BlackBerry Storm Review

BlackBerry Storm Review

Reviews icon Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless

Published on: 25 November, 2008 by PhoneArena Team

BlackBerry Storm Review

What’s this, the new BlackBerry? Woah, it has no keyboard. And…did it just click? You’ve never clicked a screen before, is that supposed to happen? Is it supposed to feel so…tiring? And why is this screen wiggling around, am I supposed to be seeing the circuit board? Why is it so heavy; the iPhone isn’t this heavy? The interface is pretty neat, but why are page transitions taking so long. Did it just flip orientations on me? I didn’t even move it. Wait, now I did move it and the orientation isn’t following...

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0
1.
Wow, I'm actually very surprised, it got so low of a rating, whether it be 7.5 or a 5.5. I was defnitely going to get this phone until the Omnia was announced, and then I had trouble deciding between the two. But now all my doubts have been cleared up, and it looks like the Omnia will be my next phone.
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2.
I am also surprised the top Blackberry has so much problems. Lets hope the Omnia is as good as the European model
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25.
I still cant believe some many people expected it to be good~~~u guys officially overrated it~~it lagggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg XDDDDD
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #2 ( Show )
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91.
It's better. It has 3G!
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #2 ( Show )
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92.
VZ Omnia has 3G.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #2 ( Show )
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139.
I Have the blackberry Storm since November 22. I already Had the iPhone and used the HTC Diamond Pro. I don't see how you can make a comment saying that the Storm typing is bad, how the phone is not even close to be the iPhone killer. The phone is heavy but it doesn't feel that heavy in hands and guess what? Once I pass my finger across the screen the selection will follow my finger, on the main menu screen or on the home screen. Typing is not a problem AT ALL for me, actually it was a problem with the LG DARE and the iPhone but with the Storm no problem at all. VZ Navigator, for me is one of the best GPS comparing to all the carriers, I've used the Sprint's TeleNav and i could never find my own house.
YES, THERE IS AN OS UPDATE FOR THE STORM...i Got it last night and the phone got even better. The Link bellow will take to the upgrade, you can e-mail me a leo@from-brasil.com for instructions on how to proceed and I will send you an e-mail back with the step-by-step on how to UPDATE your OS.
http://www.ndnguyen.com/bbstorm/9530AMEA_PBr4%5b1%5d.7.0_rel107_PL4.0.0.94_A4.7.0.75.exe

I really think that phonearena.com is the only website where I was able to find someone saying that the Storm is not a good phone and has problem on the touch screen.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #2 ( Show )
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144.
Not sure where you look for your reviews, but the first three sites I looked at (Phonescoop, CNET, and this one ALL have complaints with the keyboard in their reviews. Granted, phonescoop and CNET don't trash the phone like phonearena does, but they all cite the keyboard as an issue.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #139 ( Show )
Reply to Jae Hide 6 replies to this comment
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3.
This is probably the most biased article I have read on here. A soft reset to the device fixes some issues right away after it has been activated. If you dont the device is aweful. The lag is their but it isnt terrible. Really the device is too heavy? Seriously? It feels solid and a good weight. The sure type isnt bad at all. You can adjust the sensensitivity as well as a few other factory setting that help the phone run smoother. Once the settings are adjusting the "clicking" isnt really that different than physically having to push down on keys like with the curve. I HATE the typing on the Iphone or dare but didnt mind the Storms keyboard. Once again change some of the default setting. I guess what should I really expect from a site that constantly has misspelled words and improper grammer on articles it releases. I can say the hype was more than the phone had to offer but what device hasnt? I would think that a site of "professionals" would look at what the device is, instead of what the hype made it to be. After playing with the device for a few days, I would give it and 8... maybe 8.5. It still has bugs to work out but I expect issues to be worked out in the near future. I just cant get over how hard you guys were on this phone. Then again, the way you advertise for employees is by writing an article on working for phonearena.... I guess maybe my expectations were too high....
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4.
you really think that any major site don't know what a soft reset does? ive played with the storm for about 30m in the store (yes, i did reset the device) and would agree with most of what was said here. the keyboard just isnt good

its also also pretty clear that they have an american group of writers for american devices and a foreign set for european ones, the latter of which sometimes struggles with english for sure. this was obviously written by the former.
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9.
just maybe your biased for the phone, and your angry that it got a terrible review. if your gonna come out with the " IT " company and the " IT " phone to manhandle the iphone, than you better bring "IT", dont ya think,why half a** it in a hurry. It could have been way better.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #4 ( Show )
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12.
you know, these articles don't make or break a phone. this certain reviewer might not have liked the storm. oh well, he didn't like it. big deal. if you do, great. i personally like the storm, but this review does make a lot of good points. think about it, what phone do you know of has come right out of the gate absolutely PERFECT? none. i own an LG Voyager, i love it, it works for me, but it doesn't work for some. there are people that hate it. but I love it. and I like the Storm as well, but again i agree completely with this review. It's got a lot of problems. Fixable problems, but still, problems that could've been taken care of before it was launched. I don't necessarily think that the phone was rushed, i just think that maybe RIM and VZW spent a little too much time on advertising it, when really they should've been fixing obvious problems. They'll fix it, it's inevitable. But for now, there are problems that make it hard to get through the day with the phone. And again, a bad review means nothing to the masses. Think about it like movies, just because a movie gets a terrible review, doesn't mean it's a terrible movie. It's just one person's opinion. Great phone, lots of problems, let's hope they fix it soon so that it can work like it should.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #4 ( Show )
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15.
well said, says an iphone owner. =)
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #12 ( Show )
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18.
agreed. an avid apple fanatic will support an iphone, no matter how good or bad it is, as well as crackberry addicts. a review is just what it is - an opinion, no more, no less. best thing to do - test before you purchase. enough said.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #12 ( Show )
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40.
that's exactly what i was saying. like i said i have a Voyager, and it really works for me for everything i need but there are people on here who will bash the phone. does that affect my opinion? absolutely not. it amazes me that there are people who freak out at the reviewers on here for being "biased" when they prove that they're even worse by complaining about a phone they think is awesome getting a bad review. if anything i've found this website to be totally truthful with their reviews. yeah it might seem like they love apple and the iphone, but it's because of it's public-appealing features. i would KILL to have the appstore on my voyager, it's so killer. but at the same time, they don't let the iphone's flaws go unnoticed. just like they didn't leave the Storm's strong points out of this review. so good review phone arena, now let's pray for some updates
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #18 ( Show )
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176.
its more than just reseting the phone, you have to download new software updates, and mess with the settings....
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #4 ( Show )
Reply to anonymous Hide 7 replies to this comment
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5.
Some of what was said I can agree with, but VZ Navigator being the worst carrier-branded GPS? Come on man, I've tried them and the newest version of VZ Navigator flat out CRUSHES any of them, and my opinion is backed up by reviews from Consumer Reports, among others. I see the assertion that it doesn't hold up in a lot of Phone Arena articles, and honestly it makes me wonder if the writers do have a bias, because you are clearly not using the same program I am. Navigator is better than a lot of the Garmin and TomTom units I have tried.
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84.
I totally agree. I have no idea where they are getting their basis for saying that VZ Navigator is the worst GPS out there. I recently was on a trip with my brother when his brand new out of the box Garmin got us lost and decided the highway we were on mysteriously ended and that we were now on top of a mountain. Needless to say, I pulled out my Dare and loaded up VZ Navigator and it knew exactly where we were and how to get to our destination without a problem. Its similar to a bunch of AT&T users telling everyone how great there phone is and what great features it has, while the only thing it cant do is make a phone call that doesnt get dropped. Same thing with VZ Navigator, it might not look as pretty as the others, but it actually works and in the end that is the most important thing.
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85.
they said CARRIER BRANDED. use sprint/att navigation and youll understand
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #84 ( Show )
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88.
I agree with both of you 100%!!!!! Not because I work for VZW, but because I too have tried other navigation systems and Agree VZ Navigator WORKS!!!
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #84 ( Show )
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90.
I have used Sprint's TeleNav and at times it was not accurate at all. Its delayed at times and also if you dont have a good signal it does not work at all, or update your route if you go the wrong way until you get a signal again.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #85 ( Show )
Reply to anonymous Hide 4 replies to this comment
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6.
I am still getting used to the device, but overall, I am pleased. This is my firsst "uper-end" phone so I can say I do not have much to compare it to. That being said, the design is fine to me. The weight isn't bad. The screen wiggle isn't that strange in my opinion, afterall, the thing has to move for it's main feature. As stated above, if you change some of the default settings, it works really well. The keyboard does take some time to get used to, as does looking for certian functions in the menus. There is some lag time at times, but not consistently. The browser wasn't as messed up as the original reveiw mentioned...at least not to me. The original review says that the battery life is excellent, however, I do not agree. Mine lasts one day with mixed use. Not a lot of talking, but some playing around on it trying to learn it. Trying to use sparingly today to see how much that helps. The accelerometer does get stuck sometimes, but if you just lock the phone and unlock it, it'll work fine. I have not had any issues to where I had to reboot the device, although I have read on here, and elsewhere, that folks are having to pretty regular. Maybe I'm just too simple to care about some of it's bugs. Who knows? Afterall, there will be software and firmware updates in the coming weeks and months. If you want a phone that will do everything for you because you're too lazy, then this phone isn't for you, but if you want a good phone/PDA for business and personal use, plus an added "cool" factor, then try it. There will never be a phone that is completely perfect, especially for techies, so I will accept any faults the Storm has and go about my day. Over all, I agree with the above poster about the phone. 8-8.5.
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7.
Just wanted to add that I cannot comment so much on the Verizon features and services. I have changed carriers to due to a wedding and she wasn't going to change.
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13.
you just pointed out everything wrong with your phone, was also pointed it out on the review, and your gonna say that theres no problem your obviously bias on this phone to keep it with everything thats wrong with it. hey whatever floats your. boat.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #7 ( Show )
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20.
a lot of people keep phones even if they have problems with it that doesn't make them biased. there are other reasons people may keep a phone. It sounds like you are biased against this phone.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #13 ( Show )
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37.
Yes, I might have pointed out the same issues, however, I do not feel as though they are as severe as the reviewer made them out to be. I've never had to wait 10 sec. to complete a picture on the camera. I cannot see the circuit board. tha gaps on mine are not room enough for 2 crdit cards to fit in. It does not freeze up every time i switch applications. I have not had to reboot the phone. I have not had to constantly look at the little clock that shows it's working between applications. I have no bias for this phone either. I waited to join the fiance'e's contract until I could play with this phone to see if I'd like it. Not a BlackBerry guy by any stretch, but this one works for me.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #13 ( Show )
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46.
no no no, i like blackberrys, i messed with the storm, sorry to say that BB dumped on the storm. view it wile off and youll notice the screen entirely moves. makes me feel like one drop of it will pop the screen right off. again not biased, just extremely,extremely disappointed.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #20 ( Show )
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79.
I am curious what if any issues we will see down the line with the "Click" screen. Bottons wearing out is a common problem with some phones and the fact that this button must be pushed to do just about eveything may cause it to wear down even faster. You can at least add insurace to the Storm unlike the iphone can't you?
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #46 ( Show )
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117.
You have lost some flavor in your reviews. You spoke to expose the device and not show the people what it is all about. There has been some great up grades in many areas that were overshawdowed by your comments. I thought your review was very stuck up and you need to get back to how you use to do reviews. It just lacked tack. You mentioned the bold 15 or more times which sends the wrong message to your readers, as if you were paid to say that. Finailly you made a bold statment that this was one of Rims worst phones. Och!!! That was overboard. Good Luck with your career!!
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Reply to JonD Hide 7 replies to this comment
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8.
To clarify, we are aware of the different tap settings and have experimented with them. In our opinion we didn't see much of a difference in overall performance, and only slowing the typing speed improved accuracy. And yes, we did soft reset the device many times ;)

Thank you for your comments, we understand that people have different views and appreciate your input!
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44.
how is it a 5.5 rating? when you take the average of all fo the them it comes to 8.1 rounding down. So, ummm how 5.5?
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57.
I have been taking every review i read on this website with a grain of salt ever since they wrote the review on the iPhone 3G and the touch screen comparison over the summer. It is obvious that whoever writes for this website is bias towards the iPhone and does not give a fair review.

Example #1: When the iPhone 3G came out there were tons of problems with the phone, such as lag, locking up, bad reception and dropped calls. Here is a direct quote from their review: "Generally it’s excellent, but every now and again we will get some lag, or a lockup. It has even restarted on us a few times, never doing the same thing twice. The iPhone 3G definitely has some bugs, and we’d expect a software update from Apple pretty soon." That was the last thing you heard about the software problems in the review, and PhoneArena pushed it off like it was nothing.

Example #2: In the touchscreen comparison article that compared the iPhone, Instinct, Dare, and Vu, they basically praised the iPhone on just about every category, and even if there was an obvious flaw with the phone (such as reception and dropped calls, which is the primary use of a cell phone), they kept giving Apple a pass. They even gave it a higher score than the Dare (Iphone 3.86 out of 5, Dare 2.89), even though the individual reviews gave the Dare a 9 out of 10 and the iPhone 3G got an 8.

I'm not going to say that the Storm doesn't have its problems, but seriously be professional about your reviews. Let the information speak for itself rather than your opinion, because its obvious that your opinion is biased.
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65.
um, the instinct beat the iphone in that review. also, the dare is a piece of s*** wannabe and deserves what it gets. if you actually read this site comprehensively they bash the iphone and apple all the time. take a look at the g1 review if you think they are biased towards the iphone, they pretty much ripped apple. and my favorite was when they had an article with the apple logo photoshopped with the communist sickle
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #57 ( Show )
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93.
And everyone knows that the iphone doesn't have the best signal. Come on. Everyone says it all the time everywhere so why is it necessary that phonearena stress it? And when the iPhone had bugs, it was mainly with the app store, email, and calls. For me it was especially with email. Some people had crashed after downloading applications but it only happened once for me. In my area, calls were absolutely fine. It was just the push email for me. I would get email notices hours after the email was sent. But my accelerator worked fine, applications weren't slow to load, my screen didn't shake, my thumbs never get tired and autocorrect works fine, etc. And apple is bashed a lot in this site, especially by android's open source and apple's iTunes approach (even though I think that the iPhone is still way better than the G1 but that's just my opinion). And this is not the only site that thinks that the storm failed.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #65 ( Show )
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125.
Wait, the iphone mainly had bugs with e-mail and calls? What do you use a phone for? I mean really, what is the main purpose of the phone, especially a smart phone? ummm, could it be e-mail and calls? So your arguement is that the iphone is great phone because it only really had bugs when using the phone and e-mail? Sorry for all the questions I am just completely baffled by your arguement here.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #93 ( Show )
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152.
actually 65, the instinct only beat the iphone in the REVIZED article that they put out on the comparisons. The iphone won the original article with great things like
"every phone can do this but the iphone... but the iphone wins" in every category. go back and read the hundreds of original comments that flame the phoenarena reviewer for his blatent bias. they changed the article to playcate the masses.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #65 ( Show )
Reply to PhoneArena Team Hide 6 replies to this comment
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10.
its amazing, Iphonearena.com bashed the storm. didnt see that one comming.
point 1) this is a first generation blackberry touch device. there are bound to be some out the door inconsitencies with it, just like any brand new "first of its kind" product. give it an update or 2 and revisit your review.
point 2) you dont know how to use the touch screen. Myself, i am not that coordinated when it comes to touch devices. I use a voyager just for the gigantic layout on the keyboard. i do not miss with the storm. if you pay attention, the device highlights any icon, key, or button under your finger before you press down. if you are not waiting for it to do that, then you will NOT hit what you want. once you spend some real time with it, you will not have your"miskey" problems. just for reference, i can use the BB almost as fast as the voyager. thats a big deal for someone whos not that coordinated.
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16.
they didnt bash it, they called it like it is.here we go now, the verizonarena.com sponsor just showed up. please tell us more of how verizon is second to god.. what a spaz.
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21.
looks like a verizon hater showed up
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #16 ( Show )
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22.
they totally bashed the phone. they could have expressed their opinions while pointing out the same flaws in a more non biased opinion but they didn't.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #16 ( Show )
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47.
not a hater at all. just dont like apple complainers or verizon glorifiers.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #21 ( Show )
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54.
So if this review was about the iphone cause the iphone had ton of issues when it came out.. both of them did that were completely over looked, you have said.. they didn't bash it, they're calling it as they see it. Cuase if you ask me, they don't call it as the see it. If they did they would be honest and unbias, seems to me they call it how they want to see it and you're reading it how you want to read it.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #47 ( Show )
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69.
i saw and used the phone. its quality was crap.not one thing was disagreeable. so again they saw it how it is, and i read and agreed like i used it. screen craftmanship is shabbey.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #54 ( Show )
0
95.
I think that's so dumb. I have to put my finger over a key to make site I am choosing the right one before I click?what a waste of time, especially when typing. Just imagine pittingbyour finger over each and every letter to see the blue light before actually selecting it. Who does that with any phone? I'd rather just push down on a regular touch screen instead of waiting to see that I was touching the correct one.
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118.
it's not the point. He made the procolmation that this was rims worst phone ever. That would put anyone who says that in question. has nothing to do with verizon people jumping up and down over thier new phone. Just bad press. liked the site when it was about the phone and not carrier.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #21 ( Show )
Reply to vzemp Hide 8 replies to this comment
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11.
oh, btw, the storm works like a windows mobile device does. just because you back out of a program does not mean that you TURNED IT OFF. you have to hit the BB button while in the program and tell it to turn it off from there, otherwise your phone, like any other, will lag with 20 things going.
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14.
true, but certain things dont close on my storm no matter what, even when i access them via the task manager and choose close in the menu. when i bring the task manager back up they are still running
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17.
I don't agree with review. This is a first generation Touch Blackberry. Remember when the Second Generation Iphone came out and people dropped thier First generation Iphone in the dumpster?!? This BB Storm is very fun to play with. Yes it has problems but with a few, just a few updates, it has the potential to be a great phone for any user. In no way am I going to refer to it as an "Iphonekiller", but the Storm is an Iphone Contender and will appeal to many people.

I am finished with my latest VZW contract and had thought about switching just for the Iphone to have the capabilities it offers, but with the Storm I don't think I'll want to switch now. I plan to get it in two-three weeks once the updates start to roll out on it. I will say I have worries about the screen in two aspects: 1. the spaces on all sides of the Screen (This is NOT a pocket phone!) I don't want dirt in my phone... 2. It does lag but that can be changed with updates and expect that to happen pretty quickly the way VZ has advertised this phone.

I would like to see a revised review around Christmas time if any new updates are available. I do think this review was extremely biased but then again I don't know anyone personally that works for this site so I don't intend to be too critical.
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19.
We do plan on refreshing the review if any updates come out that address the issues we ran into. Hopefully they will be released soon!
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61.
They have already released an update. go to www.blackberry.com/storm/update

the update does fix some of the issues at hand, like the lag time between going from horizontal to vertical.

Try it out and see what you think.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #19 ( Show )
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86.
there is no update
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #61 ( Show )
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96.
I couldn't get anything. Did you get an update?
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #61 ( Show )
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120.
Use the desktop manager to look for updates. You will find an update for the Core applications and the Help application.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #61 ( Show )
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122.
An Update will be available the First week of December.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #120 ( Show )
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135.
the update has been released, where's the refreshing?
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #19 ( Show )
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137.
The 4.7.0.75 update was released sometime last week or shortly after release. Although the update to be released this week or next week is the main one to supposedly fix some of the core issues. This is what I was told by a corporate associate. The 4.7.0.75 update has made programs run/open just a little faster on my friends Storm, but could still use a little more speed. If everyone on this site would be patient I'm sure PhoneArena might be pleased with the device after the updates roll-out and will give a fair judgement on the device.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #19 ( Show )
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138.
I think you should be a little better informed, the update has being already released...I already have in my phone!
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #19 ( Show )
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140.
and your software is? 4.?.?.?
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #138 ( Show )
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177.
the update has been leaked out for about 2 weeks now..... where is the review update? This site has such biases reviews and then when you say you're going to do something you procrastinate like crazy. This site is very disappointing.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #19 ( Show )
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183.
There has been updates out for this phone with no review updates. Do you guys just say stuff and never followup on anything? that's really the way it has always looked with you.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #19 ( Show )
Reply to anonymous Hide 12 replies to this comment
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24.
i find these comments funny, since basically every other review ive seen has said the same thing. yes, they were harsh, but they dont seem to be unfair. hell, blackberry aficionado bgr went as far as to say that it might be vzws best device, but "...we wouldn’t trade our Bolds in for Storms if you paid us. Like a lot of money. Like, six figures."
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26.
Whom ever wrote this review represents phonearena.com
I now see phonearena.com as a biased OPINION website. the storm is awesome and has very easy to fix flaws.
I wont be coming back to this site for a long time after this very biased review.
"but but but.. the touch is soo ewwie, and ooh my goshhhhh u can see the circuits! ewwiee! and oh wait boo hoo is sooo slow even though its a damn PDA that has all kinds of applicatiosn runninig in the background that i needed to turn off cause its not like my iphone which can only do one thing at once... boo hoo". please people go play with the phone first
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42.
Darm we don't get the privlidge of reading your whinny post any more? I guess you will just stay off the internet now since EVERY review I read (with exception to the fanboys) says the exact same thing. Get over it cry baby...if you like it great...I will take the opinion of someone tht reviews phones for a living over yours any day.
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67.
No i agree with 26. This is most definately an insane biased review for any body who has actually seen this phone and knows how to run it like a damn blackberry. The bold would get the exact same review if it wasnt an Iphone rival. I would also say that phonearena.com has lost a tad bit of credibility for future reviews.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #42 ( Show )
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76.
you must have liked how shabby it is
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #67 ( Show )
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94.
It's not biased at all. I actually went to the Verizon store to check it out and I was not impressed. It froze within in 30 seconds of use. How dumb is that
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #67 ( Show )
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116.
I think the review is pretty spot-on. The only thing harsh about the review was the number at the end. 5.5 is a little low IN MY OPINION. For the reviewer, it wasn't. Based on the article, he put most emphasis on the messaging portion, which is a BB strongpoint. In relation to other blackberries, I would agree and 5.5/10 would be pretty accurate. But with the other features the phone offers, and many of the bugs more annoying the deal breaking, I think 7-8/10 would be close. I still don't think it wears your thumbs out that much typing a message, and it is pretty accurate for me. I am holding out for a software update or some hands-on time with the Touch Pro before I leave my voyager, however.
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