This device has tested my patience over the last year. At times, I am delighted with it, but often I get mad at the damn thing because it takes forever to unlock, and dial a call.
Last week I was ready to throw by BlackBerry through a wall. I had given up on the lock feature. I downloaded the free StormSlider application which works like the iPhone unlock, and have since been satisfied. I also deleted BlackBerry App World, probably the most clunky, device slowing application ever created. I suppose it’s ironic that RIM designed a horrible application, but I don’t want ironic, I want a good phone.
Yesterday I got their latest update v.5.0.0.328, and I am very surprised with the results. They have greatly improved on the visuals including the elastic tension that the iPhone has, and better transitions between application, and windows.
The whole device feels much snappier too. It no longer clunks along as it often did, and everything is nearly instantaneous when clicked on. Many of the basic features have been tweaked too making the visuals much more pleasant to the eyes.
Note this though. The Storm’s keyboard even in landscape is not made for fat fingers. Sorry tubby, that’s just the way it is. The onscreen keyboard does not compensate in any way for your missteps, though it now does try to guess your words, which I haven’t decided yet if that’s good or bad.
Not many people mention this when writing anything about phones, but which I find particularly useful is the custom dictionary. Basically, if you like to curse, or you’re a racist, and like that to spill into your conversation with people you can put these words into your custom dictionary, and the phone won’t correct you because it knows just how much of a horrible human being you really are.
The BlackBerry Storm has actually, finally managed to be a good phone. The thing is built like a tank, and now the software, dare I say it, works well. I would not buy the thing however, as RIM is due to release a Storm 2 in the near future. If you already have the Storm, for the love of god get the update.
