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The STORM in My Life (Days 1-5)

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with The Tech Byte

Blackberry Storm in my life

The Blackberry STORM review by me....

Poor @TwitterFriends keep hearing bits and pieces... here is a little more for ya...

When I ordered my Blackberry Storm online I was anxious about the 2 day wait for it to arrive.... only to learn it was on backorder and it would be about a week and a half wait. 

My poor XV6700 was having such a hard time keeping up with me and reminded me frequently it was time for it to retire, so it was a long wait.

I ripped open the box - got it all set up very quickly ... and off I went to learn.... 

Keeping a very open mind... change is always hard.... and the reviews were 50/50.

KEYBOARD: Yes, the touch screen is tough to get used to. The screen almost does a whole 'push' of the phone - hard to describe, but I'm sure you've heard it from the real techies doing the reviews a little better.  I was a speedy texter, I mean, like... really fast. My thumbs could roll ! So it was frustrating to go back to the elementary stages of typing again.  But eventually I have gotten better with it.

My biggest complaint about the text entry is that you can not go back if you mess up very easily unless you use the "back-up-and-erase-arrow". You know what I mean? After you type your message and you need to change a word - it's VERY difficult to go back and select it.

MESSAGES: I do like that it keeps the messages (or can if you select it) in order of conversation with that Pic taken with the Stormrecipient. So you can see your entire conversation back and forth if you want to - with just a glance.

CAMERA: I'm not a huge camera user other than fun personal ones to send to family & friends.... it works well for that. But it takes long for the picture to take after you've depressed the shutter button. That's irritating.  (Picture on right taken with Storm)

OS: Kim? With a Blackberry? My friend Jason and I seem to be in a minority of our "ANTI-Blackberry, but can't explain it" attitudes.  Other friends like John, Matt, Nick, and recently Candy Lynn - say, "Go Blackberry!"  I was shocked I actually even considered it. And when Candy Lynn was helping me with my upgrade decision, some of the first words out of my mouth were, "No Blackberry!" But after she was telling me about the new Storm, I was a little interested - and the rest is history.

I'm not really sure how I feel about it now. I think Windows Mobile and Blackberry (sure, the others as well Palm, Apple, etc) all have their ups and downs.  I have no complaints one way or another at this point.

PHONE CALLS: The reception with phone calls is very good compared to my XV6700 (that was horrible!). Both on the device and via Bluetooth.

Should I mention I had to visit Verizon's Tech Service Department already? Yes, they fixed it. I couldn't hear anything.
Should I mention that I've had to restart and remove battery a couple times a day?
Should I mention I've seen the Black or White Screen of Blackberry Death a couple of times?

My plan is to use this thing like CRAZY for the 30-day trial period.

At this point, how do I like it?
I like it. If I had to chose on Day 5 whether I keep or rid it.... I'd keep it. It has it's problems, but it's better good than bad.

 

(Stay tuned.... to learn if I still feel this way)

Posted: The Storm in my Life Days 5-7

 

 

 

Cathy Tishhouse
RE/MAX Showcase Homes - Royal Oak, MI
Royal Oak Real Estate

I don't know much about the Blackberry Storm but saw your post on Twitter and stopped by.  I have a Palm which was a big upgrade for me at the time.  My nephew swears by his Iphone but I need a keyboard - on a touch screen my thumbs want to hit all the other keys.  When I am do for my next discounted phone (that's when I usually get a new one) it will be interesting to see what's out there in about a year.  I will check out the Blackberry.

Dec 06, 2008 05:20 AM
Anonymous
Candy Lynn - www.CandyLynn.com

Kim:

New tech tools are always challenging. I still do not have a Storm to use, inventory is just too low for me to check one out.  I really like the BB Curve that I am currently using. I too am a fast "thumb tweeter" and the lack of keys on the Storm is a question I have. I do like the weight & feel in the hand of the storm & the size of the screen.

Can't wait for the next instatllmen of as the storm turns....

Candy

Dec 06, 2008 05:35 AM
#2
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Thanks, Kim. I love my BB Curve and have been thinking about the Storm, but not sure I am ready. I may wait for them to get some of the bugs out. I have hard that other folks who text alot do not like the touch screen. I am in wait and see mode I think, but this was all very helpful.

Jeff

Dec 06, 2008 10:16 AM
Elizabeth Cooper-Golden
Huntsville Alabama Real Estate, (@ Homes Realty Group) - Huntsville, AL
Huntsville AL MLS

Kim, Loving the "Twitter" thing..just found your post!  I'm finally getting it, sorta' :O)  So glad you posted about the Storm. I have been on the fence as to purchase or not.  I really don't text that much, so that isn't a biggie.  I really don't need anything more than a jitterbug, LOL..yep, tech challenged and don't see that changing. Too impatient to read directions:)  Counting on your continued reviews!

Dec 06, 2008 10:25 AM
C Tann-Starr
Tann Starr & Associates, Inc. - Palm Bay, FL

Thanks for the tweet. Very interesting. We haven't made up our minds on an upgrade yet. We're looking for minion proof features (LOL). Does it have a water exposure rating? How long can it float in a toilet? See my dilemma? :-)

Dec 06, 2008 10:39 AM
Anonymous
John H. Douglas

Kim,

Thanks for the update on the storm have palm right now i like it the storm touch screen appeals

to me the vendor that we used to program our smart phone  for real estate is way behind in

programming the storm so that we can use infra red to access key boxes so guess i will

put the storm on hold for now.

Dec 06, 2008 01:34 PM
#6
Kappy Mann
Keller Williams - Truckee, CA

Thanks Kim for the update.  I also am a Treo user who is ready for a new phone and trying to make a decision.  I look forward to hearing more of your review.  That removing the battery thing sort of scares me.  I do use the supra key with my Treo and I have heard that the Storm will maybe have a "fob" to translate the blue tooth in it to infra red, which is why I am actually considering it.  Thanks again!

Dec 06, 2008 02:37 PM
John Novak
Keller Williams Realty The Marketplace - Las Vegas, NV
Henderson, Las Vegas and Summerlin Real Estate

Nice to have some first-hand reviews from someone in real estate who uses this in a similar way that I would. Right now I'm thinking about waiting until summer for the Nokia N97. Looking forward to days 6-30 and the final verdict!

Dec 06, 2008 02:56 PM