Are BlackBerry Storm Owners in Denial?
I’m shocked. According to a piece in The Wall Street Journal, Verizon Wireless estimates that the return rates for the slow, buggy, and frustrating-to-use BlackBerry Storm ($359.99) has been in the single digits. I believe the carrier when it says that this figure is standard for a smart phone, but it’s hard to believe that the return rate isn’t higher. Sure, the software on this device has improved since launch through updates, but typing on the two Storms we have has not improved. It’s slow and inaccurate, and to me that’s unacceptable for a BlackBerry.
Sometimes I literally feel sorry for those poor souls who spent hard-earned money for this device when I see them using the Storm in public. But when I look for that shake of the head when the accelerometer doesn’t kick in right away, or for that grimmace when it takes a couple of stabs just to make a menu selection, all I see are straight faces. Are my expectations too high, or is theirs’ too low? I think it’s the latter.
To be fair, there are a lot of things I like about the Storm. Although many have complained that having to press down on the display to make a selection takes too much effort–including myself–its hard not to appreciate what RIM’s innovative approach. Getting tactile feedback that feels like a button press is certainly better than the lame buzz sensation that haptic touchscreen phones provide. And as I noted in my review, the built-in GPS is well executed (via VZ Navigator); the call quality blows the iPhone 3G ($529.00) away; and the loud speaker is second to none. But even after applying the recommended (and leaked) updates, the Storm falls flat in terms of responsiveness and basic usability.
So why are BlackBerry Storm owners so willing to accept such a flawed device? One easy explanation is that they simply don’t agree with the critics and that they find the Storm to be good enough for their needs. Another could be that Verizon loyalists aren’t willing to jump ship to AT&T for a better device in the iPhone in exchange for a less reliable network, especially when it comes to data. Or maybe the Storm is the first smart phone or touch screen phone that many have encountered and they don’t know any better.
Whatever the reason, I believe that Storm owners are being taken for a ride. The device should not have been rushed to market just to hit the precious holiday buying season. And it’s inferior to first-class smart phones like the BlackBerry Curve ($264.99) and Bold.
RIM co-CEO Jim Balsillie chalks up the scramble to get the Storm to market and its software glitches to the “new reality” of making complex cell phones in large volumes. That doesn’t excuse Storm owners refusing to accept the reality that they deserve better.
Our Related Content
- Verizon Wireless Pushes Slacker Radio to all BlackBerry Storm Owners
- RIM Co-CEO Mike Lazaridis Shoots Down BlackBerry Tablet Idea
- RIM Exec: Storm 2 In The Works
From Other Sites
- BlackBerry Gets Attacked by Droids: First Impressions (GottaBeMobile)
- RIM's BlackBerry 2 Slated for September 15 Launch on Telus? (SlashGear)
- BlackBerry Storm 2 9550 gets video demo (SlashGear)
Related Deals
- Dell Off Lease Coupon Code: 25% off Any Item (No Minimum) at Dell Off Lease Refurbished Computers
- Western Digital Passport 500GB Portable External Hard Drive $79.99 Free Shipping at Staples
- Acer Aspire AS5732Z-4280 Intel Dual-Core T4400 2.2GHz 15.6in Laptop (3GB/320GB/Win 7) $399.99 at OfficeMax
- $40 PRICE DROP - Dell Inspiron Laptops w/ New Core i3-330M Dual-Core Processors at $549 at Dell Home
- Western Digital Elements 640GB Portable External Hard Drive $89.99 Free Shipping at Dell Small Business
| Powered by: |
3 Responses to “Are BlackBerry Storm Owners in Denial?”
Leave a Reply
Featured Sponsors |
|||
|
|
|
|
|



January 26th, 2009 by Mark Spoonauer
March 18th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
I would have agree’d with if I was still running is .75 on my storm but I’m running
.114 and I love my storm it types as fast as I can(not sayin I’m a fast typer) the accelerometer has gotten alot better(best in 109) and I never have to hit the screen multiple times like you described. I really like the phone and I’m very happy with my purchase the only thing I dislike is the shoddy craftmens work on It ( dust under the screen is not acceptable) and telus’s slow 3g network is killer to the browser but those are my only problems
April 6th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
First, you don’t need to use an apostrophe with the word “theirs”; “theirs” means belonging to them, as does apostrophe use… It’s redundant.
Second, I’ve had no problems with my Storm, which is on the TELUS network. I find typing to be quick, accurate, and easy; the accelerometer works perfectly on mine; and the responsiveness is perfect as well (you can fine tune it in the settings menu, too). Perhaps the one you tried was defective, since mine is not like the one you described whatsoever.
Also, Kevin, if you’re having trouble with the browser speed, you should call TELUS support, as there may be a problem with the service to your mobile phone.
April 16th, 2009 at 7:07 am
It seems the only people complaining about BB Storms are people who do not own them.
I know alot of iPhone fans bash them but I love my Storm, typing a long email is not a problem, it learns your frequently used words.
I’ve tired using an iPhone and I don’t like it.
The only valid complaints I’ve heard are from longtime blackberry owners who are so used to a physical keyboard they can’t get used to anything else. So they (quite rightly) choose the Bold or Curve.