For users, you should receive the update soon, assuming your BlackBerry Enterprise Server admin is on the ball. As for the rest of us common folk, word has it the update will be coming soon, hopefully within a week or two. This update is said to address multiple bugs in OS v4. Users have also reported muted incoming audio when trying to use voice-activated dialing. The final commonly reported issue involves spontaneous rebooting of the handset, particularly when using multimedia applications or while sitting idle.
All of these issues are pretty annoying, so the update should be well received. Although the update is not available to the masses quite yet, it has been leaked. Click here to access the update and instructions for installing.
This desktop update requires a PC to run. Those who are more risk-averse should wait for the official release of the firmware. We weren't as impressed with the Storm's screen as the BlackBerry Bold , but it's still beautiful. You can also adjust the backlighting, font size, and type.
The Storm is also equipped with an accelerometer, so the screen orientation will switch from portrait to landscape mode when you rotate the phone from a vertical position to a horizontal one, left or right.
Moving onto the touch-screen capabilities, the BlackBerry Storm uses SurePress, so that when you select an application or enter text, you actually push the screen down like you would any other tactile button.
You can see a bit of a gap at the top and bottom of the screen, which but makes the phone. In terms of text extry, the BlackBerry Storm features a soft keyboard in both portrait and landscape mode. Originally, only a SureType keyboard was a available in portrait mode, but with the latest upgrade, you also have the option of a full QWERTY keyboard.
It's not automatic though and you must enable it by pressing the BlackBerry menu key and then selecting Enable Full Keyboard. When using the keyboard or selecting applications, you do a simple finger touch over the item until it's highlighted and then you press down on the screen to register the action. In addition to the SurePress technology, you can also use a number of finger taps or swipes to perform certain actions.
For example, you can tap on the screen twice to zoom in on a Web page or map, or do quick finger swipes to scroll though a page.
While the SurePress technology is cool, it definitely takes some acclimation. It's not a natural feeling to physically push down on the screen, and we often found ourselves forgetting to actually press down; instead just tapping or double tapping on the letter button or link. You do get used to it after a while though, but as far as e-mail creation or text messages, we missed having a tactile keyboard. We couldn't comfortably type long messages as fast as we wanted and when we tried, the message was riddled with errors.
The keyboard buttons are just a bit too small and cramped. If I had problems with my small hands, I can only imagine it would be worse for users with larger thumbs. Unlike other BlackBerry models, there is no trackball navigator and we have to admit that we missed it. It may be that we're just used to having the trackball, and often we found our thumb automatically looking for the control while trying to scroll through pages and menus. However, even beyond that, we think it wouldn't hurt to have a trackball navigator since it allows for easier one-handed operation.
Also, you wouldn't always have to rely on the touch screen and it would be useful for certain operations like for selecting links on a Web page.
On the left side, there's a user-programmable shortcut key and a micro USB port, while the right spine has a 3. Finally, though not readily apparent, there is a device lock and mute button on the top edge of the Storm. For more add-ons, please check our cell phone accessories, ringtones, and help page.
Features While the RIM BlackBerry Storm might be the first touch screen for Research in Motion, the company wanted to make sure the smartphone offered the same feel and functionality of previous and current BlackBerrys. If you want the capability to create new documents, you will have to upgrade to the Premium Edition. We had no problems opening and working on Word and Excel documents, but we can't imagine doing more than minor edits on the Bold or any other smartphone for that matter.
Other PIM applications include a Calendar, a task list, a memo pad, a voice recorder, a calculator, a password keeper, and more. You can also get more applications for your Storm through the recently launched BlackBerry App World. The store was not available when the Storm was first released, but you can download it through the phone's mobile browser.
We installed it on our review unit with no problem and were able to download apps such as Pandora quickly and easily over Verizon's 3G network. Like all recent BlackBerry models, the Storm has a spell-check feature that will look for errors in e-mails and memos, but not text messages. As a phone, the BlackBerry Storm offers dual-mode functionality, so the phone switches automatically between CDMA and GSM networks to offer seamless international roaming--all while keeping the same phone number.
Note that the phone does not support domestic GSM bands. In all, you get voice coverage in countries 22 of those on CDMA and e-mail coverage in 62 countries. Verizon also offers technical support if you need help while overseas. First, there's a hour Global Help Desk that's open seven days a week. In addition, you get a calling card for free support calls while traveling outside of the United States from any landline phone to technical support your BlackBerry Storm is lost, broken, or stolen.
The address book is only limited by the available memory with room in each entry multiple phone numbers, e-mail addresses, work and home address, job title, and more. For caller ID purposes, you can assign a photo, group category, or one of 32 polyphonic ringtones. Other voice features include a speakerphone, voice-activated dialing, smart dialing, conference calling, speed dial, and text and multimedia messaging.
You can also download Visual Voice mail. Bluetooth 2. A network, which allows for faster Web browsing, e-mail, and downloads. The Rev.
Of course, this is all dependent if you live in a coverage area you can find a coverage map from Verizon's Web site. Unfortunately, there's no integrated Wi-Fi, which we find disappointing. We realize and understand the argument that the 3G radios does away with the need for Wi-Fi, but we still like having that option, especially if you drop out of range or don't live in a coverage area. You can check out sites in page view or column view, and navigate via pan mode or cursor mode.
In pan mode, you can move around pages simply by dragging your finger and then double-tapping the screen to zoom in. To select a hyperlink, you just highlight the link and then click.
Meanwhile, in cursor mode, you can just place the cursor over the link and click or use the onscreen magnifying glass to zoom in. There's also a collapsible toolbar along the bottom that lets you go to new sites, change views, and more. There is support for streaming media, including YouTube's mobile site. As we've said before, the BlackBerry browser has greatly improved over the years, but it's still not as easy to use as the iPhone and its multitouch screen.
Last but not least of the wireless radios is integrated GPS. Moving onto multimedia features, the BlackBerry Storm is equipped with a 3. In camera mode, you get a choice of three picture sizes and three picture qualities. There are white balance settings, and you can add various effects to your photos, such as black and white, and sepia.
With the built-in GPS, you can also geotag photos. As usual, options are more limited in camcorder mode as you only get a choice of two video formats normal and MMS and three color effects.
0コメント