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Following up on the Verizon BlackBerry Storm craziness of the past two days, we have a little more crazy to throw your way. This document, just received, outlines Verizon's Pre-Launch plans for the Verizon BlackBerry Storm.
Looking at the document, I don't think "Launch Date" means Device Launch Date, though I'm sure we'd all be pretty excited to hold a Storm in our hands as early as next week. Rather, September 22nd is the day marketing will begin to Verizon business customers and October 1st is the day marketing will begin to consumers. Verizon's Storm site at www.verizonwireless.com/storm is now back up and running, so I guess that fits the bill for the Direct Marketing this doc says will begin on the 17th (today!!).
Notice under the "Target Customer" heading the date of "by November 1st" is listed repeatedly for upgrade elgibility discounts? Seems like further confirmation to me that November 1st is still the device launch date Verizon is targeting to take the world by Storm! Whether that date pans out or not only time will tell, but at least we have some further insight into what's going on.
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FIRST!
And you know I'm going to have this November 1st. Indeed.
Good job Kevin. Thnx Amofiav...
Can't wait to get my hands on one of these come Nov 1st :)
Now I don't know what to do! Want to buy my first BB in the next couple of weeks (8330); but now I'm thinking I might hold off until the Storm. Oh the decisions!
I'm gonna be dreaming about this for the next 1.5 months
i have never been more excited about a blackberry in my life... I CANT WAIT...
but i'll have to
As many of you know, just because your contrat date is 11/1/08 you are able to upgrade a few monts early sort of like a pull ahead. So if this is the case it could be earlier, just a thought
Annual upgrade is Verizon's term for early upgrading. So it would not be available before November 1st regardless.
I've never followed phones and their release dates before this one, so I'm not sure how they work. I'm used to everything coming out on Tuesdays, new dvds/games/music etc. November 1st is a Saturday, would they launch this on a Saturday?
In the launch date section it says DM 9/17/08. I'm guessing DM means direct marketing so should we be seeing something more today?
IT SAYS UNLIMITED DATA ONLYL $29.00 ???? NOT 45??? THATS HOW THEY WILL GET CUSTOMERS MUCH CHEAPER THEN OTHER COMAPANIES
that rate is nothing new.
that rate is nothing new.
It currently states on verizon site $49.99 so will it be a discount at 29.99???
If you go through the steps of setting up a new plan, you have the option to get the 29.99 BIS plan. This option doesn't include BES though.
The $44.99 is for corporate email, $29.99 is regular-no corporate BES.
Sprint and T-Mobile has it cheaper. T-Mobile has it at $19.99/m and Sprint is at $30/m, but includes Unlimited Text and Nav.
- VDubb
I was all hyped up about the Storm, now I'm deflated. Can't get it through VZW because it REQUIRES the web/e-mail plan(s) according to the paper above. Won't be able to use it as just a phone......BUMMER!
you really thought you could get this blackberry w/out a data plan? if you want "just a phone" then why not look over at a regular flip or bar phone. just about any pda style phone requires one due to the fact that just about anything you do on the phone will require data.
Why would you get a BlackBerry without the e-mail and data plan? Defeats the purpose of having a berry.
Why in the world would you want to use a Blackberry as just a phone and not have a data plan? That makes zero sense.
Got 2 Pearls now with no data plans, (AT&T). They work excellent as JUST phones....
Why would we NOT want a Blackberry even without a data plan. That argument makes no sense to me if they don't cost any more than a regular bar phone or other some such touchscreen.
Good work as usual Kevin...are you getting any word on the Canadian carrier(s)...will launch/target dates are roughly the same?!?!?!?
a friend of mine works at bell. it looks like they're getting the storm soon after verizon. awesome!
I use Sprint BB as laptop modem sometimes and its FREE part of unlimited data plan, if i switch over to verizon can i do that too for free? or do i have to pay extra to use phone as modem???
it will cost you 60 bucks no matter what. if you go with the $45 data package, they will charge you $15 to use your phone as a modem. if you go with the $30 package, they will charge you $30 to use your phone as a modem. you dont get a discounted rate if you get an air card.
Does any one know the size and weight of the Storm?
Damn I thought this was gonna be leaked technical details of the Storm :(
Im eligible on 10/20!!!!!
It looks like the page from yesterday is back up and running. It is still the same as yesterday with nothing new.
The page on Verizon's site for the storm is back up and running. There is nothing new other then what most of us were able to see yesterday
Finally :)
Looks as if it may be Oct 1st until we receive the first consumer email.
If this is all true you can kiss AT&T goodbye for me. I am ready for this phone if it performs at all well. Anyone know why no WiFi?
Becuase Verizon is CDMA and not EDGE... CDMA does not support WiFi...
thats not true there are phones for verizon that have wifi, Samsung SCH-i760 for example
this is a global phone so it has a cdma and gsm chip. not only would wifi take up addition room but it wouldnt let them control your usage. if they only allow 3g, then when you tether it as a modem, they have a limit of usage and can charge for heavy users. its a money maker thats all. plus when a phone is being made special for them, they can request no wifi.
I was told that CDMA doesn't support WiFi...
Thanks for the info :)
I always tell myself to wait until second gen before getting new gadgets. But maybe this time I will take the upgrade plunge.
SITES BACK!
This phone looks crazy right and my renewal is Nov.13 cant wait for my first case of berry-itis!!!
I just talked (via email) with a friend of mine who works for VZW and figured i would share what was said to me.
"Ironically, I just rec'd the latest update on this device, right before your email.
It won't be available until it's in our inventory. So far, it appears we're looking at 10/01/08 as the launch date. I can't promise this date will be set in stone since over the years, I've seen launch dates get pushed for multiple device issues."
Figured the populace at large would like to see what is being said
The site is totally NOT working for me. Still goes back to the Verizon home page...
The site IS back up and running. doesnt look like any changes have been made.....
still haven't recieved any emails from verizon since i signed up.. anyone know when we're expecting to get an email from them?
Am I screwed here or what???? I got Verizon with my wife August 14th, Now I want this phone, but I cant take my phone back after 30 days because I dont like it can I? Does anyone on here work for Verizon, what can I do to get this phone without paying a ton for it.
Did you get insurance on your phone? If so break it before the launch of this and use that credit to get this one... You'll probably still have to pay a bit but not the full retail price...
I do have insurance on my phone, Will that work, will they give me a credit or make me get the same phone.
Your insurance is for a replacement of your existing handset. You have a $50 deductible to pay to get a replacement. The claim is filed through the insurance company (Assurion) and Verizon has nothing to do with it.
If you don't like your phone, start a new line and find someone to take over your line. Have a kid? There's your person. Give your line to your mom. Drop the price plan down to the 700 minute share plan and start up a stand alone plan for yourself and your new Storm. Or, add a line onto your existing share plan for $9.99 and add the Storm to your plan (again, finding someone else to take over your line). Doing an ESN change is simple so you can keep your same number, and the new line would get the new number and your existing phone.
its only a couple of days over take it back to the store and tell them u want to save your credit for the storm most likely they will do it. You just have to have a replacement phone handy.
Crystall09 thats totally incorrect. No insurance works that way, not even auto insurance. The best thing you could do is open a new line of service, on a family share plan its only 9.99/ month. Afterwards, swap the phones and give the older phone to a family member that you can trust(i.e grandma, brother ect.),and voila you have the phone of your dreams.