If you’re a BlackBerry Storm owner, I’m confident you’ll be quite pleased with the new BlackBerry Storm 5.0.0.328 version upgrade. The enhancements are plentiful and highly recommended by BlackBerry and RIM. Download the device software update by accessing http://phones.verizonwireless.com/blackberry/storm/ from your desktop, clicking Software Download, then Check for Updates and follow the prompts.
I just finished installing the BlackBerry Storm version 5.0 upgrade and here’s my initial thoughts…
The device is amazingly faster in all aspects! The touch technology and page-to-page navigation is sexy smooth and extremely accurate. I hate comparing the Storm to the iPhone, but the quality of the improvements are quite comparable. RIM even threw in a few new cool features, such as the new Word Completion, which displays horizontal tabs of the closest words as you type. It’s a clean new feature that’s properly placed and an overall brilliant addition. I haven’t had the upgrade long enough to discover any bugs, but The Storm 5.0 feel like a brand new phone. I was going to transition to either the Storm 2 or Tour until I downloaded this software upgrade. Now I’m very satisfied and RIM has answered all my previous complaints with this upgrade. Here’s a few screen caps to see a few of the modifications.
Main Menu Screen
Internet Browser View
Media View
Here’s a summary of the improvements, courtesy of the Storm Software Upgrade Benefits referenced PDF:
Typing Improvements
- Faster & more accurate text input
- Added feature of word completion
- Virtual QWERTY keyboard in portrait view
- Enhanced sensitivity when editing, copying and pasting
- Ability to enable Auto Correction, rather than Word Completion in landscape view
- Send e-mails quickly by pressing the SEND button
- Save contacts and calendar changes quickly by hitting the SEND button
- Access webpages quickly by hitting the GO button
SMS Enhancements
- SMS modified to emulate chat windows in popular IM clients
- New MESSAGES LIST interface displays incoming and outgoing SMS messages as a conversation history
- Support for emoticons and contact information (including pictures) from your address book
Touch User Interface Improvements
- Flick your finger to look through contacts, photos
Media Enhancements
- Camera launches faster
- Image capture is quicker
- Applications launch faster
- Quicker rotation between Landscape and Portrait view
- Improved web browsing speeds
BlackBerry Enterprise Server 5.0 Upgrades
- Forward calendar appointments
- Flag messages for follow-up
- View attachments in meeting requests and calendar entries
- Manage mail folders – add, remove, rename and delete
The install took approximately an hour to finish, but it was definitely worth it! The 5.0 version upgrade puts the Storm back in the running for top smartphone. Have you upgraded your BlackBerry Storm to 5.0? What do you think about the enhancements? Is there anything RIM may have missed that you’d like to see in the next upgrade?
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I love the upgrade. I put it on my blog earlier but just got around to installing it about an hour ago. I believe this is the product that they intended to put out the first time. It will DEFINITELY soften the blow for those users who are miffed a new version of the phone is coming out only a year after they bought theirs. @ having the same operating system. Very nice work on their part. @ RIM
Hi Carolinaware. The upgrade has been amazing. I agree and also believe this is the product they would have liked to have ready out of the box. I was going to purchase a Storm 2, but I'm now quite satisfied. Thanks for the comment.
I forgot to subscribe to the comments Brian. I appreciate your response back to me! Agreed on the 'Droid comments too. I bought my wife one. She loves it. Phone is a hot phone for sure. If my Storm wasn't basically 'free', I would upgrade. Still might.
No problem, anytime. Glad your wife enjoys her Droid. I really do love mine, but enjoyed the Storm while I had it as well.
like everything but the emoticonscallback number box in the texting. Any way keep the simpler keyboard only view?
I don't have use for the emoticons, but don't really mind them.Thanks for stopping by.
Everything is great except that when i switch the phone from portrait to landscape the phone dims. I have checked to make sure that the auto dim is turned off. Other than that it really does feel like a brand new phone.
Hmmm, that's interesting. I haven't noticed that with mind.
when texting, how do i permanently select not to see history…just last message is fine. right now i see all previously sent. very confusing
I like some of the upgrades and I’m glad to see them. It has taken me a while to get use to my storm but I like it now. Thought about getting the Droid but think I will stay now. My only wish is that they had voice recognition for SMS and voice to text for voice mail. What’s up with the STORM 2 though!!
Hi Curtis,
I have actually moved to the Motorola Droid and it's a perfect phone for me personally. When I purchased the Droid, I still very much liked the Storm, but being a bit of a techy fan, I wanted a new device to explore and play with (new toy). At this point, I couldn't go back. I like the Droid better than my iPod Touch and BlackBerry Storm. There really is an App for just about everything and I'm sure finding some great ones.
The Storm 2 gives you more memory, a better processor and a few other needed improvements. If you wanted to pick between either the Droid or the Storm 2, I'd recommend visiting Verizon and playing with the Droid, along with watching some videos, to help you better determine which one is for you.
Hello,
I love my Storm and am happier now with the new software upgrade. On the SMS screen, how do I make the input screen larger? Now it is small and I can read only one line of text at a time.
Hi Carolyn. Unfortunately I no longer have my storm or I'd try to figure this out for you. Instead, let me refer you to the super users over at Crackberry. http://forums.crackberry.com/f86/
Hi Carolyn. Unfortunately I no longer have my storm or I'd try to figure this out for you. Instead, let me refer you to the super users over at Crackberry. http://forums.crackberry.com/f86/
same problem here…the input screen so small if compare with version 4.0 …any1 got solution? thx
I cant figure this out):
have been trying this upgrade but the message i get is check your Internet connection,am from Nigeria could this be cos of my i.p. i really want to do an upgrade. help pleeeeeeeeeeeeas
Hi Samuel, I definitely understand your frustration. Take a look at this thread. This thread or the forum it's in will definitely help you. The Crackberry Forums has been my personal go-to site. http://forums.crackberry.com/f132/i-am-having-pro... Good luck!
I like everything about 5 EXCEPT for "SMS modified to emulate chat windows in popular IM clients". Anyone know if I can remove and then re-download 5 without this SMS feature?
If so, how exactly??
Great question! I've transitioned to a Motorola Droid, but I bet the guys over at crackberry will know the answer.
Indeed the 5.0 Upgrade is a boost for the new ver and old ver BB. i was intend to upgrade to storm 2.0 but now i guess i shall stick with what i have now.