Blackberry Storm

I have posted quite a bit in the past about the touchscreen Blackberry.  Well it looks like this device is coming very close to launch.  The currently estimated availability date is 11/1/08 and so is not far.  More information continues to appear on the product.  Here are some highlights from various sites.

Storm Page At VerizonWireless

Blackberry Storm coverage at Boygeniusreport

 Crackberry.com just posted the final specs.

  • EVDO Rev A: (1900/800 MHz)
  • GSM/GPRS/EDGE: (850/900/1800/1900 MHz)
  • UTMS/HSDPA/HSUPA: 2100MHZ
  • WiFi: None
  • Size: 112.52 x 62.2 x 13.95 mm
  • Screen 3.25 " HVGA+ 480×360 Multi-touch, Gesture Touch
  • Battery: 1400mAh (removable! take that iPhone!)
  • Memory: 1GB flash for media/ 192 meg ram
  • Camera: 3.2 MP camera, vanity mirror, no flash
  • Audio: 3.5mm jack, bluetooth stereo, Rhapsody OTA purchase and tethered subscription capable
  • Browser: Every feature the IPhone safari webkit has, minus support for tabs. No flash support.

 

It will be interesting to see how the phhone is accepted by end users.  I think that it looks like a very interesting option and is made even more compelling due to the delays of AT&T’s Blackberry Bold.  (The Bold is the latest traditional form factor BB and keeps getting delayed.)  The point is that AT&T had an opportunity to have exclusivity to a brand new BB device and it has been delayed so long that its release date is not far in advance of the Storm.

The big question about the Storm is whether users will buy into the new touch screen form factor.  It is a big departure from the traditional qwerty or suretype BB.  IMO, I am going to hold off upgrading to any new BB device to wait for the launch of the Storm.  I think that the touch screen could be compelling, but want to see initial reviews and ideally have a chance to play with it in store.

iPhone App Store

One of the interesting dichotomy’s of the iPhone is that it offers iTunes and the AppStore which in theory simplifies the process of finding and purchasing applications.  While this is true, it also creates a conflict.  Since Apple controls the AppStore, they also control what applications are available in it and they have shown a willingness to reject applications that they deem competitive the embedded applications.

I recently ran across an example where someone wrote an application to access GMail and Apple rejected it.  This is the biggest frustration to me with Apple and their products – they tightly control access.  Why must I use iTunes?  Why can’t I choose what application to install instead of the "Apple Police" deciding for me?

The iPhone is without a doubt one of the best, if not the best, smartphone on the market.  I just struggle with the proprietary nature of the phone.  I can purchase and install any application I want on my Blackberry; why can’t iPhone users do the same?

iPhone with a keyboard?

Here is an interesting article the The Register where they suggest that Apple is working on an iPhone with a QWERTY keyboard. The say that they have inside sources that Apple actually has a working prototype which they have been showing to carriers. I have no way to agree or dispute this, but find it interesting nonetheless. In short, they argue that QWERTY is requirement for mass penetration of businesses and Apple realizes that they need it if they ever want to gain a large foothold in the enterprise.

The above point is interesting. In my informal experience, I find that people get used to one method or another. I am a QWERTY guy and would not consider the iPhone for that reason although I have heard that you quickly get used to it. I like the tactile feel of buttons which is holding me back. That said, I would be interested in playing with the iPhone for a while and seeing if I really do like it.

Touchscreen Blackberry

There have been numerous rumors on the Internet of an upcoming touchscreen Blackberry phone. This is interesting since historically, RIM has always relied on physical keyboards in their devices. They offer both the traditional qwerty layout on the larger devices and SureType on the smaller units. I previously posted about a rumored keyboard for the iPod and now it appears that RIM is going the other way and potentially releasing a Touchscreen Blackberry.

The rumor about this device on The Boy Genius Report emerged a few months ago. They posted pictures recently and originally announced the device in May. The newest pictures just surfaced here. What do you think about this new device? Will it rock or be a disappointment?

More on this later….

Touchscreen Black Berry aka Thunder Pictures

Crackberry.com has some live pics of the still under development touchscreen Blackberry codenamed thunder.  I posted
a while ago about how there was some uncertainty about how well the
current testing was going.  Two separate blogs had completely opposite
feedback on how the testing was going.  That said, it is still nice to
pictures of the device.  It does look interesting although not nearly
as sexy as the iPhone IMO. 

The other good thing about the device is
that it will be a Verizon exclusive.  AT&T/Cingular is totally
focused on the iPhone and so you can easily imagine why they would not
entertain a touchscreen Blackberry.  They do not want to harm their
iPhone sales.  I also wonder if that is part of the reason why they
delayed the launch of the Blackberry Bold.  Regardless, the Thunder
could be an intersting device especially since Verizon has the better
network than AT&T and this is the first time that they could have a better Blackberry device than AT&T.  Of course, only time will tell…