Don't Dismiss the BlackBerry Storm, or Rick Ankiel

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is Ankiel's breakout season!

Cards Fan in Chitown of IL 2:33PM December 07, 2008

I hope the phone works better than the fiasco of this trumped up launch. What a huge cluster this release has been. I was on a list for 4 weeks awaiting the launch. The day before I get a call to set an appointment to pick up my storm. So, I re-arrange my schedule, show up on time and then informed that there were no more phones available... The store opened at 7:00 AM and my appt was at 7:30 AM... Huh! Wait, it gets better... No problem, "we will ship it out and it will be at your home before noon tommorow" states the store manager. OK, next day comes... no phone. Now, 3 days after the promise of delivery, I was just told that it will not even ship until tommorow.
We will see how customer focused Verizon will be when I demand some accessories when I go in to transfer data from my Blackberry Curve.
VERIZON - - - YOUR LAUNCH LOGISTICS WERE TERRIBLE - - - Let's hope the phone doesn't burn out during re-entry

Pat of CA 6:44PM November 24, 2008

Interesting info about the Storm
But, why not some modularity to these phones, so you could add a slider with hard keys if you want or stay with the touch screen alone.
Also, who is going to figure out a way to unfold a larger screen, maybe using OLE diodes, these appear to allow very thin screens. The small screen size is the biggest limitation to doing serious work on these phones on the fly.
Is any mfger looking into innovative screen designs? What could OLE diodes like SONY is using allow on a smart phone?

Bob of MO 3:03PM November 23, 2008

Im in total agreement with Richard in that I shared the same experience. I was one for the people that waited in line for two hours for a chance to purchase the phone. I was 21st in line. Not bad... An hour after the store opened, it was my turn to go in and purchase the phone, only to find out that they had already SOLD OUT! WHAT? REALLY? Im the 21st customer in line and you have already sold out your units? On LAUNCH DAY??? Even if you account for multiple purchases by people in front of me that makes for less than 50 units at a corporate sales store (Sherman Oaks, CA). Absolutely pathetic. Like Richard, I was promised overnight delivery of my unit the next day and of course it never came. I am tempted to say screw it and tell them to keep their damn phone.

Emmanuel of CA 2:13AM November 23, 2008

I bought two Storms on Friday morning with the promise of overnight delivery by 12 the next day. I am sitting at home all day waiting for my new phones to arrive and guess what, they never came. I wasted a whole day sitting around the house for a Fed Ex that never arrived. I sat on hold with "Customer Service" that couldn't even tell me when the items were going to ship. What a screw job, sell me a product you don’t have and then do nothing to compensate me for my troubles. Great way to kick off your new device by screwing your customers!

Richard of CA 11:18PM November 22, 2008

Om Malik missed the point. Storm wasn't designed for him. There are a bunch of different Blackberry models for different people's preferences. And, as Steve Wildstrom over at Business Week realizes, both Apple and RIM make great products. One isn't better than the other. They are just different. And the Storm touchscreen keyboard shouldn't be compared to other Blackberries. The fact is that typing on a Storm is better than typing on an iphone. For people who want a touchscreen, the Storm provides the best typing experience. It may not be as good as typing on the Bold or Curve or Pearl (although I'm sure plenty of people will think it actually is as good or better), but that is the wrong point of comparison. If you want a physical keyboard, RIM offers plenty of models with the best keyboards in the industry (and Apple offers none). In any case, the market is big, fragmented and growing so I think RIM made the right decision to offer another different product to its portfolio. Some people will love it and some won't, and that is true of every other successful phone on the market too!

Carlin of CA 8:17PM November 22, 2008

Management couldn't get it right, promising overnight delivery of the Storm. Customer Service reps took order and promised delivery by 12pm next day. But, 12pm no Storm delivery, now customer service promising the next Saturday by 12PM. POOR MANAGEMENT OF RELEASE AND BROKEN PROMISES. What a rip off for existing customer.

Sharon of NM 4:35PM November 22, 2008