[treestman]

The keyboard is not even QWERTY, instead choosing to use two letters per key.
As for price, if it's $199 then it has LOST, though from the article I don't expect Network World will admit it. This phone has no WiFi and only comes with 1GB storage, at $199 it's a rip-off for milking the Blackbery installed base (who of course also have to pop extra $$$ for the license to get Exchange on it).
It's clear the tech press is DYING for a real "iPhone Killer". There hasn't been one yet, and the Storm ain't it, but that won't stop the pundits from trying to make it so.

[Sigil]

Truly, the media is anticipating the coming of the "iPhone killer." However, the "iPhone killer" is already here. AT&T and Apple are the "iPhone killers."

[Sigil]

AT&T service does not give everyone the same iPhone experience. The sum of Apple's greed driven decisions, e.g., the unholy alliance with AT&T, the original price point, the stifling of 3rd party developers (this is a BIG ONE), the App Store bugs and the MobileMe fiasco, is the IPhone Killer. They are making too easy for the competition.

[HyperMactive]

"The sum of Apple's greed driven decisions, e.g., the unholy alliance with AT&T" - Sigil

Seriously, the alliance with AT&T is "greed driven?" Try "control driven" - i.e. Apple wanted control over the software and functionality of the iPhone, which is exactly what makes an iPhone an iPhone. Apple went to Verizon first (notorious for mandating crappy Verizon software on their phones) and Verizon turned them down. AT&T was the large carrier who agreed to cede the iPhone's user experience - and that right there is an earth-moving event in the cell phone world.

Apple did what they had to do to create the phone they wanted to create. Not ideal, but the best of the alternatives.

[Sigil]

Yes, control. However, to what end? It isn't to protect the consumer as Mr. Jobs has asserted. MONEY... I stand by my claim. They are greedy. There are several apps that were pulled, because they would of eventually competed with Apple's future plans or hurt AT&T. Control is an illusion as the Movie & Music industry are learning..the hard way.. I won the original iPhone and the new "3G" iPhone and I think when the open source Android becomes coupled with some stellar hardware....Well....

[rockosmodurnlife]

Quote

{quote:title=myramoki wrote:}How in the world does one have a 'showdown' with a product that isn't even out? Call quality? Based on a survey, not how the units perform. Price? We don't have one for the Storm. Keypad? Wait an see. I've often had problems with the lightweight reviews MacWorld publishes, but this one takes the cake in the absolutely useless department.{quote}

So true. I opened this article thinking I was going to get a review of the Storm, instead I get a hypothesis.

[Insomnia]

Honestly Hyperman...Verizon did not choose to 'Pass' on the iPhone due to it's support of Wi-Fi Technology and Connectivity, but mainly due to the fact that Steve Jobs wanted to have the iPhone be a huge part of the 'iTunes' Market and Verizon with it's 'VCast Music' program didn't want to lose all that revenue each Quarter due to ONE phone that they carried. If they were to have carried the iPhone, and it's Primary downloads were coming from iTunes, then they lose all that Revenue from VCast, and vice versa from Steve Jobs' perspective...so with neither party wanting to lose money from Music and Multimedia Downloads, the two just couldn't come to terms and agree that Verizon was the best route for Apple to go with the iPhone.

I myself have a iTouch, basically all the fun of an iPhone(while in a Wi-Fi 'hotspot'), but without the poor cellular service of the iPhone. I work for Verizon, and I'll be quite honest, was going to purchase the 2nd Gen. iPhone myself because I was excited about them fixing the 'quirks' that the 1st Gen had(i.e.no Zoom on the Camera, being able to send MMS or Picture Messages, adding a Video Camera, and many other things), but about a week prior to Launch Date Jobs' help a Press Conference and stated that these things wouldn't be fixed...where you and I'm sure many others say Verizon could make things so much easier by making their phones Wi-Fi Compatible, I also say the same about Steve Jobs and the Apple Crew...how truly hard is it to add a Video Camera, or allow the Camera to Zoom? and so long as AT&T is the only provider, I will never own one, because they DO NOT Insure any of their PDA's, and that is a HUGE Dealbreaker for me.

[Insomnia]

yes Leicaman, It does turn Horizontally as well as the standard Vertical. check it out here...

estore.vzwshop.com/storm/

or here...

[http://na.blackberry.com/eng/devices/blackberrystorm/]

[ATLTech]

>1st Gen had(i.e.no Zoom
on the Camera, being able to send MMS or Picture Messages, adding a
Video Camera, and many other things), but about a week prior to Launch
Date Jobs' help a Press Conference and stated that these things
wouldn't be fixed...<



Just to set the record straight NO smartphone has ZOOM. What they have is a software that does a digital format of the image, Digital zoom is accomplished by cropping an image down to a centered area with the same aspect ratio as the original, So when you say ZOOM in this case, it's software on the phone that does the image manipulation.



Your argument about iPhone / Apple is WEAK! Comparing NO WiFi to NO Zoom / Video? Give me a break! Take a poll, what would people rather have on their phone.. a stupid camera (which can be purchased for under a hundred bucks) on a device where battery life is ALREADY at a minimum -- OR WiFi. GET A CLUE DUDE! You have been working at Verizon too long, we could care less about phone camera features.. where VITAL communication (especially when it's REQUIRED for music downloads) are more important. So Verizon (while they do have a good network) is controlling, yes controlling their users and is paranoid about security, because they don't offer WiFi on any of their phones (main reason we didn't choose Verizon for blackberry).



Apple is conscious of quality, so having a digital zoom (which isn't a ZOOM at all) isn't a quality picture, they won't sacrifice these features. Yes the camera does suck on the iPhone, but don't go spouting this BS about WiFi comparting to lack of phone camera features, because if that's your argument, you need to take some debate classes and come up with some better arguments.

Iphone had some problems early on, and WE early adopters have found that even an iPhone on a bad day is STILL better then EVERY OTHER phone (including Nokia) on the market, PERIOD.

So stop cluttering our Mac forum you iPhone haters!

BTW, how is Verizon treating you? You may be looking for a job soon... Apple employees.. their job is safe!

[Insomnia]

You my friend are the one that is entirely Clueless...suffice to say that only a moronic iPhone user would ever bitch about having to be in a Wi-Fi HotSpot to be able to do Important things(i.e.Music Downloads), and to quote you directly "where VITAL communication (especially when it's REQUIRED for music downloads) are more important. "

You my friend can attempt to bash Verizon all day long, but when your wasting your time away sitting in the Parking Lot of Starbucks just to be able to download Music, I will be cruising by on the Interstate downloading Music, Videos, and whatever my happy little heart my want due to our nationwide Broadband Access(which, like it or not is THE BEST in the Market). So jump back on your iPhone Bandwagon, and call all your iPhone friends(when you can get service), cuz' you are clueless sir.

And btw...just so you know, the 'Digital Zoom' on the Curve(be it AT&T's, Verizon's, or anyone's for that matter, takes Gorgeous pictures even when Digitally Zoomed. So please remove your Self-righteous head from your posterior and see the iPhone for what it truly is...just another Smart Phone that people are clamoring all over because it is the latest fad, because Mechanically it is junk.

And with the Largest Most Reliable network in the US, my job is more then secure sir...

[ATLTech]

"You my friend are the
one that is entirely Clueless...suffice to say that only a moronic
iPhone user would ever bitch about having to be in a Wi-Fi HotSpot to
be able to do Important things(i.e.Music Downloads)"
I said it was required, you dim witted fool. You can't get music from iTunes online OTA, you must be connected to a computer or use WiFi, jackass.



"You my friend can
attempt to bash Verizon all day long, but when your wasting your time
away sitting in the Parking Lot of Starbucks just to be able to
download Music, I will be cruising by on the Interstate downloading
Music, Videos,"



I wasn't bashing Verizon, did you see where I said I liked Verizon? I am bashing your dumb ass. And I don't drink coffee, it's for peopel that like to blow 5 dollars on a cup of java. I can cruise the interstate too, so what? Verizon didn't have exclusive connection for that ability last time I checked, Verizon Fan Boy!



"and whatever my happy
little heart my want due to our nationwide Broadband Access(which, like
it or not is THE BEST in the Market). So jump back on your iPhone
Bandwagon, and call all your iPhone friends(when you can get service),
cuz' you are clueless sir."



Dude look around you. You are on a MAC World forum, you bungling baffoon! And you are saying this.. wow you aren't the smartest knife in the drawer are ya? Go play on your Verizon forums and say that, we don't CARE! I get service all day long, go grab your blackberry (or whatever it is you use) and we can be next to each other. I can guarantee I get JUST as good as you, Verizon sniffer.



"And btw...just so you
know, the 'Digital Zoom' on the Curve(be it AT&T's, Verizon's, or
anyone's for that matter, takes Gorgeous pictures even when Digitally
Zoomed. So please remove your Self-righteous head from your posterior
and see the iPhone for what it truly is"


A digital zoom is still digital manipulation, moron. Ask any Photo enthusiast or a person with a REAL 35 MM camera and ask them which pictures they would rather have.. It won't be your smartphone, I can GUARANTEE you that, no one is going to take professional pics with a smartphone, maybe YOU do, to prove a point, and the quality doesn't matter, the point was that your ZOOM is simple digital image by software, it's not a ZOOM, derelict! So why don't you take a long walk of a short pier, because it's obvious you don't konw the difference.



"And with the Largest Most Reliable network in the US, my job is more then secure sir..."


Says who? Some twirp on a Verizon commercial? You and the marketing team at Verizon? Yeah good luck with that, how about save the fanfare for your Verizon newbie friends and commercial breaks between Lipstick reruns pal, the rest of on MAC forums don't want to hear. Now run along and play with your little Verizon toy, and leave the talk for the big adults, ok, little Verizon drummer boy? That quote is Verizon's claim.. no proof, and AT&T will dispute it!

Your job is only as secure as the industry.. Apple had a 40% profit margin LAST QUARTER. What did Verizon do, huh? Yeah.. other people are losing their jobs, it would appear you are just as expendible, I have to see any technical epertise in your posts, only rhetoric, if I wanted that I would go over to the Verizon forums and watch your posts over there. Why don't you just keep driving down that insterstate, and stop at the Sprint store, they may need you! They are good at BS!

[Insomnia]

"smartest knife in the drawer are ya"

Spoken like a true Jackass...you may want to double-check your Quotes in the future, good day sir.

[ATLTech]

OK! Have a nice day... someplace else!

[woodyblack]

The iphone was Dead on Arrival, except for Apple Zealots and other techno morons. The iphone is playing catch up to Windows Mobile phones. Windows Mobile was there 5 years before the geniuses at Apple "created" the smartphone.