Two BlackBerry Storm updates imminent, handset unlocked for use on T-Mobile

Here on Thanksgiving Eve, we've got two juicy Storm tidbits sure to make your Turkey Day that much more interesting. For starters, one fellow over on HoFo has purportedly unlocked his touchscreen BlackBerry for use on T-Mobile's GSM network. Hot, right? The process involved sourcing a SIM unlock code from VZW, then updating the phone with software intended for the Bold. If you're not confused yet, you'll also need a dash of Elvish magic and a bit of luck, but you should know that you can't tap into T-Mob's 2G voice network and Verizon's 3G data network at the same time. Next up, the Boy Genius has it on authority that two firmware updates are but weeks away, both of which will target some of the many issues that early adopters have been harping on since launch day. Hit the links below for more details on everything.

Read - Storm unlocked for T-Mobile [Via SlashGear]
Read - Storm updates [Via SlashGear]

[iEye @ Nov 26th 2008 11:43PM]

Shazam!

[Anthony @ Nov 26th 2008 11:47PM]

No kidding. Storm on GSM only so fast is definitely intriguing.

[Tyler Ward @ Nov 27th 2008 12:21AM]

those !@#$ing updates better be coming quick... my storm's so lagggggy and slowwwwww & right now even w/ my latest firmwares.... i swear i'd have chucked it out of my apartment balcony had it not been the only phone i have got.... sucks to have only verizon cell coverage at home.....

i wish my storm was easier to navigate, faster, less buggy and less awkward to type. Best review i saw so far, Pogue's http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/27/technology/personaltech/27pogue.html?_r=1&hp

i saw other ppl posting this around the web too. it's good detail... too long for me thou: http://admiralh.wordpress.com/2008/11/21/why-the-blackberry-storm-is-no-iphone-killer/

[Dean @ Nov 26th 2008 11:48PM]

wait, so does this phone support cdma and gsm? Or is verizon using another technology now?

[Leindurstit @ Nov 26th 2008 11:50PM]

Both.

[Anthony @ Nov 27th 2008 1:29AM]

They're calling them "world phones" since nobody in the rest of the world uses CDMA (or very nearly nobody).

[MRCUR @ Nov 27th 2008 12:05AM]

I'm surprised they're doing OTA, but it's a good way to be sure everyone gets the updates. I still prefer downloaded updates through DM since then I can completely wipe the phone before an upgrade and tweak the files to get extra themes.

[oliver hart @ Nov 27th 2008 12:11AM]

I thought it only supported GSM out of the states while roaming on Vodafones towahs

[steven @ Nov 27th 2008 12:11AM]

You're a clak knockoff.

[crapberry @ Nov 27th 2008 12:21AM]

CCCCCCCCRRRRRRRRAAAAAAPPPPPBBBBBBEEEEERRRRYYYYYYYY

[digitallysick @ Nov 27th 2008 12:27AM]

Kick ass, i wonder how well it works on att 3g?? if so, count me in that would be nice

[Michael Scrip @ Nov 27th 2008 12:51AM]

Is AT&T 3G faster than Verizon EVDO ?

[Big Al @ Nov 27th 2008 1:19AM]

Well, if you're just going by peak rates, AT&T's HSPA is faster than Verizon's EV-DO Rev A. But there are a number of other factors to consider before you can get the realistic rates. (Strength of cell coverage, other users in the same cell, etc.) Also, you also need to see if your area has HSPA coverage from AT&T or EV-DO Rev A coverage from Verizon.

[ysleiro @ Nov 27th 2008 2:08AM]

Well guys hate to be the bearer of bad news. But the storm is not capable of using HsDPA. So
it will work on att and tmo just not on 3G.

[tom @ Nov 27th 2008 8:35AM]

Fact is, it won't work on ATT3G, only support 3G over 2100mhz, just EDGE under GSM

[Carlos @ Nov 27th 2008 12:29AM]

I read yesterday...it was a straight up, get the code from verizon and straight up unlock it...

From a reader on one forum on tmonews, it was a straight up unlock, put sim in, and go!!!

[SPOKE @ Nov 27th 2008 7:08AM]

But really, how straight-up IS straight up?

[d889 @ Nov 27th 2008 12:33AM]

hoping for a speed increase, that would be tits

[Vianon @ Nov 28th 2008 2:41AM]

Don't say "tits," Eric.

[grull27 @ Nov 27th 2008 12:54AM]

Is there any way you could ever avoid getting lowest ranked on every post?!

[Samboini @ Nov 27th 2008 5:50AM]

No.

[Robert @ Nov 27th 2008 12:59AM]

I'm going back to the BOLD...this phone (the STORM) is not ready for primetime. Its poorly designed, the software lags constantly, and its caught somewhere between a touchscreen menu system and a trackball system. RIM you could have taken the time to do this right and in the old days...you would have!

[flipflop @ Nov 27th 2008 4:57AM]

I just read this exact post verbatim on boygenius. TROLL!

[Tonicboy @ Nov 27th 2008 9:02AM]

So, if someone has an opinion on another site, and then sticks to that opinion here, that means they're a troll?

[Robert @ Nov 27th 2008 11:02AM]

flipflop, I put the post here too because the discussion about updates seems like it could BE the answer to this phone, but I'm afraid its not. The STORM is very poorly designed in my opinion and does not stack up to RIM's consistent quality in other products. It feels like it was important to compete with the iPhone than to produce a quality product. If you have ever played with an iPhone you at least have to say its a quality product with a smart, consistent design. I posted it here because this discussion stretched out beyond the updates header.

[ducky @ Nov 27th 2008 1:03AM]

@grull27, not a chance. Two similar posts can have opposite rankings. Get used to it, this is Engadget. :)

And I've tried typing on this thing, it's a nightmare. I was very excited about it, what with all the news about the clicking apparently making it feel like a real keyboard, I thought it'd be great. But after I was done trying to use it, I was glad for my iPhone's tiny-ass onscreen keyboard. Pity, this could have been something big.

[grull27 @ Nov 27th 2008 1:27AM]

I was replying to Clak.

[TABLAKING @ Nov 27th 2008 2:38AM]

I CALLED VERIZON WIRELESS TODAY ABOUT AN HOUR BEFORE READING THIS. I WAS SENT TO 2 DIFFERENT CSA'S BEFORE I GOT ONE THAT KNEW WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT. SHE GAVE ME THE UNLOCK CODE ON THE SPOT. MUCH BETTER THAN WAITING 7 DAYS FROM T-MOBILE. I UNLOCKED THE PHONE CHANGED THE SIM. CHANGED THE SETTINGS TO JUST GSM AND VOLA IT WORKED. TMOBILE ON MY NEW STORM. NO PROBS. COOL THING IS YOU CAN SWITCH BACK AND FORTH WHEN EVER YOU WANT.

[Rosser @ Nov 27th 2008 9:44AM]

Stop yelling, I can't hear my music. -_-

[leslie @ Nov 28th 2008 5:53PM]

hello i just read your posting and i been calling to recieve the unlock code from verizon and no one seems to know what i'm talking about? can you tell me what exactly did you say to them.

[jarrod @ Dec 10th 2008 10:15PM]

dude if u really got the unlock code u would have posted it. stop lying about getting it.

[tim @ Jan 10th 2009 7:46AM]

guys you can get an unlock code for your storm from www.fonesunlock.co.uk

it works 100%, tested by me. got my code in minutes.

[MadMike @ Nov 27th 2008 1:28AM]

Engadget Staff: Seriously, Take today off. I'm only on here to say, from my Wife and Me, Happy Thanksgiving. And for you international folk: Happy 27th of November to you.

[o rly @ Nov 27th 2008 2:07AM]

dude, Thankstaking was over 1 month ago; you're lagged! :p

[jake @ Nov 27th 2008 2:23AM]

While I'm more of an Android fan myself, I'm hoping these software updates fix the lagging problems. I was going to recommend this phone to a cousin who was looking at a Dare, but if they don't fix the lagging can't see myself making a recommendation.

Besides from the lagging problems and maybe the possible awkwardness of the button scheme it seems like a decent phone.

If the GSM version hits, I might consider this phone as an option if they fix some of the issue.

[Jack @ Nov 27th 2008 2:42AM]

Very cool bakck berry. But I cant see any new discover.

[Unbiased @ Nov 27th 2008 2:55AM]

Sorry, guys: I don't know where else to post this and get a straight answer(I've been reading a lot of conflicting information in other forums). Engadget readers are usually very knowledgeable so I'm hoping someone here can help.

I currently have an LG Vu with a $35 MediaMax plan but I don't like the phone and would like to purchase a Bold at retail for use with AT&T. I am only interested in the internet and texting and have no interest whatsoever in push email. Yeah, I know, a Blackberry isn't a Blackberry without push email but I don't want/need it and I'm looking to save money anywhere I can in these tough economic times. Yeah, I also know MediaNet/Max on a BB is a violation of user terms but I can sleep comfortably at night with that on my conscience.

So my question is... Can I simply place my LG Vu SIM in a Bold and have access to internet and texting on a MediaMax plan? Does anyone do this?

[Evilgiggle @ Nov 27th 2008 4:16AM]

without an official bb package on that line, everything works EXCEPT Internet :-( same for any blackberry phone on AT&T

[decypher44 @ Nov 27th 2008 9:17AM]

You know, I'm glad someone brought this up. Isn't it an average of $30/mo for Blackberry packages (over all carriers)? Why would anyone want or need the Blackberry service? Don't most smartphones do pretty much the same thing without paying for the service?

[interjack @ Nov 27th 2008 10:11AM]

Well, its cool and wonderful until MaBell sees that IMEI on its network and decides to either to turn off internet all together or to add a Blackberry package. They have been known to do this with iPhones....just google it.

[willyboy @ Nov 27th 2008 4:54PM]

Yes, I did the same thing with my BB Curve which I gave to my wife. Her Vu died within 4 months (resistive screens suck ((my opinion)) by the way)and I gave her my BB. I put in her sim from the Vu and it works great. I am using my BB sim in an old iphone that I bought from ebay. I am vain and looks are important to me. By the way, the iPhone also works great! I love the apps I get from the app store and aside from it not having bells and whistles, it is a really solid and very easy to use. That said, the bb was a great functional device with copy and paste I might add. But, believe it or not my switch to the iphone from the BB was keyboard related. After two weeks with it, I can type a lot quicker and more accurately so than I could on the BB. Wait, what was your question?

[drewdoog @ Nov 27th 2008 3:33AM]

So they made a cdma/gsm phone but forgot wifi?

[PH0ENIX @ Nov 27th 2008 4:52AM]

Basically, yeah. Because the VZW 3G network is so great that you don't need wifi.

Supposedly.

[Ricardo @ Nov 27th 2008 5:16AM]

@PH0ENIX,

Just like iPhone's EDGE was so great it didn't need 3G?

[PH0ENIX @ Nov 28th 2008 10:01AM]

@Ricardo: Yeah, something like that. But I'm using an unlocked iPhone because I don't want to pay for an expensive data plan and I have wifi everywhere that I go, so it's a non-issue for me.

[Bladey @ Nov 27th 2008 7:10AM]

I dont get it.. my storm has only one issue now, and thats the slight lagging on the menu when scrolling up and down..

I find it easy to type on.. pretty accurate... apps open almost instantly.. its got really fast download speeds, call quality is the best i've ever had.. hooked up to my sound system or car it plays mp3s better than my ipod, and movies are a treat on it.

I just used it in a meeting to down load some images and show a client some of our work.. they loved it.

What lag problems are you guys suffering from? in the apps or just the os?

[eddie @ Nov 28th 2008 3:12AM]

its the apps and os idnt own one myself i have to wait till april to get it but theyll have the problems fixed
some thing bb is aimed at fixing is the sensibilty of the suretype so you can type faster...ther gonna get rid of the bugs making it lagy and some other issues people arnt satisfied with

[the undecided user @ Nov 28th 2008 8:51AM]

So guys after reading all your comments, I feel a little less attracted by the Storm... the thing is I always had an iphone (unlocked in morocco) then I had the foolish idea when I came to america for my studies to get a 3g and pay 500$ deposit+300$ 3g 16 gig annyhow all that = stuck with the Iphone for at least one more year. When the storm came out I felt attracted to it like a magnet (im not gona lie i just want the blackberry chat ALL my school/friends/frenemies have it) and I thought the storm would be the perfect bb with the iphone touch... but now that u guys are bashing it down i'm thinking is it worth all the trouble ( and believe me a looooot of trouble and money...)? I'm not very informed about the network vodafone UK uses but I believe its gsm and if u get it from there unlocked u can definitely use it here with ATT or T mobile (although in my opinion tmobile is shiiiiiiiiiiiiiit, i never had network at home and i live in nyc!!! )

[PH0ENIX @ Nov 28th 2008 10:06AM]

If you're going to do a lot of typing get a Blackberry Bold. The one button keyboard concept on the Storm is shit in my opinion (after having tried one at the store). It's gimmicky and not for the serious typist.

[edgar @ Nov 28th 2008 3:12AM]

youll be abe to unlock it but thers no point you wont be able to get proper service and
att and tmobile wnt recognize the pghone so itll block out the storm