First, let me say the new BlackBerry Storm looks incredible. The addition of touches such as the 'clickable' screen and even the 'bedside mode' make it a serious competitor to the iPhone. It also has a whole lot more panache than the rather ugly, if fully-featured T-Mobile G1 Android phone. But – and it's a big but – there's no Wi-Fi. And that's a dealbreaker for me.
The omission confuses a great deal. After all, the Storm is surely designed to take on both the iPhone and the G1? In my urge to blame, I thought it might be the fault of Vodafone, who the phone was "purpose built" for, but I'm not so sure of that; I have a brand new Vodafone BlackBerry Bold on my desk and it's got Wi-Fi, so it isn't that Vodafone is completely against Wi-Fi.
We asked our contact to clarify. "Given that this smartphone is purpose-built for Vodafone and they have invested resource in their 3G and 3G mobile broadband network, they wanted to support those networks as a priority."
"Internet and email access is also included in the price plan as of May when Vodafone changed all their pricing."
What's the benefit?
That last point only serves to confuse further. Unlike the pre-iPhone view of mobile data pricing, which only sought to squeeze as much cash out of the end-user as possible, fair use data access is free on the tariff. There's therefore no incentive for Vodafone to have not specced Wi-Fi into the handset.
Indeed, there's a distinct disadvantage for the consumer (fast network access when at home, in the office or in hotspot locations) and for Vodafone, which is going to have to carry more traffic on its network.
Yes, 3.5G can transfer data very quickly. But what if you're in a location that hasn't got it? Vodafone has missed a trick. Mind you, I can't imagine myself sat on the sofa watching a whole load of media on the Storm unless the BBC make iPlayer available for BlackBerry that is…
Now read 8 ways the BlackBerry Storm trumps the iPhone and G1
Your comments (4) Click to add a new comment
pauljohnson
November 7th 2008
4. In case you are wondering how Verizon could control the GPS usage, they have an application calls "VZ Navigator" that closes GPS access to all but its monitored circuits.
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pauljohnson
November 7th 2008
3. Here's an example of the implications of no WiFi for the Storm in the U. Verizon just released its rate structure for a BlackBerry Storm data plan: "Verizon Wireless announced pricing for the BlackBerry Storm's GlobalEmail plans -- $69.99 monthly standalone, and $64.99 when added to a voice plan. The plans include POP3 email, web browsing, picture messaging and visual voice mail."
Notice what is missing -- multimedia downloads and GPS. Verizon will charge extra for those uses. Will Vodafone UK do the same?
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pauljohnson
November 7th 2008
2. Vodafone will be marketing the BlackBerry Storm in the United States through its partially-owned subsidiary, Verizon Wireless. Verizon plans to continue the policy of squeezing as much cash out of the end-user as possible, so it may have demanded that RIM leave out the WiFi so that the same phone can be sold on both sides of the Atlantic.
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bitchain
November 7th 2008
1. exactly. in an age where iPhone, G1 and netbooks are more and more commonplace, all of which offer a small device with cheap wifi, why would anyone bother with extortionate 3G that has less coverage than wifi (no 3G on the isle of wight for example when I visited, yet wifi)
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