Glitches Haunt the Blackberry Storm

Although the Storm initially sold well, over 500,000 were shipped in the first month, customers are less than impressed. One of the main complaints cited by users pertains to the touch screen interface which was initially supposed to be the Blackberry Storms biggest draw. Apparently the touch screen is considered “sluggish” a complaint which has also been used to describe the device in general.

According to the Wall Street Journal, “Storm owners have complained about everything from clunky software for typing on the touch screen to the device's sluggish performance with basic tasks like dialing-by-voice or taking photographs.”

Other glitches include: a “sure press” screen which consistently marks the wrong character, a slow accelerometer (the sensor that detects the devices orientation and adjusts when it’s sideways), and the lack of a full keypad in portrait mode.

These reviews have come as a surprise after the huge marketing campaign that led to the Blackberry Storms release. According to CNET News; the companies responsible for the glitchy device, Verizon Wireless and Research In Motion (RIM), spent more than $100 million in promoting it in the media.

Many are speculating that the root cause of the Blackberry Storms glitches is that the companies rushed its release to meet the holiday demand. For example the Wall Street Journal cites, “people close to the launch” when confirming rumors that the device was released, “despite glitches in its operating system”, to allow for the crucial “Black Friday” deadline.

On the other hand Verizon and RIM are racing to resolve the issues. In December a software update was provided for the Blackberry Storm which fixed some of users more specific complaints. Mike Lanman, the chief marketing officer for Verizon Wireless, also stated that other user complaints will be attended in future releases.

Though originally the Blackberry Storm was designed to surpass the iPhone within the smartphone market; many are doubtful that with such a poorly received release the device will be able to attain such lofty aspirations.

By: Alberto Ramos Cordero