Betaar3 Forum

[TollyGerry]

BlackBerry Storm First Hands On;;;;
The very first time you touch the BlackBerry Storm—RIM's first all-touchscreen keyboard-free smartphone, just announced for Verizon Wireless—you will be startled. No matter how many times your fingers dance on the screen like you've been trained on every other touchscreen, nothing will happen. At least, not until you push the screen all the way down and you feel a click. Yes, the screen is a giant button, one you have to punch for basically every action, even every letter you type, completely breaking the touchscreen paradigm. Surprisingly, it works.
While the Storm's defining feature is this, what RIM ungracefully calls ClickThrough, the phone is much, much more. The term "iPhone killer" is clumsily tossed around by bloggers and journos (including us) to describe almost any phone with a touchscreen, but by trying to actually innovate rather than imitate, RIM has conjured up the phone most deserving of the title yet. It's got an innovative multi-touch UI (thanks to ClickThrough), runs on Verizon's EV-DO 3G network in the US, as well as any GSM HSPA 3G networks when abroad, so it's a true global smartphone. OK, maybe there never will be an "iPhone killer"—it's a stupid idea anyway—but based on our limited time with the BlackBerry Storm, it seems like it will definitely hold its own against every other marquee handset on the market.
Screen, multimedia and consumer features
The screen is gorgeous. I haven't seen the HTC Touch HD in person, but barring that, the 480x360 184-pixel-per-inch stunner could be the best screen on the market. It's bright, contrasty, the colors are beautiful and the viewing angle is ridiculous. I think I could watch the whole of Iron Man on it. Media navigation isn't as intuitive as the iPhone, basically re-using the usual BlackBerry UI, but it's not difficult to get around by any means. Still, RIM clearly intends to take the fight seriously, since the Storm supports a bunch of audio and video formats, will come with an 8GB microSD card and supports stereo Bluetooth. It'll also have Verizon's V CAST, naturally.

[Veva Dorothea]

For Christmas I plan on buying a Blackberry Storm. I want to know the estimated phone price with a 2 yr. contract. Also right now i have an iPhone. Will it be worth switching from AT&t to Verizon to get the BlackBerry Storm.!?How much will a Blackberry Storm Cost?

[kwabenapontius]

around 200 but the blackberry storm isnt the best touch screen for verizon i just got it and i press the top corner and in the middle it will select something else.. im not sure..thanks.!

[Nona Bee]

I'm trying to decide if the Blackberry Storm is worth staying with Verizon or should I just switch to T-mobile for the G1? So what makes it better than both the iPhone and the G1.....Also, side question, is there anyway to fix the aim issue with Verizon. Basically have the html aim instead of having to move all your buddies to mobile buddies?

[Valerius]

Recently had the Verizon version of the Blackberry Curve, the 8330. I loved that thing. The push email was great- as addicting as people claimed- and the trackball made navigation much easier than the smart phones I've used. I'd check out the web and feeds of my favorite blogs while waiting in line- I even looked forward to renewing my car registration at the DMV- and started texting, just like all of the cool people.

[Othojapik]

I really wanted to love this phone. On paper it sounds like the perfect antidote to our gripes about the iPhone, and in some ways it lives up to those promises — but more often then not while using the Storm, I felt let down or frustrated. Ultimately, this could be a great platform with a little more time in the oven, but right now, it feels undercooked — and that’s not enough for me....

[tedlaciey]

What makes the Blackberry Storm better than the iPhone and G1?I'm trying to decide if the Blackberry Storm is worth staying with Verizon or should I just switch to T-mobile for the G1? So what makes it better than both the iPhone and the G1.

[Othojapik]

Personally (and of course, all of the answers are opinions) there are strong points and weaknesses for each phone. As the owner of all 3 phones (for at least a week) I personally LOVE the new Storm. Yeah, I over payed for it on ebay to get it early, but that's nothing new for me.I know this sounds crazy, and there are way more important things to talk about, but the "click" that the Storm makes is absolutely amazing. I have big hands, and I'm not a HUGE fan of touchscreen keyboards (which is why I liked the G1), but the clicking noise lets me focus better and actually type something out without "fat fingering" it.