Storm Impressions

[paulmac]

Well I have had my storm for a little less than 24 hours and so far I am pleased with the device. It is not perfect, but over all I would give it a 9 out of 10.


The Display - impressive, I always thought BBs had nice displays and this one is even better. The accelerometer works well when you flip it from veritical to horizontal. BTW you actually can rotate 360 degress. On occasion there is a little bit of a lag when you flip positions, but nothing too terrible. Talking split seconds here.

Camera - 3.2 mp with flash. I read reviews where it was slow to focus when you actually pushed the buttong to take the picture, to me not much slower than another phone. But in reality I really don't care too much about a camera on a phone. Had phones before with cameras hardley ever took pictures with them. You can shoot video with this also.

Typing - I was a little concerned about the touch screen typing. But now that I have had it for a little while it really is pretty good. The click through is nice, good feed back so you know you actually pushed a key. In fact it actually feels very similar to the full qwerty keyboard on my 8830. Can you fat finger a letter by mistake sure you can, but you could do that on the regular keyboards on older models too.

Scrolling - this could be better. But it is not bad. You swipe your finger in the direction you want to go and the screen scrolls. Could it scroll farther and faster, yeah maybe. But most of the menus, sub menus are not that long so it is ok.

Web browsing - seems to work fine. Pages load however they are small as the device displays them in full screen mode. All you have to do is rest your finger on the page and the device will zoom the page in making it easier to see and read. There are also zoom in and out buttons that display when you are using the browser, pictures etc.

Media player - seems to work fine. There is a trailer to a movie pre-loaded under video's got to say I was impressed with the playback. Music, video, ringtones, all seem to work fine.

Of course, call quality, e-mail, text messaging all work well. These are the best things about blackberrys. The device feels nice in your hands, very solid and suprisingly a little hefty for it's size. Comes pre-loaded with documents to go. And has visual voice mail, have yet to try that.

Battery life - not sure yet, seems to be OK.

Of course not all is great. Some third party apps I used do not appear to work, but I think that is the new OS on the device (4.7) than a problem with the device. Third party apps people just will need a little time to catch up.

Overall I am pleased. Is this an iphone killer? No probably not, but then I did not expect it to be. To me that is like PC vs MAC. Iphone people will not switch to this device, nor would a die hard BB fan like myself switch to an iphone. Not knocking the iphone, just not for me.

Some addtional tidbits, the device comes with an 8gb micro SD card installed, and included is the SIM card for international use. You have to pay extra to activate the SIM card. I did not bother doing that as I do not plan on traveling abroad, but nice to know it is there if you need it. Device connects using micro usb not mini usb like other BBs. Device has 1gb of storage built in. Shows that I have 874mb of free space, plus 30.6 mb of application space available. Does not come with a holster of any kind, you have to buy that seperatly.

[Jodi]

Thanks for the great review!! I'm holding out for a bit to let BB/VZW work out any kinks, but it sounds like you're overall happy with the device and that's music to my ears!!!

[CellularSchnanigans]

I'm still waiting for mine to get shipped to me, and after reading this great review I can't wait to get my hands on it!!

[paulmac]

Originally Posted by CellularSchnanigans

I'm still waiting for mine to get shipped to me, and after reading this great review I can't wait to get my hands on it!!

Good news for you then, originally Verizon was not going to be shipping them till the 15th of December. Just read that the date is now been pushed up to the 8th of December.

[CellularSchnanigans]

My phone actually came in the mail yesterday but because i wasnt home to sign for the package i have to go pick it up form the post office. The suspense is killing me!!! I should have it up and running by tomorrow night.

[paulmac]

Originally Posted by CellularSchnanigans

My phone actually came in the mail yesterday but because i wasnt home to sign for the package i have to go pick it up form the post office. The suspense is killing me!!! I should have it up and running by tomorrow night.

Check the handheld OS once you get the device up and running, there has already been an update to 4.7.075 that fixes some minor issues that came with the original handheld OS. For example accelerometer lag, etc. You can read about it, download it, review comments here.

Get It: OS 4.7.0.75 for the Verizon BlackBerry Storm 9530!! | CrackBerry.com

Good luck with your new Storm

[CellularSchnanigans]

Hey are there any accssories that you think are a MUST have for the Storm?

[paulmac]

Originally Posted by CellularSchnanigans

Hey are there any accssories that you think are a MUST have for the Storm?

I would recommend some type of screen protector. I will be installing the an invisashield to protect the entire unit. I have it, just have not put it on yet. Some type of holster, belt clip, whatever you like best. Keep a charger handy, one thing I have noticed is battery life is worse on the storm than past models. I usually get maybe a day or so out of a charge. Since it uses micro USB instead of mini, a lot of my old chargers don't fit it anymore. However, I have found that many of the motorola blue tooth headset charges use micro usb and will charge the device. I am waiting for an extended life battery from Seidio. There really are not a lot of accessories available yet for the Storm, but I am sure they will be coming.

[CellularSchnanigans]

Hey i got my Storm up and running last night and so far its been awesome! I havnt really spent alot of time playing with it though cause im getting ready for finals, but so far everything seems to be working as it should and it didnt take me long to get used to the touch screen. One thing that I found to be kinda annoying is that when there is a small button you want to push its kinda hard to see if you have it highlited because your finger is in the way. And because of this I tend to stay away from using the full keyboard layout. other then that its great! After finals are over ill be able to play with it some more and give some better feedback.

[CellularSchnanigans]

Oh and as far as accssories go i got the leather sleeve that puts the phone into sleep mode when you put it in, a screen cover and a car charger.

[paulmac]

Originally Posted by CellularSchnanigans

Hey i got my Storm up and running last night and so far its been awesome! I havnt really spent alot of time playing with it though cause im getting ready for finals, but so far everything seems to be working as it should and it didnt take me long to get used to the touch screen. One thing that I found to be kinda annoying is that when there is a small button you want to push its kinda hard to see if you have it highlited because your finger is in the way. And because of this I tend to stay away from using the full keyboard layout. other then that its great! After finals are over ill be able to play with it some more and give some better feedback.

Yeah I know what you are talking about especially when viewing web pages. Try this, becuase the storm views the page full screen things can be rather small. But if you click on an area of the screen that your are interested in the Storm zooms in on that part of the page, making it easier to read, and to click on links.

[Batteries4Less]

What are your folks opinion on the touch screen? I really wanna stick with the tactile keyboard - but the Storm is very enticing...

[CellularSchnanigans]

I personally love the touch screen. I got used to it very quickly and havn't really had any major problems using it. There are however a couple annoyances. First of which is the fact that you actually have to be looking at the screen while your txting. I know it doesn't sound like that big of a deal but when I'm trying the txt and walk at the same time i really wish i could actually FEEL the buttons. Also like i said in the post before, when your surfing the web you kinda have to zoom in on the button you want to press to make sure your actuall highlighting it. Other then those small issues I havn't found any other problems using the touch screen.

[Batteries4Less]

The need to look while you text is very bothersome to me . Other issue is big fingers. How does it feel it overall..sturdy/delicate etc.?

[paulmac]

I like the touch screen. Seems durable and should last, but really who knows the device has only been out for a couple of weeks. I have the insurance on it, so should it break, it will be repaired or replaced by verizon. I do fat finger stuff once in a while but did so on my 8830 also.

Question for other storm owners out there. When I am in a dark room, only my two buttons to the left appear back lighted (green phone button and the BB button) the other two are not. Not sure if that is a problem with just my storm or all storms in general. Currently don't know any storm users locally to compare my unit with. Can you let me know what yours does? Thanks

[CellularSchnanigans]

Hey so after i read your post i checked my phone tosee if the buttons lit up and all of my bottom buttons do light up so it might be a problem with your phone =(

[paulmac]

Originally Posted by CellularSchnanigans

Hey so after i read your post i checked my phone tosee if the buttons lit up and all of my bottom buttons do light up so it might be a problem with your phone =(

Yeah well I suppose I could call Verizon and have them ship me another one, but I already installed my Zagg microshield on it. So unless it really starts to annoy me, I can live with it. Thanks

[Batteries4Less]

Anyone else have any opinions on the durability of this phone?

[CellularSchnanigans]

Hey does anyone know how to get the geotagging to work on the Storm? I enabled it but i dont know how to actually see the tag

[paulmac]

Originally Posted by CellularSchnanigans

Hey does anyone know how to get the geotagging to work on the Storm? I enabled it but i dont know how to actually see the tag

I did not even know what Geotagging was until I found this, hope this helps

FAQ Blackberry Storm: How to Geotag your photos @ Mobility Today

[CellularSchnanigans]

sweet thanks man hopefully i can start getting it to work

[Darai]

Thanks for this review! I am expecting my Storm to come next week by mail, and what concerned me the most -and made me a bit nervous after reading some complaints- is the keyboard. I wanted to get a G1 just because it was a touchscreen with normal keyboard but at the end didn't resist to Blackberry! I got it unlocked so I hope the Internet browsing works good with T-Mobile... *crossed fingers*

[paulmac]

Originally Posted by Darai

Thanks for this review! I am expecting my Storm to come next week by mail, and what concerned me the most -and made me a bit nervous after reading some complaints- is the keyboard. I wanted to get a G1 just because it was a touchscreen with normal keyboard but at the end didn't resist to Blackberry! I got it unlocked so I hope the Internet browsing works good with T-Mobile... *crossed fingers*

Mine is unlocked but I am on Verizon. You might find some info to help if you have questions or problems here.
Unlocked Storm on AT&T or T-Mobile - BlackBerryForums.com : Your Number One BlackBerry Community

[Darai]

So I did have problems to change the data plan with Tmobile because the representative here in puerto rico had some issues with me having an unlocked phone that does not belong to tmobile!
I called to the states, and the girl even seemed happy that I got this phone unlocked!

So far, I'm in love with the images and the fact that I can see the webpages almost just like in my PC!
Worst part, the keyboard for sure. I hope it will be a matter of getting used to it. I will make a second opinion after I get to explore all the functions.


For now, I would like to know if anyone knows how to get to the bottom of a long internet page quickly? I was expecting to be able to drag the navigation bar but I can't...

[paulmac]

Originally Posted by Darai

So I did have problems to change the data plan with Tmobile because the representative here in puerto rico had some issues with me having an unlocked phone that does not belong to tmobile!
I called to the states, and the girl even seemed happy that I got this phone unlocked!

So far, I'm in love with the images and the fact that I can see the webpages almost just like in my PC!
Worst part, the keyboard for sure. I hope it will be a matter of getting used to it. I will make a second opinion after I get to explore all the functions.


For now, I would like to know if anyone knows how to get to the bottom of a long internet page quickly? I was expecting to be able to drag the navigation bar but I can't...

There are some tricks to improving keyboard performance on the Storm. You can check them out here.

Settings for a Better Storm Keyboard - BlackBerryForums.com : Your Number One BlackBerry Community

[silverface]

A quick flick with a finger gets me scolled down a long page just fine. As far as the keyboard, I have a 16GB Ipod Touch 1G as well - the iPod/iPhone is a little easier to type on accurately, but the Storm is nearly as good once you get used to it - and after about a week I preferred the Storm for internet use on whatever the system is it uses (I honestly don't pay that much attention to all the various systems - I just use whatever works) over the Touch via Wifi; I find forms easier to fill out and the tactile feedback of the "click" screen is a winner IMO.

My son has an iPhone and we compared the two as far as messaging (text and email) , search functions and such and the Storm buried the iPhone for email and text organization and filing.

the one option every Storm user should activate is visual voice mail. That is the single best new feature to come along in...sheesh, I've never seen anything like it! The only quirk is my reason for logging onto this site (which I hadn't found for some weird reason in all my years of Treo and other PDA/handheld/wireless use - a player for the archived .qcp voice mail files. Assuming there IS one, that ices it - the ability to permanently rename and save voice mail messages completely changes business procedures...and things like order confirmation, contract negotiation, etc.