4.7.0.99 firmware for the BlackBerry Storm may or may not be awesome

Once again, an official firmware update has leaked for the Storm 9530, and once again, it's being totally avoided by carriers so far -- but naturally, it's already been leaked for the world's immediate enjoyment. Early impressions include far faster boot times and a return to a smaller keyboard -- a change being met with some disappointment -- so we're going to hold off on calling this a must-have upgrade, but as always, it's pretty awesome to see RIM pumping out these things rapid-fire style. Now, we just need carriers to settle on one and push it out, eh?

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 1st 2009 12:10PM]

"it's pretty awesome to see RIM pumping out these things rapid-fire style."

Yes, we should applaud a company playing catch up, especially a company who knowingly shipped a buggy product and admitted the market should deal with the problems because that's the way things are going to be.

This is too little too late.

By the time the Storm will be fixed with all these updates, the competition will have advanced- the Palm Pre, G2, iPhone 2.1 will all probably be out and make life even tougher for the storm.

[z0phi3l Posted Feb 1st 2009 3:04PM]

I'll be keeping my Storm, none of those other devices suit my needs, so "flaws" and all I'll be happy when the updates roll in

[EpsilonNot Posted Feb 1st 2009 1:10PM]

I fear that the BlackBerry Storm may soon enough suffer from the Windows Vista effect- the initial product was crappy, so even if they try to improve it it will be too late, and there will be a persistent stigma associated with the "BlackBerry Storm" brand.

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 1st 2009 11:12PM]

how about an update for the other new berries RIM. 8350I ring a bell this phone for sprint is going down in flames in the fourm boards for lack of support .

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 1st 2009 1:36PM]

Time for the blackberry storm 7 then eh?

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 1st 2009 1:46PM]

I don't understand why RIM Is dependent on the carriers to roll out their firmware updates.

WM makes sense. They don't make their own hardware. So each manufacturer has to adopt new updates. (although WM rarely has updates more than once a year it seems)

However, Apple & Nokia roll out their own updates whever they please.

Google also has their updates for Android, but since theirs go out over the air via the carrier's airwaves, they apparently need Tmobile's blessing. (seeing how we've been waiting on cupcake for months.

But RIM, like Apple, could easily make their firmware updates available for download through the BB Desktop Manager software, with no approval from carriers needed.

Why do they keep doing this old antiquated method?

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 1st 2009 4:24PM]

It probably has something to do with the fact that RIM uses their own servers for push mail. The path to the server has to be controlled by the carrier and thus they have to work with the carrier when they are releasing updates that relate to that mechanism. Just a thought.

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 2nd 2009 12:32AM]

They are available to us... they do not need carrier approval for us to get our hands on them. They just don't get pushed OTA. I have the storm, and update the OS whenever a leak is made. It is a "beta" and is not "official", but that doesn't make it unavailable. Obviously it's getting to us. Yes, those that don't pay attention to the forums won't get the updates. But honestly, the .75 OS that was used isn't half bad. Plus they are Beta's, and sometimes have more issues than .75. People say it "lags" and yada yada yada. Lets be real, find an HTC phone that doesn't lag at times or freeze up, or find a lack of quirks and issues with those using an iPhone, the supposed "God" of smartphones... And the guy from RIM that said these problems should be expected is 100% correct. Find a SINGLE smartphone that incorporates a nicer UI or multiple applications and programs that are used at any one time that DOES NOT have hiccups.... You can't. Your odds of finding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow is higher. Plus, I commend RIM for actually caring enough to send out updates! WinMo sucks. I'll never go back because the bugs that existed, stayed. They didn't get fixed.

Also, I feel like the "negative" stigma that is surrounding this phone is from people that have no patience or experience with other smartphones and can't handle touchscreen keyboards. For some reason, people are far less accepting of minor flaws in a phone than any other technology. Ever have problems with your PC or Mac? I'm almost 100% positive everyone has... Anyway, I'm done

Cheers!

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 2nd 2009 12:51AM]

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[(Unverified) Posted Feb 3rd 2009 10:59AM]

The keyboard isn't smaller just the font for the letters is smaller, the keys are still the same size.

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 7th 2009 7:53PM]

ok I admit im an idiot. Ive downloaded the update onto my computer but how do I get it onto my phone???

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 11th 2009 12:38AM]

The file should be a Windows .exe file. You need to have the BlackBerry Desktop Manager installed.

Check here for full installation procedure:
http://crackberry.com/blackberry-101-how-install-or-upgrade-new-rim-operating-system-os