Comments on: A Week with the BlackBerry Storm Smartphone Day 7 http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/01/14/a-week-with-the-blackberry-storm-smartphone-day-7/ Gadget reviews and news by Julie Strietelmeier and friends since 1997 Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:23:57 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Ryan http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/01/14/a-week-with-the-blackberry-storm-smartphone-day-7/comment-page-1/#comment-29831 Ryan Tue, 27 Jan 2009 18:20:54 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=11634#comment-29831 I got the storm on the released date. Stood in line and everything. As much as I dont want to admit it, I am a crack addict. I came from the curve to the storm. I really loved the storm. It froze on me a couple of times while using the video camera. this was with version .65. I have since upgraded and no more freezing. The one thing that ultimately made me switch back to the curve was the accelerometer. I would go to grab my phone off my desk, have it in portrait mode yet still seeing the landscape mode. Switching back and forth is a real pain. The keyboard itself has a learning curve. I have big fingers yet I am able to type most words without misspelling them. All in all it is a good phone, but switching back from the storm to the curve felt good. I love the keyboard on the curve and I am able to type much faster with the built in keyboard. I want to love the storm, i still have it, but I will have to wait till big red or RIM fixes the glitches on this phone. BTW, I am going to wait for the CMDA version of the bold..if i can. Or i'll jump ship to Tmo for the new bb..idk...anyways, good luck, good reivew. I got the storm on the released date. Stood in line and everything. As much as I dont want to admit it, I am a crack addict. I came from the curve to the storm. I really loved the storm. It froze on me a couple of times while using the video camera. this was with version .65. I have since upgraded and no more freezing. The one thing that ultimately made me switch back to the curve was the accelerometer. I would go to grab my phone off my desk, have it in portrait mode yet still seeing the landscape mode. Switching back and forth is a real pain. The keyboard itself has a learning curve. I have big fingers yet I am able to type most words without misspelling them. All in all it is a good phone, but switching back from the storm to the curve felt good. I love the keyboard on the curve and I am able to type much faster with the built in keyboard. I want to love the storm, i still have it, but I will have to wait till big red or RIM fixes the glitches on this phone. BTW, I am going to wait for the CMDA version of the bold..if i can. Or i’ll jump ship to Tmo for the new bb..idk…anyways, good luck, good reivew.

]]> By: Ethan http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/01/14/a-week-with-the-blackberry-storm-smartphone-day-7/comment-page-1/#comment-29780 Ethan Sun, 25 Jan 2009 17:24:59 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=11634#comment-29780 I have to say.... The first 2 weeks really sucked. I went from a Pearl to a Storm. First 2 weeks, every 20 minutes I wanted to throw the Storm against a wall. But after adjusting to the drag, and the fact that the Storm doesn't like blu-ray digital copies even though they are simple WMV files, the phone does exactly what I need it to do. The GPS is awesome, The email apps are superb and very quick, the calendar as a stand alone kicks butt, and the audio for music is sweet. BUT, all things aside, it's a work phone, and it operates.... like a "work" phone. Overall, I complain, but I'm keeping it. I have to say…. The first 2 weeks really sucked. I went from a Pearl to a Storm. First 2 weeks, every 20 minutes I wanted to throw the Storm against a wall. But after adjusting to the drag, and the fact that the Storm doesn’t like blu-ray digital copies even though they are simple WMV files, the phone does exactly what I need it to do. The GPS is awesome, The email apps are superb and very quick, the calendar as a stand alone kicks butt, and the audio for music is sweet. BUT, all things aside, it’s a work phone, and it operates…. like a “work” phone. Overall, I complain, but I’m keeping it.

]]> By: Fran T. http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/01/14/a-week-with-the-blackberry-storm-smartphone-day-7/comment-page-1/#comment-29714 Fran T. Fri, 23 Jan 2009 20:23:39 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=11634#comment-29714 Good job, Julie! I initially discounted your review for being iPhone biased, but you gave a pretty impartial review after all. I'm still not seeing the "sluggish rotating display" - maybe I got lucky and my Storm was a later model. I'm also taking your advice and downloading the Opera browser for my Storm. Well done! Good job, Julie! I initially discounted your review for being iPhone biased, but you gave a pretty impartial review after all. I’m still not seeing the “sluggish rotating display” – maybe I got lucky and my Storm was a later model. I’m also taking your advice and downloading the Opera browser for my Storm. Well done!

]]> By: Cristian Dinu http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/01/14/a-week-with-the-blackberry-storm-smartphone-day-7/comment-page-1/#comment-29584 Cristian Dinu Mon, 19 Jan 2009 10:49:48 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=11634#comment-29584 I just ordered a few minutes ago the Storm, i read all Julie`s experience with it and all the comments... i hope it will end up good 4 me and i wont have any problems. I got an N95 (8gb ) and the N96, both from nokia, and they work fine (almost) .... and this will be my first blackberry and i cant wait 4 it :-) If you have the phone, and get any problems with it, can you e-mail me ? Plz? i need to get ready 4 all the ongoing issues with the phone :-) I just ordered a few minutes ago the Storm, i read all Julie`s experience with it and all the comments… i hope it will end up good 4 me and i wont have any problems.
I got an N95 (8gb ) and the N96, both from nokia, and they work fine (almost) …. and this will be my first blackberry and i cant wait 4 it :-)

If you have the phone, and get any problems with it, can you e-mail me ? Plz? i need to get ready 4 all the ongoing issues with the phone :-)

]]> By: abscam man http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/01/14/a-week-with-the-blackberry-storm-smartphone-day-7/comment-page-1/#comment-29581 abscam man Mon, 19 Jan 2009 02:46:26 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=11634#comment-29581 Hmm, Gotta say I love the Storm! I had an 8830 but it staid w/ the company I left. 6 months w/ my old V710 and I was dying for something to use. I like the Verizon network so my choices were limited the win mobile phones on Verizon somewhat bite and the iPhone isn't available. So I got the Storm. I think it is great. I'm downloading Opera now per the write up. Hmm, Gotta say I love the Storm!

I had an 8830 but it staid w/ the company I left. 6 months w/ my old V710 and I was dying for something to use. I like the Verizon network so my choices were limited the win mobile phones on Verizon somewhat bite and the iPhone isn’t available. So I got the Storm.

I think it is great. I’m downloading Opera now per the write up.

]]> By: alonfed http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/01/14/a-week-with-the-blackberry-storm-smartphone-day-7/comment-page-1/#comment-29565 alonfed Sun, 18 Jan 2009 06:02:35 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=11634#comment-29565 I actually enjoy the phone and the way it works immensely. I had allowed for the software bugs to be worked out through future updates, and was very forgiving in that regard. What I could not forgive is that I went through four Storms in a month and returned all of them due to physical defects. The first had a very loose screen right out of the box. The second developed a very loose call button within three weeks. The third developed a loose call button within 4 days (and the OS was buggier than any of the others). Finally, the fourth one developed a very loose screen within 3 days. I figured enough is enough and that I couldn't trust the build quality of this phone no matter how much I liked the look, feel, features, functionality (and what I imagined to be the future functionality with an improved OS). No matter how well-featured a phone might be, if the buttons and/or screen start coming loose so easily, it's not worth it to me. On other forums (especially on Vodaphone's forums), the people are complaining about their buttons pulling up and/or falling off left and right. I guess that snake hasn't reared its ugly head in the U.S. as much... Still, it begs the question, how the heck could such obvious production flaws get past quality control at RIM? I actually enjoy the phone and the way it works immensely. I had allowed for the software bugs to be worked out through future updates, and was very forgiving in that regard.

What I could not forgive is that I went through four Storms in a month and returned all of them due to physical defects.

The first had a very loose screen right out of the box.

The second developed a very loose call button within three weeks.

The third developed a loose call button within 4 days (and the OS was buggier than any of the others).

Finally, the fourth one developed a very loose screen within 3 days.

I figured enough is enough and that I couldn’t trust the build quality of this phone no matter how much I liked the look, feel, features, functionality (and what I imagined to be the future functionality with an improved OS). No matter how well-featured a phone might be, if the buttons and/or screen start coming loose so easily, it’s not worth it to me.

On other forums (especially on Vodaphone’s forums), the people are complaining about their buttons pulling up and/or falling off left and right. I guess that snake hasn’t reared its ugly head in the U.S. as much…

Still, it begs the question, how the heck could such obvious production flaws get past quality control at RIM?

]]> By: Richard http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/01/14/a-week-with-the-blackberry-storm-smartphone-day-7/comment-page-1/#comment-29486 Richard Fri, 16 Jan 2009 17:05:12 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=11634#comment-29486 Hi Julie, The main thing I'm concerned about is the Storm's ability to sync with my Macs. I've used a Treo for the past several years and have had to get a third party (Missing Sync for Palm) application that mainly works, but has had a few problems. I need something that is fully integrated with Apple's systems. Any comments? Thanks. Hi Julie, The main thing I’m concerned about is the Storm’s ability to sync with my Macs. I’ve used a Treo for the past several years and have had to get a third party (Missing Sync for Palm) application that mainly works, but has had a few problems. I need something that is fully integrated with Apple’s systems. Any comments? Thanks.

]]> By: Rob Tillotson http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/01/14/a-week-with-the-blackberry-storm-smartphone-day-7/comment-page-1/#comment-29481 Rob Tillotson Fri, 16 Jan 2009 14:20:43 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=11634#comment-29481 @Denzel: I'm guessing it won't be -- the N-Series is all GSM only. Nokia hasn't made a Symbian based CDMA phone since 2005. @Denzel: I’m guessing it won’t be — the N-Series is all GSM only. Nokia hasn’t made a Symbian based CDMA phone since 2005.

]]> By: Julie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/01/14/a-week-with-the-blackberry-storm-smartphone-day-7/comment-page-1/#comment-29452 Julie Thu, 15 Jan 2009 19:26:24 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=11634#comment-29452 @Hai: Thanks for your comments. :) Now I'm off searching for a new phone to review :) @Hai: Thanks for your comments. :) Now I’m off searching for a new phone to review :)

]]> By: Denzel Hankinson http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/01/14/a-week-with-the-blackberry-storm-smartphone-day-7/comment-page-1/#comment-29451 Denzel Hankinson Thu, 15 Jan 2009 18:55:02 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=11634#comment-29451 Well Julie, thanks. Anyone know when/whether the Nokia N97 might become a Verizon phone? Well Julie, thanks. Anyone know when/whether the Nokia N97 might become a Verizon phone?

]]> By: Hai Vu http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/01/14/a-week-with-the-blackberry-storm-smartphone-day-7/comment-page-1/#comment-29448 Hai Vu Thu, 15 Jan 2009 18:27:06 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=11634#comment-29448 One thing I got out of Julie's series for the Storm: the software shapes the experience of using a gadget. So many times when I saw sexy gadgets that look solid and beautiful, but the user experience sucks big time. It is all in the software--something that you have to actually use to experience, and then it was too late because you already bought that gadget. That is why I appreciate Julie and others who are reviewing these products. Thank you Julie. One thing I got out of Julie’s series for the Storm: the software shapes the experience of using a gadget. So many times when I saw sexy gadgets that look solid and beautiful, but the user experience sucks big time. It is all in the software–something that you have to actually use to experience, and then it was too late because you already bought that gadget. That is why I appreciate Julie and others who are reviewing these products. Thank you Julie.

]]> By: James Dougherty http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/01/14/a-week-with-the-blackberry-storm-smartphone-day-7/comment-page-1/#comment-29446 James Dougherty Thu, 15 Jan 2009 14:42:44 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=11634#comment-29446 Julie, thank you for your review. I went from a Motorola Q to the Storm and the 2 main functions I used, text and e-mail are such a chore on the Storm that I've cut my phone text and e-mail communications by 60%. If it were not for the fact that I gave my wife my Q and she loves it (for texting and e-mails), I would ask for it back! The only thing making me hold on to the Storm is, "I'm hoping, continued OS updates fix the issues noted by respected writers like yourself." Thank you again! Keep hammering away at the Storm deficiencies; "You're the voice of the people!" Jim Dougherty Julie, thank you for your review. I went from a Motorola Q to the Storm and the 2 main functions I used, text and e-mail are such a chore on the Storm that I’ve cut my phone text and e-mail communications by 60%. If it were not for the fact that I gave my wife my Q and she loves it (for texting and e-mails), I would ask for it back! The only thing making me hold on to the Storm is, “I’m hoping, continued OS updates fix the issues noted by respected writers like yourself.” Thank you again! Keep hammering away at the Storm deficiencies; “You’re the voice of the people!” Jim Dougherty

]]> By: William Steiner http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/01/14/a-week-with-the-blackberry-storm-smartphone-day-7/comment-page-1/#comment-29443 William Steiner Thu, 15 Jan 2009 14:13:14 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=11634#comment-29443 One important detail about Opera Mini is that to achieve it's awesome rendering speed, it proxies your request through it's own servers. It does this to compress images, etc. I have had no issues using it with google mail, etc. But some may have a bug-a-boo about sending account information through a proxie. i use it daily and love it. One important detail about Opera Mini is that to achieve it’s awesome rendering speed, it proxies your request through it’s own servers. It does this to compress images, etc. I have had no issues using it with google mail, etc. But some may have a bug-a-boo about sending account information through a proxie. i use it daily and love it.

]]> By: Des http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/01/14/a-week-with-the-blackberry-storm-smartphone-day-7/comment-page-1/#comment-29441 Des Thu, 15 Jan 2009 12:36:30 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=11634#comment-29441 Yesterday I decided that whilst I really like the Storm's large and clear screen, its video playback, its still & video camera I much prefer being able to type with a keypad so I went back to the 8110 Pearl. One of my colleagues lasted a day before he changed back and a few others are trying it out today. Yesterday I decided that whilst I really like the Storm’s large and clear screen, its video playback, its still & video camera I much prefer being able to type with a keypad so I went back to the 8110 Pearl.

One of my colleagues lasted a day before he changed back and a few others are trying it out today.

]]> By: Heath http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/01/14/a-week-with-the-blackberry-storm-smartphone-day-7/comment-page-1/#comment-29437 Heath Thu, 15 Jan 2009 09:22:45 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=11634#comment-29437 Thanks for the review. For myself, I'm particularly interested in mail, gps and web integration and your review using opera mini sells it to me. I'm usually happy with google maps as far as gps goes, and simple mail is all i really require. Thanks Thanks for the review. For myself, I’m particularly interested in mail, gps and web integration and your review using opera mini sells it to me. I’m usually happy with google maps as far as gps goes, and simple mail is all i really require.

Thanks

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