Gadgets Games And Cell Phone Review

Today, BlackBerry has become a phenomenon in our society. We cannot lied that Nokia high end segment is replaced by BlackBerry. To expand their existention, recently Blackberry released their new product which combine business and multimedia functions, Blackberry Storm 9500.

We can say that Storm is a new varian in Blackberry portofolio. The innovative design looks little strange for some people. The opinion which said that Blackberry is QWERTY actually has been stuck in people mind, so little changes in interface (by it touchscreen) cause some controversion.

Design
If we look at the shape and design, actually this is not the only one because some other products have the same concept such as LG Renoir, iPhone and Samsung i900 Omnia. The minimum keypad and access button function are replaced by the wide screen area. But about comfortability, iPhone gives more comfort when we hold it because Blackberry Storm 9500 is bigger and weight in size. For us who have a small hands absolutely would difficult to access menus at the upside body in default position. But anyway, autorate screen could change the mode to landscape position, so it would make us easy for accessing menus.

Of course there’s a reason why the designer remove the keypad from ahead panel. This is new innovation which is try to showed by Blackberry. For typing and other needs, Storm 9500 has prepare a virtual keyboard. Different from full QWERTY keyboard in general, Storm 9500 use SurePress technology. By this technology, typing process would be like typing in conventional keypad. The screen is not only touched but it’s really has to be pressed. This is possible by spring mechanism under the screen. The tremble from the pressure would give some effects. Unfortunately, this is cause difficulty for those who use it occasionally. More over, the screen looks weak because of the spring tremble.

Interface
Compared with Bold and Javelin, Blackberry Storm 9500 has the newest system 4.7. it makes different menu structure appearances. The icon size is bigger than the previouses, but the strengthness and the brightness actually still the same with Bold, Curve and Javelin without any perform improvement. Flash animation is also couldn’t be found in Storm 9500 interface, there’s only a statis form with classic folder animation. Even if we compare it with other Touch UI such as TouchWiz, Apple’s portable OS X or Nokia S60 5th edition, Blackberry Storm 9500 is not attractive enough.

Processor and Memmory
The interface changes definitely would gives impact to hardware and software performances. For this, Storm has 624 MHz clock speed processor which more powerfull than Javellin but with only little differences. It memory flash is only 128 MB, so the acceleration level and system performance is not working well. It really feels in the slow menus changes. For alternative space, Blackberry Storm 9500 prepare an expand memory slot microUSD type. It’s up to 16 GB capacity.

Superior Features

BIS/BES
Just like the previous Blackberry series, Blackberry Internet service or Blackberry Enterprise Server have become dominant services. This service have integrated with cellular operators in almost all countries. By the offering services, the user could access privat or corporation emails in real time without entering webmail database first. Some local operators are also offering easy access by enterprise services. For examples for business negotiations, mails, and monitoring company worksheets anywhere, anytime as long as it’s still covered by the operators network. Although we have to subscribe this service, but it gives us advantages in saving time for business people and guarantee security.

Not only for accessing email, this facility could provide connect us to some social networks such facebook, photos upload until chat via Instant Messaging server (GTalk, Yahoo Messenger, AOL, etc). the setting process is easy, but the important thing is we have to activate BIS/BES service first. It’s efficient enough than Pullmail technology which has many steps which is confusing some users

GPS
For navigating, Blackberry Storm 9500 use Assisted-GPS by cellular operator. For this time, the digital map is facilitated by Blackberry maps, but we could install the third party such Google Maps. A-GPS in Storm 9500 could be used as traveling navigation guide. The navigation routes and time estimation could appear well in text format or map form.

Office
For the officers, this smartphone could really support us in business activities. The supported features are Office To Go (Word, Sheet, and slideshow), MemoPad, Task and Voice Note that could be sent via email or instant messenger.

Multimedia
In entertainment area, Blackberry Storm 9500 compete stricty with Nokia 5800 XPressMusic. There are camera, music ad video player and games. For the camera, this smartphone has 3.2 megapixel resolutions, autofocus and flashlight. The result is not as cool as Nokia 5800, but not less than other smartphones in the same class.

Storm 9500 has similar interface and some supported features with Javelin. The default position for taking pictures is the same with digital camera default. The annoying thing is the camera lens and flashlight in the corner of the back body seems not right. Because our finger position sometimes would cut off the lens or flashlight in taking pictures process. Beside that the camera respond in finding focus point is sluggish especially in capturing move objects. But fortunately, to fix this side, Storm 9500 bring image stabilizer feature. For video recording, the capability is balanced with Javelin. The picture resolution could be suited depend on our needs, for email/MMS or others.

Other important facility is media player. Here, we could choose the menus for photos, videos, ringtones, voice recorder, or music player. With a simple looks, similar with Javelin and Bold, Storm capacity is not less than Sony Ericsson walkman cell phones. We could also enjoy it with 3.5 mm jack female port. But the minus is there’s no FM radio here.

Connectivity and Internet

Different with Javelin and Bold, Blackberry Storm 9500 didn’t provide WIFI for connectivity. It’s only bring Bluetooth and microUSB data cable. Actually this is a minus point because for those who don’t subscribe BIS/BES operator, they only could use GPRS/3G for internet browsing, no access for free WIFI hot spot. Then, for internet browser, Storm has own browser that support wap and web format.

Battery
Blackberry Storm 9500 use lithium ion as power source. The standart capacity as big as Javelin, that is 1400 mAh. With active 3G feature absolutely it would spend more energy than Javelin. Normally, it could standby for 1 day.

Conclusion

Rather than the previous products, Blackberry Storm 9500 is the most revolutioner handset by Blackberry. By the Touchscreen that is completed with SurePress feature, it could show something new for Blackberry lovers. At the same time it would make it different from iPhone 3G and PocketPC. The 3G network and AGPS are become positive points for this. But the exclusivity of BIS/BES services could caused difficulty. More over, we have to arrange PIN settings and subscribe operator service. If not, we could only use it for telephone and send messages.

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