I might not be a fan of the Storm but that doesn’t mean it won’t be flying off the shelves come tomorrow. You see, it’s not meant to be a gadget lover’s device. Just hear me out then flame away if you feel the need to. RIM felt the urgency to fill the gap between they’re entry level Pearl phones and their higher-end Bold. They obviously felt threatened by Apple and rightfully so. Hell, everyone else did and they began pumping out all sorts of touch-screen devices to combat Apple and everyone has failed. As I said in my review, the Storm is at the top of that pile but that means nothing at this point.
But I give RIM some credit for taking the touch-screen in a different direction. It is in no way, shape or form useful or efficient, but they certainly thought outside the box. For better or worse is not up for judgment here. They didn’t try to imitate, which I applaud them for. You simply cannot beat the iPhone’s overall UI and ease of use. Sure, I have my issues with the iPhone but it’s very user friendly.
The general consumer wants the iPhone or a device very similar to it. By general consumer I’m talking about your Average Joe. I’m not referring to readers of CrunchGear or other tech blogs. We’re a little more savvy than that and pick our devices based on minute details and don’t fall for the hype (for the most part). For example, look at how well the Samsung Instinct is selling for Sprint. People see a touch-screen device and think it’s the hottest thing since sliced bread. It doesn’t have to be an iPhone anymore. It was just the catalyst.
Getting back to the original question, what does the Storm mean for RIM and Verizon?
Well, RIM finally realizes that their lineup of devices appeal to a broader audience and that’s evident with the Curve and Pearl series (more so with the flip Pearl). And the Storm is the ultimate culmination of this even though it falls flat on its face from a tech lover’s perspective. It seems forced because RIM generally puts out very good hardware. On the flip side, this is their first foray into the touch-screen realm and I have no doubt that they will improve upon the Storm should they choose to release another touch-screen device.
What RIM really needs to focus on is the OS. They cannot rest on their laurels because Android and Apple are catching up and will soon overtake them. Think about the Application Stores, for example. The closest parity I can see is with the ringtone market. The ability to customize your own phone to give it a personality was uncanny at the time and the same goes for the ability to add applications. The BlackBerry is, however, a messaging device first and foremost. It’s meant for e-mail and the enterprise side of things, but Apple and Android have pushed them into the mainstream whether they like it or not. They must get up to speed in this area or they will lose even more market share as time goes by.
Verizon has always had a stable of less than stellar devices but they’ve picked up the pace since they lost the iPhone. They can tout the largest network in America, but that means nothing when you have a sub-par selection of devices. Verizon did a good job of not messing with the Storm as they generally do on other devices. Of course, there is no Wi-Fi and the GPS is locked into VZ Navigator. That was to be expected so it comes as no shock to me, but Verizon chose not to include their music app, which comes as a shock. How much time and money have they spent in the last year to build their music store? I hope it’s coming to the Application Center very soon.
At $200 most consumers will see that it’s the same price as an 8GB iPhone 3G and assume it does the same thing because it has a touch-screen. Those who are strapped to Verizon will surely upgrade and be done with it. The Storm will sell and it’s going to sell very well.
I think that in a couple of years RIM will be what is Palm today. There is no way they’ll be able to compete with the advantage iphone brings and the effort Android and Microsoft is putting in place. Sorry RIM and Sorry Palm RIP.
RIM is way too planted in the corporate world for this to happen.
I totally disagree with this comment about RIM, blackberry is secure and much easier to work with than the Palm. I owned 4 Palm devices and 8 blackberry devices along 5 years. To me the iphone is great compared to any other phone in the market but AT&T is worst than Verizon in quality, so I would never give up a blackberry for the iphone.
What does “the GPS is locked into VZ Navigator” mean? That you can’t use the gps in 3rd party applications like Google Maps?
blackberry comes with GPS software ready to go and Verizon disables it and makes you purchase their GPS service for a nominal fee
That “nominal fee” being $15 a month.
its true AT&T’s only downfall is the unreliable phone service suburban areas as they tend to concentrate on the major city hubs leaving many bedroom communnities with lackluster phone signal.
I don’t agree. I think the RIM Storm will sell poorly unless Verizon gives it a $100 or $200 discount. The Storm is not in the same level as iPhone. Where is the 8G memory in the Storm?
And you really need to turn off the Storm to compare with iPhone because the big square buttons are so ugly. I think RIM is lucky if they can keep existing RIM customers with this kind GUI.
Only idiot customers will think the Storm is in the same class as iPhone because they are sold for very similar prices. I hope at least Verizon doesn’t think their customers are this dumb.
And to what I read, the interface of teh Storm sucks and the OS of teh Storm was said to be rush out by many reviewers.
I’m a Verizon customer. I’m patiently wait for my Verizon contract to expire next year.
If Verizon want to win back or keep their customers, they need to have some really good phones. I’d suggest them to forget competing with iPhone. Just reduce the price or make them free and some will stay.
There is simply nothing can compare to an iPhone at $199 so far.
You can find user guides and manuals of all these products for detailed information at http://www.technostation.com
This is so similar to the GM Chrysler Ford thing. Someone competes with them (let’s say Toyota) eventually catches up and surpasses them, then they start trying to make stuff that looks like the competition. Alas, the stuff still falls apart in half the time, and the UI stinks for 28 years.
I’m with you “man,” RIP Palm, RIP RIM, copying is not competing.
It’s a recipe for failure (no, I don’t own an iPhone either!)
What a bunch of clowns posting here, including the author…
“They can tout the largest network in America, but that means nothing when you have a sub-par selection of devices.”
Uh, you got it backwards, dummy. A phone is nothing but a doorstop without a network, no matter how shiny it is. How do you get your “apps” and talk to your “buddy list” without service?
Those of us who have real jobs – you know, occupations where you can’t wear your iPod all day – will be buying the Storm.
A network is as useless without good devices as a device is without a good network. It goes both ways and if you fail at one, the other isn’t worth while.
I have that “real job” that you speak of that requires me to dress professionally every day. I also enjoy carrying my iphone that syncs with my works exchange server and home email seamlessly. Oh, and also that huge base of developers that won’t be making any special apps for the Storm because the iphone is a more popular platform.
I completely agree with this – I can’t get an iphone where I live in San Francisco because GSM sucks where I live (also elsewhere, I drop calls on the 101 with my at&t 8800 like no one’s business). It’s great that the iphone does all those cool things, but if I can’t use it for the PHONE part of iphone it’s useless.
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There is no doubt today that the iPhone is king for the masses. However, although I do admire the iPhone for its feature set and user interface, I have yet to switch from my BlackBerry.
I was mostly a MS Mobile and PALM user up until about two years ago, when I switched over to my BB for business, and honestly the only reason I haven’t dropped the BB to jump to the iPhone is that I would have to switch carriers.
The Storm is going to sell VERY well. There are a lot of business users who are not accustom to the BB and it’s applications, and are not as technically critical of the interface.
I can’t switch to the Storm either, (wrong carrier again) and will continue to use my current BB until it dies or something is made available.
the gps is not locked. That is incorrect. In fact, it works with Blackberry maps.
What’s the scoop on these unlocked I-phone’s i see available to use with any network? Anyone?
The Storm I think will have tons of potential. In addition, RIM would never fall that deep into the same hole as Palm is in right now. The UI on RIM devices is great. The iPhone is better of course but that gives RIM now the opportunity to outshine then and at least be competitive.
Sure, the review for the Storm have been mixed but that doesn’t take away the numerous amounts of Blackberry users who will jump ship to the new device.
I had the iPhone 3G for a week.. Didn’t like it at all, so I sold it. Coming from a Blackberry to start, it’s hard to goto a touchscreen device w/ no physical keyboard. I’m now back on the curve.
Like you said.. the iPhone is hyped up for the average joe.. If you can afford it, be my guest.
No WiFi!!! I can’t buy this phone. I need my WiFi to have conectivity inside my home and office as both are “dead zones”, and my towels are smooth. :) Will a newer improved version of this phone come out later with WiFi? Otherwise I will have to stay with Verizon’s competition for now.
First off you are not “locked in” to only using verizon wireless gps. That’s nonsense. Google maps works just fine and you can use “google earth” just like everyone else. The Vzw navigator works pretty well though, I have it myself. It’s not $15.00 a month but $10.00, Or three dollars a day, or just use your non directional google. Second, Yes you can use this device capable with many music players like rhapsody. (The software’s ready to go upon activation) You can sync it with i-tunes. Yes, It doesn’t have to be an apple product to work with them. Since it comes already with an 8-gig card, (expandable to 16) the deal is in the box.
http://www.stormsucks.com
I am tired of hearing about the storm….