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Gadgets BlackBerry Storm Details Emerge
Shane McGlaun (Blog) - October 7, 2008 2:55 PM
Print E-mail del.icio.us 59 comment(s) - last by crystal clear.. on Oct 11 at 6:13 AM
Another iPhone "killer" prepares to enter the market from Smartphone stalwart BlackBerry

Every time a Smartphone with a touchscreen and an internet connection comes out, it's hailed as the iPhone killer. Each time an iPhone killer is announced it makes nary a dent in the iPhone's armor of coolness. Right now, the iPhone 3G is at the top of the Smartphone sales charts with two models from BlackBerry bringing up second and third.

RIM, the company behind the BlackBerry, is getting ready to launch a new iPhone dethroning hopeful called the Storm. As things go today, the handset’s details were leaked ahead of its official launch. Time.com cobbled together a series of leaked details from around the web and threw the info together.

So far, the Storm is said to have a 3.2-inch touchscreen and an appearance much more like the iPhone than the typical BlackBerry device. Key features include GPS, Wi-Fi, and the handset will run on the Verizon 3G network.

One feature of the Storm that will make many iPhone users jealous is the built-in cut and paste feature. That particular feature (or lack thereof) is a sore spot for many iPhone owners. Typical BlackBerry devices, like the Bold, feature QWERTY keyboards for typing, something the Storm will forgo in favor of an iPhone-like onscreen keyboard.

BlackBerry one-ups the iPhone in the keyboard department by giving the keyboard the ability to work in landscape mode. For some reason, Apple opted not to allow the iPhone keyboard to rotate into landscape mode for better typing of emails and text messages. Camera quality on the iPhone is decent with 2-megapixels of resolution. BlackBerry has gifted the storm with a 3.2-megapixel camera for higher quality shots.

BlackBerry will even offer an App Store-like area to purchase add-on software. Overall, the Storm sounds much more like a Smartphone aimed at the masses than a business specific device that the traditional BlackBerry is viewed as by many.

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So promising
By FITCamaro on 10/7/2008 3:33:15 PM , Rating: 4
quote:
Typical BlackBerry devices, like the Bold, feature QWERTY keyboards for typing, something the Storm will forgo in favor of an iPhone-like onscreen keyboard.


Damn. Sounded great until then. I want an actual keyboard. Not one on the screen that is just gonna make my screen get covered in fingerprints and oil.




RE: So promising
By Homerboy on 10/7/2008 3:43:13 PM , Rating: 4
Exactly. Its just stupid to remove the actual keyboard. I simply couldn't imagine typing emails (work related) on a non-tactile keyboard. I love my blackberry and would love fro something new and great from them, but no keyboard = no sale.


RE: So promising
By FITCamaro on 10/7/2008 4:05:42 PM , Rating: 2
Yeah I have a LG enV and love the keyboard on it. I can type almost as fast as on a keyboard for a computer. It needs to have a slide out keyboard. Or one on the inside like the Voyager/enV.


RE: So promising
By silversound on 10/8/2008 12:35:07 PM , Rating: 2
this storm really look cheap and so plastic
http://www.gsmarena.com/blackberry_storm_gets_offi...


RE: So promising
By audiomaniaca on 10/9/2008 1:20:16 AM , Rating: 2
That's true. It looks like another "iphone killer".


RE: So promising
By UNCjigga on 10/7/2008 4:12:26 PM , Rating: 2
It has a tactile screen--not stupid buzzing "haptics", but an actual click-screen that feels like a physical keypad. It is light years beyond the iPhone in actual usability for typing.


RE: So promising
By winterspan on 10/7/2008 4:51:38 PM , Rating: 3
Actually, I used to feel the same way about "virtual keyboard" nonsense until I tried an iPhone. After about 2-3 days, It was more comfortable and faster to type on than the Treo "chiclet" keyboard I had previous. I certainly can't vouch for any other device, but you should definitely give it a try. I think you'd be surprised how functional it can be when you are using a capacitive touchscreen that is so responsive.


RE: So promising
By MScrip on 10/7/2008 4:15:21 PM , Rating: 3
Where have ya'll been? The Storm has some kind of click keyboard, so the screen presses in when you press it. Reviews haven't come out, but it's supposed to be better than just pressing on a flat surface.

And the best part about Blackberry, they have many models to choose from: the 8800 World phone, the Curve, the old Pearl skinny candybar, the new Pearl flip-phone, all with keyboards... and a touch screen phone.

Take that Apple.


RE: So promising
By FITCamaro on 10/7/2008 5:30:21 PM , Rating: 1
I don't see anywhere for a click keyboard to be separate from the screen. Just because the screen presses in a little doesn't mean it still not going to get smudged.


RE: So promising
By MScrip on 10/7/2008 5:53:51 PM , Rating: 4
Then buy a Bold. Or whichever Blackberry comes after the Bold with a keyboard. The Storm is just an additional model of the Blackberry. I'm sure Blackberry will keep making QWERTY phones for many years.

Apple makes one phone, a touchscreen phone, and it sells well. Blackberry is just now getting into the touchscreen game. But they have many models to choose from.


RE: So promising
By JWalk on 10/8/2008 11:57:31 AM , Rating: 4
Exactly. Thank you.

Blackberry makes like half a dozen phones with QWERTY keyboards. Complaining that this model doesn't have one is like complaining that a Corvette doesn't have a truck bed or towing capacity. If you want or need those things, buy a pickup truck. And if you want or need a QWERTY keyboard on your Blackberry, then buy one of the many they sell.

Every product isn't going to be perfect for every person.


RE: So promising
By therealnickdanger on 10/8/2008 3:35:12 PM , Rating: 2
I'll just say that I have had my HTC Touch for about 10 months now (kinda lost track of time) and my touchscreen is fingerprint/smudge free. I'm still using the film screen-protector that came with the phone and it's holding up very well. I never use the included stylus, I text and e-mail all the time, it gets tons of use. Naturally, just like my tactile-keyed phones of the past, I don't touch it with sticky or dirty hands.

The only problem I ever run into is "ear sweat"... it gets hot sometimes. Perhaps I need some Cinco Phone Gel.


No Wi-Fi
By ZipSpeed on 10/7/2008 5:45:39 PM , Rating: 2
http://www.boygeniusreport.com/gallery/handsets/bl...

From what I've been reading, the Storm won't have Wi-Fi capability. IMO, the lack of this feature is deal breaker because with so many Wi-Fi hotspots, it's nice to jump on the Internet without having to eat into your data usage.




RE: No Wi-Fi
By Jacerie on 10/7/2008 8:58:41 PM , Rating: 2
This is really a non issue with every Blackberry I've had. When you get the BB specific data plan it includes unlimited data usage.
My real concern, is will it tether?


RE: No Wi-Fi
By pauldovi on 10/7/2008 11:49:26 PM , Rating: 2
The leaked PowerPoint slide shows tethering as a feature. In fact they show an accessory for the device that is a battery powered wireless G router which is tethered to the Blackberry and gives wifi to your laptop.


RE: No Wi-Fi
By ZipSpeed on 10/8/2008 1:20:18 AM , Rating: 2
I would agree with you 100% if I were living in the US. Here in Canada, the carriers here nickel and dime their customers when it comes to data plans. For example, on Rogers (the network equivalent of AT&T in Canada), they gouge their customers $30 for 1 GB and $60 for 3 GB. There's a reason why Canadian carriers are among the most profitable in the world.


RE: No Wi-Fi
By omnicronx on 10/8/2008 2:03:17 PM , Rating: 2
Both Bell and Telus have unlimited plans for $30 a month so they can compete with Rogers and the iphone. Thats for any Windows mobile phone or blackberry.


RE: No Wi-Fi
By ZipSpeed on 10/8/2008 4:42:45 PM , Rating: 2
Good to know! I'm ready to retire this old Moto Razr and I thought of jumping to the iPhone but didn't feel like paying the ridiculous money Rogers is asking for such limited data options. Perhaps this Storm might be what the doctor ordered. If data is unlimited, I guess the lack of WiFi can be overlooked.


RE: No Wi-Fi
By gramboh on 10/8/2008 7:09:13 PM , Rating: 2
$30/mo for 6GB on my iPhone 3G here (Rogers of course). Pretty sure that deal has been extended? 6GB is functionally unlimited for an iPhone 3G since you can't tether to a laptop.

So far I haven't gone over 300mb/month as I'm at my laptop most of the day at work.


RE: No Wi-Fi
By ZipSpeed on 10/8/2008 7:12:29 PM , Rating: 2
Nope, the 6 GB deal is dead. There is a $75 voice and data bundle that gives 2 GB data ($50 for 1 GB). Reason why Rogers is getting away with the exorbitant fees is the popularity of the iPhone.


RE: No Wi-Fi
By bldckstark on 10/8/2008 12:44:43 PM , Rating: 2
Data usage on verizon Blackberry's is unlimited with the mandatory $29.95 per Blackberry account fee. Tethering is not included in this cost though. If you want to tehter, you have to pay more.


RE: No Wi-Fi
By omnicronx on