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Verizon Blackberry Storm: $100?
Verizon gets ready to undercut the iPhone competition
Verizon hopes that the new Blackberry Storm will help them retain/regain customers who've either already defected for -- or are currently lusting after the iPhone. The device may be offered at a subsidized price point for as low as $100, though it sells for as much as $500 without a plan or contract. However, it looks like the folks at Verizon made a conscious decision to not include tri-band HSDPA so there would be less hacking and porting. The lack of Wi-Fi is also a deal breaker for many people.
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plat2on1
join:2002-08-21
Hopewell Junction, NY

plat2on1

Member

no wifi?

what year am i in?

Mike
Mod
join:2000-09-17
Pittsburgh, PA

Mike

Mod

Re: no wifi?

3G was old before it came out.

I have never seen my iPhone faster than 500kbps on ATT. Wifi, I've seen it up to 7 megs...

ptrowski
Got Helix?
Premium Member
join:2005-03-14
Woodstock, CT

ptrowski

Premium Member

Re: no wifi?

said by Mike:

3G was old before it came out.

I have never seen my iPhone faster than 500kbps on ATT. Wifi, I've seen it up to 7 megs...
I average 800 kbps to 1 meg in the Providence and Worcester areas out here.
I don't live in a 3G area so wifi is a blessing.

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

FFH5 to plat2on1

Premium Member

to plat2on1
said by plat2on1:

what year am i in?
I agree. That is an important feature to not have. I can understand Verizon not wanting to heavily subsidize a phone with tri-band HSDPA because the user could then take that phone to AT&T or T-Mobile. But having WiFi turned off would make me go elsewhere or at the very least use a phone that has WiFi turned on.
moonpuppy (banned)
join:2000-08-21
Glen Burnie, MD

moonpuppy (banned)

Member

Re: no wifi?

said by FFH5:

I agree. That is an important feature to not have. I can understand Verizon not wanting to heavily subsidize a phone with tri-band HSDPA because the user could then take that phone to AT&T or T-Mobile. But having WiFi turned off would make me go elsewhere or at the very least use a phone that has WiFi turned on.
Oh please, Verizon has been known for crippling their phones for years. If they can't make money off a feature, they shut it off.

WiFi access takes away from overage charges they can make more money off of.

Big Pete 82
@verizon.net

Big Pete 82 to plat2on1

Anon

to plat2on1
the year where verizon's 3g network covers 290 Million people (including the Alltel network)

vznlvrNOT
@cox.net

vznlvrNOT

Anon

Re: no wifi?

almost-a-monopoly's are great huh? Get real.
Verizon is notorious for cutting features out of phones, this is no different. I guess the iPhone is more of a threat than they initially let on. I'm glad Verizon didn't get the iPhone when Apple first asked, otherwise, It would be just as crippled. As a matter of fact, Apple probably said NO to the crippling, which made Verizon move on, which is a good thing, no matter if they have 250M folks on their network or not.
Expand your moderator at work

RR Conductor
Ridin' the rails
Premium Member
join:2002-04-02
Redwood Valley, CA
ARRIS SB6183
Netgear R7000

3 edits

RR Conductor to Big Pete 82

Premium Member

to Big Pete 82
said by Big Pete 82 :

the year where verizon's 3g network covers 290 Million people (including the Alltel network)
Yep, and the year where Verizon STILL has lousy coverage in a lot of this part of CA. While they do have automatic in-market roaming onto US Cellular to fill in the coverage gaps here, it's 1X only, no EVDO roaming with Verizon, and US Cellular is now turning on their EVDO. Verizon is all EVDO up here though, and in most of NorCal.

DeeC
Premium Member
join:2000-09-01
the world

DeeC to plat2on1

Premium Member

to plat2on1
Those that *NEED* WiFi, go buy the iPhone, its that simple...

The Storm will be my 3rd Blackberry, and I don't give a rat's ass about WiFi, especially with 3G and global capabilities.

I also don't need the tethered modem support. The 5G limit is for that, not the basic unlimited data package (as a note, clarification for all).

NY Tel
Premium Member
join:2004-04-09
Smithtown, NY

NY Tel

Premium Member

This phone is hot

And will help win back a lot of customers.

Cthen
Premium Member
join:2004-08-01
Detroit, MI

Cthen

Premium Member

Re: This phone is hot

said by NY Tel:

And will help win back a lot of customers.
The article says that too but I can't help but think. How are they going to do that when most signed a contract with AT&T?

waffleburger
join:2008-08-22
Blairstown, NJ

waffleburger

Member

what do you need to download on wifi..

that you cant download on 3g?

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

FFH5

Premium Member

Re: what do you need to download on wifi..

said by waffleburger:

what do you need to download on wifi..that you cant download on 3g?
How about to avoid the 5GB caps many cellphone plans have. While on WiFi, you wouldn't be running up against your cap as quickly.

Also, you could then use the device in your house or at your job where cell signals often don't have good signal strength.

Niarlan
Excelsior
Premium Member
join:2002-11-09
Manville, NJ

Niarlan

Premium Member

Re: what do you need to download on wifi..

With the built in memory, plus the included 8MB SD card....where are you putting that 5GB a month?...sheesh..email and browsing do that heavy a load?

Nia
88615298 (banned)
join:2004-07-28
West Tenness

88615298 (banned)

Member

Re: what do you need to download on wifi..

said by Niarlan:

With the built in memory, plus the included 8MB SD card....where are you putting that 5GB a month?...sheesh..email and browsing do that heavy a load?

Nia
Um it's 8 GB SD card not 8 MB Einstien.

TamaraB
Question The Current Paradigm
Premium Member
join:2000-11-08
Da Bronx
·Verizon FiOS
Ubiquiti NSM5
Synology RT2600ac
Apple AirPort Extreme (2013)

TamaraB to FFH5

Premium Member

to FFH5
said by FFH5:

... Also, you could then use the device in your house or at your ...
Indeed! I generally keep WiFi turned off on my iPhone, as 3g, at 600kbps+ is faster than my DSL (I live at an extreme distance from my CO). However, I sometimes use WiFi at home. I connect to my local net and can transfer files from my PC to and from my phone. Also, while rare, 3g has gone down in my area, and EDGE is slow. WiFi has added options which I would otherwise not have access to.

Also, it's wonderful to be jogging in the park, sit down for a rest, and connect to an open WiFi hotspot, which are numerous here. WiFi, while not strictly essential is something I would miss greatly at times.

Bob

DeeC
Premium Member
join:2000-09-01
the world

DeeC to FFH5

Premium Member

to FFH5
said by FFH5:

said by waffleburger:

what do you need to download on wifi..that you cant download on 3g?
How about to avoid the 5GB caps many cellphone plans have. While on WiFi, you wouldn't be running up against your cap as quickly.

Also, you could then use the device in your house or at your job where cell signals often don't have good signal strength.
Many have already clarified that 5GB limit is for tethered usage, not the basic "unlimted" data package, so I wish you guys would get a clue before saying there is a 5GB limit on the phone...... sheesh.

dumwaldo
Premium Member
join:2001-03-12

dumwaldo to waffleburger

Premium Member

to waffleburger
said by waffleburger:

that you cant download on 3g?
Video Podcasts. I am finding more and more 100MB+ sized video podcasts. While you can download them on 3G it takes FOREVER while it takes just a few minutes with WiFi.

cranky geeks last show was 112.2 MB
MAKE magazine just had two episodes over 115 MB
The Wood Whisperer episodes are now hitting 200 MB
If you want to find out exactly how slow 3G speeds are then start downloading those.

How about the ability to get good data service in places that the coverage does not reach like inside heavy concrete buildings and such. Is that not worth consideration?

How about VOIP telephone service for traveling to foreign countries or simply conserving minutes. VOIP is still a whole lot cheaper than even a prepaid SIM in an unlocked phone.

You folks can defend the omission all you want but the fact of the matter is if they included WiFi and you didn't need it that is no big deal, just don't use it. But if you needed WiFi and they didn't include it then it is a problem.

I never thought I needed WiFi in my cell phone till I got a phone with WiFi and now there is no way I would ever buy a phone that does not have WiFi. It is not just speed, it is convenience.

DW

DeeC
Premium Member
join:2000-09-01
the world

DeeC

Premium Member

Re: what do you need to download on wifi..

To each, his or her own. That is why we have choices. The people that NEED Wifi, go buy the iPhone. If you want same/similar features plus Blackberry benefits, can live without Wifi (like me), get the Storm.
rolano
join:2002-07-13
Cincinnati, OH

rolano

Member

They're Kidding...Right?

I'm sick of phone companies and carriers, banks, and all the rest hitting you up for things you should already have at the price you are already paying.
And by the way...Verizon has had a little deal with retailers to sign newbies using the retailer as co-signer. Newbie pays the bill and later finds out they're on the hook for more than just their phone when the co-signer leaves the contract and then Verizon goes after the newbie for all sorts of charges that the retailer used and postponed onto the newbies account.
Expand your moderator at work

NY Tel
Premium Member
join:2004-04-09
Smithtown, NY

NY Tel to rolano

Premium Member

to rolano

Re: They're Kidding...Right?

said by rolano:

I'm sick of phone companies and carriers, banks, and all the rest hitting you up for things you should already have at the price you are already paying.
And by the way...Verizon has had a little deal with retailers to sign newbies using the retailer as co-signer. Newbie pays the bill and later finds out they're on the hook for more than just their phone when the co-signer leaves the contract and then Verizon goes after the newbie for all sorts of charges that the retailer used and postponed onto the newbies account.
What are you talking about? Are you ranting or can you cite chapter and verse of what you are alleging Verizon does?
Who is the "retailer" you are referring to?

Van Kranchick Jr
@comcast.net

Van Kranchick Jr

Anon

Re: They're Kidding...Right?

I have a data plan with my Treo on Verizon and i have unlimited KB Usage and texts. So where is this 5GB coming from??

JaM4150
Premium Member
join:2005-10-27
Matamoras, PA

JaM4150

Premium Member

Re: They're Kidding...Right?

5GB is referring to tethering usage.
LeftyJR
join:2008-02-19
Avis, PA

LeftyJR

Member

Greed

Now they can charge you $39.95 for their wireless internet plan!

WiseOldBear
Laissez les bons temps rouler!
Premium Member
join:2001-11-25
Litchfield Park, AZ
Motorola MB8600
Synology RT2600ac

WiseOldBear

Premium Member

Monopolies are BAAAAD

RIM should never have allowed Verizon to have a monopoly on the Storm. I was seriously going to consider it and move from T-Mobile to Verizon. Now I will stick with my ipod Touch and a cheap plan from Verizon for voice only phone. The Touch is awesome in many ways and certainly meets needs for a basic handheld communication and entertainment system. None of the smartphones are capable of good quality hearing for someone with hearing aids.

••••••••
wvcaver
Premium Member
join:2005-04-17
Millersburg, OH

wvcaver

Premium Member

NO WIFI !

So they can keep it !!

DeeC
Premium Member
join:2000-09-01
the world

DeeC

Premium Member

WiFi NOT Needed...

For those yacking about limits on data (someone said 5GB), get the unlimited data package. And with 9GB of storage (1GB internal + 8GB microSD card), what do you need to download and store? It's a phone, not a laptop! 3G speed is a enough for the majority, otherwise the Blackberry brand wouldn't have made it this far.......

•••••••
stufried
Premium Member
join:2003-10-13

1 edit

stufried

Premium Member

Wi Fi Is Needed (As is HSDPA)

Of the two, wifi is clearly the more important. There are still plenty of places in the US where there is no 3g and where wifi is a good fall back. The northern part of my state (Michigan) is a classic example. Then there are basements, warehouses, cruiseships, etc.

This year I was on two ferry crossings (one hour and four hours) where there was no cell coverage. Then there is roaming. Verizon certainly wants to make sure that no business person ever takes this phone to Korea or Japan.

Does this phone external memory? Can you buy/rent movies on it lie the iPhone. If you are renting movies, you can easily go through 5 gigs a month. Does Verizon want to open its network up for this extended traffic?

•••••••

SHABAZZ
join:2008-07-13
Seattle, WA

SHABAZZ

Member

You Choose...

Phone Manufactures should just make phones that work on all networks and then the customer can choose what network to go with.

sapo
Cruising Down Memory Lane
Premium Member
join:2002-09-16
Sacramento, CA

sapo

Premium Member

Re: You Choose...

said by SHABAZZ:

Phone Manufactures should just make phones that work on all networks and then the customer can choose what network to go with.
Nice idea in theory but exclusiveness can lead many customers to your network, ala iphone.

Matt3
All noise, no signal.
Premium Member
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC

Matt3

Premium Member

Aimed at Business iPhone Converts

This is aimed at business iPhone converts mainly. This is not aimed at residential iPhone users. The lack of WiFi is meaningless because most people will have the 3G data plan already. I might pick one up to replace my Q9c once I see it.

The techie types on this site might want WiFi, but no one in the corporate world cares.

•••

misiek
Premium Member
join:2000-12-25
Round Lake, IL

misiek

Premium Member

VZW does HSDPA?

I thought that in U.S. Verizon uses EVDO
taar
join:2000-11-21

taar

Member

Clearly aimed at business users.

Verizon must know something that we dont. The Storm is clearly aimed at the business user. The iphone on the other hand is not. These non business users seem to be the ones that Verizon has been losing to other networks where they can use the iphone. With no wifi and expected 5GB caps on their data plans, only business users who dont travel outside the US can find the storm interesting. This does not seem like the phone Verizon is hoping will lure non business users back.

sapo
Cruising Down Memory Lane
Premium Member
join:2002-09-16
Sacramento, CA

1 recommendation

sapo

Premium Member

Re: Clearly aimed at business users.

How is this "clearly" aimed at business users. It has extensive media options such as a nice camera with flash, high res screen, full video and music capabilities with tiltsensor, instant messaging capabilities, etc.

I honestly don't see your point of view here, Wifi? Seriously?

Verizon Marketing even has lots of iPhone talk in it and other consumer based talk.

»estore.vzwshop.com/storm/
Watch this video Verizon made.

DeeC
Premium Member
join:2000-09-01
the world

DeeC to taar

Premium Member

to taar
said by taar:

Verizon must know something that we dont. The Storm is clearly aimed at the business user. The iphone on the other hand is not. These non business users seem to be the ones that Verizon has been losing to other networks where they can use the iphone. With no wifi and expected 5GB caps on their data plans, only business users who dont travel outside the US can find the storm interesting. This does not seem like the phone Verizon is hoping will lure non business users back.
Someone already clarified that the 5GB limit is for tethered usage....who the f connects that way? With a 3G worldwide network, who needs it?

dvd536
as Mr. Pink as they come
Premium Member
join:2001-04-27
Phoenix, AZ

dvd536

Premium Member

Typical Verizon wireless

Take a kickass piece of equipment and cripple the hell out of it. yawn. why bother?

Gbcue
Premium Member
join:2001-09-30
Santa Rosa, CA

Gbcue

Premium Member

Re: Typical Verizon wireless

said by dvd536:

Take a kickass piece of equipment and cripple the hell out of it. yawn. why bother?
Yup, as usual...
Gandalf4503
join:2002-06-27
Guilderland, NY

Gandalf4503

Member

It depends..

..on what you use it for. I have a blackberry pearl at the moment (will be getting a storm when it comes out) and honestly, I've never missed wifi on my phone. I have a couple web pages I browse, I use AIM/MSN, go on IRC sometimes and I've never had any issues.

Different strokes for different folks I guess.
davidpaj
join:2002-04-22

davidpaj

Member

Re: It depends..

What it bowls down to for me is this. I'm a Sprint User, I've had them all. ATT, Alltel, Verizon and even Nextel. Sprint has never let me down with high speed data coverage. I live in a rual area and still see 800k-1.2mb give or take. To even get 3G from the rest it's a 10 mile drive.
Hooper
Premium Member
join:2001-10-22
Castle Rock, CO

1 edit

Hooper

Premium Member

Just Wait

You all know that this phone will launch on AT&T with tri-band HSPA and Wifi after Verizon's exclusive is up plus a few months. RIM does this with all their phones.

••••
B04
Premium Member
join:2000-10-28

B04

Premium Member

Blackberries Suck

First person to release a $100 Android phone wins. Heck I'd even consider a $100 iPhone or usable WinCE phone.

-- B

stevek1949
We're not in Kansas anymore
Premium Member
join:2002-11-13
Virginia Beach, VA

stevek1949

Premium Member

UMA?

I would like to see UMA capability added. That would be an easy addition to Verizon's announced plans to add Femtocell capabilities.

T-Mobile already has a BB Curve with UMA available.

No to ESPN
@comcast.net

No to ESPN

Anon

If You Need Wi-Fi Then . . .

Your network has problems. For better or worse Verizon Wireless has fast speeds most places I go. The Storm is the first phone that might replace my 8830. The iPhone is not viable for a couple of reasons first is that the beautiful internet browser is useless unless YOU HAVE WI-FI. One of my friends at work has one of the first iPhones and he finally admitted it is a flawed product. Latest issue is flaky touchscreen. While I agree that Verizon Wireless has severe (possible criminal) issues such as the decision to screw up the GPS on the 8830 the majority of what they provide is very usable.

This is my opinion and you are entitled to yours.

mrose1180
@verizon.net

mrose1180

Anon

Re: If You Need Wi-Fi Then . . .

I agree with you 100% and I work in The Information Technology field

weedahoe1
@mchsi.com

weedahoe1

Anon

NO WIFI..............

is certainly a deal breaker for me. I wont have a phone w/o WiFi. VZW charges 45 a month for their data plan which is full rape IMO. That why I like a phone with WiFi. Everywhere I go someone or some company has WiFi. Thats why I bought my 6700 and thats why I have my 6800. Ill do the Diamond Pro if they keep the WiFi in it too.

sapo
Cruising Down Memory Lane
Premium Member
join:2002-09-16
Sacramento, CA

sapo

Premium Member

Re: NO WIFI..............

My VZ Data Plan is $30 but doesn't allow tethering.
drugrep
--
join:2000-08-10
Woodridge, IL

drugrep

Member

Response

I just picked up a LG Dare, if AT&T actually had good service in Chicago and Burbs I would have went to an iPhone instantly, but AT&T just can't seem to get good service in Northern Illinois and Northern Indiana.
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