BlackBerry® Storm™

[dv310p3r]

A few questions about the OS.

When is the latest one coming out officially?

I know the leaked one is out, but I don't want to put anything not official onto my phone.

I really want to keep this phone but with all the issues I am having I am seriously considering switching it out while I still have a shot.

[kentonvannatten]

I believe the best answer you'll get to "when" is "soon", most companies are not in the practice of announcing dates on software releases or patches. 

[dv310p3r]

That sucks. RIM, I'm returning my phone and getting the Omnia. I can't believe that I have to do this, but the Storm was a dud.

[stainer85]

Don't hold my feet over the coals, but I believe I saw somewhere on the forum that Jan. 15th is likely date.

[JSanders Resident Expert]

No one knows what date Verizon will release the upgraded OS, OR EVEN if they will release this version of the OS (.83 or .85) They might release .86 or even one later.

And VZW has been nortoriously slow in the past to release OS upgrades (with the one exception of .76 for the Storm two weeks after the device launched). That in itself leads me to wonder how soon, or if in months that VZW might release an upgrade.

[sacgary]

First off Verizon Wireles isn't the ones that release the OS updates, that would be RIM. After RIM has the release ready Verizon Wireless tests the release to be sure it isn't going to crash their network.

The latest version CURRENTLY available is at www.vzam.net/blackberry.

The most recent version is 4.7.0.75.

[Nbot]

I did the over-the-air wireless upgrate to 4.7.0.75. My buddy has the phone in Canada, on Telus, and he has 0.76. Why isn't .76 an option when I try and upgrade again? Is .76 only for Canada so far?

[sacgary]

The OS upgrades are specific for each carrier because each carrier's technology is different. The OS your friend has is not location specific ... i.e. Canada, but instead is specific for Telus.

While Cingular, AT&T, Sprint, VZW or Telus may carry the exact same model device, the OS versions will be different.

OS updates are usually released to either add functionality or fix a bug in the software. Since each carrier's software is specific for that carrier they may or may not experience the same performance issues or have the same functionality.

Just because RIM has released an OS update does not mean that it is compatible with every carrier... only the carrier it was designed for.

[o4liberty]

I am on my third storm and by far the best one, my first two had hardware issues. I have been speaking to Verizon and RIM and they both told me that new software will be released soon, I am running .75. They are very aware of the issues people are having with the storm. I almost left Verizon after 15 years with them because of all the problems I have had with this phone. I shopped around and I was going to port my lines over to ATT but the call quality and customer service there is so terrible I decided to give Verizon one more chance in which they promised me the new storm would work with only a few issues soon to be fixed. I have 6 lines with Verizon and they don't want to loose a long time customer. When I was shopping around I must admit every blackberry out there in my opinion can't come close to storm.

[alonfed]

04Liberty,

Good move on not going to AT&T. I had the same carrier since 1992. After going through a few other buyouts, eventually, my carrier was bought out by Cingular. Cingular was very good for me. Since the mid-to-late 90's, cell phone performance was rock-solid.

At one point, AT&T bought Cingular and the call quality and customer service went down the toilet -- BIG TIME! It was as though signal strength and dropped calls went back about 15 years technologically. I toughed it out for 6 months and tried different options. I cannot emphasize enough how absolutely crappy the customer service was. Several reps were just major a-holes. So, I ported over to Verizon. I've been happy ever since. Personally, I base my preference on carrier before phone. If I was unhappy with the Storm, I'd either get another Verizon phone or wait to see what else is on the Horizon. Maybe the Bold will make it to Verizon soon? Who knows.

Anyway, if knowing a bit about my experience is any help to you, that's what this post is about.