BlackBerry Storm comes to Vodafone today -- take cover immediately

Just how badly do you want a Storm? Badly enough to pull up your long-established roots, fly for half a day, and take residence in a foreign land thousands of miles from home? For Americans who absolutely cannot wait another week for RIM's first touchscreen device to launch on domestic soil, that's the only option; for Brits on Vodafone, though, heaven is but a single shop trip away. The BlackBerry Storm has now officially launched in the Old Country and can be had for as little as zilch on a Voda plan, so do let us know how your experiences go, yeah? Your yankee friends thank you in advance.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

[OCEAN 'CLAK' 20th @ Nov 14th 2008 3:17PM]

'i' dont like it

[andy @ Nov 14th 2008 3:21PM]

lack of WiFi is unacceptable in today's smartphone standard...

[johann @ Nov 14th 2008 3:34PM]

yea. my only gripe.

[Homeboy @ Nov 14th 2008 3:48PM]

True! Which is why I have zero interest in this phone. At the end of the day Blackberry makes business phones and intend to gauge business on plans. Without a plan that includes unlimited internet, this phone is a pretty much dead weight. Besides that WiFi is really good for when 3G is agonising slow...............and when you're on a business trip abroad and want to utilize local WiFi networks.

Blackberry Storm = Loser

HTC Touch, Touch Pro, HD = Winners

[johann @ Nov 14th 2008 4:01PM]

still buying it

[Mark Anderson @ Nov 14th 2008 5:37PM]

I thought about the WiFi thing and, to be honest, having used smartphones for a few years I can count the number of times I've actually used it on one hand.

3G+ is much more useful.

[moog @ Nov 15th 2008 10:23AM]

That's been my analysis as well. WiFi is used so seldom that it doesn't even factor in. Plus, my experience with AT&T 3G and Verizon 3G has proven that VZN is waaay faster. WiFi = meh

[moog @ Nov 15th 2008 10:26AM]

Re: homeboy

This is not a business focused device dimwit. The best thing about engadget is that readers can post their comments, the worst thing is that most readers are uneducated dullards.

[chefgon_ign @ Nov 14th 2008 3:29PM]

That's some pretty pathetic photoshopping work for an official promotional picture from the store.

[StalematE @ Nov 14th 2008 3:36PM]

They're using the "who cares, let's publish it anyway" method.

[Lowest Ranked @ Nov 14th 2008 4:02PM]

Haven't you heard? Anti-anti-aliasing is in.

[moog @ Nov 15th 2008 10:24AM]

Someone forgot the bilinear filter. By the way, nice topical post. :P

[Dagreenman18 @ Nov 14th 2008 3:34PM]

the only thing that keeps me from buying this when it comes to the states is the NO WIFI. who's bright idea was this?! and they want to compete with iPhone? i they were going to leave out wifi, at least drop the price of the data plan.

[Michael Scrip @ Nov 14th 2008 3:49PM]

Verizon EVDO is fast. Even if I can't hit 3G speeds all the time, I use a computer most of the day anyway.

Mobile browsers, for me, are for small bits of data... sports scores, movie times, etc. It will never be my primary web browser. Texting and email are fine over a Blackberry connection. What about existing Blackberries that don't have WIFI?

Apple probably added WIFI because it knew AT&T used EDGE at the iPhone launch in 2007.

Would I use WIFI if the Storm had it? Probably... but the whole point of a Blackberry is connectivity EVERYWHERE... even after I leave the coffee shop.

- Verizon customer, patiently waiting for the Storm.

[Patriks7 @ Nov 14th 2008 4:22PM]

True the speeds might be fast, but it's not free like some Wifi and for many the Wifi is just a deal breaker.. I was really interested in this phone until I read it has no Wifi :/ cause it looks freaking impressive

[Michael Scrip @ Nov 14th 2008 4:47PM]

> "but it's not free like some Wifi"

So what would you do... walk around trying to FIND a wifi access point to use your Blackberry? That goes against everything the Blackberry is all about.

Do people really get a minimal data plan and just rely on free wifi to browse the web on their phone? I guess a Blackberry isn't for them anyway.

[Vic @ Nov 15th 2008 12:39AM]

^^^ People say that the Storm won't be able to compete against the iPhone due to the lack of WiFi seem to be ignorant to the fact that they aren't the majority. The majority do not care about WiFi (especially with the iPhone 3G), and most people here complaining are the ones who go through the process of unlocking/jailbreaking phones to get around those requirements.

The majority people will buy an iPhone from AT&T with the $30/m iPhone data plan, and EVERYONE will be buying a Storm from Verizon with the $30/m Blackberry plan, thus the Storm will remain competitive with the iPhone.

[spellprince @ Nov 14th 2008 3:35PM]

I have no need for WiFi. With EVDO, I can browse and tether to my laptop at great speeds. As I use an unlimited lan, no need for WiFi calling either. If I had TMO or ATT, I would definitely want the WiFi feature though. Otherwise it is just another radio. Verizon FTW.

[Ysleiro @ Nov 14th 2008 3:41PM]

DAMN IT STORM !!

I almost had you yesterday. ARRRRRGGGGGHHH.

I was in Time Square yesterday trying to win one of these things and I noticed that the Verizon guys were in a way controlling your chances of winning by controlling the amount of papers inside the wind box. Oh well see you on the 21st Storm.

I did get to use a pre-production model and let me tell you this is one sexy phone. It's as thing if not thinner than a BB Pearl! The software was kinda buggy though and the phone itself is not big at all. It feels like having a BB Curve in your hand (just a little heavier).

[Jeremy K. @ Nov 14th 2008 3:45PM]

I'm actually surprised that the plans and the phone are so cheap. A comparable T-Mobile plan in the US is about £15 more. We're getting shafted in the US!

[John @ Nov 14th 2008 3:47PM]

Engadget, please learn to — I'm sick of seeing this double hyphen nonsense.

[John @ Nov 14th 2008 3:48PM]

LOL that actually converted. —

[Graham Wellington (formerly tyrone washington, or marsha goldberg) @ Nov 14th 2008 4:13PM]

i know, its terrible right?

[Rykaro @ Nov 14th 2008 3:48PM]

Going to the shops to buy one is so yesterday...real men buy theirs on the internet and have it at 9am this morning :o)

[tom @ Nov 14th 2008 4:06PM]

You are a wuss.

Real men will actually stay overnight outside the store to buy it.

[Wolfeman @ Nov 14th 2008 3:53PM]

I can't wait until next Friday when I can get rid of this POS Centro and get me a Storm :)

[phanbouy @ Nov 14th 2008 3:56PM]

spellprince, i don't see what that has to do with ben calling you gay

[Raheem @ Nov 14th 2008 4:04PM]

Please; no one's on Vodafone anyway - they're a rip off with poor coverage.

[matt @ Nov 14th 2008 4:16PM]

Apart from people that work for them and (used to at least) get a pretty tasty selection of deals. 3 still rules though.

[andai cee @ Nov 14th 2008 4:09PM]

Was in the voda store today!
I must say this Blackberry isnt a good in the hand as the iPhone but the screen is mighty big :)
But I just got a samsung soul so...
:(

[Tyson @ Nov 14th 2008 4:17PM]

Again fuck you Verizon...

[Michael Scrip @ Nov 14th 2008 7:20PM]

Oh come one... RIM could have made it a T-Mobile exclusive!

[Tyson @ Nov 14th 2008 8:32PM]

Oh so I get voted down... So its acceptable for them to give it for free while Verizon charges $250 with the 10 week refund. I'm the nly one who doesn't want it for free and not $70 plus$30/mon extra free for 24 month when the British get a free phone an $90 for 900 minutes and unlimited texts. Yes I'm the wrong one.

[moog @ Nov 15th 2008 10:26AM]

Different markets call for different marketing. (catch the theme there?)

[Cirian75 @ Nov 14th 2008 4:19PM]

I had one in my hand, I was going to be the 1st Storm owner in my town, I gave it a 15 minute work out, the virtual keypad is the best touchscreen I have ever used.


Then I looked in the connection manager, ermmm, no Wi-Fi, thats ok the data will be good, the G1 has 3Gig and the iPhone is unlimited.

Whats the data limit?

500meg sir.

Ok, Im out, not getting this great phone only due stupid Vodafone UK's stupidly low data limit.


And that is the only reason !!!

[Mark Anderson @ Nov 14th 2008 5:39PM]

500 MB is miserly but having used an Omnia on a Voda contract I can't say I've actually used more than that.

That said, it's still rubbish.

[moog @ Nov 15th 2008 10:27AM]

RIM marketing has got to get in gear. Do you realize how much 500M will get you with a BB? For example; iPhone data is 20x more expensive than BB. Yep, 20 times as heavy. That means on a an apples for apples plan (no pun intended), BB's compression algorithm will give you 20x as mush usage. You can't measure in bandwidth alone, you need to understand the product.

[ijyt @ Nov 14th 2008 4:20PM]

Going to go pick up an iPhone and Storm tomorrow, it'll be interesting to compare both for myself.

[Cirian75 @ Nov 14th 2008 4:28PM]

storms virtual keyboard is way way better.


but the lack of wifi and the very poor data plan with VodaFone uk compared to the iPhone on O2 uk and G1 on T-Mobile uk sucks big time.

The iPhone is unlimited, and the G1 is 3Gig.

500meg is a joke

[Sofunnytom @ Nov 14th 2008 8:16PM]

@ cirian 75

wtf are you getting "3Gig"? 3G stands for third-generation. And the storm has EV-DO rev. a, so its extremely fast and the 500mb is the small plan. you can get 5GB too.

[Darrensw @ Nov 14th 2008 4:58PM]

I picked mine up today... and it's terrible. The touchscreen is really unresponsive, and the UI is just awful. Mine's going on eBay and I'm having an iPhone - in terms of specifications the iPhone is the lesser handset, but, as the man once said, "it just works".

[Michael Scrip @ Nov 14th 2008 7:14PM]

So wait... you got a Storm, and in one day you decide it's terrible? Dontcha think software or firmware updates will help? I mean.. it's ONE DAY OLD.

How many software updates has the iPhone had?

[Andrew T. @ Nov 14th 2008 8:14PM]

"It just works"...AFTER various updates, heck I still don't think you can say "it just works". (Is that even still valid and can that still be applicable to Apple's latest products?)

[Patrick @ Nov 14th 2008 5:03PM]

will the verizon storm have WiFi?

[Michael Scrip @ Nov 14th 2008 7:19PM]

No... but it does have a fast 3G network... you know, so you can use it anywhere. You can use it outside of your office or coffee shop.

The 1st gen iPhone needed wifi because AT&T and EDGE sucked.

What about the millions of Blackberries that don't have wifi now?

[Brotha Darcness @ Nov 14th 2008 5:05PM]

I agree with Michael Scrip!

When I use my BB browser, actually I use Opera Mini, but I use it for short term things such as checking my stocks, scores, movies, or other need to know crap. I get WIFI on my Curve now, but I work in an office and not Starbucks so the benefit to having WIFI is about the same as a person that gets great 3G reception. I spend all day at work and a few off and on hours at home on a real computer so web browsing is secondary to getting my email, text, and instant messaging quick and easy. Also, my smart phone needs to be a great phone and BB so far have not let me down in that area either. If browsing is what you seek and the other things I mentioned above a secondary, by all means buy and Iphone!

WIFI has not and thus far will not be a Storm deal breaker. The fact its a touchscreen could still be a factor, but I won't know until I go hands on. One thing people seem to forget, the Bold is the flagship for RIM, the Storm is device that is meant to tow the line between the executive and frat boy.

[BlurMagic @ Nov 14th 2008 5:12PM]

Thanks for the life story. I seriously think you should contemplate moving back to Starbucks though. So I don't have to read anymore biographies.

[sjdurfey @ Nov 14th 2008 5:57PM]

BlurMagic,

You must have forgotten that Starbucks is where biographies are written!

[ace587 @ Nov 14th 2008 5:55PM]

good, then they experience the bugs first haha

[webterractive @ Nov 14th 2008 5:55PM]

The Storm is arriving at Telus in Dec. the 9530 so we'll be waiting up here. Telus is CDMA/EVDO