Startling change for BlackBerry alum
What may make the Storm’s problems seem even worse is that many of its owners are longtime BlackBerry customers who are used to having not just a good physical keyboard, but one that is considered the best in the smartphone industry.

And for those trying the Storm as their first BlackBerry, they’re seeing a product that, right now, does not live up to the reputations of its predecessors.

Storm users report various other issues, including a shutter delay with the camera (more so than most cell phone cameras), problems with the media player crashing and general bugginess with the screen and menu entries.

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None of this comes at a good time, especially with the economy. RIM has been the smartphone leader in the business world, but the consumer market is a different animal, with more competitors.

Head-to-head battle
Apple and RIM have been battling head-to-head in the smartphone arena, with the iPhone adding features that appeal to the business set, and several BlackBerry models, including the Storm, aiming to have more consumer appeal.

In recent months, RIM released two other models aimed at freshening their lineup and taking on the iPhone.

The BlackBerry Bold, with a physical keyboard, costs $299.99 after a rebate and with a two-year contract through AT&T, the exclusive provider of the Bold in the United States. The BlackBerry Pearl Flip, a first-time clamshell phone by RIM, is offered by T-Mobile and costs $150 after a rebate and committing to a two-year contract.

But it is the Storm that many had been eagerly anticipating.

“If I am going to buy something, I expect it to work,” wrote one Storm user on CrackBerry.com. “I don't think I should have to buy something to wait for a software upgrade to get it to work correctly.”

“I think dumping an unfinished, buggy device on people was pretty shameful and shoddy,” said another.

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“Folks need to take a chill pill,” wrote one Storm user on CrackBerry.com. “Are there issues? Sure there are. Would it be nice if Verizon/RIM gave us some straight answers? Yup. But it does work and I'm 150 percent sure that once the updates are delivered the Storm will be what it should have been from the start.”

Nogee, the In-Stat wireless analyst, said he, too, believes “in time, the bugs will be worked out, and the phone will be a good one. But for those plopping down their $200 and signing up for a rather expensive contract, it’s not a very friendly welcome.”

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