Verizon posts its first BlackBerry Storm firmware update

Lo and behold, Verizon's taken a break from releasing low-end Nokias for just long enough to officially release its first Storm update -- which just happens to be the same one that's been floating around on the interwebs for a few days now, 4.7.0.75. Anyone unwilling or unable to connect to their PC to nab the update can wait until 9:30 Pacific this evening, when it's said that an over-the-air version of the same software will hit the airwaves. Best of luck, upgraders!

[Via CNET]

Update: We've given the update a shot, and Mac users should be warned that there doesn't seem to be a good way of shoehorning the goods on to the phone at this point -- probably better off to wait for the OTA.

[GenBanks @ Dec 5th 2008 3:35PM]

Ok so here's a post about a non-apple firmware update. The sad thing is that this won't stop people from complaining (as on the airplane vomit-bag pmp holder article) that engadget is dominated by apple bla bla bla :(
(I think in that thread someone actually sited as evidence of engadget's corruption the fact that they cover iphone firmware updates.)

[GenBanks @ Dec 5th 2008 3:38PM]

Here we go, the comment I was referring to was by 'Adderz':

"I never see articles about blackberry or Winmo accessories.

Im happy for them to have news stories about apple when its actually noteworthy.

You almost never hear about firmware updates for HTC devices, but every iPhone update has its own article, sometimes even *week later* articles."

[Mark Anderson @ Dec 6th 2008 2:31PM]

One swallow does not make a summer.

Although it's nice to see the report.

[Giga @ Dec 5th 2008 3:35PM]

If this doesn't fix all the problems of the Storm...

[From My Cube @ Dec 5th 2008 3:37PM]

youll what...rain on verizons parade?

Blow hot air up a service reps ass
thunder into a store to complain..



I could go on

[TheAussie @ Dec 5th 2008 3:40PM]

it's not going to. This has been discussed ad infinitum on other engadget threads about the 4.7.0.75 release floating around, on crackberry, on BoyGenius - it's simply a stepping-stone on the way to fixing all of the issues. Given that the Storm has so much visibility right now for Verizon I'd be very surprised if they didn't push out the fixes very quickly over the next couple weeks. The Storm has a rep of being very buggy at this point and I'm sure they're anxious to turn that around.

[TheAussie @ Dec 5th 2008 3:35PM]

I'm downloading this right now - will let you guys know how it goes

[darkblade19 @ Dec 5th 2008 3:43PM]

There is already a .76 version out as well from Bell. It works on verizon if the vendor.xml file is deleted

[Pete @ Dec 5th 2008 4:48PM]

Vodafone has a .78 revision out now too... still waiting to see how my .75 goes.

[Fred @ Dec 5th 2008 3:46PM]

the update has been available on the blackberry website for some time now. the day I saw the "leak" it was also on the bb website.

reduces lag for rotation and OS, I think the other things are a little placebo effect. I noticed my lock button doesn't work anymore...

[striggity @ Dec 5th 2008 3:50PM]

sweet. by the time i buy one hopefully, all the kinks will be worked out. But a hands on video i saw of this OS update showed it running MUCH smoother

[Jason @ Dec 5th 2008 3:54PM]

So is the GPS officially unlocked?

[Jonathan Leake @ Dec 5th 2008 4:06PM]

just performed my upgrade that came out @ 2pm CST and I am flying! Even the software on the my desktop is hustling faster...

[Pete @ Dec 5th 2008 4:22PM]

Just attempted to run the update... now on the phone with Verizon. Looks like it may have bricked the phone.
Device shut off and is showing just a red-light... removing the battery for thirty seconds and replacing, get nothing but a red light. The software said that the update had failed as well.

Just shows, I should have waited for other people to have these problems first.

[jfv2000 @ Dec 5th 2008 4:43PM]

Go to crackberry.com and look at Nuygen's (sp) blog. I upgraded last night. I'm no expert (new to BB for that matter), but it was pretty simple. IF you "brick" your phone he has a link to his instructions on how to reload. My Storm is working much smother now and I am starting to lean toward keeping it as opposed to looking at the Omnia or Touch-Pro.

[Pete @ Dec 5th 2008 5:12PM]

jfv2000 - thanks was able to recover and finish the update after that. No thanks to Verizon support, but that crackberry fix worked.

It's a little faster now... screen turning is faster, sensitivity to touch is better now too.

[brett @ Dec 10th 2008 10:44PM]

Looks like you did something wrong .Did you mess with it during the update or get a call .Loaded mine and works great

[Tommy @ Dec 5th 2008 4:38PM]

It's impossible to "brick a Blackberry unless there's something wrong with the hardware. There's always a way to reload the OS if you know what you're doing...

[Scottland @ Dec 5th 2008 4:40PM]

I see vodafone.de have officially released 4.7.0.78 too
http://www.vodafone.de/hilfe-support/blackberry/138365.html

[brett @ Dec 10th 2008 10:50PM]

Wont work on Verizon

[Phil @ Dec 5th 2008 5:38PM]

I updated a while ago and it seems to be a little quicker for some actions. One note: I had to re-register my phone after the update as I lost my Browser button in the process. Here are the steps to take if that happens to you: Options > Advanced Options > Host Routing Table; Press the Menu button > Register Now (note: it doesn't matter which item is selected in the Host Routing Table). You should get a text message notifying you of registration.

[Seth Roberson @ Dec 5th 2008 6:50PM]

I just installed the update and my Storm is way faster. This update doesn't make it perfect but it does make me stop and actually consider keeping the phone. The lag was killing me.

[Eric @ Dec 5th 2008 8:17PM]

if you have vzw the vodafone 4.7.0.78 wont work just a lil fyi since people keep posting about it

[Kevin Moore @ Dec 5th 2008 10:03PM]

I pretty much complain about every phone I've bought from Verizon, but pretty happy with the Storm. With the recent update I like it even more. All lag issues for me so far have been resolved. I installed the update when it was first posted on Crackberry and the update went real smooth.The bluetooth tethering really impressed me. Works flawlessly on my Macbook.

[Zvolley @ Dec 8th 2008 12:35PM]

How did you bluetooth tether to the Macbook?

[Storm Stalker @ Dec 5th 2008 10:29PM]

I've waited for this phone since it was the Thunder. I'm so happy to finally have it. My only real complaints are the "white screen of death" with the timer and sometimes the camera glitches so half of my sceen is keyboard and camera... Other than that I have no problems and it's not that slow. So much better than my old motorola Q. I'm excited to see this update...

[atbnet @ Dec 6th 2008 1:35AM]

I upgraded to .75 the other day and it seemed to smooth things out. It really sped of the changing in orientation so that was nice. I'm very happy with my Storm so far.

[david @ Dec 6th 2008 4:29PM]

Is there anyway to download the update onto a mac?

[Doug @ Dec 7th 2008 5:27AM]

Bootcamp

[John @ Dec 7th 2008 2:35PM]

That should end our problems!

[darbruler @ Dec 7th 2008 3:16PM]

Thinking about getting this phone. I have a vzw 2 year upgrade just waiting on me. So, just want some opinions. Should I get the storm, get the Omnia, or freaking dump vzw go to att and buy an iphone. I don't really need to use the phone for business... if that helps.

[Kenny @ Dec 8th 2008 11:11PM]

This comment is for Darbruler. I practically have a hard-on for the Iphone, and have been a Apple Enthusiast for years. I also am not a "business person, so the Iphone seemed to fit into my lifestyle and needs. I'm a Verizon cust., who's contract will expire in March, so I'm shopping for a new Smartphone now. I was going to switch to AT&T, just get the Iphone, but when I inquired about doing so, they informed me that they base their contracts on credit ratings. I was told that I would need to leave a $500 deposit, just to get a contract w/them. The model Iphone I wanted was the 16 GB model, which is $299. So we're talking almost $1000 dollars for a phone. There's no way I can justify that. I'm staying w/Verizon, and am going to give the BB Storm a shot. I've heard good things about it so far, and the Verizon 3G network, from what I hear is the fastest around. In all my research on the BB Storm, although BB's in general are dominant in the Business world, the Storm will really reach outside of that box, and up the Multimedia ante. So, in my opinion, give the BB Storm a shot for you're Smartphone needs. If you don't like it, put up w/it for 2 yrs, and get the Iphone.

Kenny

[Brett @ Dec 10th 2008 11:32PM]

Now remember a few things about the iphone its all hype.When rim finally fixes all the issues with the Storm the iphone will not even compare .Here are a few things the iphone can't do that the storm can do now .No video ,No MMS ,No flash ,2.0 camera (vs Storm 3.2 video/camera)No Removable upgradeable memory ,No removable battery ,No instant email access ,Oh and the Crappy AT&T service that drops calls and crashes internet connections like no tomorrow .

[Doug @ Dec 7th 2008 3:45PM]

I installed the 75 update and after taking a video, could no longer play it. You guys might want to double check and make sure you have 3gp support.

If anyone has a fix for this it would be greatly appreciated.

[MikeyB @ Dec 8th 2008 3:21PM]

I love this update. And I love the phone. This update addresses many of the problems cited in very early reviews of the phone. I can't believe they sold the phone prior to this OS release. It is so much better now.

For MAC OSX accessing via Parallels/Bootcamp: It is better to boot directly into Windows as opposed to a virtual session. During the update process the device is connected to the OS differently then when normally connected and Parallels can't see it. You get stuck with the red LED and have to take the battery out to restart the phone. Booting into Windows directly solves the problem, the update goes through without a hitch.

[Derek @ Dec 8th 2008 4:17PM]

Solution....Buy a PC....

[Van @ Dec 11th 2008 7:31AM]

No thanks! I had 5 of them and I got tired of them freezing up, slowing down, getting all those trojans and crashing!! Haven't had any of those problem with my mac for the year i had it. It is just a shame that they just don't simply make the damn software for a mac. I mean seriously...is it really that hard???

[arrrgh @ Dec 15th 2008 1:55PM]

you're doing it wrong then