/...ctid1840812389
Last edited by Dem1K; 10-08-2008 at 12:47 AM.
10-08-2008, 12:55 AM
#75
Needs more Lemon Pledge
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-...orsPicksArea.0
Verizon officially debuts RIM BlackBerry Storm
RIM BlackBerry Storm(Credit: RIM)
We all knew it was approaching, but brace yourself, the storm has made landfall. Tuesday night, Research In Motion and Verizon Wireless officially introduced the first touch-screen BlackBerry to the world: the RIM BlackBerry Storm.
Also known by its code name, BlackBerry Thunder, the Storm features a touch-sensitive display that's unlike that on any other touch-screen smartphone available today, thanks to RIM's own twist (more on this below). There are plenty of other highlights as well, including dual-mode functionality, support for Verizon's EV-DO Rev. A, integrated GPS, BlackBerry OS 4.7, and more.
Now, before you run out to the nearest Verizon store, we've got some bad news. Unfortunately, you won't be able to get your hands on the BlackBerry Storm quite yet (groan). A specific release date and pricing were not announced, but Verizon said the Storm would be out by the holiday season with "competitive" pricing. Obviously, we're not fans (and we're guessing you're not either) of such vague answers, especially in light of the RIM BlackBerry Bold delay.
RIM and Verizon did come by our office to give us a full rundown on the features, as well as some brief hands-on time with the device, so without further ado, here are all the details and our impressions of the RIM BlackBerry Storm.
Design
Obviously, the touch screen is the biggest highlight of the BlackBerry Storm, but as we mentioned earlier, it's unlike any other touch-screen smartphone we've seen so far, including the Apple iPhone, T-Mobile G1, and Samsung Omnia.
Rather than provide haptic feedback (or none at all), RIM developed something completely new called ClickThrough, which consists of a suspension system that lies beneath the display, so that when you go to select an application or enter text, you actually push the screen down like you would any other tactile button.
Admittedly, it was a little weird when I first tried it. Given that with all other touch-screen devices, it's just a matter of lightly tapping on an icon or some similar action, it wasn't my first inclination to physically push down on the screen. My colleague Kent German also tried it out and had a similar reaction; while cool, the idea behind it took some explaining to fully realize the capabilities. Now, that's not to say we don't like ClickThrough; it just takes a little acclimation. Plus, it was responsive and I was pleasantly surprised at how easy and accurate it was to compose messages and notes.
In terms of text extry, the BlackBerry Storm features a SureType keyboard when the smartphone is in portrait mode and then switches to a full QWERTY keyboard in landscape mode. The Storm has a built-in accelerometer so it will automatically rotate the screen depending on if the phone is held vertically or horizontally (left- and right-hand support included). The letter/number keys also glow blue when you're typing.
The quality of the display is slightly better than the RIM BlackBerry Bold's. The Storm features a 3.25-inch diagonal display with a 480x360 pixel resolution and support for 65,000 colors, where as the Bold has a half-VGA, 480x320 pixel display. The handset itself is about the size of the BlackBerry Curve, but slightly thicker. It measures 4.4 inches tall by 2.4 inches wide by 0.5 inch deep and weighs 5.6 ounces. It's equipped with a 3.5mm headphone jack, has four shortcut keys (Talk and End, Back, and BlackBerry menu), and a microSD slot behind the back cover, among other things.
Features
Don't be fooled; the RIM BlackBerry Storm is more than just a pretty face. As far as phone features, the Storm, like the RIM BlackBerry 8830 World Edition, offers dual-mode functionality. This means the phone switches automatically between CDMA and GSM networks to offer seamless international roaming--all while keeping the same phone number. (Note that the phone does not support domestic GSM bands, and a SIM card is included in the box.) It also works on Verizon's EV-DO Rev. A network as well as Europe's 2100MHz UMTS/HSDPA band. There's a full HTML Web browser (no Flash), and the Storm will also support Verizon's V Cast Music and Mobile TV services, though not immediately at launch.
Other wireless options include Bluetooth 2.0 with support for stereo Bluetooth headsets and dial-up networking and GPS but no Wi-Fi. BlackBerry Maps is onboard if you want text-based turn-by-turn directions, but for more advanced navigation features, such as voice prompts, you'll be forced to use Verizon's VZ Navigator service.
The BlackBerry Storm will run the latest BlackBerry OS (version 4.7), so you finally get an updated interface while still getting support for multiple e-mail accounts (BlackBerry Enterprise, Microsoft Exchange, Lotus Notes, POP3, IMAP4, and more) with wireless synchronization. In addition to an attachment viewer, you can also do some light editing on Microsoft Word and PowerPoint files. There's 128MB of flash memory and 1GB of onboard memory, which is all supplemented by the microSD/SDHC expansion slot (supports up to 16GB cards).
Though the BlackBerry is historically known more as a business device, RIM and Verizon hope to attract more consumers with the BlackBerry Storm and it comes with a number of multimedia capabilities. The media player can handle various music and video formats, including MP3, AAC, WMA, WMV, MPEG4, and H.264. The included Media Sync software will also help you synchronize your iTunes files with your BlackBerry. The Storm is equipped with a 3.2-megapixel camera with video recording, auto focus, and flash.
RIM BlackBerry Storm(Credit: RIM)
Finally, it will come preloaded with instant-messaging clients (Yahoo, Windows Live, AOL, and ICQ) and a number of social-networking apps, including Facebook, MySpace, and Flickr. You'll also be able to download more programs over the air through the new BlackBerry App Center.
Outlook
OK, obviously, the RIM BlackBerry Storm has a lot to offer. The touch screen alone already has people drooling and clamoring over the device, and then you add the laundry list of features, and you're looking at a recipe for success. But will it actually deliver? Well, it's a hard to say, having only had about half an hour of hands-on time with the smartphone.
Overall, I was impressed--nice design, feature rich. Again, the ClickThrough touch screen takes some getting used to, and I wonder how it will hold up over months of use. Performance wise, the device seemed snappy, but I also caught a couple of bugs. For example, the camera activated while trying to perform some function in e-mail. However, I know it wasn't a final product, so I won't hold that against RIM. Music and video playback were pretty impressive as well.
There's enough appeal there for consumers, mobile professionals, and new and old BlackBerry users, but I think price will play a huge factor. Verizon has to be careful not to cross that fine line between what's reasonable and what puts the device out of range. What do you guys have think? What are the BlackBerry Storm's hits and misses? Do you want one? How much are you willing to pay?
Verizon officially debuts RIM BlackBerry Storm
RIM BlackBerry Storm(Credit: RIM)
We all knew it was approaching, but brace yourself, the storm has made landfall. Tuesday night, Research In Motion and Verizon Wireless officially introduced the first touch-screen BlackBerry to the world: the RIM BlackBerry Storm.
Also known by its code name, BlackBerry Thunder, the Storm features a touch-sensitive display that's unlike that on any other touch-screen smartphone available today, thanks to RIM's own twist (more on this below). There are plenty of other highlights as well, including dual-mode functionality, support for Verizon's EV-DO Rev. A, integrated GPS, BlackBerry OS 4.7, and more.
Now, before you run out to the nearest Verizon store, we've got some bad news. Unfortunately, you won't be able to get your hands on the BlackBerry Storm quite yet (groan). A specific release date and pricing were not announced, but Verizon said the Storm would be out by the holiday season with "competitive" pricing. Obviously, we're not fans (and we're guessing you're not either) of such vague answers, especially in light of the RIM BlackBerry Bold delay.
RIM and Verizon did come by our office to give us a full rundown on the features, as well as some brief hands-on time with the device, so without further ado, here are all the details and our impressions of the RIM BlackBerry Storm.
Design
Obviously, the touch screen is the biggest highlight of the BlackBerry Storm, but as we mentioned earlier, it's unlike any other touch-screen smartphone we've seen so far, including the Apple iPhone, T-Mobile G1, and Samsung Omnia.
Rather than provide haptic feedback (or none at all), RIM developed something completely new called ClickThrough, which consists of a suspension system that lies beneath the display, so that when you go to select an application or enter text, you actually push the screen down like you would any other tactile button.
Admittedly, it was a little weird when I first tried it. Given that with all other touch-screen devices, it's just a matter of lightly tapping on an icon or some similar action, it wasn't my first inclination to physically push down on the screen. My colleague Kent German also tried it out and had a similar reaction; while cool, the idea behind it took some explaining to fully realize the capabilities. Now, that's not to say we don't like ClickThrough; it just takes a little acclimation. Plus, it was responsive and I was pleasantly surprised at how easy and accurate it was to compose messages and notes.
In terms of text extry, the BlackBerry Storm features a SureType keyboard when the smartphone is in portrait mode and then switches to a full QWERTY keyboard in landscape mode. The Storm has a built-in accelerometer so it will automatically rotate the screen depending on if the phone is held vertically or horizontally (left- and right-hand support included). The letter/number keys also glow blue when you're typing.
The quality of the display is slightly better than the RIM BlackBerry Bold's. The Storm features a 3.25-inch diagonal display with a 480x360 pixel resolution and support for 65,000 colors, where as the Bold has a half-VGA, 480x320 pixel display. The handset itself is about the size of the BlackBerry Curve, but slightly thicker. It measures 4.4 inches tall by 2.4 inches wide by 0.5 inch deep and weighs 5.6 ounces. It's equipped with a 3.5mm headphone jack, has four shortcut keys (Talk and End, Back, and BlackBerry menu), and a microSD slot behind the back cover, among other things.
Features
Don't be fooled; the RIM BlackBerry Storm is more than just a pretty face. As far as phone features, the Storm, like the RIM BlackBerry 8830 World Edition, offers dual-mode functionality. This means the phone switches automatically between CDMA and GSM networks to offer seamless international roaming--all while keeping the same phone number. (Note that the phone does not support domestic GSM bands, and a SIM card is included in the box.) It also works on Verizon's EV-DO Rev. A network as well as Europe's 2100MHz UMTS/HSDPA band. There's a full HTML Web browser (no Flash), and the Storm will also support Verizon's V Cast Music and Mobile TV services, though not immediately at launch.
Other wireless options include Bluetooth 2.0 with support for stereo Bluetooth headsets and dial-up networking and GPS but no Wi-Fi. BlackBerry Maps is onboard if you want text-based turn-by-turn directions, but for more advanced navigation features, such as voice prompts, you'll be forced to use Verizon's VZ Navigator service.
The BlackBerry Storm will run the latest BlackBerry OS (version 4.7), so you finally get an updated interface while still getting support for multiple e-mail accounts (BlackBerry Enterprise, Microsoft Exchange, Lotus Notes, POP3, IMAP4, and more) with wireless synchronization. In addition to an attachment viewer, you can also do some light editing on Microsoft Word and PowerPoint files. There's 128MB of flash memory and 1GB of onboard memory, which is all supplemented by the microSD/SDHC expansion slot (supports up to 16GB cards).
Though the BlackBerry is historically known more as a business device, RIM and Verizon hope to attract more consumers with the BlackBerry Storm and it comes with a number of multimedia capabilities. The media player can handle various music and video formats, including MP3, AAC, WMA, WMV, MPEG4, and H.264. The included Media Sync software will also help you synchronize your iTunes files with your BlackBerry. The Storm is equipped with a 3.2-megapixel camera with video recording, auto focus, and flash.
RIM BlackBerry Storm(Credit: RIM)
Finally, it will come preloaded with instant-messaging clients (Yahoo, Windows Live, AOL, and ICQ) and a number of social-networking apps, including Facebook, MySpace, and Flickr. You'll also be able to download more programs over the air through the new BlackBerry App Center.
Outlook
OK, obviously, the RIM BlackBerry Storm has a lot to offer. The touch screen alone already has people drooling and clamoring over the device, and then you add the laundry list of features, and you're looking at a recipe for success. But will it actually deliver? Well, it's a hard to say, having only had about half an hour of hands-on time with the smartphone.
Overall, I was impressed--nice design, feature rich. Again, the ClickThrough touch screen takes some getting used to, and I wonder how it will hold up over months of use. Performance wise, the device seemed snappy, but I also caught a couple of bugs. For example, the camera activated while trying to perform some function in e-mail. However, I know it wasn't a final product, so I won't hold that against RIM. Music and video playback were pretty impressive as well.
There's enough appeal there for consumers, mobile professionals, and new and old BlackBerry users, but I think price will play a huge factor. Verizon has to be careful not to cross that fine line between what's reasonable and what puts the device out of range. What do you guys have think? What are the BlackBerry Storm's hits and misses? Do you want one? How much are you willing to pay?
10-08-2008, 01:53 AM
#77
Needs more Lemon Pledge
I want to try the feedback keyboard...
