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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Blackberry Storm
Mark Sutton, Photographer
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Herndon | VA | USA | Posted: 12:40 PM on 12.12.08 |
| ->> I know most of you have an Iphone and love it. I can't get an Iphone unless I switch from Verizon to AT&T, but I love the coverage that Verizon provides. I just ordered the Blackberry Storm and it's to be delivered today. Does anyone have any complaints about it? |
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Mike Huffstatler, Photographer
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Rancho Cucamonga | Ca | United States | Posted: 1:11 PM on 12.12.08 |
->> A little late for opinions isn't it Mark? :)
I played with one for a while last night at the local Verizon counter and frankly, I didn't care for the feel of it. The whole clicking glass thing just seems weird to me. My fat fingers didn't work too well on the touch/click keyboard either. |
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Richard Denham, Photographer
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Toronto/Buffalo/Niagara | On | Canada | Posted: 1:20 PM on 12.12.08 |
| ->> just got mine about 4 hours ago, so far i am digging it. theres a bit of a learning curve as i am coming from a palm though. |
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Alan Look, Photographer
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Bloomington | IL | United States | Posted: 1:22 PM on 12.12.08 |
->> Had a friend that had one, they got rid of it for the same reason as Mike.
I on the other hand like my Curve. |
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Eric Canha, Photographer
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Brockton | MA | United States | Posted: 1:30 PM on 12.12.08 |
| ->> I had one in the shopping cart and decided to google the storm first. Too many unhappy users complaining about software issues and general shortcomings. I deleted the cart and have decided to wait unit either v2.0 is out or at least some of the issues have been fixed with firmware. |
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Mark Sutton, Photographer
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Herndon | VA | USA | Posted: 2:06 PM on 12.12.08 |
->> Mike,
You are right, but I've been stuck with this Motorola "Q" phone for 2 years. I just want to see what everyone is complaining about from a photographer's point of view. I waited too long to see what was wrong with the "Q" and got stuck with one of the worst cell phones in the history of cell phones. Thanks for the response though.... |
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Gray Quetti, Photographer
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Jacksonville | Fl | USA | Posted: 2:21 PM on 12.12.08 |
->> I've had mine for about a week and had to send off for a replacement because the camera wouldn't focus. It must have a MKIII built in it. I'm starting to get used to it and like it a lot. The Blackberry email is awesome. There is a new update out for it and it seemed to enhance the performance somewhat. The first unit I had the battery wouldn't last a day. I could put it on my desk in the morning fully charged and by 5pm it was done and I only did a few phone calls and a few text msgs. The replacement phone battery works much better...it might be because of the new update.
Make sure you go into Options>screen and keyboard and max out the tap interval and hover period and swipe sensitivity. That will greatly enhance the feel and speed.
Great machine. The camera works great in the new one. |
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Scott Ellman, Photographer
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Rochester | NY | USA | Posted: 2:27 PM on 12.12.08 |
->> I have had one since launch day. I have not had any problems and like it quite well. This is my first blackberry and typing with a full keyboard is nice.
Scott |
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Stephen Brashear, Photographer, Assistant
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Seattle | WA | USA | Posted: 5:07 PM on 12.12.08 |
| ->> I've had a Storm since launch day. I'm quite happy with mine. It was a little laggy and quirky, but the software update fixed many of the issues. There are some lemons out there or so I hear. If you get one with issues be sure to check out crackberry.com if you have issues. I wasn't sure that I would like the clicking screen after using the Apple touch screen, but after getting used to it I like a lot. |
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N. Scott Trimble, Photographer
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Lake Oswego | OR | USA | Posted: 5:48 PM on 12.12.08 |
->> I cancelled my tmobile account (had until April 2009) and got an iphone and it was worth the bullet. Now, when I network, I immediately add their pic, and business card to my address book which I then sync to my computer and serves as my client base, and already paying off. Plus, there IS SO MUCH MORE!
If you really wanted the iphone, then go for it. You should have a window to return the Storm, right? |
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Ed Wolfstein, Photographer, Assistant
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Burlington | VT | USA | Posted: 9:11 AM on 12.15.08 |
->> Mark:
I've had mine for about a week now, (coming from a Samsung i730) and I'm pretty happy with it. As you may or may not know, iPhones are not sold to us in Vermont as there is no base AT&T service. However, if you have an AT&T account in another state, there is a roaming agreement with UniCel here - but their service is spotty at best. Verizon is the way to go, so I've been sticking with them here in the Northeast. Anyway, getting back to the Storm: It tethers USB/EVDO to my MacBook Pro nicely, and even Bluetooth communicates. Both can be a "modem" - although the Bluetooth method is much slower. I synced up my iCal and Address book using "the Missing Sync", but I had to un-install it as the VZ Access software used to tether, doesn't seem to recognize the USB drivers of the Missing Sync. There is a free utility called PocketMac, and I think I'll switch to that for Syncing.
All the other features are nice. It receives all my e-mails - even in Canada, which my Samsung never as able to do. The clicky keyboard takes a bit of getting used to, but I'm liking it better than the iPod Touch, which lacked that tactile feedback. Also, if you simply touch an icon (without clicking) it gives you a description of the feature before you click (kind of like a hovering mouse on a computer). There is much less chance of a false click. SMS works nicely too, and you can Chat AIM, Google Talk, BlackBerry, & Yahoo: all come with it, but no Sykpe (yet, I'm gonna look into it this week).
Battery life seems good so far, and I bought a second battery, also a nice feature. It has an 8GB micro SD card, and I've loaded with some images and tunes. The thing I really like is that you can load higher resolution images (drag & drop) from your laptop, and zoom in - seeing full detail. The iPod Touch (which I still love) only sends low-rez versions to the iPod, and they have to be loaded through iPhoto (which I don't like to use much). I like having a portable portfolio with me - it comes in handy sometimes. It does have a reasonable pan and zoom, although the zoom is NOT the pinch type as in the iPhone - the pan IS.
In general, I think it's a pretty neat device. Well built, and I'm sure that as it gains popularity, there will be more apps available specifically for it. It's not as elegant as an iPhone/Touch, but it has the features I need, and a tethered EVDO backup for file transmission is my deal breaker. Note on Apps: there are many apps already available for the BlackBerries, but they are not all ideal for the Storm's new interface. I tried a few free ones, and some work better than others. I think that it'll take some more time to develop, and probably never approach the number or diversity available for the iPhone/Touch. But it's targeting a different crowd.
Well, that's my report for now. I could wax on a bit more, but there are, and undoubtedly will be more and more reviews coming out. Some are picky, some make sense: it all depends on what you are looking for in a Smartphone.
Cheers!
- Ed. |
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Andrew Worrall, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Columbia | M0 | | Posted: 11:18 AM on 12.15.08 |
->> Pretty much like most users, I found there was a learning curve. However, I love the click screen, and the update helped a lot. I still think I got a lemon though, because when using visual voicemail I can barely hear the messages, even in a completely quiet room with full reception. But I disagree that the battery life is better than other BlackBerry phones - it seems about the same. Which means if you're doing lots of photo and video viewing and music, you'll have to charge it mid-day (same with internet usage).
It's a good phone, overall. Just hope you didn't get a lemon. And I highly recommend a ZagShield screen protector - they resist scratches from pretty much anything! |
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Eric Canha, Photographer
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Brockton | MA | United States | Posted: 11:44 AM on 12.15.08 |
| ->> One quick question for those that have the Storm. How is the phone's reception? None of the new phones (that I was looking at) are being built with an external antenna port. It worries me that the phone that I have now gets marginal signals in some of the areas that I work in, so I'm worried that if this phone's reception is weaker than a 'normal' phone I'll be SOL in some important (to me) locations. |
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Mark Sutton, Photographer
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Herndon | VA | USA | Posted: 12:12 PM on 12.15.08 |
| ->> After four days of playing with this. I love it so far. I did have a problem with the touch screen but I realized that you have to use two hands with this thing. I accidentally pushed the Spanish button while trying to configure it and it took me almost 5 minutes to get out of it. Now that scene was too funny and my family didn't make it any easier with their jokes. I had to threaten my oldest daughter with the one more crack about this and you won't be getting anything for Christmas from me line. I put a couple of Photoshop TV episodes on it and they look great. Like I said, so far so good.... |
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Michael L. Palmieri, Photographer
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Barnegat | NJ | USA | Posted: 12:15 PM on 12.15.08 |
| ->> Eric -- I have found the reception to be among the best of any cell phone I have ever had. Most recently I had an LG eNV and it is far superior to that. Likewise, I owned a Palm Treo 700p and it is better than that as well. |
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Mark Sutton, Photographer
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Herndon | VA | USA | Posted: 12:22 PM on 12.15.08 |
| ->> My bad Eric. The reception is great. Take care.... |
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Eric Canha, Photographer
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Brockton | MA | United States | Posted: 12:25 PM on 12.15.08 |
| ->> Okie dokie! Well I know what I'll be looking for specials on the day after Christmas. |
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John Howley, Photographer
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Circleville | OH | USA | Posted: 2:06 PM on 12.15.08 |
| ->> I really wanted to get an iPhone when my Verizon contract expired in January but was hesitant because of AT&T's lousy coverage in Ohio. So when the Storm came out, I thought this was close enough and was on the Verizon network. I've had it about a week now and have just barely learned to use it, but like it so far. I really like the click screen. |
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Andrew Worrall, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Columbia | M0 | | Posted: 8:32 AM on 12.16.08 |
| ->> I actually find my Curve got better reception. But it's very likely that's due to the area I'm in... |
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Mark Sutton, Photographer
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Herndon | VA | USA | Posted: 12:51 PM on 12.16.08 |
->> I have a friend who often visits this site, so when she reads this she will definitely get a laugh out of it. Two years ago she talked me into buying the Motorola "Q". She bragged about how nice the phone was, so I went online and ordered the phone. Within a few months we were both complaining about various issues with the phone and why we didn't take it back when we had the chance.
Then a few months ago her contract was about to run out with Verizon and she jumped ship and went to AT&T to get the IPhone. Next thing I know she's standing in her garage talking on the phone because that is the only place she can get a signal in her house.
I asked her why does it sound like she's always in a tunnel or phone booth when she talks to me and she tells me about how AT&T's coverage isn't the best. Basically it sux. So that was the main reason why I stuck it out waiting on this phone. Using the Internet on this phone is amazing too. Like I said so far so good...... |
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Erin Schrad, Photographer, Assistant
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Glen Allen | VA | United States | Posted: 6:01 PM on 12.16.08 |
->> CNET Review of Blackberry Storm: http://tiny.cc/c95ps
CNET Prizefight -- Storm vs. iPhone 3G: http://tiny.cc/P6ble
I was dying for an iPhone 3G when they came out, but I was hesitant to leave Verizon, too. In the end, I figured I could deal with any coverage issues if it meant I got a phone that was fast, worked well with my Mac and all of my email accounts, and was excellent at web browsing. (I also was coming from a Motorola Q that I thought was great at first, but then grew frustrated with it. Plus, I went through 3 of them... first one died, so I bought a $50 refurb replacement. Then that one died, so I borrowed my mom's old one until contract ran out.)
I absolutely love my iPhone and have been quite happy with AT&T coverage in my area (Richmond, VA metro area). We seem to have pretty good 3G coverage here. I never used multimedia messaging, so I don't miss that, and I still hold out hope that copy/paste will be added. And while I used my Q as a modem for my laptop, I don't really miss not having that feature (and added expense). Most places I go have Wi-Fi now anyway, and now my iPhone can do so much more than the phone I had before, so I have less need to whip out the laptop.
Now, if you need tethering and copy/paste and the Verizon network, well then... I guess you have your answer and you just have to hold your breath that the Storm isn't the Q! For me, the iPhone was the way to go. |
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Eric Canha, Photographer
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Brockton | MA | United States | Posted: 1:15 PM on 02.10.09 |
| ->> OK so I pulled the trigger and bought one. Now what are the MUST HAVE and COOL apps for it? I can't see myself needing a bubble level anytime soon. |
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Gray Quetti, Photographer
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Jacksonville | Fl | USA | Posted: 2:14 PM on 02.10.09 |
| ->> Try trapster.com. Tells you where all the radar locations and traffic light cameras are located for your current position. |
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Paul W Gillespie, Photographer
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Annapolis | MD | USA | Posted: 6:10 PM on 03.15.09 |
->> OK it has been a while since the last post about the Storm and I was looking for an update. I have been with Verizon for the past 12 years and it is time for a new phone. I have never had a smart phone, but figure that they are now at the price point that will make me jump into one. Verizon has a great deal where I can get a Storm for myself and one for my wife for $150.00 after $50 rebate. That is 2 phones for $150.00
I like the idea of staying with Verizon's network, so that is one in the Storms column. The price also puts a point in the Storms Column. Two IPhone are going to me 400+tax. The plans are about the same.
A lot of my coworkers have IPhone and they are always raving about them. I played with both today and I am having a tough time choosing. I like the IPhone zoom and scroll feature, the fact that it will link with our Itunes and other things. I don't like the fact that you cannot change batteries yourself or add memory like the Storm.
So any Storm/IPhone users have anything to add? Is the Storm's apps store getting better?
Please help
Thanks |
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Steven Mullensky, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Port Townsend | WA. | USA | Posted: 6:36 PM on 03.15.09 |
->> I just converted to a 16gb iPhone 3G and there is a brief learning curve but so far, I like it. I bought a refurb unit through ATT and when delivered it appeared new. I had a problem with it and Apple replaced it with a new one overnight. I sent the other back and a couple of days later I got an e-mail from Apple asking if I was satisfied with my replacement. Duh! I have another week before I finally decide.
It would take a lot of apps and other stuff to fill the memory in this baby. |
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Larry W. Smith, Photographer
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Valley Center (Wichita) | KS | USA | Posted: 6:50 PM on 03.15.09 |
->> I have had my Storm for over a month no problems it could use a firmware update just to solve a couple small things but not an issue. I don't think I will ever leave Verizon network it works too good in too many places.
Larry |
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Scott Ellman, Photographer
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Rochester | NY | USA | Posted: 9:21 PM on 03.15.09 |
->> I have had my Storm since launch day in November (Same Phone). I just bought a tethering program that tethers my lap top to the phone to use the internet. It works pretty good. There are more and more apps coming out for it every day. All in all I am happy.
Scott |
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Eric Canha, Photographer
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Brockton | MA | United States | Posted: 9:29 PM on 03.15.09 |
->> Paul I haven't had any issues. I pay the extra $15 to use the phone as a tethered modem. The phone updates and syncs with my desktop's Outlook. I even bought a Motorola S9HD and can shoot and listen to my music AND answer the phone without getting all tangled up.
Tetherberry just came out but I haven't had time to check it out. Scott what kind of speeds are you getting ? |
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Marc Browning, Photographer
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Wichita | KS | | Posted: 10:27 PM on 03.15.09 |
->> Well, This is just my 2 cents.
I had a 8830, loved it but had a few things I missed.
Bought a storm, had it for 6 days took it back got another one, had it 7 days, now I have a curve & love it, no more 7 battery pulls a day, no more have to charge every 4 to 6 hours.
Just my opinion.
Thanks |
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Eric Canha, Photographer
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Brockton | MA | United States | Posted: 11:12 PM on 03.15.09 |
->> Mark you're like the 200th person that I've read with problems like that. What kind of apps were you running? I've had mine about a month and haven't had any of the issues with the battery or the memory leaks. Sure I pull the battery once or twice a day but, I just spent 8 hours in a rink, updating facebook, sending email, and I even listened to 3 hours of music via bluetooth headphones. All that and still had juice at the end of the day.
Viigo causes me some trouble with the memory leak. |
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Paul W Gillespie, Photographer
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Annapolis | MD | USA | Posted: 11:49 PM on 03.15.09 |
->> How is the Storm with music and videos? Does the ability to connect a laptop cost extra? What apps and accessories are a must? I may be leaning towards the storm. Let me hear your pluses with the phone
Thanks |
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Eric Canha, Photographer
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Brockton | MA | United States | Posted: 12:04 AM on 03.16.09 |
->> I added the tether option ($15) and can login to my hosting account and update my website on the fly. There is an app that was released this week that supposedly allows you to tether without the fees. I haven't tried it.
Music sounds great to me. The software allowed me to import my iTunes library. I just picked up a Motorola S9HD and am pretty happy with it. I have to order different earbuds as the ones that came with the headphone aren't to my liking. My head is just slightly too big (no need for the peanut gallery to chime in) so I need slightly longer buds to seat the headphone. Found some on Amazon.com
I have not tried the video option. I am still on the "Official" os release of .75 there are several 'leaked' versions of newer os candidates that make the phone faster and 'better'. |
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Paul W Gillespie, Photographer
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Annapolis | MD | USA | Posted: 1:18 AM on 03.16.09 |
->> So Eric you were able to import your itunes library, even the songs bought on itunes? Was this the storm software or third party? Have any of you had issues with dust under the screen?
Sorry for all the questions, I just don't want to be stuck with a phone I hate for two years. |
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Eric Canha, Photographer
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Brockton | MA | United States | Posted: 12:01 PM on 03.16.09 |
->> Paul I don't buy my music from iTunes so I hadn't noticed that the few that I did have DID NOT import. Honestly I hadn't noticed until you brought it up.
No dust issues. I also haven't had to put a business card under the battery cover to improve the clickability of the screen.
Yes the phone does hang for a few seconds from time to time and I do pull the battery once or twice a day to fix the memory leak. The fact that I have my entire schedule in my pocket and that I can email or IM someone and compare dates and bookings AND then have those updated on my outlook when I get back makes up for it. I've been tethering for over a year now using my old phone. I was afraid that the lack of an antenna port on the storm would limit me in fringe areas. Haven't had that happen. I can run my laptop and a virtual creditcard terminal anywhere I am and not shell out outrageous mobile processor fees.
Version .114 of the os was released for the 9500 and I am hoping that the new os for the 9530 is around the corner. The forums at crakberry are rich with info and 'leaked' beta os'es if you are so inclined. I'm running the factory os .75.
Overall I'm very happy with the phone. If there was only ONE thing that I could add I would add the PALM handwriting recognition. I learned to use it and can write a note as easily with a stylus as I can with a pen/paper. The keyboard works but my sausage fingers still miss from time to time. |
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Scott Ellman, Photographer
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Rochester | NY | USA | Posted: 3:07 PM on 03.16.09 |
->> Eric,
I did a test at speedtest dot net and got
1031 kbs Download
193 kbs upload.
Another test on cnet got
409.5 kbs
Scott |
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Eric Canha, Photographer
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Brockton | MA | United States | Posted: 5:47 PM on 03.16.09 |
| ->> Scott was that through tetherberry or through a 'real' tether plan/wire? |
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Mark Sutton, Photographer
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Herndon | VA | USA | Posted: 6:53 PM on 03.16.09 |
->> Scott Ellman,
Are you using a Mac or PC when you tether the storm? I've had my storm for 3 1/2 months now and overall I'm happy. Some of my Itunes downloaded music won't transfer/play and it reboots for no reason at all sometimes. The battery is far better than my previous phone. I listened to music all day at a basketball tournament I shot last week and the battery lasted all day... |
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Scott Ellman, Photographer
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Rochester | NY | USA | Posted: 9:55 PM on 03.16.09 |
->> Eric,
That was through tetherberry sitting at my kitchen table this afternoon.
Mark,
I am using PC. One is a Dell Mini 9 and the other is a dell inspiron.
I guess I am lucky. I have had no problems with my phone. I have only had to pull the battery once since november. My only issue is the battery. Where I work, there is bad coverage so my phone is constantly moving data/working to find signal. The batter will be in the red by 10pm from a full charge.... |
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Larry W. Smith, Photographer
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Valley Center (Wichita) | KS | USA | Posted: 1:00 PM on 03.17.09 |
->> Any music bought from Apple won't copy to the Storm but if you have that music burned to a CD you can then copy it to your storm from the CD. I have not had the issue of the battery pulls either, maybe have pulled mine 6 times since I've got it and only once from a lock up the other times was for different unrelated issues, but I had to do that with all my Blackberry's.
L |
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Todd Van Emst, Photographer
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Auburn | AL | USA | Posted: 7:39 PM on 03.17.09 |
| ->> Ok, I ordered one today. My current phone XV6800 is dying. |
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Marc Browning, Photographer
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Wichita | KS | | Posted: 7:57 PM on 03.17.09 |
| ->> I was using Bolt,Viigo, Google Maps. Thats its, no games. All programs were set to manually check for updates. I had both phones lockup the most when trying to blackberry text, had that a lot, so much that I had to tell a friend to stop BB texting & go back to regular texting. |
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John Howley, Photographer
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Circleville | OH | USA | Posted: 10:01 AM on 03.18.09 |
->> If you buy music from iTunes without the DRM (digital rights management) you can transfer it to the Storm. I upgraded a couple videos I bought from iTunes to the DRM free versions and transferred them to the Storm as well. They look great.
Now I'm just trying to figure out a setting in Final Cut that will let a video file I create look clear on the storm.
The only problem that I've really noticed with my Storm is with the video camera function not working properly. From the forums, this seems to be common with some of them. And the green key has fallen off. Fortunately I'm paying for the extended warranty so I need to stop in and see what they'll do about the key. |
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Mark Sutton, Photographer
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Herndon | VA | USA | Posted: 6:16 PM on 03.18.09 |
| ->> Has anyone used the VZ Navigator? Mine is greyed out and I've tried to reinstall several times. |
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Larry W. Smith, Photographer
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Valley Center (Wichita) | KS | USA | Posted: 3:13 PM on 03.22.09 |
->> Yes I use the VZ Navigator and it works great, you have to pay extra for the service this might be why yours is greyed out.
Larry |
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Jason Ossey, Photographer, Student/Intern
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Atlanta | GA | USA | Posted: 11:00 PM on 03.22.09 |
| ->> The garmin service is much better and less expensive. Only an $80 dollar one time fee compared to the monthly $10. The garmin includes live traffic, weather, and flight information. |
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Scott Ellman, Photographer
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Rochester | NY | USA | Posted: 8:50 AM on 03.23.09 |
->> I used the phone for the first time to uploaded photos on assignment this past Saturday. I used tetherberry to connect to the internet.
I was getting 12 kbs upload. It took about 5-6 min to upload one 2 mb photo.
Was slow, but I had the laptop sitting next to me on the floor uploading my four photos while I kept shooting the hockey game.
Scott |
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