Blackberry Storm gets official
Posted on 08 October 2008, at 4:54 am, by Wayne Schulz
A press release announcing the new Blackberry Storm was just issued. In the USA the Blackberry Storm is slated to arrive on Verizon before the end of this year. Based on the repeated delays with the other much awaited Blackberry, AT&T’s Blackberry Bold, it looks as if the Storm may actually hit the USA shores first. Looking over the specifications, there are several things that make this Blackberry unique – touch screen you can actually push, 3.2 MP camera, 1 GB memory, 480 x 360 pixel display.
I’m in a holding pattern on this one for two reasons. First, the media software on my previous Blackberry’s was mediocre and the newer media software will transfer iTunes music but only DRM free songs (ie not purchased through the Apple Store). Secondly, there’s an extremely surprising lack of hands on demonstrations of the OS and I’m not sold RIM improved their key OS features (browser and media player). This is a device aimed at the consumer market as a defensive play against the iPhone. While pricing hasn’t been announced, after the “early adopter scalping” take place – I predict this will be in a similar consumer pricing bracket as Sprint’s Samsung Instinct – making it somewhere between $ 99 to $149 after rebates and contracts.
Blackberry Takes The World by Storm via JAMM
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2 Comments For This Post
October 8th, 2008 at 8:43 am
The reviews I’ve seen so far were mixed on the squishy screen feel. I’m also concerned about the historically crappy browsers BB has had and the lack of WiFi in this thing. Even Palm is now supporting WiFi!
October 8th, 2008 at 8:46 am
I think the only reason that that Storm is getting so much press is that it’s an exceptionally uneventful quarter for technology news.
If a good story or two comes along – Storm will be blown right off the front pages. Pun intended.
I also think this is going to be a tough sell at $199 against the iPhone. Remember that basically all these data centric devices are expensive. You’re not talking about a device that is going to be usable on a $30/mo data plan from Verizon. You’ll probably wind up paying close to what an iPhone costs. At that pricing level people will wonder why not go with the real thing.