This is RIM's first touch screen phone. Its also RIM's first real step towards capturing the moblie phones users who wouldn't normally be their typical user group (that's of course assuming that the typical BlackBerry user is business orientated!).
It comes with a wealth of multimedia features. With ability to recognise various audio and video file types including MP3s, AVI and 3GP. As is pretty much standard, there's the camera which comes with auto flash, auto focus and is a decent 3.2MP.
The BlackBerry Storm has built-in GPS and comes preinstalled with BlackBerry Maps. Vodafone also provide their own Sat-Nav software, which is free for the 1st six months. I've noticed that when the GPS is switched on, it really does drain the battery. It's highly recommend that you plug the BlackBerry Storm into a in-car charger when on the go.
Surprisingly (and very disappointingly) there's no Wi-Fi support. This means to get the most of the BlackBerry Storm you will need to have a high data usage package, otherwise costs will become prohibitive. Which in my opinion is very poor. Meaning that you will be unable to use the internet or use any of the internet dependent applications if you're out in a low reception area.
RIM have also provided an "'Application Centre" to allow BlackBerry Storm users to download applications (very similar to the IPhone's App store). You can also download and install numerous 3rd party applications. There are already quite a few applications ready and waiting for download, though it doesn't seem as extensive as Apple's. Though its early days and i'm pretty sure within the coming months this will change.
Lets have a look at the specifications (taken from the manufacturer's site)
Memory 1GB (but expandable using MicroSD cards to up to 16GB)
Touch screen 3.25" high-resolution screen (480 X 360 pixels) 65,000 colours Tactile - push the screen down
Camera and video recorder 3.2MP digital camera with auto flash, auto focus and 2x digital zoom
Multuiple Keyboard Options SureTypeŽ (predictive) and Multi-tap (multiple keypress) in portrait and on-screen QWERTY keyboard for longer messages.
Connectivity Bluetooth v2.0 (supports Bluetooth headphones or speakers) 3.5mm stereo headset (great for using "proper" headphones) Mini USB to connect computer and allow data synchronisation
Hardware wise it packs a mean punch and is more than aequate for what it needs to do. However I came away feeling a little bit disappointed, the slow and sluggish operating system left a lot to be desired. From my perspective being an avid texter (and blogger) the keyboard takes some getting used to. Unlike other touch screens, with the BlackBerry Storm you need to push/ press down on to screen, otherwise it won't recognise your desired action.
Summary
Stylish, lovely to look at. Lots of good features. Unfortuantely also a tad slow switching between applications (even adding extra memory, didn't in my opinion make any notable speed improvments). Lack of Wi-Fi is disappointing, means you will not be able to take advantage of commercial and free Wi-Fi zones. If i had to give it a grade, it would be a solid "C".
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Designed to satisfy the needs of both consumers and business customers the BlackBerry more
Storm smartphone combines the powerful communications features global connectivity and personal productivity advantages of the BlackBerry platform with a revolutionary touch-screen technology that dramatically enhances the touch interface and enables easy and precise typing. The world's first "clickable" touch-screen responds much like a physical keyboard and also supports single-touch multi-touch and gestures for intuitive and efficient application navigation. The BlackBerry Storm smartphone comes with an innovative touch-screen that actually depresses ever so slightly when the screen is pressed. The user distinctly feels the screen being pressed and released with a gentle "click" similar to the feeling of a key on a physical keyboard or a button on a mouse. The "clickable" touch-screen gives the user positive confirmation that they have made a selection and the result is a dramatically enhanced touch interface and a highly-intuitive typing experience. In addition to the familiar navigation keys ("phone " "menu" and "escape") that are common to other BlackBerry smartphones the new BlackBerry Storm adds support for multi-touches taps slides and other touch-screen gestures so customers can easily highlight scroll pan and zoom for smooth navigation. The BlackBerry Storm smartphone also features a built-in accelerometer allowing its touch-screen to automatically switch between landscape mode and portrait mode as the user rotates the handset - RIM's SureType keyboard layout is available in portrait mode and a full QWERTY keyboard layout is available in landscape mode. Other relevant features such as cut and paste are only a touch away for the ultimate smartphone experience.
With a unique touch screen and cutting-edge multimediacapabilities the BlackBerry Storm more
smartphone makes a greatimpression as you travel across town or to almost any corner of theworld.Move your mouse over the glowing hotspots to the left todiscover the g
With a unique touch screen and cutting-edge multimediacapabilities the BlackBerry Storm more
smartphone makes a greatimpression as you travel across town or to almost any corner of theworld.Move your mouse over the glowing hotspots to the left todiscover the g
Advantages: The click-screen button is great for fast emailing and texting. Good quality screen & display Disadvantages: Poor battery life, unreliable 3G network, multiple click-screen problems, slow reaction camera
Advantages: Good sound quality alround, video play back, 3g/gprs data stream good and constant Disadvantages: would really depend on user, ive found none..
adognamedpiles 10.06.2009 ·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: off topic
Review of BlackBerry Storm 9500
Advantages: Good sound quality alround, video play back, 3g/gprs data stream good and constant Disadvantages: would really depend on user, ive found none..
adognamedpiles 10.06.2009 ·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: off topic
Review of BlackBerry Storm 9500
very helpful by (100%):
