BlackBerry Storm impressive, but wait for fixes to frustrating software
Filed Under (BlackBerry, Smartphones) by admin on 29-12-2008 >> 117 views
Tagged Under : BlackBerry, BlackBerry Storm, Smartphones
The BlackBerry Storm is an impressive piece of hardware.
Global Positioning System, stereo Bluetooth, fast processor, powerful battery, excellent camera and a huge, sharp screen. The first touch-screen phone from Research in Motion comes with everything you could want, except Wi-Fi.
But the software suffers major problems.
The camera takes forever to focus. Calls sound choppy on speakerphone. Static mars the sound on Bluetooth headsets. And everything feels slow.
All these terrible-sounding problems can and will be fixed, however, with software updates.
The real question is whether RIM will go beyond bug fixes and make much-needed improvements to fundamental features, such as the Storm’s touch screen.
Every other touch-screen phone allows users to type simply by touching the screen. The Storm makes users push the screen down, much as they’d push a physical button.
The idea is to make it impossible for users to inadvertently click on links or type letters. It’s ingenious in theory, but incredibly annoying as it actually works on the phone.
And this is hardly the only area in need of fundamental improvement.
Most of the software, from the media manager to the e-mail program, has clearly been ported over from other devices without much consideration for how to take advantage of a huge touch screen.
Will RIM fix these problems? I’d guess so.
Anyone who gets the chance to see how much RIM improved its Web browser in the couple of months that separated the release of Bold and the release of the Storm will realize that RIM is serious about software upgrades.
But the Storm isn’t there yet.
BlackBerry Storm
$200 with new two-year contract with Verizon Wireless
Pros: Beautiful screen, GPS, push e-mail, good Web browser, works internationally, view/edit Microsoft Office documents.
Cons: Numerous software glitches, cumbersome virtual keyboard, slow programs.
Verdict: The Storm has the potential to be a great device, if RIM keeps improving the software, but would-be buyers should hold off.
Review Video:
