Storm gets spec'd, ditches Thunder name in UK, coming GSM only?

Storm gets spec'd, ditches Thunder name in UK, coming GSM only?

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Published on: 23 September, 2008 by PhoneArena Team

Storm gets spec'd, ditches Thunder name in UK, coming GSM only?

Lots of Storm information this morning.  First off, a trusted tipster on the Crackberry forums has confirmed final specs for the Verizon version.  Though we knew most of this already everything looks pretty solid to us, especially that browser part which has been a very weak spot for BlackBerries thus far.  Users can expect:

  • EVDO Rev A: (1900/800 MHz)
  • GSM/GPRS/EDGE: (850/900/1800/1900 MHz)
  • UTMS/HSDPA/HSUPA: 2100MHZ
  • WiFi: None
  • Size: 112.52 x 62.2 x 13.95 mm
  • Screen 3.25 " HVGA+ 480x360 Multi-touch, Gesture Touch
  • Battery: 1400mAh (removable! take that iPhone!)
  • Memory: 1GB flash for media/ 192 meg ram
  • Camera: 3.2 MP camera, vanity mirror, no flash
  • Audio: 3.5mm jack, bluetooth stereo, Rhapsody OTA purchase and tethered subscription capable
  • Browser: Every feature the IPhone safari webkit has, minus support for tabs. No flash support.
They go on to confirm that the Thunder name appears to be ditched completely, and the device will launch on Vodafone as the Storm as well.  This will create a stronger international brand, and in our opinion is a good move that will eliminate confusion.

Lastly is a juicy tidbit that there will be a GSM-only variant, the 9500.  Specs on this one are rumored to include:

  • 7.2 mbps HSDPA/UMTS (2100/1900/850 MHz)
  • Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900 MHz)
  • 1GB of memory, 192MB RAM
  • 1400 mAhr battery. Standby time: 528 hours
  • MicroUSB port
  • MicroSD and MicroSDHC expandable up to 8GB
  • 3.2 megapixel camera, flash, 2.5x digital zoom, auto focus, and image stabilization
  • Video capture. Normal mode (480×320) and MMS mode (176×144)
  • Assisted GPS - Enhanced version of GPS that performs at a faster speed

Assuming that clickable touchscreen isn't as bad as we've heard, the Storm family could be the feature device RIM could really use.

source: Crackberry, Crackberry and Crackberry

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0
1.
i'm in love!
Reply to this comment
0
3.
Any news on other carriers getting the Storm?
0
15.
VZW exclusive
Reply to this comment
Reply to anonymous Hide 1 replies to this comment
0
5.
When is the phon expected to be released????
0
24.
november 1st!!!
Reply to this comment
0
57.
i heard that it will arrive on the 2nd
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #24 ( Show )
Reply to Crackberry85 Hide 2 replies to this comment
0
6.
I can't wait for this phone. Now if only i can track down free blackberry apps I'll be good to go
0
38.
There's apps a-plenty. It just depends on whatb you want to do. I like the new google app for my curve (mail, maps w/some gps, and rss reader). But I also have all my news and sport from the main sites as shortcuts.
Reply to this comment
Reply to likeabite Hide 1 replies to this comment
0
7.
dissaponting..no wifi...no gps....im goin to att...this is the biggest let down ever for a phone..its a moto q with a touch screen...
0
9.
you are a retard.... blackberry requires the blackberry package why would you need wifi?? idiot... it will have gps just not the enhanced version but what that really means in comparison to the new version of vz nav im not sure... and if you know anything about the q its a windows mobile phone and the blackberry os is completly different... and as far as going to att, youre clearly an att fan boy... and the iphone requires the $35 data package compared to the $30 unlimited web and email package for blackberry... as long as this touchscreen is comparable to the iphone's, then apple has there work cut out for them...
Reply to this comment
0
10.
Haha, RIM is the highest rated manufacturer in the US, don't compare them to Motorola.

Apples and oranges my friend.

Anyways go to AT&T, see you back in 30 days
Reply to this comment
0
11.
The Storm does have GPS, it just looks like someone left it out of the specs they wrote up on the website. If you look back at the article on 9/16/08 there is a Verizon faqs sheet that says the Storm is capable of Audible Turn by Turn Navigation. I'm sure it matches what the GSM verison has, but someone forgot to list it. Besides, RIM just upgraded the VZ Navigator program on Blackberrys to version 4.0 (traffic, weather, gas prices, movie times, etc.), so why would they leave it out of the biggest phone they've made to date?
Reply to this comment
0
12.
Wi-fi is basically useless. GPS I agree, but wi-fi would never be a deal breaker for me.
Reply to this comment
0
14.
Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out. You'll be back soon.
Reply to this comment
0
28.
I had verizon and I went to att I didnt come back in 30 days.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #10 ( Show )
0
29.
Congrats, want a cookie?
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #28 ( Show )
0
44.
That because you're on a family plan with your mom and dad....you NOOB!
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #28 ( Show )
0
48.
Dude,

Try Wi-fi on Apple iPhone, its good. It is USEFULL. When a phone can come with GPRS and Browser Support. Its not a big deal for the manufacturer to add Wi-Fi Stuff on the board.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #12 ( Show )
0
50.
I understand that some people like using WIFI because there may be times when it would be better to use WIFI rather than EVDO. I would bet the reason RIM is leaving WIFI out is because it is not a necessary feature when you can get high speed EVDO data almost anywhere you go. Its also a way to keep the price lower on an already expensive phone. It may also be because of the problems the iPhone 3G is having with connectivity. Some of the articles I read have said that the problems may be caused by having so may antennas (edge, 3G, bluetooth, wifi, gps, etc.) built into such a slim phone that they may be causing interference with each other. RIM may have just decided to not use WIFI so they do not encounter the same type of problems the iPhone is having, which is perfectly fine with me.
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Reply to anonymous Hide 10 replies to this comment
0
8.
this will probably make its way to AT&T because it does not have T-mobile's band of HSPDA
0
13.
as long as the iphone is a att exclusive then verizon will keep the storm locked down...
Reply to this comment
0
17.
"You're not going to let anyone use YOUR phone, so WE won't let anyone use ours"

Yeah that doesn't make sense, try again.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #13 ( Show )
0
23.
this is only exclusive to verizon for a few months and then if they are not meeeting sales quotas the exclusivity will go away!!
Reply to this comment
0
26.
How doesn't that make sense? It's just smart business. If att is keeping the iphone for the themselves why wouldn't their biggest competition keep the storm for themselves? Both phone will be hugely popular.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #17 ( Show )
0
30.
No it doesn't make sense, for one, AT&T is GSM and VerizonWireless are CDMA

You do know that right? They're two different technologies...cell phone basics, are you following me so far?
So, you can't use a GSM phone on a CDMA network and vice versa.
So with VerizonWireless and Sprint being CDMA, you can't use their phones with T-mobile or AT&T.
And in reverse, AT&T and T-mobile are GSM, so you can't use them with Sprint or VerizonWireless.

Sorry I know I'm repeating things, but I just want to make sure you understand 100% and there isn't any confusion.


So now that we have that out of the way...

You mean to tell me you believe that VerizonWireless won't unlock their phone(The Storm) to be used on incompatible networks until the competition allows their phone(The iPhone) to be purchased unlocked, which would only be compatible with T-Mobile after that anyways?

So once again, no that doesn't make sense, since VerizonWireless is uncompatable with the iPhone and AT&T is uncompatable with the CDMA version of the Storm. They won't wait for each other to unlock the phones.

Now I don't even want to speculate on whether Vodafone will have their GSM version unlocked, but if so you would purchase the phone, from Europe, at quite a high price.

Hope this clears any confusion.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #26 ( Show )
0
31.
P.S., in regards to my last post, yes I know the Verizon version is both CDMA/GSM because it is world edition, but that still doesn't mean they'll unlock it to work on GSM networks.

None of our other CDMA/GSM world edition phones are unlocked that way either.

Sozz sozz
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #26 ( Show )
0
35.
Verizon didnt want the iphone... it was offered to them before at&t
Reply to this comment
0
36.
Blackberry has a new strategy for their nex gen of devices:
ATT will have the Bold as its exclusicve phone.
T-Mobile will have the Pearl Flip
VZW will have the Storm
It seems that this way they will not have to compete with themselves when selling phones, like they do now with the Curve and Pearl on different carriers. Each unique model highlights something appealing about their carrier. The Bold works with ATT's EDGE (*suck*) network. T-Mob will have the more economic and--perhaps--durable flip Pearl, and the Storm will be the feature powerhouse for VZW smartphones with GPS and streaming Video.
Excited!? I am!
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #30 ( Show )
0
51.
But if you pay any attention to what phone manufacturers do, they make a GSM and CDMA variant of popular models. AT&T and Apple have an exclusive contract for the iPhone. So more than likely VZW will try to keep an exclusive contract with RIM for the US.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #30 ( Show )
Reply to anonymous Hide 9 replies to this comment
0
16.
I am confused if the storm is GSM how does Verizon carry it, arent they CDMA or does this article mean that the 9500 is going to be GSM only!?
0
18.
There's this thing called reading; you do it when they post an article.

Now the error here is you only read part of the article, so read the entire thing or ctrl + F to find:

"Lastly is a juicy tidbit that there will be a GSM-only variant, the 9500"
Reply to this comment
0
19.
i imagine this variant will be used in the GSM only countries like the UK.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #18 ( Show )
Reply to MSME Hide 2 replies to this comment
0
33.
It appears the GPS wont be "crippled" as it says support for blackberry maps under GPS in the pictures from engadget
Reply to this comment
0
34.
yes, the verizon version is a "World Phone". it is both cdma and gsm
Reply to this comment
0
39.
NO Wi-fi ?
0
41.
what is with you people...all blackberries require a data plan on verizon's network, which means unlimited email and web access. THERES IS NO NEED FOR WI-FI...common sense.
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Reply to nacho Hide 1 replies to this comment
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