All in all, the software feature-set phone ships with is very strong. There's a broad selection of applications, including the "To Go" suite That allow you to view and edit Word, PowerPoint, and Excel documents. There is a wide range of applications, including a suite "To Go" which allows you to view and edit Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. Average (and even not so average) users will from be hard pressed to find something that's missing, and RIM makes it easy enough to grab key software if someone wants it. On average (and even not so average) users will be hard pressed to find something missing, and RIM makes it fairly easy to grab key software if someone wants it. You have to hand it to Them, They pretty much cover all the bases ... You have to hand it to them, they cover pretty much all the bases ... save for one nasty omission. except for one nasty omission.
We were a bit stunned to find out That we could not sync the Storm with our Mac out of the box. We were somewhat surprised to learn that we can not sync the Storm with our Mac out of the box. We do not mean "hey we could not sync with iTunes" (we're not insane), We mean, "hey, We can not sync this, at all, in any way." We do not mean "hey we can not sync with iTunes" (we are not crazy), we mean, "hey, we can not sync this, at all, by any means." For the Few Mac users That also Happen to dig BlackBerrys, there's a piece of software RIM offers free of charge Called PocketMac, the which does a half decent job of at least throwing your contacts, calendars, and other assorted must-haves onto your device - - but you're out of luck if you buy a Storm. For some Mac users who also happen to dig the BlackBerry, there is a piece of software RIM offers free of charge called PocketMac, which does a decent job and a half at least throwing your contacts, calendars, and other various kinds of must-haves to your device - - but you're lucky if you buy a Storm. Apparently, the software needs an update badly, and if you expect to enjoy the same service it provides to something like a Bold, you'll be surprised and annoyed (as We Were) to find this does not let you sync your data. Apparently, the software needs updating badly, and if you wish to enjoy the same services provided for something like the Bold, you'll be surprised and annoyed (like us) to find it does not let you sync your data. For that, right now, you're going to have to go download (and pay for) something like Missing Sync. For that, now, you'll have to go download (and pay for) something like Missing Sync. It's pretty outrageous to us That in crafting a device so obviously aimed at the iPhone's marketshare no one thought to make it accessible to Apple users even a little. That's pretty outrageous to us that in preparing the device so obviously aimed at the iPhone market share did not think to make accessible to Apple users even a little. Look, We know it's not a huge segment of the market, but it's there, and if history has taught us anything, it's a segment to be reckoned with. Look, we know it's not a large segment of the market, but it's there, and if history has taught us anything, it's a segment that must be taken into account.
Telephone / Data
When it comes to sound quality and reception for making actual phone calls, you can not beat this combination. When it comes to sound quality and reception for making actual phone calls, you can not beat this combination. Generally RIM phones have loud and clear earpieces and speakerphones, and Verizon - love it or hate it - has a great network. RIM phones generally have loud and clear earpieces and speakerphones, and Verizon - love it or hate it - has a large network. Those two facts are apparent Pls Certainly it comes to the Storm. These two facts certainly clear when it comes to the Storm. We found the earpiece to be plenty loud, and the speakerphone equally booming. We found a hole that will be much harder, and the same booming speakerphone. If We had a complaint, We'd say the mid-range was a bit shrill on the phone. If you have a complaint, we would say mid-range bit shrill on the phone. The Bold, by comparison, has a much warmer, well-rounded output. Bold, by comparison, has, much warmer well-rounded output. Still, that's a pretty minor complaint, and if you're looking for sheer network-clutching goodness, this is a pretty damn good choice. However, it's a pretty small complaint, and if you are looking for sheer network clutching goodness, this is pretty damn good choice. In Addition to Verizon's CDMA, EV-DO Rev. A madness, the Storm sports a GSM radio (a number of Them), so you can grab HSPA in the rest of the world, and truck on some sweet, sweet EDGE here in the States. In addition to Verizon's CDMA, EV-DO, Rev. A madness, the Storm sports a GSM radio (some of them), so you can grab HSPA in the whole world, and the truck on some EDGE, sweet sweet here in the United States.
Speaking of That EV-DO, the download speeds and network stability of the Storm seem pretty tight. Speaking of that EV-DO download speeds and network stability Storm seem pretty tight. Although the phone omits WiFi, as long as you stay inside decent Verizon coverage areas, you will not feel That sting too badly. Although eliminating WiFi phone, as long as you stay inside decent Verizon coverage areas, you will not feel that sting too badly.
Camera / GPS / Battery life
In general, image quality is very good on camera, which offers a healthy 3.2-megapixel resolution. The only problem We had - and it was a big one - was the fact That it took ages to focus and snap a shot. The only problem we are - and it is a big one - is the fact that it took ages to focus and snap shots. There were the resource persons Pls numerous times Trying to photograph something That We Lost the shot Because of the length of time it took the camera to kick in. In broad daylight, Things fared a slight bit better, but Pls using the flash, it was pretty hard to get good results. There were several times when trying to photograph something that we lose the shot because of the length of time it takes the camera to kick in. In broad daylight, things fared a little better a little, but when using the flash, it's pretty hard to get good results. This seems a like something That Could take a simple software tweak to fix - We know the camera looks nice, We just need it to take photos faster. This seems like something that could take a simple software tweak to fix - we know the camera looks good, we just need to take photos faster. A lot faster. Many fast.
One nice thing about Storm is that it is not only capable of still image, but can record video as well. Results are mediocre, allowing capture up to 320 x 240, with quite a bit of heavy artifacting. The results are mediocre, allowing capture up to 320 x 240, with quite a bit of heavy artifacting. Still, knowing That you can pull this out to grab something reminds us - yet again - that this is a Necessary basic for modern cellphones. However, knowing that you can pull this out to grab something reminds us - again - that this is the necessary basis for a modern mobile phone.
Using the device for navigation garnered excellent results in terms of signal reception and tracking, but having to slug through the abysmal Verizon Navigator software is not exactly Joyous (dudes, that intro animation is the worst thing we've ever seen). Using a navigation device for collecting very good results in terms of signal reception and tracking, but must go through the abysmal Verizon Navigator software slugs are not exactly joyous (dudes, that intro animation is the worst thing we've ever seen). It would be nice to see some third party options on the device for PND duties, though at least Verizon tries to throw a lot of content into the mix (movie times, traffic, local search), no matter how heavy handed it feels (real , real heavy handed). It would be nice to see some third-party options on the device for PND duties, though at least Verizon tries to throw a lot of content into the mix (movie times, traffic, local search), no matter how heavy the hand it feels (real, real heavy handed) .
Since We had a very, very limited time to test the phone, We can not really give you solid figures on battery life. Because we have a very, very limited to test the phone, we can not really give a solid number on the battery. In casual use, however, the Storm seems a to be going strong even after a heavy workload: browsing, media player, and phone calls. In ordinary usage, however, the Storm seems to be strong even after the heavy workload: browsing, media player, and phone calls. We've Had the phone on and chugging all day, and it's only seeing about about a 30 percent drop in life so far. We have phone and drank all day, and it only saw about 30 percent of the decline in life so far. If this keeps up, you can color us impressed with the juice Officially you can pull out of this thing. If this keeps up, you can color us officially impressed with the juice you can pull out of this.
Summary
It's clear from the Device Itself and the massive promotional push That Both RIM and Verizon are giving the Storm That They view this as a proper threat to the iPhone's dominance in the smartphone market. It was clear from the device itself and the massive promotional push that both RIM and Verizon gave the Storm that they view this as a proper threat to the dominance of the iPhone in the smartphone market. Over the last few weeks we've been bombarded with commercials, leaks, press releases, and special events all Celebrating the arrival of the Storm, Both here and abroad. Over the last few weeks we have been bombarded with ads, leaks, press releases, and special events all celebrating the arrival of the Storm, both here and abroad. So it seems a fairly obvious That yes, the companies believe They have a real Contender on Their Hands - and in many Airways They do. So it seems pretty clear that yes, the company believes that they have a real contender on their hands - and in many cases they do. The selling points are easy: the phone is gorgeous to look at and hold, it's designed and backed by RIM (now almost a household name thanks to Their prevalence in the business and entertainment markets), and it's packed with features that, at first glance , make it seem not only as good as the iPhone, but better. Selling points are easy: the phone pretty to look at and hold, it's designed and backed by RIM (now almost a household name thanks to their prevalence in the business and entertainment markets), and it is packed with features that, at first glance, makes it seem not only as well as the iPhone, but better. The only hitch in this plan is a major one: it's not as easy, enjoyable, or consistent to use as the iPhone, and the one place where everyone is sure They have an upper hand - that wow-inducing clickable screen - just All That is not great. The only hitch in this plan is the main one: it is not easy, enjoyable, or consistent to use as the iPhone, and one place where everyone is sure they have the upper hand - that wow-inducing clickable screen - just not all that great . For casual users, the learning curve and complexity of this phone will of feel like an instant turn off, and for power users, the lack of a decent typing option and considerable lagginess in software Them Will give pause. For ordinary users, the learning curve and complexity of this phone will feel like an instant turn off, and for power users, the lack of a viable option and typing lagginess enough in the software will give them pause. RIM tried to strike some middle ground the between form and function, and unfortunately CAME up short on Both. RIM tried to strike some middle ground between form and function, and unfortunately appears briefly on both.
Going into this review, We really wanted to love this phone. Going into this review, we really wanted to love this phone. On paper it sounds like the perfect antidote to our gripes about the iPhone, and in some Airways it lives up to Those promises - but more Often than not while using the Storm, We felt let down or frustrated. On paper it sounds like the perfect antidote to our complaints about the iPhone, and in some cases live up to the promises - but more often than not when using the Storm, we feel disappointed or frustrated. Ultimately, this Could be a great platform with a little more time in the oven, but right now, it feels undercooked - and that's not enough for us. Ultimately, this could be a great platform with a little more time in the oven, but now, it feels undercooked - and that's not enough for us.
