BlackBerry Storm 9530 (aka Thunder) Pre-Release Thread

[ckamc]

Looks like opera is going to be a must to install....

I got my money on october 6th-ish release date, if the reports from at&t in regards to getting a bold around that time are correct, then it would make a lot of sense

but

this is verizon... so not everything makes sense all the time.

[Jkuhn]

Um that browser is from bb os 4.6, the Storm runs 4.7 and the only thing the two share is that they both use webkit

[phikai]

Um that browser is from bb os 4.6, the Storm runs 4.7 and the only thing the two share is that they both use webkit

I realize that...but 4.6 is a new OS and so is 4.7...i just thought it was interesting...its possible that this issue could arise with the 4.7

[ZenInc]

I realize that...but 4.6 is a new OS and so is 4.7...i just thought it was interesting...its possible that this issue could arise with the 4.7

I agree. Just b/c the OS is different doesn't mean the browser won't be the same. And in any event, the OS HAS to be different b/c one is a touch interface and the other is not. Clearly the controls on the Storm's browser will be different than those of the Bold (again, b/c of the touch interface) but that does not mean the underlying browser engine isn't the same. We'll know soon enough, I guess, but the issues on the Bold are not good news.

[ENJOIcoheed]

Coming out when? After 10/17 right?

[Sovak75]

Who said VZW and Voda are trying to have the same device? It's already been noted that the Storm is for VZW and the Thunder is going to Voda. What percentage of Thunders sold on Voda will actually end up roaming in the USA? Probably not that much.

Probably about the same amount of US handsets that actually go to Europe. It's a pretty small amount yeah but it's there if you need it.

They'd save more money not paying royalties for CDMA chips in those phones than saving some money on roaming costs.

What makes you say that? Roaming is EXPENSIVE and I think you overestimate the cost of the chip/royalty.

Roaming wouldn't be seemless because users would have to switch their phones away from GSM mode.

Yes it would. Unless you had it set to either CDMA or GSM only it will switch between them automatically as needed. That's how the 8830 works and there is no reason to believe Thunder/Storm would be any different.

I really don't understand why some people think the Voda version will have CDMA. Don't you think there would have already been a phone released in Europe with CDMA for roaming if they thought it was a good idea? There has not been such a phone and there are no CDMA networks in Europe so it just doesn't make any sense to have CDMA there.

You don't get something we've been trying to tell you. AT&T (the largest GSM network in the US) is a directo COMPEDATOR to Voda all over the world. Why would they want to hand over money to their competitors when they can do it with a company they have a stake in themselves?

You're right most people in Europe have probably never heard of CDMA but that does not matter as the transition would be seamless as stated above.

[Eric The Duke]

Probably about the same amount of US handsets that actually go to Europe. It's a pretty small amount yeah but it's there if you need it.

Again, you don't need it because you can roam on the same technology they use in Europe GSM. Most of the roaming done on the Voda version will be done in the Europeoan Union.

What makes you say that? Roaming is EXPENSIVE and I think you overestimate the cost of the chip/royalty.

Why don't you tell me what exactly the royalty fee is then? I know that the majority of people buying the Thunder in Europe will only roam on GSM. Why not just pay the roaming fees and save on royalties on CDMA chips that would never be used? You telling me that the money they save on the 10% that buy the phone and roam in the USA will make up for the royalties for CDMA on the other 90% of phones they sell?

Yes it would. Unless you had it set to either CDMA or GSM only it will switch between them automatically as needed. That's how the 8830 works and there is no reason to believe Thunder/Storm would be any different.

Well GSM phones are identified by their SIM card. CDMA is not, so I would think that someone who would want to roam on CDMA from a GSM phone would have to notify their carrier to set up CDMA roaming so the cell phone can be found when roaming. At least in Europe, there is no need to notify your carrier you will be roaming. This would be an extra and confusing step for Europenas because they don't know about CDMA.

You don't get something we've been trying to tell you. AT&T (the largest GSM network in the US) is a directo COMPEDATOR to Voda all over the world. Why would they want to hand over money to their competitors when they can do it with a company they have a stake in themselves?

Really? What exactly does AT&T own around the world that directly competes with Voda?


You would think it this was such a good idea, there would already be a phone in Europe that could roam on CDMA. I've never heard of such a phone. We will see what happens.

[Sovak75]

your obvious anti-CDMA biased and I'm not gonna argue with you at lenght here. ATT has equipment and roaming agreements all over the world.

European GSM and North American GSM use DIFFERENT FREQUENCY ranges.

You're right I have no idea what the royalty costs but I have to believe that one time fee per handset (buried as part of the total cost of the phone) will be a LOT cheaper than roaming fees.

Well GSM phones are identified by their SIM card. CDMA is not, so I would think that someone who would want to roam on CDMA from a GSM phone would have to notify their carrier to set up CDMA roaming so the cell phone can be found when roaming. At least in Europe, there is no need to notify your carrier you will be roaming. This would be an extra and confusing step for Europenas because they don't know about CDMA.

Blackberry 8830 does have a sim chip in it and there is no step, unless you change the defaults it will switch it automatically. On this side of the pond the only thing is you have to ask for the chip most of the time as it does not come in the box but since GSM would already have the chip that argument is pointless. When they give you the chip they also add international roaming to your account and you are all set.

[Eric The Duke]

your obvious anti-CDMA biased and I'm not gonna argue with you at lenght here. ATT has equipment and roaming agreements all over the world.

European GSM and North American GSM use DIFFERENT FREQUENCY ranges.

You're right I have no idea what the royalty costs but I have to believe that one time fee per handset (buried as part of the total cost of the phone) will be a LOT cheaper than roaming fees.




Blackberry 8830 does have a sim chip in it and there is no step, unless you change the defaults it will switch it automatically. On this side of the pond the only thing is you have to ask for the chip most of the time as it does not come in the box but since GSM would already have the chip that argument is pointless. When they give you the chip they also add international roaming to your account and you are all set.

How am I anti CDMA biased when I'm a CDMA customer. Just because I don't think CDMA will be in a specific phone doesn't mean I'm biased.

Yes, GSM uses different frequencies around the world. That's why a lot of GSM phones are quad-band for global use. No need for CDMA in a phone that can already roam around the globe.

If what you are saying is such a good idea, the 8830 would have been sold by Voda. But they didn't sell it, they sell a QUAD-BAND 8800 that can already roam around the globe.

[madeinhb]

cdma vs. gsm, blah, blah, blah. Who cares. The version for Voda will have Quad band (which would work over here, so it doesn't need CDMA) However, we need GSM when we travel.

Can we just get back to the Strom love already?

[Prevailing Wind]

How am I anti CDMA biased when I'm a CDMA customer. Just because I don't think CDMA will be in a specific phone doesn't mean I'm biased.

Yes, GSM uses different frequencies around the world. That's why a lot of GSM phones are quad-band for global use. No need for CDMA in a phone that can already roam around the globe.

If what you are saying is such a good idea, the 8830 would have been sold by Voda. But they didn't sell it, they sell a QUAD-BAND 8800 that can already roam around the globe.

The 9530 WILL be Quadband GSM, Triband HSDPA and Dualband CDMA. Get over it already. No reason Voda couldn't sell it and not have to roam on AT&T, the competitor, stateside.

[Eric The Duke]

The 9530 WILL be Quadband GSM, Triband HSDPA and Dualband CDMA. Get over it already. No reason Voda couldn't sell it and not have to roam on AT&T, the competitor, stateside.

It's already been said that Voda will be getting a different model, called the Thunder. Why don't you look in to the facts before you tell someone to get over it. Voda didn't sell the 8830 to roam in the US on CDMA and they are not selling the Storm either. There has NEVER been a phone sold in Europe that supports on roam on CDMA.

[ZenInc]

There has NEVER been a phone sold in Europe that supports on roam on CDMA.

Excellent. I'm glad that's finally settled.

Can any of the insiders give us a little more info on the browser? Is it, in fact, the same as the bold's, or something special developed for this phone? Flash support..? (Not holding my breath.)

[moto_e815_]

does anybody know if the storm will be able to operate running android when released?

[JWookiee]

My guess is no