JP
Verizon and RIM are preparing two imminent updates for the BlackBerry Storm, in an attempt to address multiple bugs in OS v4.7.0.65. The first OTA update is expected to be released next week, and tackle sudden volume changes, problems with audio during calls and spontaneous restarts, among other things. The second, which is expected sometime in December, will tackle disappearing email and CDMA network connectivity, keypress misses and screen orientation issues. While the full roster of fixes is unknown, a leaked internal Verizon document has laid out a number of issues for customer service reps to be aware of, which you can read after the cut.
The purpose of the list is not so much to reassure customers that their faults are known and being addressed, but to prevent Verizon reps from handing out replacement Storms for those affected. We experienced several bugs and unpredictable restarts when reviewing the Storm ourselves.
Some of the issues seem somewhat inevitable to a manufacturer making its first orientation-switching touchscreen device, while others – volume jumps to the highest level when using headphones – are less excusable. It’s Verizon’s workarounds that are most laughable, however, particularly the final suggestion.
Issues to be resolved by the first OTA update (Maintenance Release 1) – December, week 1:
- If a customer receives a call while listen to music at low volume using a wired headset, the music volume may suddenly increase to the highest level (!). Interim recovery instructions: Lower the volume using the buttons on the side of the handset.
- When using voice-activated dialing, incoming audio may be muted. Interim recovery instructions: Enter the menu and select “Activate Handset or Speaker”.
- The handset may reset itself while sitting idle or while using multimedia applications. No interim recovery instructions provided.
Issues to be resolved by a subsequent Maintenance Release:
- Customers may intermittently lose email connectivity via CDMA and/or international roaming modes. Interim recovery instructions: Main menu -> Manage Connections -> Select mobile network -> Turn radio off, then Turn radio on. If this does not resolve the issue, pull the battery.
- When powering on the handset, the radio sometimes does not turn on. Interim recovery instructions: Main menu -> Manage Connections -> Select mobile network -> Turn radio on. If this does not resolve the issue, pull the battery.
- Pressing the send key while the device is in landscape mode will open the phone application in portrait mode, but the speed dial function may not work. Interim recovery instructions: Press escape until the home screen appears, then press the send key with the handset in portrait orientation.
- Sometimes entering characters on the virtual keyboard doesn’t work. Interim recovery instructions: Re-select the character.
10 Responses to “Verizon prepping two BlackBerry Storm updates for imminent release”
Larry November 28, 2008
Have had the Storm for several days-not worth the effort-too buggy, kludgy, and unresponsive. No wifi sucks.Trading in for the Samsung Omnia next week. RIM should be embarrased. I called Verizon tech support over GPS issues and told them I was dumping this dog…no argument or attempt to persuade me to keep it. What a horrible joke this thing is.
-5Bob B November 28, 2008
Ive noticed all the items mentioned, and I expect most will be taken care of. I have found that if one waits a little bit for the processor to catch up with the display things tend to work better.
One thing that is VERY irritating is it is impossible to edit text. there are no “arrow” keys or even “ALT backspace that will allow the cursor to go over text with out deleting it. makes editing a pain. The customer service rep knew about the issue so maybe that will be taken care of too.
I’ve had an iPhone and I think they are much better on their roll out system. Things work more crisply, however ATT is the pits when it comes to coverage and phone quality. Lets hope RIM gets their act together.
I expect they will, as they appear to be taking the Microsoft approach that is to let the customers do the alpha and beta testing.
NeutralBill November 29, 2008
Had the Storm for 4 days and will be taking it back and getting my old 8830 working again. This phone is such a disappointment. It appears RIMM focused so much on being an IPhone they forgot they were a BlackBerry. This phone is too time consuming to use. No software upgrades will fix the problems of physical design flaws.
Neutralto Bob B December 1, 2008
Hey Bob,
There IS a way to edit text. when youve typed / see an error if you simply place your finger on the screen (dont click it) it will change from a blue cursor to a hollow black box. then you simply move your finger to where you want to edit and BAM you’re good to go. works like a charm for me. love this phone, my first BB ever.
definitely not as fast as an iphone but i wont give it a final verdict until more bugs are worked out. if you think this phone has problems go to any support forum for the iphone.. keep in mind its been around for years now :P
+3PI December 1, 2008
like the comment on how to edit. it works like a charm and even allows to select for cut/copy and paste. i use an iphone and have other blackberry’s (pearl and curve). i think for a first edition this is pretty good and really expect/hope to see some software upgrades. the screen orientation is quite buggy and there are times when my storm will get stuck in landscape mode and there is no easy way to get it to go into portrait. it will then suddenly shift, typically when i am press the lock key! the fully qwerty is very buggy and the highlighted keys get so hidden that they are useless. browser rendering leaves a lot to be desired – waiting for opera mini!
NeutralDC December 5, 2008
If you are having trouble with keyboard response, be sure to go into Screen/Keyboard Options and adjust sensitivity. MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE> I was going to throw this thing out the window in the first 15, I changed it and felt like an idiot. There is an update coming, but operator error has to be allowed for.
NeutralDRVNTHRU December 10, 2008
Storm screen just died today. It is useless without it :(
NeutralAny one else have their screen go out ?
Eric in L.A. December 12, 2008
I have 2 Blackberry Storms for 3 weeks now. One for myself and one for my wife. It is a little slow on some things. But I have high hopes on the software updates that will be coming out over the next few weeks and months to solve those issues. I used mine for Enterprise Corp Email and my wife just uses hers for Yahoo Email and the other features. Her Touch Screen did give her a problem in the beginning. She wanted to take it back and get a another phone. But over time she has learned how to use it better and now is starting to love it. I’m in the IT Field and have learned that if you get the newest toys you have to expect some issues in the beginning and the company works them out with time. Also, this phone is so different than any other phone or Blackberry before… You will need a couple of weeks, if not longer to get used to how it functions. I love mine more every day as I find new things it can do…
Neutralanthony January 19, 2009
I love the storm I think its better then my n96 y
Neutrales there are problems but remember this is there first time going into touchscreen era ill wait ps did I say I loving my storm
joebie59 May 26, 2009
I don’t have a storm but am waiting to see what happens with the storm2 or what ever it will be called. I have been watching waiting listening and hoping the 2 companies, RIM & Verizon are going to right the situation for the storm but it seems that they are just sitting on their “Laurels” waiting for new storm to come out. This is truly un-fair and un-just for the people who bought the storms in good faith and now are stuck with an un-working phone, is BBB interested in this wrong doing or what, no-body has a consience anymore just money!!!!
Neutral