Feast your eyes on the all new Blackberry Storm — launched today on Vodafone — but available from next month (and hopefully free from Bold-style OS issues).
First, a glorious gratuitous full screen shot please:
And, when you tilt the device, how’s it look?
When you touch it, it feels like a button — so says Frank Rovekamp, CMO Vodafone. In fact if you’d like to see what he thinks of it, here then is a video — yes — a video, produced by Big Red — of him talking about the device:
I’m rather impressed. This is the kind of communication I’d like to see from other operators.
My biggest issue with the Storm is that it’s not necessarily a direct-upgrade-path from your traditional Blackberry with a QWERTY keyboard. Frank demonstrates the keyboard in the video — on-screen Pearl style keyboard if you hold the device vertically, QWERTY if you turn the device horizontal — and the screen feels buttonish. That should help. Here’s what Vodafone say about the screen:
The uniquely tactile 3.25†screen gives users a variety of different sense experiences. Despite its flat surface, users feel the sensation of actually pressing down on virtual keys which also light up when touched. This makes it quick and easy to type texts and emails as well as navigate through the phone’s functions. Customers will also have the choice of using a full QWERTY, SureType® or multi-tap keyboard.
There’s a lot of folk out there — a lot of traditional business people in smart suits — who can only just use a Blackberry. And they’ve ‘only just’ been using a Blackberry for years. They haven’t explored any of its features other than email, phone, contacts, calendar and … of course… the keyboard. They’re all USED to the keyboard.
So I’ve been somewhat alarmed when I hear companies automatically planning on upgrading their entire Blackberry fleet to the Storm. Test it first. Check it out, have a look. It’ll be mayhem in the Executive Suite if they don’t ‘get’ the on-screen keyboard.
This said, there’s a lot to admire on the Storm. 3.2MP camera — with video. Good news. You can directly upload pictures to Flickr. I’ve no doubt there will be a custom Facebook client — like the existing one.
3G of course. Glorious looking screen (480×360 pixels). Launch countries? Europe, India, Australia and New Zealand territories are getting the Storm. The scramble for the Storm starts next month.
I’d definitely like to take a look at one. And I’m particularly interested to try out the keyboard. That’s perhaps something I might be able to get comfortable with.
I do a lot of blogging — via Posterous (which is a stunning service, by the way) — from my Blackberry Curve. I write the post in an email and send it to Posterous — who convert it on-the-fly to my MIR Live blog. We then automatically pull from the RSS feed into the main Mobile Industry Review. Key to this experience is me being able to type fast. The only device that lets me do this is the Curve. No other mobile keyboard comes close. Yet.
So I’ll take a look at the Storm. But I have a feeling I might be better with a Blackberry Bold. As will the legions of lawyers and accountants — the mainstay corporate customers that keep Blackberry on 3 meals a day.
What about you? If you’re choosing… Bold or Storm?
(Read the full Voda Storm release here).
I've had a quick
Ewan, how does it compare next to the G1?
(I work for Vodafone and have one of these on my desk – I don't speak for Voda or RIM)
I like it – but I don't necessarily see it as an upgrade for a “traditional” BB user. I think it might suit someone who wants the best of both the BB and the iPhone. If all you want is email and calendaring – you might as well stick with a “traditional” 'berry.
The keyboard is better than the iPhone IMHO – but it will take adjusting to if you're used to a series of tactile buttons.
Making the screen clickable is a stroke of genius. I was sceptical at first, but it's better than regular haptic feedback.
One thing it's missing is a front camera. Am I the only person who likes video calling?
I'm enjoying it – but I'm biased!
I think you are the only person that enjoys video calling, but apart from that I agree with pretty much every word!
i woudl rather chop off my right arm than have a blackberry.
but i'm semi tempted by one of these. I would take ALOT of convincing though.
i have in inbuilt prediduice to the crackberry addicts i meet on a daily basis.
i now feel for women with large breast. LOOK AT ME – not your blackberry when we are talking!!!
Psst… on the *VERY HUSH HUSH*
UK Blackberry owners can now get a *staggering* TWO MONTH Free Trial of SpinVox Voicemail whcih includes a free download of our uber-cool Blackberry Plug-in…
Check it – http://www.spinvox.com/bb
how does it handle video playback
can i chuck anyold mp4 or divx at it ?
oh I've been meaning to try spinvox for about a year now – since i met someone that worked there while working the charity calm … check stack of cards…. james scroogs – top bloke – he makes my dress sence seem conservative. 🙂
mac
I don't know if it has native playback but all BlackBerrys come with Roxio Media Manager – I guess this one will do. That should transcode most video formats. If not – there are several freeware / shareware solutions.
i use a mac – so pc based software is no use.
i just meant play videos without needing to re-encode them
but i guess not
Whatley, thanks for keeping that so quiet!!
Go for it dude.. .and James Scroggs? He's my boss. The reason I took the job in fact.
The bloke is an inspiration.
No comment.
But seriously – it's LIVE NOW – go get it before it goes… http://spinvox.com/bb
No, you're not! I love vid-calling as well.
Shame the Storm does not have a front camera, I soo wanted one
I'm really excited about the Storm and hope to convince my boss to get me a newer model BlackBerry. Verizon is also going to release the Storm. In the US, 30% of poeple are leaving their carriers to go to AT&T where they can get an iPhone, according to an NPD Group report. Can anyone hear us? The Americans need better phone choices! : )
WiFi Drains Battery – Rubbish!!
It never ceases to amaze me that reasonably well respected organisations such as Vodafone can come out with a statement like “.. we did not put WiFi in the Storm, because it drains the battery….”
What a load of twaddle! Anyone with a WiFi capable Nokia or an iPhone 3G will know that the WiFi consumes a tiny amount of power COMPARED WITH the thirsty 3G radio, whaich has to operae at much higher power levels in order to transit the long distance between the cell site and phone compared with the short distance between WiFi AP and phone.
Why don't they just come out with the truth, which is – 'We want all the user's traffic to transit OUR network and no-one elses in order that we can maximise our profits!'
What do people think of the browser on the Bold and the Storm?
WiFi Drains Battery – Rubbish!!
It never ceases to amaze me that reasonably well respected organisations such as Vodafone can come out with a statement like “.. we did not put WiFi in the Storm, because it drains the battery….”
What a load of twaddle! Anyone with a WiFi capable Nokia or an iPhone 3G will know that the WiFi consumes a tiny amount of power COMPARED WITH the thirsty 3G radio, whaich has to operae at much higher power levels in order to transit the long distance between the cell site and phone compared with the short distance between WiFi AP and phone.
Why don't they just come out with the truth, which is – 'We want all the user's traffic to transit OUR network and no-one elses in order that we can maximise our profits!'
What do people think of the browser on the Bold and the Storm?
WiFi Drains Battery – Rubbish!!
It never ceases to amaze me that reasonably well respected organisations such as Vodafone can come out with a statement like “.. we did not put WiFi in the Storm, because it drains the battery….”
What a load of twaddle! Anyone with a WiFi capable Nokia or an iPhone 3G will know that the WiFi consumes a tiny amount of power COMPARED WITH the thirsty 3G radio, whaich has to operae at much higher power levels in order to transit the long distance between the cell site and phone compared with the short distance between WiFi AP and phone.
Why don't they just come out with the truth, which is – 'We want all the user's traffic to transit OUR network and no-one elses in order that we can maximise our profits!'
What do people think of the browser on the Bold and the Storm?
If any one expectes some new thing in any digital device like mobile, TV, cameras…. then plz let me know.
I am preparing about some good expectation in 2010 from digital media