BlackBerry Storm 9530 Smartphone (Verizon Wireless) | 
 enlarge
| Brand: BlackBerry
Category: Wireless
Buy New: Too low to display
Avg. Customer Rating:  44 reviews
Sales Rank: 104
Color: Black
Media: Wireless Phone
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.5
Dimensions (in): 0 x 0 x 0
Model: Storm
ASIN: B001HN5BPS
Release Date: November 16, 2008
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Promotion: Data not available Terms and Conditions
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
|
| Features:
| • | First BlackBerry touchscreen phone packed with messaging, document editing, and multimedia features; international GSM roaming | | • | Access V Cast, Music and Video services via fast EV-DO data network; GPS-enabled for turn-by-turn directions; use phone as a modem for your laptop | | • | 3.2-megapixel camera/camcorder, Bluetooth stereo music; MicroSD expansion to 16 GB; access to personal email and instant messaging | | • | Up to 6 hours of talk time, up to 360 hours (15 days) of standby time | | • | What's in the Box: handset, removable battery, international charger, USB cable, 8 GB MicroSD card, user manual |
|
| Accessories:
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com Product Description
Designed to satisfy the needs of both consumers and business customers, the BlackBerry Storm smartphone offers a revolutionary touchscreen that dramatically enhances the touch interface and enables easy and precise typing. The world's first "clickable" touchscreen responds much like a physical keyboard and also supports single-touch, multi-touch and gestures for intuitive and efficient application navigation. Whether traveling to Europe or Asia, the Storm provides globetrotters the freedom of reliable global connectivity with Verizon Wireless's reliable, high-speed 3G CDMA network here in the United States and compatibility with GSM networks abroad. 
The SurePress touchscreen with tactile click response allows you to accurately navigate and type messages on the BlackBerry Storm. | 
The Storm's built-in accelerometer automatically switches the screen between landscape mode and portrait modes as it rotates. See larger version. | It's compatible with the V Cast Music and V CAST Music with Rhapsody services, which enables you to purchase songs through your phone and download them via Verizon Wireless's fast EV-DO data network. You'll also benefit from the phone's A-GPS receiver, which enables you to access Verizon Wireless's VZ Navigator service for turn-by-turn directions. Other features include a 3.2-megapixel camera/camcorder, Bluetooth connectivity for handsfree devices and stereo music streaming, 1 GB internal memory, MicroSD memory expansion to 16 GB, support for up to 10 personal and corporate email accounts, access to popular instant messaging services, and up to 6 hours of talk time. Verizon Wireless Service
With support for the EV-DO high-speed data standard, you'll enjoy fast access to the Internet and Verizon Wireless's multimedia services (additional charges applicable), with average download speeds ranging from 400 to 700 Kbps and peak rates up to 2 Mbps. (Learn more about where EV-DO coverage is offered.) The V Cast Music service enables you to download songs instantly to your phone, or purchase music through your PC and transfer the files to your phone. If purchased from your phone, you'll receive two copies of the song: a Windows Media Audio Pro Plus format at 64Kbps stereo is sent to your phone, and a Windows Media Audio 9 format at 160Kbps stereo is sent to your account in the V CAST Music online store for downloading to your PC. V Cast Music offers nearly 2 million songs, with more being added all the time. In addition to the V Cast Music service, this phone is also compatible with Verizon Wireless's V CAST Music with Rhapsody, which enables you to access this exclusive digital music service for RealNetworks and for MTV Networks. V CAST Music with Rhapsody delivers unlimited monthly access to music on up to three Rhapsody-compatible mobile phones and players and online on multiple PCs and Web browsers. In addition, customers who purchase music over-the-air are able to download the master copy of the songs or albums to their PCs free of digital rights management (DRM) software that restricts how and where music can be played. The V Cast Video service enables you to stream or download video clips to your phone from a variety of news, entertainment, sports, and weather channels, including CNN, ABC News, E!, CBS Sports, The Weather Channel, and VH1. With this GPS-enabled phone, you'll be able to access Verizon Wireless's VZ Navigator service (additional charges applicable) for voice-prompted turn-by-turn directions, heads-up alerts, local search of nearly 14 million points of interest in the US (such as landmarks, restaurants and ATMs), and detailed color maps. And Verizon Wireless's Chaperone service lets you easily locate your loved ones from your cell phone phone or PC in real time. After defining a zone, such as an area designating a school or summer camp, you'll be sent an alert via text message when the Chaperone handset enters or leaves the zone. With BroadbandAccess Connect (subscription required), you can use your smartphone as a modem for your notebook when you connect the two using a USB cable--or open a Bluetooth connection--enabling you to access the Internet or your company intranet. The tethered modem capability is ideal when you're traveling and need to use your notebook to check email, access corporate networks, or download large files like presentations and reports. And with BroadbandAccess Connect, you won't have to buy an extra PC Card or other devices. With Visual Voice Mail, you can delete, reply and forward voice mail messages without having to listen to prior messages or voice instructions. Visual Voice Mail is the ideal tool for the busy mobile professional who may need to prioritize which messages he or she listens to first. 
In addition to its messaging capabilities, the Storm features a 3.2-megapixel camera and multi-format media player. See larger version. | Global Connectivity
The BlackBerry Storm allows for global roaming--from Europe to South America to Asia--and also provides 3G data speeds on select international networks, giving you high-speed connectivity when you're abroad. The Storm offers Verizon Wireless's fast 3G EV-DO Rev. A/CDMA connectivity in the United States, and UMTS/HSPA (2100 MHz) and quad-band GSM/EDGE/GPRS connectivity for use outside the U.S. The Storm comes pre-installed with a SIM card, so customers who plan to travel abroad can activate global service at the time of purchase or by calling Verizon Wireless prior to leaving the U.S. For those who travel abroad frequently, the company's Global Value Plan offers discounted roaming charges on calls made to and from 130 countries. Phone Features
The first BlackBerry to feature a touchscreen interface, the Storm's large 3.25-inch LCD (360 x 480-pixel resolution) actually depresses ever so slightly when the screen is pressed, giving you the distinct feeling that the screen is 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" touchscreen gives you positive confirmation that you've made a selection, resulting in a highly-intuitive typing experience. In addition to the familiar navigation keys (phone, menu and escape) that are common to other BlackBerry smartphones, the Storm adds support for multi-touches, taps, slides and other touch-screen gestures, so you can easily highlight, scroll, pan and zoom for smooth navigation. The BlackBerry Storm smartphone also features a built-in accelerometer, allowing its touchscreen to automatically switch between landscape mode and portrait mode as the you rotate 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. 
Blackberry's efficient SureType hybrid alpha-numeric/QWERTY keyboard appears in portrait mode. | The on-screen SureType hybrid alpha-numeric/QWERTY keyboard, first introduced with BlackBerry Pearl phones, places two letters on each button of the keyboard layout and the Storm automatically determines which letter is the intended one based on what it predicts you are trying to spell. SureType also learns the words you use most often, further enhancing your typing speed. View your favorite web sites the way they were meant to be seen with the high-performance web browser that works in either portrait or landscape orientation. Navigating Web sites is fast and easy with the touch-screen interface that lets users double tap to zoom in and slide their fingers to scroll and pan. Icons along the bottom of the display allow for quickly accessing Web sites, switching between Page View and Column View as well as the ability to toggle between Pan mode and Cursor mode. The enhanced browser supports file downloading, streaming audio and video (RTSP), and built-in RSS support--enabling content from supported Web sites to be automatically pushed to directly to you.  | Whether you're on the clock or out-and-about, the Storm has the tools to keep you productive. Access up to ten supported personal and corporate email accounts, including the most popular ISP email servers, using BlackBerry Internet Service. View and revise Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint files using Word To-Go or Slideshow To-Go. And keep your schedule on track with the advance calendar function, which allows you to check appointments or make new ones in just a few clicks. In addition to the industry's leading mobile email and messaging solution, the Storm supports text (SMS), picture (MMS) and instant messaging (IM) on today's most popular platforms as well as social networking sites. Take your social life on-the-go with Facebook for BlackBerry and Flickr Photo Uploader for BlackBerry applications (pre-installed on the Storm). A Mobile IM feature provides access to Google Talk, MSN, Yahoo!, Windows Live, and AIM instant messaging services. Handsfree communication is easy thanks to the integrated speakerphone. This phone also provides Bluetooth wireless connectivity (version 2.0), and includes profiles for communication headset, handsfree car kits, and file transfer. With the A2DP Bluetooth profile, you can stream your music to a pair of compatible Bluetooth stereo headphones. You can connect your laptop (either via Bluetooth or wired USB) and enjoy dial-up networking--surf the Internet, send email, and access files from a server. The media player can play movies smoothly in full-screen mode, display pictures and slideshows quickly and manage an entire music collection (compatible with MP3, WMA, and AAC/AAC+/eAAC+ formats). Playlists can be created directly on the handset and there's an equalizer with 11 preset filters--including Lounge, Jazz and Hip Hop--for customized audio ranges when using wired headphones or external speakers. The Storm has 1 GB of internal memory--enough to store 250 tunes--which can be expanded via optional MicroSD/SDHD memory cards (up to 16 GB in size).  | Other features include: - 3.2 megapixel camera with variable zoom, auto focus and a powerful flash that also provides continuous lighting when recording video
- Built-in GPS supports location-based applications and services, as well as geotagging of photos
- An ambient light sensor that automatically adjusts backlighting for ideal screen viewing and an accelerometer that allows customers to view applications in either portrait or landscape mode by simply rotating the handset
- Visual voicemail allows you to browse your in-box and choose the messages to listen to with just a few clicks.
- Record and send verbal reminders to yourself and others with the easy-to-use Voice Notes feature, which allows you to recored, pause, and resume your voice notes in the push of a button.
- Enhanced noise cancellation to offset background noise
- Low-distortion speakerphone
- 3.5 mm stereo headset jack
- Polyphonic and MP3 real-music ringtones
- MicroUSB connector for charging and data transfer
- Removable battery
- Bluetooth version 2.0 with the following profiles: A2DP (stereo music streaming), AVRC (remote control), HFP (hands-free car kits), HSP (communication headsets), DUN (dial-up networking), FTP (file transfer), PBA (transfer contacts)
Vital Statistics
The BlackBerry Storm weighs 5.5 ounces and measures 4.43 x 2.45 x 0.55 inches. Its 1400 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 6 hours of talk time, and up to 15 days of standby time. It runs on Verizon Wireless's 800/1900 CDMA/EV-DO frequencies while in the United States, and it can connect to 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE networks as well as 2100 MHz UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA 3G frequencies when outside the U.S.
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 39 more reviews...
 A really nicely engineered product, with some room for improvement January 7, 2009
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
A few points to start with.....
I'm a long time (9 years) Blackberry user, and I kind of understand the way they do things. Its not perfect, but the software is mature, and the approach is reliable
I'm a business guy, and reliability and consistency are the most important things to me. I rely on the phone and email constantly. Cameras, MP3 players, web browsers are all nice extras, but those are secondary features. If the camera never worked, I wouldn't care.
I'm also very very satisfied with Verizon wireless, and their service has never let me down. I've always had a Verizon phone, as well as a Blackberry device (which also tended to included a GSM phone on either Cingular and lately AT&T for the past 5 years or so), which I used internationally as I travel pretty heavily. AT&T has been very very unreliable in the US, which is why I always have made sure to have Verizon, as it is been totally reliable for myself and my large family. The Storm is a "World Phone" and includes a GSM transceiver and SIM card.
I made a horrible mistake recently of trying to make an LG Dare work as an adult phone and email device, and after 5 months of banging my head against the wall, with its terrible reliability, awful screen handling, and non existent email capabilities, I finally surrendered and went and bought a Storm.
On the Storm
I waited until now to get the Storm, so I have the benefit of all the bug fixes of the past month. One reason that I decided to go back to Blackberry was that RIM actively maintains and updates their software. The LG Dare experience was awful, with only 1 (and a weak one at that) software update since its initial release 7 months ago. The RIM and Blackberry experience are not the same as an iPhone (which I probably would have bought if it was on Verizon, but AT&T has just let me down too many times)
I think its important to understand that if you are a Blackberry user, and understand what their whole thing is about, the Storm will feel comfortable to you. If you are expecting a trendy cool iPhone gadget to show your friends and watch youtube videos on all day, you might want to look somewhere else.
The hardware is typical RIM quality. It is heavy and built like a tank. The buttons are familiar BBerry buttons. The whole chassis is clearly made to take abuse. The touchscreen has an interesting "push/click" thing going on, that makes it pretty easy to use the interface. The LG Dare and iPhone have a less definitive touch screen, although the Dare gives nice feedback when you hit keys. But with the Storm I find it much easier to navigate and select, with less "false" selections. You navigate, then click. There are still some "false" selections, but very very few.
The phone call quality is very very good. Probably the best I've ever had with a RIM device. My most recent BBerry was a Curve through AT&T which had awful call quality in the US, but was decent everywhere else the world. The Storm is very good, which is what I expect from Verizon.
Email is of course RIMs main franchise, and as usual, it is terrific. Its just state of the art, amongst the best that there is. It uses the usual Blackberry software hierarchy and menus, so if you understand them, and find them useful, the Storm will be good for you. Navigation will take some getting used to, because the touchscreen eliminates/consolidates things like the wheel or small joystick that past BBerrys have used. But the new approach makes sense after a while.
As far as configurability, the Storm is terrific. You can set the hard buttons to do all sorts of things, change the screen functions, and reorganize the phone to your liking (something which the Dare did not allow).
I would give the browser a 8/10, as either it has a mind of its own, or I haven't mastered it yet. It has some automated magnification functions that work well, until they make the web page unusable. It might be operator error on my part.
I haven't really used the Camera yet, although my kids say its nice. But I already have a camera, and have never been much of a cell phone camera user.
I am a huge music lover though, and so far the MP3 player seems useful, it can be set up as a normal USB type flash memory device so you can simply copy your songs onto it. One unfortunate thing about it is that RIM has for some insane reason selected Roxio to provide a media manager (along with the atrocious Rhapsody/Real DRM and adware infested disaster that Verizon has been swindled by). The choice of Rhapsody/Real or Roxio is like choosing between sawing off your own head with rusty chainsaw or doing rootcanal on yourself with a jackhammer.... just an awful choice of 2 adware infested, computer destroying pieces of software. Not good. I'm still experimenting with other media players to sync up music.
All in all, the Storm works for me as of now. I'll try to update this as I learn more about the Storm. But from what I can tell, it is as good a piece of hardware as RIM has ever made. And if you are looking for a decent device for a few years, its really a decent choice, as RIM completely understands how to maintain software and fix bugs. It seems that only Apple, RIM and the Windows Mobile devices will stand a chance as being long term platforms that you can rely on. All other "smartphones" don't seem to be built by companies with attention spans longer than 10 minutes.
 Sleek looking but not practical for business January 6, 2009
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is my first Blackberry, I was so excited to start the New Year, organizing all my business contacts, calendar etc., into one unit. Well, that is not going to happen with the Storm keyboard unless I have lots of time to type and re-type when it chooses the wrong letter, under my finger. As you can tell I am not a techie, but was hoping to get up to speed, I guess I need to go back and start all over with the Curve. I know from all my colleagues that it is practical and works.
Smartphone for smart people... January 5, 2009
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Note that anyone looking to buy this phone should consider two things.
1) Most early reviews were based off of a pseudo-beta initial release of the phone software (v65). The phone has since been updated and works exceptionally well. Look for reviews AFTER 12/15/2008.
2) This phone is a powerful productivity tool, NOT a toy. For users wanting an entertainment device with plenty of games, buy the iPhone. For users wanting an unmatched phone, email client, contact/task database, all rolled into a high-res screen with sufficient multimedia ability, buy the Storm. Many reviewers are blaming the phone for their own inability. Yes, it might seem complicated at first but it gets the job done unlike any other phone. If you want a simple toy/ipod, again, look elsewhere.
Also, the iPhone vs Storm comparisons are getting way out of hand (see first review: Grant). These two phones are completely different with one exception, the touchscreen. To prove the point, below is a cut/paste from a post I ran across in another forum (note I can't vouch for all info, still it should be useful when considering this purchase):
Hope this helps.
MD
-----------------------
Storm vs iPhone (aka: Storm DOES have, iPhone *DOES NOT* have):
- 3D click-through screen (capacitive touch PLUS tactile click)
- MMS (TXT messages with pictures attached)
- ability to record videos
- WMV video support
- WMA audio support
- 3GPP RTSP website audio/video streaming
- copy/paste via multitouch
- better camera (3.2mp vs 2mp = 60% improvement)
- 2x digital camera zoom (vs none)
- camera flash
- camera autofocus & image stabilization
- better screen resolution (480x360 vs 480x320 = 12% improvement)
- full QWERTY keyboard (PLUS SureType)
- second mic for active noise cancellation during phone calls
- removable/replaceable battery
- better battery life w/ 1400 mAhr (5.5-6.0hrs vs 5.0hrs = 10-20% improvement) (+ even more with Seidio extended 1600mAhr battery!)
- replaceable metal backing (vs plastic, non-replaceable)
- MicroSD memory card expandable up to 32GB
- 10x hard buttons (4 front, 2 top, 4 side)
- voice-command dialing
- global phone: CDMA/EVDO.A/UMTS/HSPA/EDGE/GPRS/GSM (works on VZW and includes a SIM card for travel abroad)
- true, lean email push w/ compression (vs battery draining ping-pong workaround)
- DOD-level encryption and security (with remote management via BES or Unite)
- syncronize contacts, tasks, memos, calendar with Yahoo! PIM, Outlook, Lotus Notes, etc
- save attachments & send attachments from media card or internal memory
- open PDF, DOC, XLS, PPT files
- invite attendees to calendar meetings
- ability to use any music manager (vs iTunes-only restriction)
- high-speed PC modem via USB tethering
- third-party application multitasking (aka background applications)
- Assisted GPS for turn-by-turn voice navigation with third-party applications (VZNavigator, Garmin, TeleNav)
- mass storage mode (allows drag/drop of files via Windows Explorer)
- BlueTooth 2.0 with stereo headset, A2DP/AVRCP audio streaming, file-sharing, wireless printing, etc
- horizontal charging dock for "clock mode" and movie viewing
- better Verizon contracts and cheaper price plans
- better 3G network (Verizon EVDO Rev. A vs AT&T HSDPA scarce coverage and slower uploads)
- open architecture app install (vs Apple collecting a buck for EVERYTHING you buy)
On AT&T, spotty 3G coverage requires the WiFi alternative...
VZW 3G coverage is everywhere, hence no need to compensate with an additional chip that would raise prices and reduce battery life.
iPhone, game over.
-----------------------
STORM? Maybe just a little rain. January 4, 2009
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
PROS: I had been with T-Mobile for over 10 years and in spite of ATT and Verizon having better phones I remained a loyal T-Mobile customer until the STORM!!!
CONS: I early termed my contract with T-Moble and purchased what I though was the MUST HAVE Storm. I was a little concerned after the first day but, by the 3rd day I was utterly frustrated with too many issues with the phone. The accelerometer frequenly would get hung up. I would turn the phone and have to wait a second for the screen to adjust to the new position. The lag time was crazy. I actually liked the touch screen concept but even with the blue guiding light you can not tell what damn letter you are touching. If you send a lot of e-mails or other text well, take a deep breath and try not to throw your phone against the wall. And the keyboard -- has a mind of it's own. Appearing out of nowhere, there is no shortcut key to "hide keyboard". Also when I put the phone to my ear, I would either end up hitting the mute key or the speaker key. The Iphone has sensitivity built in which hinders this when the phone is put to your ear, the Storm does not.
CONS: I was not impressed with the browser which lagged and some pages would never open. I aslo wish there was an App Store. The camera takes forever but that is not a major issue for me. The lack of WiFi was a major mistake. Scrolling through items on the screen is not smooth or fluid as the iphone as there seems to be a bit of a stagger/studder. Navigating between menus is not a smooth process long and in some cases progams freezed.
PROS: Now the screen display is amazing and puts a real hurting on the iphone. The Storm has so many features. I loved and purchased the Ringback tones--this feature allows you to assign music to individuals so that is what they hear when they call you. The Voice GPS was perfect very time. The sound is in stereo and I was amazed at the qaulity.
CONS: The problem for me is that the features about the Storm that I like are already found in my digital camera, my iTouch, my Ipod and my Garmin. What I desired most in a phone the STORM lacks. Had RIM waited longer to fine tune the Storm, they would have really put the iPhone in check. Now that being said, I left my 10 year relationship with T-mobile and purchased my Storm on 12/24 and by 12/31, seven days later, I returned to Verizon and cancelled my contract (well within the 30 day period).
If I was going to stay with a touch screen I felt I might as well go with who has the best at this time so, on 12/31 I joined ATT and am the happy owner of an Iphone -- Pretty close to perfection. There is no Storm...not yet...just a mild rain. I am still shaking my head because I really was expecting so much more.
Fun, but horrible for business use January 2, 2009
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I thought it would be cool to get the latest gadget, but I really regret it. I've been struggling with it for nearly a month. I've always disliked my Blackberrys, but this one I find virtually useless for business purposes. I'm not much of a techie and find it frustrating that the tricks to using Blackberrys successfully require tapping into techie folklore rather than a users guide.
Positives:
- Beautiful screen
- Separate menu for email vs. SMS (yay - finally!)
- Great for viewing emails, presentations, speadsheets, etc.
- Seamless operation with my Rhapsody music subscription account
- Camera with a flash
Negatives:
- Anything that involves typing - so simple things like unlocking the screen, calling someone, sending a text message and sending an email are very frustrating and time-consuming events that I now avoid. Sadly, these functions are why I have the phone. Typing on the QWERTY screen works best, but errors are continuous and time-consuming.
- Two hands are required to operate phone at all times
- Operations are mysteriously slow at time. Sometimes I can't answer calls. Sometimes the keyboard orientation won't change.
- Access to contacts is difficult and time consuming. Scrolling was much easier.
- Use almost requires a Bluetooth headset. If you smile or bump the screen with your face while talking on the handset, you will turn on the "mute" or "speakerphone" setting. Very irritating.
- General handling of the phone. The phone screen cannot touch anything or it will "click", activating a function.
- I haven't found the webbrowser to be very useful either. This is probably something for me to work on.
If I didn't need email access, I would be ecstatic if I could return to a regular cell phone and texting. But, if one must have a Blackberry, I would recommend the World Edition or Bold over the Storm for certain.
|
|
|
