Verizon schedules Storm for November 21 release, $199.99 on contract
By Chris Ziegler 
posted Nov 13th 2008 3:01AM
posted Nov 13th 2008 3:01AM
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About damn time!
WOOOO!
Sorry Dick, but I wanted everyone to see this.
Don't forget about the BB Trade Up Program. They give you money back for your old phone if you buy a BB.
http://na.blackberry.com/eng/solutions/students/?CPID=BAC-FBMSLK-2&cp=BAC-FBMSLK-2
I went to a conference for this device on Tuesday. I can't wait for this thing. The SurePress screen is amazing, and puts my iPhone to shame in terms of screen clarity. The camera also takes better pictures. It's not as zippy as the iPhone, but it's a lot more robust. We'll see how it goes. I think a lot of people will like the device. RIM did a good job of keep the blackberry functionality the same, as they introduced touch capabilities. If you're used to blackberries, this device doesn't feel awkward to use at all. You'll pretty much feel right at home - QWERTY and Suretype users alike. The suretype on this thing is GREAT. :D
The web browser wasn't too shabby. Press and hold the screen to bring up a menu that provides zooming, etc. You can also double-tap like Opera and the iPhone. The rev A speeds of the device here in Omaha, NE were amazing.
I'm hoping they get they've tweaked out the issues with the qwerty mode and picture album out. The pre-production model they let us play with had to be rebooted twice, but that's to be expected.
Wooo!!! :D
Suretype is NEVER great.
However, I find it convenient typing message with one hand (once in a while of course)
I bet prices for data plans for the Storm are going to be killer.
What a rep told me it would be 30$ for unlimited data like the other BlackBerry Plans, I get 20% off data and voice so no biggie here.
what do you think this is an iphone? its $30 unlimited
Finally now I can sell my G1 buyout my contract and receive a yummy Storm
Yeah, that must have been an agonizing few weeks for you.
The towels are kinda scratchy!!!
This thing is ugly. how can it compare with iPhone?
SurePress is a joke comparing to iphone.
You're a joke compared to iPhone.
I think that its prettier than the iPhone.
I saw that iPhone on the store the other day and it was so plain.
This thing is definitely nicer looking than the iPhone.
Oh Danny, people like you who defend the iphone to the death must suck at life. Do us a favor and jump off a bridge.
It looks nicer than the iphone from the front, but I'm just a tinsy bit dissapointed with the thickness and weight. Actually, the thickness is okay, it's just that I expected it to be thinner than the iphone because that's what all the forum folks were saying for awhile...that the storm would be thinner and lighter. Still, it's only slightly thicker than the curve, so it's not bad. However, the weight is something I don't know if I can live with. The best part of the Curve and Pearl is that for it's size, the phone feels light. I put my phone in my jean pockets, so that's a big deal. The Storm is 50% heavier than the curve, which is unforgivable. I don't want to compare it to the iPhone, but being 20% heavier than the already not so light iPhone is dissapointing considering RIM's engineers.
With that said, I'm still going to buy it because of its features. The ONLY reason I might take it back is if the phone weight in my pocket really becomes unbareable, but I think I'll get used to it.
How about this side of the pond?
I just called Vodafone and they still tell me it's being released tomorrow 14th November!!
Can anyone else back this up?
yeah i heard that you limey bastards (jk) were getting it the 14th too. if it's true, congrats. i have no problem waiting another week since payday is next thursday
Wow looks sexy. Does anyone have any good short vids with a quick overview of the good stuff? Any solid ideas about what data plans would cost too?
Wonder if we'll get enough to fill our preorders.
No keyboard, no sale. I am actually thinking of giving the XV6850 a pass (IF) it ever comes out and sticking with my Treo 700p for a while longer. Until, that is, there is decent geocaching software for Blackberry.
Now that is a seriously good deal for a serious good phone. RIM FTW.
It does slightly resemble another phone, though...
http://www.pocketpccentral.net/samsung_i730.htm
Seems odd that a blackberry device doesn't have a keyboard... but everybody wants to be the "next" iphone.
Eww... It's not even close.
Also, the touch screen form factor was coming, and was even announced, before the iPhone (LG Prada). iPhone was just first to market.
> "Seems odd that a blackberry device doesn't have a keyboard..."
But, RIM makes MANY different models... most with keyboards, one without.
Apple has ONE product. Well, 2... if you count the revolutionary change from the 1st gen iPhone to the 2nd... :)
When it will come to Brazil? (with a price tag of about BR$ 2.500,00 ¬¬)
*Keep an eye on mercadolivre.com*
What will the price be for 1 Year contract + mail in if any????
P.S. This Phone is a Hundread Times better then Iphone for reasons
1. Insurance
2. The Network
3. Blackberry
4. Design
5. Memory Upgrades easy
6. Replacing battery easy and Upgrading
7. Not Apple
YES Finally a availability date, finally! I am soo excited, and its not an apple, I hate apple f apple woot!
I did my pre-order at Bestbuy ($50 deposit). Hopefully since Best Buy has the lowest price and no rebates it will be $199 out the door.
Just so everyone knows....the Docking station is sold separately. It will be $49.99.
Incorrect. The accessory list was leaked a couple of weeks ago (including on EngadgetMobile), and the dockpod or whatever they are calling it will only be $29.99 at Verizon stores. $49.99 is what the phone after-market sharks are trying to pull.
In two months, a docking station will be $2.99 on Ebay (Plus $10 shipping)
so $199 for everyone? Not just for people with ne2?
what will the data price be like for this thing? i have never owned a smartphone before, but i have to admit i am more attracted to iphone than RIM as the data prices always seem cheaper. am i wrong on that? i've played w\ the iphone before and it was fine, but it's a bit "toyish" for me...
Depends. Personal will be $30/mo. Business will be $50/mo. That came from a VZW rep that I spoke with yesterday.
NICE! Please excuse me while I change my pants...
Question form an old guy ... Can you buy one, but not from Verizon (so the SIFI works), get it activated by Verizon, and NOT buy the damn expensive data plan?
That's WIFI, not SIFI ... damn fat fingers
It does not have WiFi (and even if it did, it would not matter whether you bought it at Verizon or not, because Verizon does not disable WiFi -- they just don't require or demand it as a feature -- case in point here).
And no, you cannot get a BlackBerry without a data plan, ANYMORE, according to the leaks. It used to be that you could get one just for a phone and put a data block on it. Leaks about the changes taking effect on 11/16 say that this will no longer be the case.
Which makes sense -- it you don't want it for its data capabilities, then it is not the phone for you. Data is central (core, raison d'Etat) to this device's existence.
Nope, you need to at least buy the $30 plan.
Good explanation
Brian: that article is 3 months old, before we knew that NO STORM has Wifi.
The model on sale in North America (Verizon in US, Telus in Canada) is the 9530. The model in Europe (Vodaphone) is the 9500. Neither has Wifi -- the 9530 just has CDMA to make it work on Verizon's network.
If you want wifi, this is not the device for you.
for all of you who think that we are defending the iPhone we are. Not that we need to, but just to simply mention that close to two years ago Apple created a device that no one has topped. No so much that its touch screen, or that it doesn't have QWERTY keyboard, but that its complete with a stable OS designed by the one and only who brought you the personal computer. The OS combined with the physical device is what cannot be beat. All these touch screen phones are coming out and not one has the ease of use like the iPhone. A non iPhone user can pick the device up and be able to use it in 3 minutes. For the Storm (clunky, and on the worlds slowest 3G network) it will be another confusing OS loaded up on another want to be smart phone and BB junkies who simply use the device because it's been the "business device" for years will never understand how to utilize any of the features.
It's easy for companies to create devices like this because they have a benchmark product, the iPhone. If someone actually created a "unique" device, or a phone that completely brought light to new and innovated ways to use a handheld, then we wouldn't need to be comparing it to anything. The iPhone when brought to the market had no competitors because it was ahead of it's time. As for RIM, they will spend the next 2 years trying to improve on the "storm" while apple and Steve Jobs (or his predecessor) come up with a new (not iphone 3g) handheld smart phone.
PS: We'll know who has a BB Storm because you pocket will look like you're carrying around a nintendo DS or GameBoy.
Saw the following here: http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/08/27/blackberry-storm-9530-for-verizon-gets-boxed/
My feeling is that that the Verizon version (Storm) is not called the Thunder because the Storm will lack wifi, while the Canadian and European Thunders will have wifi
IF this is true, can you buy a Canadian or European version independently (Ebay, etc) and activate on the Verizon net?
Thx
I generally have a rule about engaging in debate with a zealot, but I will suspend that rule to law a smack on you.
First, Storm is 1mm thicker than the iPhone 3g. I don't know about you, but 1mm will not make a bit of difference in the neighborhood that is my pants. YMMV.
Second, this device is not RIM's answer to the iPhone (although it is arguably Verizon's). It was in development before the iPhone was announced.
Third, it does IMPROVE on the iPhone. So sure, maybe its not "revolutionary." But who gives a damn? Apple-fan boys, that's who -- NO ONE ELSE. We do not require our electronics purveyors to first earn and then maintain our adoration. We do not care if any executive at the companies that make our electronics attain pop-icon-technology-god-like status. We have lives. We have realistic views of the world. We accept that the best device may not be the one that broke the mold -- it may be the one that improved on the one that broke the mold; and we will use the better device, no matter who makes it, because it is better. Case in point: my company offers BlackBerries and iPhones for push email. To a person, everybody who opted for the iPhone 1) like the media and internet integration and 2) misses their BlackBerry for email. Most of them just use it to READ email, never to respond. How perfectly useless... "I know I have email -- need to a computer to respond!" I'm new to BlackBerries, but I recognize that it is supposed to be a convenience and productivity asset, not a fancy email reader.
Lastly, it is plain from your post that you 1) have never used a BlackBerry and 2) have not used the Storm. So I will just say, you don't know what the hell you are talking about with respect to how user-friendly the Storm is.
Would you have any respect for the opinion of someone who espouses irrational, zealous adherence to a religion, no matter the arguments? What makes you (and most Apple fanboys) any different?
I don't know why you wrote so many words to say nothing, bro.
Basically what you said is "my iPhone is better than this other device I've never even used and you should totally care about my opinion."
Also, FYI, nothing about the iPhone is unique or groundbreaking, besides the fact that there's an Apple logo on the back. For God's sake, the EDGE on the original was outdated before the phone even came out. It's a great phone, no doubt, and if it wouldn't mean breaking contract and going to an inferior data network (as AT&T is) I'd get one in a heartbeat. Doesn't change the fact that your comment is uninformed and pointless.
Ok. Spec comparison time:
iPhone 3G: 4.5"H x 2.4"W x 0.48D, 4.7oz.
BB Storm: 4.43"H x 2.45"W x 0.55D, 4.8oz
They're both roughly the same size and weight. So enjoy your own Nintendo DS you carry in your pocket. ;)
I'm not trying to slam the iPhone. I like the iPhone (I own a Touch and love the device), but as a business user, the iPhone's email capabilities just aren't ready yet. I will give Apple props for implementing MS ActiveSync for Exchange better than MS has done with its own WM OS.
No copy & paste, can't search you email/contacts/calendar, these are necessary for a business user. Without these options, the iPhone is a no go for me.
jake first off you as well wrote a whole bunch of nothing. Pick out all of the words you used a dictionary to add in, and this is what it said. wamp wamp wamp, nothing nothing nothing.
1mm or not, the design alone has created a more uncomfortable feeling in your pocket. Second, I have owned a BB, and third I was at a tech conference where I was able to use the Storm. So YES i can say that the interaction with the phone is not as friendly as the iPhone.
One very important note. For going on a few years, all I've heard from BB users is that they love their QWERTY keyboard and they will never go touch screen. Well now that it's here (finally years later) everyone is now open arms to the new Storm. So you can all go "Storm" on down to Verizon on Nov 21st and go back on everything you believed in for son long. BB or iPhone it don't matter. Storm will be like "instinct". All this hype for a piece of crap that lacks all the reasoning behind a Touch Screen.
If you folks are so worried about responding to emails and being able to communicate with others for business then the iPhone and or the Storm will not be a fit. Let's face it, on the road and driving doesn't make it easy to type on a touch screen phone.