I'm cheap -- I want a complete breakdown of monthly cost to use this phone, from minimum features to the full magilla. And if it was in a table to compare to monthly cost of iPhone, all the better...

Will the storm be able to play videos from youtube. Also will I be able to download and play at PokerStars.com?

Hi Sascha, Love your work. I would like to know more about the GPS capabilities of the Storm. Is the GPS unlocked? Can I pinpoint my location on Google Maps - in maps and satellite views? Also, will Street View work well?

Thanks, Garry

what browser is the Storm using and could it be upgraded to use Opera or Fennec or something else? What are the chances of touch screen zooming like on iPhone? (slim to none, I assume)

I'm confused about the pre-installed sim card ... Does that mean it's not removable? If so (not removable) and i go overseas am i restricted to using Verizon and if so how much will that cost me? (I will be travelling to London and Mauritius).
Thanks.

Pedro

how does the blackberry storm compare to the motorola Q? Is it microsoft driven?

Since this is the year of the phone, how does it stack up against the iPhone, Bold, G1 and E71?

sample photos (and photo comparisons with a digital camera and or different phone)

Will email push from IMAP server work, for those of us who don't use Exchange or RIM enterprise mail servers?

We too would like the answer to the GPS question.

Thanks

Will email push from IMAP server work, for those of us who don't use Exchange or RIM enterprise mail servers?

How is live streaming audio? (NPR, NFL.com, CNN.com) How is streaming video? Can you download and play podcast (msnbc.com/podcast?

Does it support Verizon TV? How much extra money? Do you need to buy data plan to get price or can you just get phone plan?

With the GPS, can you enter a latitude and longitude in addition to an address? For times when I want to grab a quick find when Geocaching. www.geocaching.com

Thanks,

Dennis

I can already answer some of these questions! Others will have to wait until later this week. But I will get to them!

Martin: BlackBerries hook up to IMAP accounts through a system called BIS. You get a quasi-push - the BIS checks your IMAP automatically every 15 minutes, but if you receive a message during a poll it re-polls every 3 minutes until you haven't gotten a message, then it waits 15 minutes. The effect is like a somewhat delayed push. Accounts from Yahoo! Mail and GMail genuinely push with none of this 15-minute-delay stuff.

srjr - The BlackBerry uses its own operating system and e-mail system, not Microsoft's. You can read Microsoft Office documents, sync with Exchange e-mail and sync with Outlook on your PC through BlackBerry's software. As opposed to the Q, the Storm is thicker, faster, and of course has no physical keyboard. The two devices also run different programs.

How about the media player? Is it easy to use? Sound/look good? Can we live without the iPod now?

Anything that could be a deal breaker for those waiting to decide between this and the iphone.

-Media Player
-Internet browser (A BIG ONE!)
-General software lag/issues
-GPS (Can you use free third party GPS? And not pay for VZ Navigator?)
-In General how much has VZW locked out otherwise free stuff cause they want you to pay for it?
-If you can, a test sink with a Mac will be something I doubt ANY other reviewer will do and could be a really nice thing to know!

Thanks so much for taking questions!

I'd like to know the quality of the actual phone: listening quality, talking quality, messaging, etc.

HI,

Good idea to do this. I have heard alot regarding multitasking and the latest OS being rather laggy(some say yes, some say no). I would like to hear as much input on that.

Also, it would be nice to include a few reviews of some of the better apps like Viigo or something of that sort. Whatever you feel is useful or needed.

Another biggie is battery life. Some uk reviewers were saying they haven't even made it through the day when the battery died. give us some feedback in reference to how efficient the OS is in terms of battery life-- Example -- Significant battery loss for using browser or on par with the iPhone.

No WiFi? Really? That's a deal breaker.

No WiFi? Really? That's a deal breaker.

I would like to know can you go to netflix.com and be able to use their watch instantly feature on the phone. Thanks!

I currently have a 755p treo on a family plan with Current Data Plan $44.99. What will my costs be if I get a Storm.

Since I'm foolish enough to still think of these devices as primarily 'telephones', I'd like particular attention paid to:

1) How good is it as a telephone (voice quality, dropped calls, and specifically, How sensitive is the radio receiver? How good can it do in a marginal signal area?

2) How good is the battery life?

3) Can it be unlocked and used on another carrier?

I'm a SysAdmin. My server room is in my building's basement. Our building is just down the street from a Verizon building, but as soon as you walk into our lobby, all Verizon phones go completely dead. Sprint, on the other hand, gives me 2-3 bars of signal in the server room. Since I live and die by my cell phone, phone functionality is paramount.

Great questions from other folks. I'm also interested in the cost breakdown, and two more thoughts - Internal storage capacity / does it have a card slot? and Is there an easy way to back up / restore the contents of the phone (phone book, contacts, etc.) if it breaks and I have to replace it?

I need a business phone.
Will the Storm sync smoothly with outlook 2007?
Email / Calendar / Contacts / Notes / tasks

It uses a SD Micro and is behind the back cover. It initially comes with an 8gb card and is easily swapped out. Hated my Treoo 700 as I don't know how many sd cards got lost when it popped out in a noisy area!

Both blackberry and verizon have flash simulations for operations and installing the sd cards, battery etc. Nice having a replacement battery for high usage users can swap it out without recharging or just plug it into your USB port of your computer! Leave the charger at home.

In portrait view will the standard key pad (not the sure type) have t9 input or only multi touch input. Im a big fan of t9 and hate the sure type but sure type is better than multi touch!

As an avid Blackberry user, I am dismayed to find myself locked into a contract with TMobile and seemingly unable to use the Storm. Some time back I thought I read that you could sign up for a month-to-month contract with Verizon in order to buy the Storm, then have Verizon unlock the device to make it usable on the TMobile network.
Am I dreaming?
I *really* want to have a Storm!!

I have a BlackBerry World Edition 8830 model. In my car I have a hands free saddle that also gives power to the device as well as a Blue Tooth Speaker Phone System. Is the new BlackBerry Storm the same size as the BlackBerry World Edition or will I have to obtain a new Saddle (if anyone makes one for it yet).
The Height, Width, and Depth of the device would have to be the same and also the placement of the port for where the contacts are placed would have to be the same. I have a feeling that I will have to get a new saddle.

How easy it is to type on it versus the Curve? Can I type just as quickly and accurately?

OK, a few other early answers that I can make without having the phone on hand.

John T., the Storm is slightly narrower than the 8830. The 8830 is 4.49" x 2.6" x 0.55". The Storm is 4.43" x 2.45" x .55"

Steve W., Verizon's line is that their EVDO network is so good, you don't need Wi-Fi. That's their position.

Bill S., I'm going to check as to whether the Storm will work with AT&T or T-Mobile, but Sprint won't activate a Verizon phone.

What OS does it run on? Can you share phone internet with a computer using the USB cable as with the blackjack?

Sascha:
Can you get your hands on more information on the Samsung Omnia and compare both.
I like that the Omnia comes with MS MOBILE 6.1 and a 5 Megapixel Camera.
Any news on the Service Provider for the Omnia here in the U.S.
Thanks.
Geo

Which Phone is better suited when driving? The Apple iPhone or BlackBerry Storm?
Do you think the iPhone is safe when driving? I for one don't think so...

BlackBerry Storm.. Safer than the iPhone... http://smartphoneguru.wordpress.com/2008/11/18/blackberry-storm-a-safer-bet-than-the-iphone

I can't wait to get myself the Storm...

I'm also very interested in the cost breakdown. An expensive data plan may be my deal breaker.

Is there anyway to get WiFi and not have to pay for a data plan? Maybe an unlocked phone from somewhere with WiFi that can still be used with Verizon?

Sascha:

While you indicate Storm will sync with Outlook, will it do so with more than one computer (i.e., desktop and laptop)?

Had an early BB (before switching to Windows Mobile devices) and recall that sync with Outlook was not always consistent - e.g., different fields were used in BB software than Outlook and reminders didn't sync at all. Does BB now sync more consistently with Outlook?

How good is the Storm's Bluetooth implementation? BT on my Treo 700w (OS is MS Mobile 6.1) gave me fits (kept disconnecting) in my car until I installed Jetware Mobile to fix it.

Thanks.

Sascha - can you gather up some differently sized people in the office (like different sized HANDS and FINGERS) and have them give typing a whirl? I admit I have fat fingertips and it at times gives me problems. Just wondering what the people who don't have pleasant little pixie fingers think of it.

does the storm work for t-mobile users.. im with t-mobile but i want to know if i get it can i still use it even though its from verizon wireless..??

I don't have Verizon. Will it be coming to another provider? If so, when? How does all that work anyway on the exclusive initial rollout? Will manufacturers allow the phone to be used by other providers at some later date?

How loud does the storm actually 'click' as you type? Would it be too loud to type in the library or during a meeting?

I too would like to know whether it will work on TMo's network if unlocked.

Sacha,

Can you also look for OS tweaks (other than the ones that are obviously for the touchscreen)?

Thanks.

Please verify if you connect to your laptop and manage/transfer photos directly to your computer. Can you actual add your own ring tone, or do you have to download from Verison. Can you manage it own contact list or are all these items restricted as is with many of the phones like the LG V8700 that I currently have with Verizon. When are they going to open up their platform so you can manage everything yourself, and not have to go through verizon....

JOE-G,
You Comment picked my curiousity.
What Cell Phone service to you have.
I have Verizon and the Treo 700w but they are not allowing an update path to Windows Mobile 6.1.
They keep giving me excuses that the phone is not capable of handling the new OS.
You mentioned your phone to be the 700w.
Is this correct, or do you have the 700wx.

How about you Sascha, can you find out information as to why Verizon is not allowing an upgrade to 6.1 or have you heard of other Verizon users upgrading to WM 6.1

Hope you read this and give me a response.
Thank you both.
Geo

I snyc w calendar, notes, tasks, and contacts on my desktop running Outlook 2007. I do not sync w a corporate server. My email comes from Earthlink. I have read that the Storm will not sync with Outlook 2007 except via exchange. Is this
true, and if it is how could Blackberry release a new device that does not sync with the latest release of Outlook.

How well are the most common 3rd party apps adapted for the touch screen?

Also..any word on availability with Rogers in Canada? There seems to be some controversy over whether they are going to carry Storm or not.

Can the Storm be tethered to a laptop? Is there an associated cost to tether the phone?

Many questions answered now here!

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2335061,00.asp

Questions unanswered there ...

Dave - Hit and miss. Google Maps is a mess. Opera Mini works great. This device will not go to Rogers, it's going to Bell and Telus instead.

Goed - Because they'd rather sell you a new device than bother with the support costs of helping everyone upgrade. One choice makes them money. The other choice costs them money.

John - It's a smart phone; you can do all of those things with all Verizon smart phones. The VX8700 is not a smart phone.

GOED,

Sorry for the inadvertent error, which may have mistakenly raised your hopes -- the device is a 700w, and I, too, am stuck with Mobile 5.0, not 6.1, as Verizon will not provide an upgrade.

Okay I have the BB Storm, but haven't yet found away to sync it with my macbook pro. Any suggestions????

How does the Storm sync with Outlook and can it sync with a Macbook's calendar?

I just received my new Storm. I'm a fairly organized person & realized that I don't have a Calendar on it! How do I get it?

Will the Blackberry Storm ever be available for T-mobile?

Sasha, I noticed in your review that a data plan is required with the Storm. How does someone in a rural area determine if they have the proper signal?

Can I take it to sprint and get it activated?

Hello,
How can I download my contacts from Outlook onto my storm?
Thanks
Dave

Some more answers:

To sync your BlackBerry Storm with Outlook on a PC, you can use the free BlackBerry Desktop software included with the Storm.

To sync your BlackBerry Storm with a Mac, use the latest version of PocketMac, released on 11/25. Learn more here:
http://www.pocketmacsupport.net/index.php?section=knowledge&action=view&article_id=99

Sprint will not activate a BlackBerry Storm.

T-Mobile is getting the BlackBerry 8900, not the Storm. But they may get a Storm-like phone by the end of 2009.

Calvin, call Verizon and tell them your address. They'll tell you whether you should have EVDO signal at your location.

I just got the new Blackberry Storm, I got exited and turned it on right away. I then read the user guide and it said that the phone must be charge for at least 15 hours before being turned on. How much is that going to affect the battery life in the future?

I understand that the phone won't "currently" recognize PocketMac. Is there a plan or time line to make it possible for the Storm to syn with Mac?

I am looking at buying a Blackberry Storm after having various Palms. My question is since it will sync with the Microsoft Office will it sync all groups of contacts and calendars. I have about different groups of contacts and at least 4 different calendars that I keep. I had to buy a third party software for the Palm for it.

Thanks

Eric and all others interested in cost break down

After talking with Verizon about cost it will vary depending on what plan you have. I have a family plan and since I would not use the device for business to connect to an exchange server the data plan would run me the same as what I am paying now for my Palm which is about $30.00 a month for unlimited use. The cost if you use email for business and an exchanger server is almost $50.00 a month,

Bill,
I am not an expert on Blackberry but I would have to say that you could back the phone up and that there would have to be a card slot for you to add the other 8 GB of storage that it says you can have.

Kim,
You might want to talk with T-Mobil and see what it would cost to break your contract. You might find out it is not as bad as you thought.

John,
I have Verizon right now and have a Palm I can download my own ring tones and add them to the phone. From reading various things I think that you would be able to do the same.

I am trying to weigh the features and loss of features that I have with my Palm and trying to decide if I really want the Storm. I would love to talk with someone that has one and I do believe that there are some techs in some of the Verizon stores that are using the Storm.

I was told by a tech last night that the Documents To Go will work on all the Blackberries.

I can`t sync this storm with my outlook contacts. how do I do this? I going crazy! thanks for all the help you can give!!!
T

This is my first Blackberry phone so I have a huge learning curve to overcome with this thing. So far I have two issues that are driving me nuts.

First when using the phone the keys to answer the call, look at the log or contacts are not working well at all. I even lightly touch the keys first to make sure that it is function that I want but when I push to activate that function nothing happens about 70 percent of the time? I even miss calls because I can't get it to answer.
Are others having the same problem with the phone?

Second I have the older Jawbone bluetooth device and when it is paired up and I activate it for voice dailing the volume level is set way to high and it is over driving the speaker to the point I can't understand it. I have not figured out where to adjust this volume level.
Any ideas?

I'm running the latest software 7.5
Thank you.

Hello Sascha,
Big fan of your columns on PCMag.com. Gotta question. I finally got Verizon Wireless Sync to work with PC Monitor on my Moto Q with Outlook 2007. Works great, pushes contacts, appointments, e-mail and tasks, even Notes wirelessly. I don't have a corporate server, just my POP e-mail with my own domain hosted by 1and1.com. My son and daughter got Blackberry Curves from Verizon and they say, "Dad, get with it! Get a Storm!" But I can't seem to find the answer to the question: Can the Blackberry service do everything that Verizon Wireless Sync can do without a Blackberry Enterprise Server setup? If you know the answer or know where to point me I would sure appreciate it!

i found a blackberry storm. i am currently a verizon wireless costumer and i would like to connect this found phone. is that possible? do i have to unlock the phone? i don't know what to do!

My wife and I just bought two of these, and it was $200.00 for each phone (including a $50.00 mail-in rebate) with a 2-year agreement. The plan (we have the family plan w/ two phones) is $99.00 per month for 700 minutes. Then add on $30.00 per month on each line for the data package. So, total we spend about $160 per month.

I currently have a Palm trio that sync's well with Goldmine. Thats the reason I purchased it to begin with, I hate the Trio phone itself. Will the Storm be able to sync with Goldmine just as well? Do I need to do anything special to get it to sync?
Thank you.

CAN YOU PLEASE TELL ME WHY MY BB STORM WILL NOT PAIR WITH MY NEW NISSAN MAXIMA 2009 WITH NAV PACKAGE.I HAVE TALKED WITH EVERYONE FROM RIM TO NISSAN,TO THE GUY I BOUGHT THE PHONE FROM NO BODY KNOWS WHY.THANKS

how to transfer outlook calendar to blackberry storm

My cousin has a Storm and a Vista PC, but not Office. BB support told him Outlook is required to backup his calendar and contact list on the computer. True? Is he going to have to pay for Outlook, which he won't use for email, just to back up his phone?

How do you sync a blackberry storm with outlook 2007 on a University of California webmail server? It's not working!!

how do i get all of the contacts from my phone to my computer ( mac ) cause i want to sell my phone and not sell it with my contacts all on the phone or loose the contacts since the phone is not a gsm phone listed through telus

thanks for taking the time to read this...

Can you please tell me what I have to do to sync my 9530 BB Storm with MS Outlook? Just purchased both and don't understand a lot. Also cannot find a BB support phone numbe. Any help would be GREATLY APPRECIATED. Thanks
Pete

Can you please tell me what I have to do to sync my 9530 BB Storm with MS Outlook? Just purchased both and don't understand a lot. Also cannot find a BB support phone numbe. Any help would be GREATLY APPRECIATED. Thanks
Pete

does the storm offer threaded text messaging? is so, what does it look like? is it as user friendly as the iphone?

how the heck do you use speed dial?

I have my contacts backed up on Microsoft Outlook. I had to get a replacement phone and how do I get those contacts back in my phone without having to manually type them all in?

im thinking of gettinthe blackberry storm 2. I have about 3500 contacts on microsoft outlook will they all synch with the blackberry storm 2? or there is there a limit?

What is your response to syncing outlook 2007 calendar, etc with the BB storm 9530? Or, can you answer this form me. My storm only syncs the tasks, and contacts, not much else, maybe notes to memo pad on the BB but I'm not sure.