Dave's Download

Storm Is a Fun BlackBerry, but No iPhone Killer

November 20, 2008 RSS Feed Print

Verizon will sell the Storm for $200 with contract and rebate

Clicking on the BlackBerry Storm doesn't do much for me. The new touch-screen phone injects more fun and ease-of-use into the BlackBerry world, and might stem defections to the Apple iPhone and other competitors.

But its keyboard is no breakthrough, meaning avid messengers will want to stick to BlackBerrys with hardware keys. And someone after the best touch-screen software should stick with the iPhone.

The Storm looks much like the BlackBerry Bold that was released earlier this month, except it has a larger screen that can spread across its face because of no keyboard. The big LCD is a plus, and the BlackBerry operates well as a phone and multimedia device. It falls short, though, in the messaging that has been BlackBerry's strength.

My hopes had already faded that BlackBerry maker Research in Motion would somehow deliver a touch-screen keyboard that worked better than others. It tried with software keyboards that respond with an audible and physical click. The screen is like one giant button -- or single piece of glass riding on a button.

While useful, the click feedback is less so than the iPhone's approach of magnifying whatever letter you've pushed. I found myself having to look at the Storm's typed text to make sure I'd tapped the right letter.

Aside from the hit to typing speed, a touch screen is a nice addition to the BlackBerry family. Tapping to jump between applications or maneuver within them is quicker and more intuitive than navigating with a side wheel or scroll button. The bigger screen is a big plus for videos and photos. And the BlackBerry maker, Research in Motion, has done a nice job of converting familiar applications for a touch screen. In a day's use, I haven't suffered any of the freezes that other reviewers have complained of.

The Storm is packed with useful hardware. It has a great, 3-megapixel camera that also shoots video. The screen is vivid and high-resolution, making it fun to watch videos even outside in daylight. It comes with an 8-gigabyte memory card and can use larger cards. The Storm operates on Verizon's high-speed, 3G network. RIM also made sure it has enough battery to get through a full day.

All those better the iPhone. But the iPhone also has Wi-Fi, which I find useful at hotspots and friend's homes and which the BlackBerry Storm lacks. The BlackBerry software, while also perhaps more productive with included Office-like applications, also pales next to the iPhone's. The iPhone software is prettier, more intuitive, and more enjoyable. There is a bounce to scrolling text after a finger flick, and two-fingers can pinch or expand images.

So I don't think the Storm will steal customers who want an iPhone. But for someone feeling loyal to their BlackBerry, or who is tied to one because of corporate support, the Storm offers a cooler and simpler-to-use alternative. Just don't count on typing as fast.

Tags:: technology

« Previous Post Next Post »

Reader Comments Read all comments (8)

Add Your Thoughts Comment Name State Email

Please enter the two words below into the text field underneath the image.

Your comment will be posted immediately, unless it is spam or contains profanity. For more information, please see our Comments FAQ.

I had and iPhone, and gave it up to get the BB Storm. Even breaking my contract it was worth it. The ClickThrough screen take a bit of getting use to, but it didn't take long before i could type as fast with it as i was with the iPhone. And the SureType keyboard is much better than the tiny buttoned keyboard on the iPhone.
The BB Storm is a bit heavier (20 grams) but feels like it was built to last (my iphone case seperated at a seam and i had to trade it in)
A much better camera on the Storm, and watching downloaded movies, the video quality on the Storm is much better (even my diehard iPhone friend had to admit that). The external speaker on the Storm, much better.
Loading webpages is much faster with the Storm (as much as 15 seconds at times). One of the best features to me is the ability to tether it to my laptop. I know you can do that with the iPhone if you jailbreak it, but i can do it with the storm without breaking my End User Agreement. This is very important for someone like me who uses their Storm for work as well as play. The tethered connection is fast enough and stable enough to play WoW over (which DOES break my End Users Agreement).
The storm does have a removable battery which is good for someone who travels as much as I do. The Storm's battery life is about one day, which is about the same as the iPhones. And the life goes down the more you play with it, so it is nice to be able to have a spare battery.
The Storm also handles bluetooth much better than the iPhone. I can use my bluetooth head set and listen to my music in stereo, which I couldn't do on my iPhone.
And surfing the net via my computer is much faster than surfing via the Storm hand held or iPhone. And it is on the Verizon network that is much better than AT&T, i have yet to drop a call.
The iPhone does have alot of cool apps (even if 90% of the are completely useless) but i'm sure the Storm will have alot as soon as they launch their app store. And the Storms web browser leaves a bit to be desired, some pages are formatted incorrectly and such. The Storms OS is still a bit buggy and does random things at random times. But again, hopefully this will be fixed in future firmware updates.
The iPhones is a bit faster in normal phone operations(changing or opening new apps).
The biggest complaint i've heard from other Storm users is the difficulty texting, and editing mistakes in texting. But this is really quite easy once you learn the tricks in the OS the most people haven't caught onto yet.
The Storm lacks Wi-Fi which is a big issue for some (although the network connection is fast and capable enough that it really hasn't mattered to me.)
And one of the biggest selling points for me, I don't have to use iTunes with my Storm.
Over all, other than WiFi the only areas the iPhone wins over the Storm are all software based. And as they have shown in the past, RIM will fix those before long.
All in all, my Storm wins over my iPhone hands down.

Kesslar of UT 6:14AM December 30, 2008

have both....no question for work and practical use the bb storm is superior....for social and recreational use the iphone is more attractive and a good phone overall....if i could only have one it would have to be the superior bb storm with no hesitation.....PS i have bought 5 iphones for my family members and i have been using personally the bb phones for 5 years so i have direct first hand experience w apple and rim for the last few years...

DrX from South East Florida of FL 2:03AM December 28, 2008

The iPhone is just a much better phone. I work for Verizon and really wish we would have taken the iPhone when the offer was on the table.
Oh well, I can deal with my Storm..........but there are very few apps and not having wi-fi just plain sucks.

Verizon Employee of WA 3:13PM December 22, 2008

Storm Is a Fun BlackBerry, but No iPhone Killer

Related Articles

Reader Comments Read all comments (8)

Dave's Download

Subscribe

Editor's Picks