11/21/2008, 8:15am, EST
Friday, November 21stBlackBerry Storm shipping to Verizon
Verizon today marked the official launch of the BlackBerry Storm on its network. The device matches the $199 contract price of the rivalling iPhone 3G at AT&T and is widely regarded as Verizon's best alternative to the Apple handset in features and focus. The Storm has a similarly-sized 3.5-inch capacitive touchscreen meant for finger input but relies on a unique click action that requires a physical push downwards for some actions, simulating a physical button press.
The phone also shares a mixture of advantages and disadvantages over its chief competitor. Although the first-ever touchscreen BlackBerry operates on both CDMA and GSM networks with 3G on either, reports claim that Verizon may have consciously removed both Wi-Fi and North American HSPA bands to both push greater use of its paid network services as well as to discourage unlocking the phone for use with AT&T. Its core GPS is more advanced with traditional turn-by-turn navigation but lacks the feature-finding software of the iPhone's Google Maps, including the just-added Street View that also exists on the Android-powered T-Mobile G1.
Only a single model of the Storm is available with 1GB of built-in memory and microSDHC storage to add more. A new, more touch-specific media player app on the phone itself as well as Media Sync for Windows PCs help users synchronize the phone with iTunes for unprotected content. RIM's new phone also plays home to the App Center, a new carrier-customizable central portal for downloading and managing third-party software.
Verizon's holiday sales are expected to hinge on the Storm but may have been temporarily set back by a claimed shortage at the last minute, though Electronista hears from sources that initial supplies were anticipated as running below demand from the beginning.
Filed under: iPhone, industry, mobile phones, Apple
Other story tags: BlackBerry, Research in Motion, Storm
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iSync for Storm
How do I synchronize my Macintosh Address Book, iCal, Contacts, etc. with a Storm? Is it USB plug-and play?
RSVP
iSync
Manually. Look at the address on the computer, and then type it into the Storm.
sync
You need to get the Missing Syn Software
My question as well...
For those of us who do use Verizon, we may have to use the Storm. Well, not have to, but we will at least pay attention to it. So, comparisons between the Storm and the iPhone are not necessary. The dealbreaker for me will be syncing as well. I have to use Verizon and it would be very nice to do all my scheduling, e-mails and such without having to lug around my Macbook. This may be the answer, but as a Mac user, can I use this thing for my e-mail and iCal? How do I sync? What does "Missing Sync" software do? Oh, and porn. Of course, porn on the fly.
Gotta have that.
Poke and Touch
Please explain the difference to your readers.
Mail-In Rebate
The Storm is NOT at the same price point as the iPhone... and should be noted as such.. only after a $50 mail rebate is the price the same!
It's a great marketing trick for Verizon, because they can pretend like it is the same price as the iPhone even though they know only a small portion of buyers will actually fulfill a mail in rebate!
Storm Price
The Storm is $250 with a mail in re-bate but I ordered one with an employee discount (from my employer) and the price was $149.99. So, it can be had for cheaper than the iPhone. If only ATT's coverage was better in my area, then the iPhone would be a definite buy for me.
storm sucks
http://www.stormsucks.com nuff' said
Re: poke and touch
Well, maybe you could explain the difference...
Re: storm sucks
What? There's a Storm sucks web site? I don't believe it? On the internet? Wow, never thought I'd see the day.
Then again, there's also http://www.iphonesucks.com/. So it really means nothing.