Comments on: BlackBerry Storms Selling Out. We Want to Hear from the New Owners. http://blog.laptopmag.com/blackberry-storms-selling-out-we-want-to-hear-from-the-new-owners News and views on today's hottest laptops, cell phones, and other mobile devices. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:17:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: John http://blog.laptopmag.com/blackberry-storms-selling-out-we-want-to-hear-from-the-new-owners/comment-page-1#comment-14908 John Mon, 15 Dec 2008 16:57:12 +0000 http://blog.laptopmag.com/?p=7458#comment-14908 I have had the phone for just over a week. For a cheaper data plan price (and hardware price) this phone is SO much better than the WINMO phne I had (XV6700). I played with that phone forever for customization, never was satisfied, and dreaded HAVING to do anything anyone asked me (look up this, do that, etc). This phone has great usability - the menu button has all the right options at the right time. This, alone, is LIGHT YEARS from winmo phones. No stylus = GREAT. It does someimes get confused with the orientation, but I really don't care that much. Typing takes a little getting used to, but compared to my 6700 which I dreaded sliding out, it's just fine. Geotagging photos!!?!?!?! This is awesome. Just a few clicks later, it's on Flickr so my parents can see what we're doing EVERY DAY. Setting e-mail by just typing in the address and pw, with no options for push or polling - somehow it know's FAST when there's new e-mail. It's pretty nice. It's sleek, classy, useful, not perfect but awefully darn close. I have had the phone for just over a week. For a cheaper data plan price (and hardware price) this phone is SO much better than the WINMO phne I had (XV6700). I played with that phone forever for customization, never was satisfied, and dreaded HAVING to do anything anyone asked me (look up this, do that, etc).

This phone has great usability – the menu button has all the right options at the right time. This, alone, is LIGHT YEARS from winmo phones. No stylus = GREAT.

It does someimes get confused with the orientation, but I really don’t care that much. Typing takes a little getting used to, but compared to my 6700 which I dreaded sliding out, it’s just fine.

Geotagging photos!!?!?!?! This is awesome. Just a few clicks later, it’s on Flickr so my parents can see what we’re doing EVERY DAY.

Setting e-mail by just typing in the address and pw, with no options for push or polling – somehow it know’s FAST when there’s new e-mail. It’s pretty nice.

It’s sleek, classy, useful, not perfect but awefully darn close.

]]> By: Paul http://blog.laptopmag.com/blackberry-storms-selling-out-we-want-to-hear-from-the-new-owners/comment-page-1#comment-14668 Paul Mon, 01 Dec 2008 20:57:24 +0000 http://blog.laptopmag.com/?p=7458#comment-14668 I got my wife one. She's really picky, so I held out getting myself one in case she didn't like it. For 3 days all she did was complain, I thought she would hate it. But...she doesn't. She really likes it. For new-to-Blackberry people like us, the biggest drawback has been that the included manual is very minimal. It doesn't even address simple set-up items like speed dialing and such. So we've had to go online for alot of information. I've found the accelerometer works fine most time. YES...there has been a time or two when there was a delay in the switch from portrait to landscape, but it has been a rare experience. We have not experienced any of the other bugs people have reported, and my wife has used it heavily for a week now. It's no iphone killer, but it will probably be enough to keep once loyal VZ Wireless customers from going to an inferior service for a superior device. Mine is on order, latest word is I should see it ship by 12/8. If the wait is because VZ underestimated sales, I'd be surprised. It's probably like people have said, they had to put shipping on hold to fix some of the early reported bugs. If that's the case, I don't mind. I'd rather they get it right, and THEN get it to me. But like I said, my wife's works pretty much as advertised and I'm looking forward to receiving mine. I got my wife one. She’s really picky, so I held out getting myself one in case she didn’t like it. For 3 days all she did was complain, I thought she would hate it. But…she doesn’t. She really likes it. For new-to-Blackberry people like us, the biggest drawback has been that the included manual is very minimal. It doesn’t even address simple set-up items like speed dialing and such. So we’ve had to go online for alot of information. I’ve found the accelerometer works fine most time. YES…there has been a time or two when there was a delay in the switch from portrait to landscape, but it has been a rare experience. We have not experienced any of the other bugs people have reported, and my wife has used it heavily for a week now. It’s no iphone killer, but it will probably be enough to keep once loyal VZ Wireless customers from going to an inferior service for a superior device. Mine is on order, latest word is I should see it ship by 12/8. If the wait is because VZ underestimated sales, I’d be surprised. It’s probably like people have said, they had to put shipping on hold to fix some of the early reported bugs. If that’s the case, I don’t mind. I’d rather they get it right, and THEN get it to me. But like I said, my wife’s works pretty much as advertised and I’m looking forward to receiving mine.

]]> By: Chris http://blog.laptopmag.com/blackberry-storms-selling-out-we-want-to-hear-from-the-new-owners/comment-page-1#comment-14610 Chris Fri, 28 Nov 2008 23:22:21 +0000 http://blog.laptopmag.com/?p=7458#comment-14610 Steve, take it back and get a refund on that thing. Get a phone with buttons. The thing is; they make touch screens for navigation systems, banking machines and much more and, they work. These devices don't and, the BB Storm was an after thought as far as the touch screen is concerned. It was originally based around the Bold with a trackball and, RIM modified the existing OS for their new touch screen vs. writing a totally new part of code specifically for that function. This is why so far, it's not working smoothly. The acclerometer sends out a voltage and the OS is supposed to change the view depending on the feedback received from the accel. It doesn't work and, from what I have been hearing and reading- it's not only a SW issue but, rumoured to be a hardware issue as well. That means that SW update will not fix the issue. Steve, take it back and get a refund on that thing. Get a phone with buttons. The thing is; they make touch screens for navigation systems, banking machines and much more and, they work. These devices don’t and, the BB Storm was an after thought as far as the touch screen is concerned. It was originally based around the Bold with a trackball and, RIM modified the existing OS for their new touch screen vs. writing a totally new part of code specifically for that function. This is why so far, it’s not working smoothly.

The acclerometer sends out a voltage and the OS is supposed to change the view depending on the feedback received from the accel. It doesn’t work and, from what I have been hearing and reading- it’s not only a SW issue but, rumoured to be a hardware issue as well. That means that SW update will not fix the issue.

]]> By: Steve http://blog.laptopmag.com/blackberry-storms-selling-out-we-want-to-hear-from-the-new-owners/comment-page-1#comment-14602 Steve Fri, 28 Nov 2008 20:01:52 +0000 http://blog.laptopmag.com/?p=7458#comment-14602 Well I have had the Storm for almost a week..... And I am still fairly frustrated with this phone. 1) Battery life sucks...... Does not make it thru a whlole day for me. 2) Freezes up switching between Portrait and Landscape.. ( does finally come around without powering off) 3) Even with the screen lock on..... All the side buttons beep when they are bumped and they all bump way too easy! All the buttons should of been much firmer to press. 4) The phone is very very slow at times also. These are the most outstanding problems and I am really debating about taking it back.... Have had the Voyager before this and at this point I am ready to depart from touchscreen forever. Well I have had the Storm for almost a week….. And I am still fairly frustrated with this phone.

1) Battery life sucks…… Does not make it thru a whlole day for me.

2) Freezes up switching between Portrait and Landscape.. ( does finally come around without powering off)

3) Even with the screen lock on….. All the side buttons beep when they are bumped and they all bump way too easy! All the buttons should of been much firmer to press.

4) The phone is very very slow at times also.

These are the most outstanding problems and I am really debating about taking it back…. Have had the Voyager before this and at this point I am ready to depart from touchscreen forever.

]]> By: john laptop http://blog.laptopmag.com/blackberry-storms-selling-out-we-want-to-hear-from-the-new-owners/comment-page-1#comment-14529 john laptop Mon, 24 Nov 2008 05:48:14 +0000 http://blog.laptopmag.com/?p=7458#comment-14529 really the BlackBerry Storm. really the BlackBerry Storm.

]]> By: Bev http://blog.laptopmag.com/blackberry-storms-selling-out-we-want-to-hear-from-the-new-owners/comment-page-1#comment-14522 Bev Sun, 23 Nov 2008 22:37:57 +0000 http://blog.laptopmag.com/?p=7458#comment-14522 Got the phone but regret it now should have read this before i got it from Vodafone http://admiralh.wordpress.com/2008/11/21/why-the-blackberry-storm-is-no-iphone-killer/ Got the phone but regret it now

should have read this before i got it from Vodafone

http://admiralh.wordpress.com/2008/11/21/why-the-blackberry-storm-is-no-iphone-killer/

]]> By: Tony V. http://blog.laptopmag.com/blackberry-storms-selling-out-we-want-to-hear-from-the-new-owners/comment-page-1#comment-14512 Tony V. Sun, 23 Nov 2008 06:01:14 +0000 http://blog.laptopmag.com/?p=7458#comment-14512 Today was my first full day of use. I'm really not impressed with the battery life. I made a few short calls in the morning, sent a handful of texts and had one rather long conversation (about 40 minutes) in the afternoon. The battery was smoked by 7 pm. Not good. There are days that I will have WAY heavier call volume than today and I will be hosed if I'm not within six feet of the wall or laptop charger. By the way, WHY did RIM revise the USB plug in to the mini-USB?! That so pisses me off! I have like 5 travel and wall chargers that are now totally useless...if I decide to stay with the Storm, which I am doubting I will. After seeing the screen on the Bold, I really wish At&t wasn't the carrier for that phone. How do they get all the good phones? Their network is complete trash. Anyway, I echo the lag and texting issues, pisses me off, really. What a great phone in theory, if only application was theoretical. Today was my first full day of use. I’m really not impressed with the battery life. I made a few short calls in the morning, sent a handful of texts and had one rather long conversation (about 40 minutes) in the afternoon. The battery was smoked by 7 pm. Not good. There are days that I will have WAY heavier call volume than today and I will be hosed if I’m not within six feet of the wall or laptop charger. By the way, WHY did RIM revise the USB plug in to the mini-USB?! That so pisses me off! I have like 5 travel and wall chargers that are now totally useless…if I decide to stay with the Storm, which I am doubting I will. After seeing the screen on the Bold, I really wish At&t wasn’t the carrier for that phone. How do they get all the good phones? Their network is complete trash.

Anyway, I echo the lag and texting issues, pisses me off, really. What a great phone in theory, if only application was theoretical.

]]> By: Frank N. Stein http://blog.laptopmag.com/blackberry-storms-selling-out-we-want-to-hear-from-the-new-owners/comment-page-1#comment-14501 Frank N. Stein Sat, 22 Nov 2008 19:04:15 +0000 http://blog.laptopmag.com/?p=7458#comment-14501 I just received the BB Storm today and it delivers! After spending several hours last night reading all the negative reviews, I'm just not seein the lag reported, and I'm not having problems typing. Though I've never owned a BB before, this is certainly better than my previous phone. I don't see the big deal with Wi Fi because I never use it and never cared for paying for the fee. Not to mention the numerous security risks involved when using WiFi connections at a Coffee Shop, etc. Plus it would drive me crazy watching the phone pick up and drop available connections. I have a Verizon USB modem and used it quite extensively during my travels and not once ever using the hotel WiFi (which many still charge $). I'm sure there must be a reason for no WiFi, and my only guess is the much touted Verizon being the largest 3G network so no need to go the WiFi route? Then again, I wished the BB Storm had WiFi so I'm able to see the reviews in a more positive light instead of the immediate negative bashing due to no WiFi which in my eyes already opinionated the review from the get go. I just received the BB Storm today and it delivers! After spending several hours last night reading all the negative reviews, I’m just not seein the lag reported, and I’m not having problems typing. Though I’ve never owned a BB before, this is certainly better than my previous phone. I don’t see the big deal with Wi Fi because I never use it and never cared for paying for the fee. Not to mention the numerous security risks involved when using WiFi connections at a Coffee Shop, etc. Plus it would drive me crazy watching the phone pick up and drop available connections. I have a Verizon USB modem and used it quite extensively during my travels and not once ever using the hotel WiFi (which many still charge $). I’m sure there must be a reason for no WiFi, and my only guess is the much touted Verizon being the largest 3G network so no need to go the WiFi route? Then again, I wished the BB Storm had WiFi so I’m able to see the reviews in a more positive light instead of the immediate negative bashing due to no WiFi which in my eyes already opinionated the review from the get go.

]]> By: Chris http://blog.laptopmag.com/blackberry-storms-selling-out-we-want-to-hear-from-the-new-owners/comment-page-1#comment-14491 Chris Sat, 22 Nov 2008 05:27:53 +0000 http://blog.laptopmag.com/?p=7458#comment-14491 I tried the Storm this morning and left it on the counter in complete disgust with this device. The unit I had looked at froze up when rotating and, the UI was slow and sluggish. The typing on the screen was poorand I did not care for how it felt. Again, slow and sluggish upon input. The only way to remedy the freeze up was to remove the battery and reboot. Embarrasing for the sales people there but, it does happen. This device is not ready for release in my opinion. Buggy software coupled with a rather half baked attempt at the touch screen. Oh, on that note, the scrolling is jagged, stiff and there's no acceleration to the movement either. It felt wierd to me. No, I don't own an iPhone. I am looking for a new device that works that's all. None of these devices out today work as intended due to rushing them out to market to meet investor and S&M demands. I had tried the Bold and that too was another failure with all the bugs in that thing. The trackball stopped working on mine and; it dropped all calls due to lame AT&T 3G issues. I couldn't even use it as a simple phone. How sad is that? I tried the Storm this morning and left it on the counter in complete disgust with this device. The unit I had looked at froze up when rotating and, the UI was slow and sluggish. The typing on the screen was poorand I did not care for how it felt. Again, slow and sluggish upon input. The only way to remedy the freeze up was to remove the battery and reboot. Embarrasing for the sales people there but, it does happen.

This device is not ready for release in my opinion. Buggy software coupled with a rather half baked attempt at the touch screen. Oh, on that note, the scrolling is jagged, stiff and there’s no acceleration to the movement either. It felt wierd to me. No, I don’t own an iPhone. I am looking for a new device that works that’s all. None of these devices out today work as intended due to rushing them out to market to meet investor and S&M demands.

I had tried the Bold and that too was another failure with all the bugs in that thing. The trackball stopped working on mine and; it dropped all calls due to lame AT&T 3G issues. I couldn’t even use it as a simple phone. How sad is that?

]]>