BlackBerry Storm OTA OS Update - Hands On
November 23rd, 2008 | by Troy D. Brown |
What happens when you come across a BlackBerry Storm 9530 using OS 4.7.0.61? You give the built in wireless OTA - Check for Upgrades a try.
Over the Air OS upgrades, finally on a BlackBerry? Make the jump for the how-to:
On the application screen of the Storm you will see a new icon titled “Software Update“. If an update is available the icon will have a * next to it. Once you select the icon you will be presented with what OS version is available. You are then able to select individual components to install or skip. The selection is just like the one offered in Desktop Manager.
Mac & Linux Users Rejoice!
The upgrade process is very straight forward and simple to use. This feature will come in very handy for those MAC and Linux users who have had to find a PC to use for upgrades. The whole process in my case took just over 15 minutes. The OTA seems to only grab the updated modules it needs versus a complete install package. The total size of my upgrade was 13MB.
Has anyone else been able to do an OTA OS update? Post your comments and experiences below.
34 Responses to “BlackBerry Storm OTA OS Update - Hands On”
By Benjamin on Nov 23, 2008 | Reply
Failed to work on my Storm… shouldn’t have rushed to get it… now i’m stuck for next 2 years with Verizon… ~@#@$
I should have read more reviews instead….
this one is good too: admiralh.wordpress.com/2008/11/21/why-the-blackberry-storm-is-no-iphone-killer/
By Troy D. Brown on Nov 23, 2008 | Reply
Hey Bejamin, You still have plenty of time to return the Storm, get your money back and not take the 2 year contract. 14 days in most states and 30 in California.
Also what OS is on your Storm? Most people have 4.7.0.65 so no update is available for that yet.
By 0mie on Nov 23, 2008 | Reply
Benjamin, send me your Storm then :p
By masonicangel on Nov 23, 2008 | Reply
seriously benji verizon has 30 days for a full refund. so leave if you want. dumb move but hey its up to u
By 0mie on Nov 23, 2008 | Reply
The new update should be out by end f this month…But hey if you want to leave, go for it.
By Joseph on Nov 23, 2008 | Reply
Hey Guys,
Whats the reputation of the Storm in the states so far like? It hasn’t hit the shelve’s here in Australia yet, I have read many feedbacks and blogs but nothing too solid as they were based on quick trials and comparing via specifications. Anyone have any actual sufficient hands on experience and can discuss it?
By slicknyer on Nov 24, 2008 | Reply
In my opinion the storm is like a teenager, full of potential to be great-bursting with energy-but not an adult yet.
Anyone that has the storm or is planning on getting one should take the next few months mastering the device. It will mature via apps & upgrades. I know that this version will get all of the kinks out and by the time a storm2 is available it will truly be the ikiller.
So bear with it-its something new to Us-RIM-and the developers…Above anything else it’s still a BlackBerry!!!
By Brian on Nov 24, 2008 | Reply
I dont have that option on my storm i looked…
By Brandon on Nov 24, 2008 | Reply
Most people won’t see this because most of the Storms shipped with 4.7.0.65…
So there’s no upgrade for that build…yet.
By DavidB on Nov 24, 2008 | Reply
@Benjamin:
Did you BOTHER to read any of what you signed when you got it? Suspect not, or you would know Verizon has a 30 day “no hassle” return policy.
@Joseph:
There are dozens of reviews of hands on release devices. Google is your friend.
By Phil on Nov 24, 2008 | Reply
Is OTA capability available for the Bold on ATT running OS 4.6?? This will greatly help me since I’m a Mac user!
By rb on Nov 24, 2008 | Reply
Got my Storm on Friday 11/21.
Returned to Verizon store on 11/23.
Unfortunately had to go back to a Curve (really want a Blackberry Bold on Verizon’s superior network).
I’m pretty technical but grew frustrated with how hard it was to do things in comparison to a QWERTY based phone.
By joemama on Nov 24, 2008 | Reply
I may just be a whiner, but I too do not love the Storm. I come from the 8830, so I lost the alphabet speed dial capability. The sideways QWERTY keyboard is nice, but with the phone in landscape, typing now becomes a two-handed operation. (They put a period on the letter screen, God knows they could have put a comma on there as well). My phone also has an intermittent “Blackberry” button. It almost never works the first time. The problem is that I may have to “live” with it this way for a while, because there are no more new Storms for me to swap it with. On the 8830, the scroll wheel controls the cursor, so if I make a typing error, and discover it 3 words later, I can simply back scroll to the spot, and fix it. I don’t yet know of a way to do that with the Storm. Also, be careful about Verizon’s return policy. You DO have the 30 days, but the rep in my store says there is a $35.00 charge for the return. Maybe if you make a big enough stink, you could get away with it.
By joemama on Nov 24, 2008 | Reply
Anyone know if the Storm is supposed to display the 3G icon in normal use? Or ever, for that matter?
By Riley42 on Nov 24, 2008 | Reply
No the 3G icon will not display as far as I know. I’m pretty sure that 1Xevdo is 3G.
By Riley42 on Nov 24, 2008 | Reply
My Storm with .65 doesn’t even have an option to check for software upgrades in the application screen. Will this just show up one day?
By Nycole on Nov 24, 2008 | Reply
I was one of the first to get my phone Friday. I actually paid 175 to end my contract with att. I was extremely disappointed after I got home. I’ve spent majority of my weekend hoping trying to love this phone. It’s a complete embarrassed that RIM released this phone in this condition. There are too many bugs to count, but most of all the most disturbing thing about this phone is how slow it takes to perform any function. Everything is slow! My Verizon rep had the nerve to tell me he hadn’t heard anything bad about the phone, and I wanted to smack him. I am going to tell att I would like to continue my contract (hopefully) and wait to see if this phone will be improved soon.
By Nycole on Nov 24, 2008 | Reply
I understand that Apple had issues at first but if another company has mastered “touch screen” phones, you shouldn’t dare to compete unless you can do better, but for Rim (blackberry) to even drop this phone in this condition is a complete embarrassment to themselves but furthermore to blackberry (crackberry) users and owners. I am always going at it with my friend who is a huge Apple supporter, but this time I just let him have it because there is absolutely no comparison with the Storm Vs iPhone.
By returns on Nov 24, 2008 | Reply
If you exchange the phone for something else, there is a $35 restocking fee that recently took place on the 16th
By wtf on Nov 25, 2008 | Reply
@Nycole and everyone else whining about the phone; Shut Up!!! are you all that technically retarded that you can’t operate this phone? My blind grandma could operate this phone with one arm tied behind her back and flip’n a pancake with the other. Seriously, just get a land line and save yourselves the embarrassment of looking ridiculous with a mobile phone in your hand.
By I_Agree on Nov 25, 2008 | Reply
I’m with wtf on this one. It is a new release, it WILL have bugs. Oh well! Two of my friends have iPhones. They’re nice, but I love my Storm! I’ve had it for 2 days, had some glitches and dealt with them accordingly. Maybe you whiners just aren’t willing to deal with the minor things for what’s a great advancement for BlackBerry. If you jumped in thinking that there wouldn’t be issues, too bad. Go back to AT&T, get something more to your liking from Verizon. Quit b****ing about the little things and look at the big picture!
By Grey Haired Dude on Nov 25, 2008 | Reply
OK, I admit that I tested one out in Minnetonka on Thursday morning at 8 am and said ‘I’m in’. Showed up at the Monticello store at 7:30 am on Friday and was #3 in line. They only had 10 there so it was good to go early. Sales and technical staff were very good kudos to Mark and Abe!
There is going to be a learning curve coming from the 8703, but as an old guy I love the screen size and resolution. Having some glitches, but no worse than the 8703 which was replaced 3 times in two years. Biggest gripe is no speed dial key. But way too many cool things to let that be a reason not to continue. I think perhaps too many of you youngsters are into the instant gratification mode and don’t enjoy the experience of learning. I am an Apple guy too, so if the iPhone would have been available through Verizon I wouldn’t be writing this. But then, I only paid $99 for my Storm because of an upgrade credit and rebate.
By You are overreacting on Nov 26, 2008 | Reply
I think you are all over reacting. I had the iphone 3g when it came back and it had all kinds of lag issues…especially withe the address book. Switching between screens lagged as well…also, you can’t have more than one application open. I returned the iphone because it wasn’t a business phone. It’s a “cool” phone that has lots of great gadgets.
The lag on the storm is the only problem it has, and I’m sure it will be addressed soon. Its nice that I can actually “cut and paste”, a feature that iphone users have been waiting for since its inception.
By Trent on Nov 26, 2008 | Reply
This is for anyone who can help me. I switched from Sprint to Verizon for the Blackberry Storm and even though it has bugs, I LOVE this phone. The lag for me is minor and only seems to happen when I hit the phone key. Anyway I went to the app menu and see nothing for an update. To tell you the truth I don’t even know how to check which system my phone is running on lol. Also I have a macbook for my primary computer and when I plug my phone into one of the usb ports, nothing happens. It charges my phone but nothing pops up. Should I try installing the discs that came with it? Thanks to whoever replies to this I know that I am a hassle lol.
By Nick Cosky on Nov 26, 2008 | Reply
To access blackberry via mac you need to enable memory on the storm. Go to options and open memory and enable it. Use missing sync for adding contacts and calendar. then just pop you music in the blackberry 2 icon on the desktop and under music. Very simple and a very fun phone. Switched from iPhone and am very proud of Rim. Finally cut and paste and MMS! Verizon rules. This is an iPhone killer. I am sure a rim update will be available for the accelerometer issue.
Great job RIM!
By pwhite on Nov 27, 2008 | Reply
Go into options then advanced
options scroll
Down to wireless upgrade
click and check
For upgrade
By David R. on Nov 28, 2008 | Reply
Hmmm…let me try to pick out the “nice” reviews of the Storm the past 48 hours from the New York Times and the like:
“Storm: Call It The BlackBerry Dud” …
“Storm: Prepare To Be Disappointed” …
“Storm: Epic Failure” …
Things I was saying months ago long after playing with the Storm long before it hit the market.
But WHY is the Storm an epic failure, and why should any of you care who made comments about “sticking with” the device despite it’s “steep” learning curve?
The Storm fails at the most basic conceptual level: it’s NOT a BlackBerry! Not the kind with a physical keyboard that made BlackBerry famous. And it’s not an iPhone either and will win no converts on that score either.
The only problem with the BlackBerry Storm, which overall is a good phone, is that it doesn’t address a specific segment of consumers. Instead, the smartphone is trying to capture the attention of two very different types of users, one which is probably way to addicted by now to the iPhone menu to make a switch, and another one which is very fond of BlackBerrys in general, but is even fonder of its physical keyboard.
As on reviewer noted: “It’s basically an outlaw BlackBerry, with not so impressive media capabilities for an iPhone killer, and with even less impressive features for email addicts. The general opinion seems to lead to one conclusion: BlackBerry should stick to what it does best, and that doesn’t necessarily include a touch-screen.”
I actually think BlackBerry should include a touchscreen–in addition to a physical keyboard.
Anyway, on to the second question about “sticking with” this flawed device while desperately awaiting OTA “updates”: NO update will address the basic failure of the device–it’s touch-click interface–to make text input any faster or more accurate.
RIM failed. Big time. And they know it. This is the New Coke for RIM. And now I hear from the inside that RIM may have to even reconsider the Storm 2 and 3 if they can’t get them to Verizon before Apple delivers the Verizon iPhone!
YIKES!!!
So if the Storm is SO flawed, and there is NO guarantee or even probability that the software “updates” will make the hardware itself any better, and now that the very FUTURE of this form factor is being thrown into doubt by worldwide “boos” at the Storm, WHY would ANYONE tell somebody who just bought it and has buyer’s remorse and hates their user experience to “hold on” and “give it three months”?
Crazy!
TAKE YOUR STORM BACK IF YOU THINK IT SUCKS. BECAUSE IT’S NOT GOING TO GET MATERIALLY BETTER FOR YOU!!!
On the other hand, if you LOVE the novelty of the device, and think is “fun” to click and correct your many typos at half the speed of your old Curve or new Bold, then by all means keep your Storm. I do know there are one or two people on this planet who actually like–not love–the device, so go for it. It’s your money. It’s your time. It’s your life.
But please, please, PLEASE don’t tell people who are already frustrated with this catastrophe for RIM to “hold on” past their 30 days with Verizon so they can “learn” something that’s ALREADY obsolete.
Verizon is already hoping this Storm passes quickly, so it can go on to Apple picking the Christmas after next.
Maybe we should take the hint…
By Dan Taylor on Nov 28, 2008 | Reply
‘Grey Haired Dude’ said “Biggest gripe is no speed dial key”. Actually, there is. I ran across it by hitting the Off-Hook (or Answer) button, and then holding down a number key on the dial pad. You’ll be prompted to assign a contact’s phone number to the key.
On another note, I’ve had my Storm for 4 days now. The ONLY problem I’ve had with it is, it hangs, or lags from time to time. I would assume a s/w update would be able to fix it. Aside from that, I’m loving it! Great features, and I really like the keyboard. It did take a bit to get used to though. I much prefer it over my 8703a. Especially in low light.
By John Nox on Nov 29, 2008 | Reply
I think the best buy Iphone 3g 16 gb. and install it on his software version 2.2. Its large
touch screen and very comfortable realized sensory management. I bought a Iphone and happy!)
By Barb on Dec 2, 2008 | Reply
Return your BB Storm. Verizon allows a one-time exchange if done within 30 days.
By BK on Dec 4, 2008 | Reply
David R. You sound like an Apple propoganda machine. Nothing in your diatribe points to a personal experience with the Storm. I watched a youtube review where the ‘Expert’ ranted about the keyboard number pad fault of only getting one number per press, and with each number press the screen reverted to the letter pad. Truth is, holding the number pad button down for a few seconds locks the number screen on until the letter key is pressed.
True, the Storm was released prematurely, and RIM/Verizon were wrong and should be embarrassed, but the reality is the Storm is an excellent device, and with a few software updates (OS 4.7.0.75 is already out and liberating the Storm as we speak with another update cose to release) the Storm will make BB owners new and seasoned very happy.
I have sold my iPhone (Free Apple employee giveaway version)and have had the Storm since the 24th. Try one and form your own opinion, and leave the propoganda generating to my former colleagues at Apple. Apple knows RIM has something good and threatening with the Storm, that is why they released thier 2.2 update concurrent with the launch of the Storm.
BK, former Apple Manfacturing Engineer/Portables/iPhone/iPod group.
By SCV Dad on Dec 13, 2008 | Reply
I just ugraded from a Curve to a Storm and although I had most of the key and trackball withdrawals on the first day, I have learned to love my new touch screen device. I was looking for the one-key speed dial feature and one of the guys here mentioned that it is doable. There’s another guy who gave a tip on doing num lock. My question is: where can I find documentation that teaches you all these capabilities instead of having to accidentally “run into it”.?