BlackBerry Storm update leaks to the masses
By Chris Ziegler 
posted Nov 30th 2008 12:38AM
posted Nov 30th 2008 12:38AM
Okay, remember that bit about waiting for a wide release? Yeah, screw that noise. Firmware 4.7.0.75 for the BlackBerry Storm has drizzled out onto the interwebs, and initial reports from intrepid updaters seem to be generally positive. We can't verify the authenticity of this sucker, but if you were counting down the minutes until RIM got around to patching up issues and killing some lag, 75 might be a good start. Good luck, friends.[Thanks, Erik]
Ah, excellent. Another device for Engadget to have a news story for every update. Hoorah!
It's early Sunday morning (EST) three days after Thanksgiving, and honestly, I don't think there's that much going on at the moment in the tech world. So, be thankful, and it could be worse... they could talk more about **gulp** an Apple update!
So what exactly do you want from sir Engadget?
atleast engadget doesn't have articles about virus definition updates...
Have you used the BB Storm? It sucks!
Them possibly fixing it is news worthy.
update or not, this is some sick minded intensive long review of the Storm:
admiralh.wordpress.com/2008/11/21/why-the-blackberry-storm-is-no-iphone-killer/
the moment i saw how much i had to scroll to get through the page, i just skipped right to the bottom... call it smart
ooops, with http this time
http://admiralh.wordpress.com/2008/11/21/why-the-blackberry-storm-is-no-iphone-killer/
the link better work this time around
Hopefully this fixes some of the issues... The shipping OS, .65, truly sucks IMO. I used a Storm at a VZW kiosk today and it was very sluggish, laggy when typing, and the browser wouldn't even open. I was surprised that the rotation speed of the keyboard was fast, which I wasn't expecting from what I had read.
Ditto here, though the browser on the one I played with would open and was very snappy for me (I was also surprised by this, given the reviews). If this update would kill the lag while scrolling through the main menu and generally thoughout the OS, Blackberry may just well have another Windows Mobile convert.
I found the build quality of the Storm to be very high.
Reason's I concidered it over my current iPhone are that:
#1 It has easy Data Tethering (with fee) to Verizon's network which is very fast
#2 It has A2DP if I want to use headphones wirelessly
#3 removable/replaceable battery
#4 copy/paste (which isn't a huge deal to me)
#5 video capture (I have used a video capture app for iPhone and it isn't that good and you gotta pay for it)
#6 VZ turn-by-turn Navigation
My problem with the Storm was that it felt unfinished. There was no way for me to tell which was the problem - the hardware or the firmware. Hopefully its just the firmware because if the Storm actually has a true problem with its accelerometers or its CPU speed, that would put a bullet in it so bad. The Storm will never outsell the iPhone which is the number 1 selling phone, but it would offer us a good option.
I've installed the update and I can tell all of you that the update only fixed the camera application - made it load a little faster and trimmed the autofocus by tiny tenth of a second. Also, accelerometer switches 1/10-1/5 second faster than before, which makes its status from snail slow to slug. The rest of the lags, hiccups, freezes are all still there. The browser still shows "loading script" a lot and very choppy and laggy for scrolling. The menu scrolling issue that you described, is still there too.
It is good to hear RIM is making progress with debugging the firmware. Keep up the good work!!
Thx Chris.
Two names? Think you've just blown your cover, you spy.
Err...Chris wrote the article.
D'oh!
*removes foot from mouth*
Just installed it the only things i notice right now are the accelerometer has no lag and they sped up the camera a bit
where did u get the update file?
Ok but i wonder how are they gonna fix the lack of a proximity sensor to avoid hitting a wrong button when holding the unit to your ear, i doubt that they can patch that up with a firmware upgrade, there's a lot of stuff that can be fix with these updates but there's a bunch of other stuff that can't, So if you thought reviews where exaggerated and still didn't stop to think things over and got it anyways, Suck it up
I have never pressed any of the buttons while talking on the phone
I would see where that would be an issue on a standard touchscreen phone such as an Instinct or iPhone where there is no physical press needed to activate an icon selection, but for the BB Storm, you need to physically press after highlighting an icon so there is no need for a proximity sensor. The only reason I could possibly see the need for one is to conserve battery while talking but if the battery is surviving long enough now, then there's truly no need.
Just installed.
MUCH MORE RESPONSIVE
Everything seems faster, highlights of keys, rotation from landscape to portrait and back, camera, browser......very happy..everybody needed to be patient, everything has its bugs and RIM cannot afford for this device not to do well.
RIM fanboy-ism at it's finest. ^^^^^^
I have the device too and you don't need to lie to everyone on Engadget about the responsiveness after the update. The update only made the camera application faster, cut down the longer autofocus time (still too long after the update). They also made the orientation switch (via accelerometer) a tiny bit faster. It still get stuck sometimes and still very slow. The scroll lags, choppiness are all still there and the overall system lag is still present. They didn't change anything about their keyboard software. Still uses a T-9 predictive system.
Before you flame me with your fanboy comments - Yes, I do know how to open and close applications on the BlackBerry.
@ Katherine
I agree with Chis. Responsiveness is much improved. When I click on an app or switch screens, the transition is much faster. As for the choppiness in scrolling, mine is much smoother and not noticeable anymore. either you have high expectations or a shitty phone.
Kat.
Don't categorize people. If the OS update doesn't improve the phone then I must be smoking crack.
The fact of the matter is that websites like Engadget (whom I love) bashed the shit out of this phone. When in fact it wasn't even that bad. I got to the VZ store expecting a DUD a POS and instead a found a device that was far from perfect but was definitively not as bad as engadget made it out to be.
I'm pleased with it's current performance. I can't wait to see how it does after 3 or 4 updates.
The demo models sucks because everyone opens up everything and never closes apps making it run like crap. Mine was pretty good after deleting useless apps. Installing the new OS right now.
This isn't the newest firmware, the firmware that came out a week before the storms release was labeled .82.
newer software was released internally at VZW last week.
so dont expect this firmware to match the rumored "upcoming fix"
If I remember correctly that was a mixup and there was no .82. Search engadget its on here somewhere.
Found it
http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/24/rim-clears-up-blackberry-storm-os-situation/
the firmware numbers i've mentioned were seeded from verizon for internal testing...and yes .82 was one of those numbers.
just because it was a story on engadget, doesn't make it true.
It does if RIM said themselves. Did you not read the article. I'm more likely to believe them over you.
yeah, a companies never lied to protect its reputation.
LOL
you actually believed the sticker story.....thats hillarious.
Dude... the software at launch was 4.7.0.65 platform 4.0.0.82
I get people got the 65 and the 82 mixed up... but that was last week... get with it.
Epic. Fail.
Stop using the "fail" word; like forever.
Forever Fail
As much as I hate and speak out against the Storm, I really hope this fixes a lot of the problems.
after having owned one for 2 days before returning it, i can say without a doubt that there's no way it could possibly make it worse.
Two days? Give it a chance! At least wait for an update! Gah!
Just received the update. Everything is running a lot smoother and faster than before. That's great because i was disappointed in it's initial performance. This is a good phone that can be great. I enjoy that you have to push down on the screen-it has that blackberry button-mashing feel to it. One thing-it takes me a bit longer to make phone calls. Overall, i'm satisfied.
this is good news to storm users, but one puzzling question everyone is asking RIM is why didn't they include the infamous trackball with this? that is a let down for crackberry users.
I do believe that the trackball would defeat the purpose of a TOUCHSCREEN!.
Tell that to the G1...
Seriously... enough about the lag. You guys aren't closing your programs out correctly. Hit menu > close instead of just hitting the end button. My Storm is as quick as can be.
I have to do this to our demo models in my store all day long. Customers open programs, hit end and open more programs. Doing things like that even on BB Curve's, Pearl's, and other models also lags the device. Closing apps when not in use does speed the device up for sure!
Its 3:00 AM do you know where your Storm update is?
I have yet to walk into a Verizon store and play with one, but after owning an iPhone (I went back to Verizon) it this phone the best that Verizon has that's comparable to it? How dissapointed am I going to be? lol
As previously stated: theres a better way of getting people to come to your website, its called NOT HAVING A SHITTY WEBSITE.
Stop being an absolute dick and spamming your site.
p.s. I would low rank you but that means I couldn't report your comment because it is actually against the commenting rules.
Another triumph for the engadget comment system.....
My dear friends in the land of the free, you are in luck.
Forget the Storm, the ridicolous iPhone or the irritating HTC gizmos.
I hear that you too now can get hold of Samsung's i900 aka the Omnia.
If you want the only touch screen smartphone worth to live with , follow these four easy steps:
1) Get a Samsung Omnia
2) Swear at Samsung for not installing a voice dialing program
3) Install a voice dialing software
4) Enjoy the best phone on the market ATM
After switching to the BlackBerry Curve, Bold - I swear I will never switch back to windows mobile again. Windows mobile is awful in stability and memory management. RIM has far superior useability even right out of the box.
Automated Teller Machine? I'm not seeing it...
After the download I'm still having major issues with not being able to activate icons from the edges of the screen and my battery life does not seem as good. Verizon reps said it can take up to two months for the batter to be conditioned correctly before getting the supposed 4 hours of battery life.
2 months eh?
Yeah, why don't you tell VZW to stuff it and demand a new battery.
Those ass munchers are always trying to convince their customers that their crappy hardware "works fine" and that "its just you".
Screw VZW and its facist ways.
That's a confirmed problem, ask for a supervisor and get a new phone.
You got a lemon. Demand a refund or a new phone! Stick it to the man! "What man?" you ask. THE man!
The T-mobile G1 had the same conditioning issue, but it usually took a full charge, full discharge (until it fully dies) for around 2 cycles until the battery life improved (has something to do with battery calibration, after that it should be used as normal; full discharges aren't very good for the battery). But it shouldn't take 2 months.
A quick question,
Does VZW offer insurance on the storm?
yeah, it's $5 and $6 depending on which
official summary of everything I've seen and heard:
Iphone is great
Storm is only ok (I have it)
VZW >>>>>> ATT
Period. VZW is better than ATT, and that's why I own the storm and not the iphone. You can't pay me to switch providers.
Yes, me too. I have the iPhone, and have the Storm on order.
I love the iPhone, but CAN'T STAND AT&T! All those commercials with "more bars in more places" just makes me think the marketing department frequent too many bars in more places.
Let's see... and with the iPhone I can't:
* Send an MMS, or receive one conveniently
* Copy/paste (yes, it is mighty handy when you need it)
* Tether (no, I haven't jailbroken)
yes, I know I can't do wi-fi with the Storm, and I'll miss the AppStore selection that the iPhone has. With VZW's data network, I can live w/o wi-fi, and I really only use 1-2 3rd party apps on the iPhone regularly, of which I can duplicate on the Storm.
When I get the Storm, I'll give it a good shakedown. If it's not the phone I need, I'll stay with the iPhone until another shows up.
Ordered one yesterday...will not ship until Dec. 15. They have none, or are sold out...or could be that I live in East Bumblescrew, PA.
Sales guy - "Would you like to buy a protector? This one clips on your belt!"
Me - "You must call that 'the never get laid again' holster."
Sales guy - "...I have one."
Me - "I think I'll just wait until I have the actual phone..."
Have to love how they try to push the high margin junk
Video I made of:
OLD OS .65 versus NEW OS .75
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8XfGm3aBcg
Wow!!it's official another ""iPhone-killer""failed miserably.Canadian based rim fell way short of selling 1 million in first weekend like iPhone 3g did on July 11. The sad part about this blackberry been making phones for 8 plus years ,apple 1 year. Not to mention number of storm recalls due to software/firmware bugs which makes some storms unusable. There is still hope for those who don't want to accept iPhone as the top dawg, 2 more iPhone killers being released by Xmas .I mean think about it the masses r still paying $300-400 just for an iPod touch.
"rim fell way short of selling 1 million in first weekend"
Do you have a source? Because I'm curious to know how many it sold.
BTW, keep in mind the massive shortage of stock and the limited release of the Storm. The iPhone launch on the other hand....
Got to give Apple it's props for doing what it has in the mobile industry, but it's not about how many years a company has been the industry it's what you're able to provide to the industry.
It's easy to come into a market and introduce something that isn't common. Chances are, if it works, everybody will be all over it and from there it makes it harder for the competition to play catch-up. And just because it dominates in market share or sales, doesn't necessarily mean it's the better than the rest.
For example, you had companies like Sony and Panasonic already manufacturing PMP's (walkman, discman, MD players etc.). They were already established in the market. Then Apple introduces the iPod. Unique design with a HDD and scroll wheel, probably the first at that time. Were able to capitalize because nothing was close to that. But is it the best PMP? Some will argue Zune is just as good, if not better.
Another example, RIM's BlackBerry. You had Nokia, Motorola. These were BIG time players in the mobile market years ago. RIM comes out with a pager like device that handles e-mail. Starts a big trend. Now BlackBerry is king of the e-mail mountain.
It's impressive that the iPhone was able to sell 1 million in the first week but NOT because Apple has only been in mobile industry for a year. To me, time is irrelevant, no matter who you are, what company you work for, you introduce a product that isn't out there yet, is able to function and it will sell.
Well, I too had survived the storm for only 2 days. Took it back and went back to my curve for several reasons:
Screen is difficult to press at the edges,
Screen moves up, down, left, and right too much (can see backlight at certain angles around the whole screen edge),
Typing is terrible especially around the edges,
Selecting a "remember my login" box was near to impossible even when using Opera Mini 4.2,
Slow to switch from portrait to landscape,
Scrolling sometimes makes the Storm think you are pressing once to bring up the bottom menu,
I think that even with an update, people with the Curve and Bold will be more dissapointed with the Storm.... Typing is terrible and lets face it, we got the BB for messaging and more. Personally, I was very dissapointed with the Storm, however I still love RIM..
Good Luck to those that stick with the Storm!!
@gad get
I agree, they had the advertising down but they did have stock shortage & limited release (mostly due to this firmware issue according to rumors). As time passes we'll see how it does. Anyways the Storm isn't available in nearly as many places as the iPhone was so it's not that good a comparison.
@Shugg
You seem more concerned about finding an "Iphone-killer" than anyone else. The next year forecast is that phone makers will start focusing on specialized phones and ditch the iPhone catch-up mentality. Sure, they might not have one single phone that sells as much as the iPhone, but in total, they will still sell way more phones. Let people who want an iPhone get one.
its not an iphone killer, its a touchscreen phone, ALL touchscreen phones are just that .... no 'killers' ... touchscreen is the future people stop comparing every god damn thing to apple, the iphone (cool as it is) is less of a true PHONE than any of these other ones so STOP that nonsense.
hopefully these updates help though, as a verizon customer i really want a reason to buy this thing.
In all fairness; remember iphone firmware 2.0. It rendered my phone almost useless.
So I would hold out hope for the Storm as far as the OS goes. Some of the hardware issues however...
I had a chance to play around with the Storm the other day..boy I wasn't impressed.
http://www.woopid.com/
Does anyone know whether upgrading the firmware will affect the enterprise activation? Will I need to go to IT to run the activation again?
As long as your desktop manager is linked up with Outlook for Exchange, it should automatically activate when the update is finished.
I have access to my BES but didn't have to do anything - I'm getting all of my work email after the .65 upgrade without any issues.
I'm typing from my Storm now, with the 75 update, and have noticed an overall performance increase, specifically with accelerometer events. Definitely recommended if you haven't already updated.
I would love to get my hands on the new update, just out of curiousity.
I have to say though. I am really surprised by the negative reviews and comments all over the place.
I got my Storm on Monday and I am in Love. It ain't perfect but guess what? Neither was your beloved iPhone when it first came out until its Millionth FirmWare update. I say this and I am an Apple FanBoy big time with Macs all over and countless iPods including the Touch.
My Storm has been awesome. The Typing in my Opinion is better than the iPhone (wow I can type out an email in LandScape without getting a third party app to do it for me... MAGIC!!)
The storm, in comparison to the iphone and bold/curve, falls in between for users. It simply depends on your lifestyle. For corporate types who message on the run, you can't go wrong with the bold/curve. It's messaging service and feel is very sound. For media types who enjoy multiple mobile applications and a slick, but effective interface, the iphone is the best phone, hands down. The storm falls in between-for those who are adept to the impressive messaging of the blackberry and the slick interface of the iphone-you can't go wrong with it. So, if you're a corporate type that needs efficient messaging and a few bonuses, go with the bold/curve. If you place your priorities on a great innovative media interface with numerous apps, go with the iphone. But, if you are the ambitious business type who has a flare for media addiction that involves the new wave of touch-screen hardware, the storm may be right for you! One issue i have with the storm that all blackberry users have to be patient with, is it's second-rate apps desktop interface. It's no comparison with itunes. RIM should scrap the whole desktop manager and come up with something better.
There is still hope for blackberry fanboys or iphone haters.Samsung omnia and htc touch pro scheduled to be released by xmas.By the way just curious .how many blackberry fanboys have ever owned an ipod.,?Think about that answer, it might answer a few questions.23 months after iphone was first introduced and still no iphone-killer in sight.
Verizon released their HTC Touch Pro last week.
I'm still surprised when I see Engadget comparing phones to the iPhone and the G1 and not the HTC Touch Pro.
Where do I get the update? I'm at work so I don't have my USB cable and the Desktop Manager, so I've tried the OTA update and says that there is no new update... somewhere else I can get it?
Someone posted the link on crackberry.com. But you will need the USB cable. I dont think VZ has released the over-the -air upgrade yet...
BTW, I was ready to throw my Storm through the Verizon window store after the first day. I DL'ed the update that was leaked a couple days ago and the thing actually works pretty well now. Typing is much faster, the accelerometer is almost instantaneous, and it hasnt crashed once since then.
I'm hoping the newer updates make it even better.
I was considering the Omnia if I took this one back, but I'll probably keep the Storm now...
Hey guys,
where can i find the update for the storm?
Thanks a lot for your help