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AT&T Launches Anti-Storm Propaganda

by James Falconer on 24 Sep 2008 09:50 AM
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AT&T Anti-Storm Propaganda?

In a supposed internal document floating around the AT&T offices (pictured above), AT&T is basically gearing up their staff to put down the new BlackBerry Storm, and praise the advantages of the iPhone 3G. BGR has apparently received this document from 2 separate sources, so my gut would tell me this is legit.

What's your take? Is AT&T shaking in their boots...worried about the first-even touchscreen device from RIM? Rr do they have some valid points here?

Let the commenting begin... :) 

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93 Comments

Posted by arundc Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 1234 days ago

How about Verizon Wireless launching an anti-iPhone campaign?

First few things I can think of...

- Non-replaceable battery
- Faulty chargers
- ...

AT&T is worried... Storm is going to steal their thunder come holiday season.

We'll be a 3 Storm household soon... :-)

 
 
Posted by iceykola Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 1234 days ago

Oh I can add to that...

- Video recording
- Multi-touch & gestures
- Higher resolution screen
- Proven Enterprise support
- An on screen keyboard that (supposedly) feels the most like a real keyboard
- HTML e-mail (even the 8xxx series BBs with OS 4.5 have that)
- Replaceable Memory cards
- Stereo Bluetooth
- 3.2MP Camera with a FLASH
...

 
 
Posted by Anonymous Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 1234 days ago

Everything I've read says no video recording and no flash. I could be wrong though, i have been before.

 
 
Posted by Pholey22 Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 1234 days ago

Actually the Storm does have a camera flash. If you check out the slide presentation it has 3.2 megapix with auto flash.

 
 
Posted by arundc Thursday, Sep 25, 2008 1234 days ago

....so we can tell if you're wrong or not =).

 
 
Posted by Anonymous Thursday, Sep 25, 2008 1233 days ago

Every Blackberry with a camera thus far has a flash. An incredibly bright LED flash. All pics of the Storm where the lens can be viewed CLEARLY show the LED for the flash.

 
 
Posted by Anonymous Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 1234 days ago

Nothing in these talking points are false. It doesn't attack the Bold at all, just lists the strengths of the iPhone. Any good salesman at AT&T should know the stuff anyway, but its the era of spoonfeeding...

 
 
Posted by Anonymous Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 1234 days ago

Not really sure if they have valid points or not I surely hope RIM will not let us down here because I love how the Iphone moves but refuse to switch to AT&T and pay for their high plans what a waste!

 
 
Posted by ScootD Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 1234 days ago

Because there are no confirmed specs I guess I don;t really know how much of this is true or not but...

Valid Arguments:
-Wifi (if there isn't wifi on the storm)
-Multi-touch (it might not be necessary but it's still handy and fun)
-iTunes intergration (because you can purchase OTA)

Grasping at straws:
-3 bands of HSDPA for worldwide high speed access (I believe the storm has worldwide 3G capabilities)
-iTunes integration (because storm will sync with DRM free iTunes music)
-Maps and location technologies (ok, wifi might be a nice addition to the location capabilities but I don;t consider it a notable benefit)
-Apple Apps store (uh, aren't there a ton of 3rd party apps for BB)

 
 
Posted by Brent Fraliex Thursday, Sep 25, 2008 1234 days ago

"-3 bands of HSDPA for worldwide high speed access (I believe the storm has worldwide 3G capabilities)"

Well if you speaking of the Verizon's "Storm" then nope since it's not a GSM device.

 
 
Posted by BerryMedic20 Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 1234 days ago

First, I thought the Storm was supposed to have multi-touch? It has an accelerometer right?

Also, does the Storm not have wifi? That is kind of a let-down if true.

Frankly, I would be bummed if the storm DID integrate with iTunes - that stupid program is like a necessary virus.

Are the really trying to say there are no 3rd party apps for Blackberry? I'm pretty sure Blackberry had 3rd party apps long before the iphone was even an idea...

 
 
Posted by Anonymous Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 1234 days ago

My friend got the iphone yesterday and the sound quality sounds like poo in a paper shredder. WiFi? come on people, who really wants to sit in starbucks for 3 hours using crappy 768k speeds when you can take advantage of THE best most reliable network. The Iphone features maps? HAHAHAHAHA good luck doing the turn by turn by YOURSELF.
Here's my reccomendation. Get an ipod touch, and then get a better phone....the storm.

 
 
Posted by DocBM Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 1234 days ago

ATT should worry about releasing the Blackberry Bold and worry less about what Verizon is doing.

 
 
Posted by derekdevine Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 1234 days ago

That's exactly! what I'm talking about. Matter of fact it's what I tell people everyday. "Don't worry about others, worry about yourself." So in AT&T terms they should be worrying about that BOLD thats beyond late and not Verizon's STORM.

 
 
Posted by Anonymous Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 1234 days ago

Agreed, AT&T screwed up the Bold launch so bad they don't deserve a cool phone like the storm!!!

 
 
Posted by Beau79 Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 1234 days ago

Talking points....right.

I had three iPhone 3G's in 3 weeks, even after the 2.1 update! Apple puts out products that must not make it past quality testing. I had no service in my apartment, and when outside in midtown manhattan, 3G speeds were like using 56k back in the 90's. My phone conversations were either muffled, or dropped.

With Verizon I can use my phone from the lobby, all the way to the 39th floor in the elevator, and yes it works in my apartment just fine. I'll pass up any of the Storm's 'weak points' because its simple. It's going to deliver a solid quality phone, an internet browsing device, and email support.

Sorry, just had to vent about AT&T. Glad I ported my number. How can my phone not work in Manhattan of all places. Yet, T-Mobile, Sprint, and Verizon work just fine.

B

 
 
Posted by brianhodas Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 1234 days ago

I must say, shame on At&t for knocking the competition. We all know as crackberry users the iphone is weak! What is so revolutionary about it? You can touch the screen, wow thats huge! lol. What a joke, they are hammering home how great the iphone is but what a TON of problems it has had. Blackberry works so smooth, so seamless. How about no mms, no tethering as a modem, no this no that. Its a joke, you can mms on a bag phone! Fact. So At&t, enjoy your month left with a touchscreen device, the THUNDER STORM is on its way. Hurricane Ike watch out! Game on.

 
 
Posted by mdlissner Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 1234 days ago

AT&T only positioning the iPhone3G versus the Storm worries me tht the Bold is further away than the Storm on AT&T.

 
 
Posted by Anonymous Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 1234 days ago

Actually, everyone of those talking points is false or mis-leading.

The Storm DOES have multi-touch
has turn-by-turn GPS via VZW navigator, as well as BB Maps and Standalone GPS.
BB Storm (all BBs actually) can use 3rd party applications. BB Storm can sync to iTunes.
BB Storm will not have Wi-Fi, but it runs on Ev-do rev A, the fastest 3G network out there. Furthermore, it will be able to make use of LTE next year. I've never had a phone with Wi-Fi (as I do own a computer), and have never had an issue with connecting to the web.
The Storm runs on the same frequencies as the iPhone, just in a different way (via ev-do rev A).
BB uses the same software for the web as the iPhone does (webkit). Also, as a BB, it has and always will have the best E-mail access, as well as the ability to view e-mails in full HTML, and download/edit word documents, pdf files, powerpoints, etc.

The BB Storm is made to be very user friendly, as it is not being marketed to only business users. It is also being marketed as a multi-media device.

The iPhone now has some serious competition. But its like a negative political ad--- if you do research, you find its mostly a load of crap.

 
 
Posted by lampmanm Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 1234 days ago

iphones are complete junk...has anyone read the 10 reasons why blackberry is better than iphone?

http://crackberry.com/top-10-reasons-why-iphone-still-no-blackberry

 
 
Posted by Bruno Goulart Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 1234 days ago

I agree with the points AT&T made above. But they did not mention that the BB has a superior email plattform and that is why I got rid of my iPhone3G for a BB 8820, and will become a Verizon customer once the Storm is launched, not only for the phone but the service at AT&T is not the best right now, too many dropped calls.

 
 
Posted by pyctici Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 1234 days ago

hells yeah their shaking in there boots!!! any company that takes the time to send out info on the competitor and how to position their product as superior defiantly is preparing for the worst, because they are expecting it…ATT has i believe the 2nd or 3rd largest BB users market, and the death star knows that they stand to look a great deal of their personal/business uses to the VZ over the storm. They obviously feel they have no competition form the G1 but the storms got there panties in a bunch that’s for sure.

 
 
Posted by lampmanm Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 1234 days ago

iphones are complete junk...has anyone read the 10 reasons why blackberry is better than iphone?

http://crackberry.com/top-10-reasons-why-iphone-still-no-blackberry

 
 
Posted by pyctici Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 1234 days ago

hells yeah their shaking in there boots!!! any company that takes the time to send out info on the competitor and how to position their product as superior defiantly is preparing for the worst, because they are expecting it…ATT has i believe the 2nd or 3rd largest BB users market, and the death star knows that they stand to loose a great deal of their personal/business users to VZ over the storm. They obviously feel they have no competition form the G1 but the storms got there panties in a bunch that’s for sure.

 
 
Posted by Queen4111 Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 1234 days ago

Yes, AT&T is shaking in their boots.

Why would they be so concerned about this touchscreen phone (BB 9530 Storm) and NOT about the other touchscreen phones that came out.

WHY? They smell competition!!!!!!!!!!

 
 
Posted by Anonymous Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 1234 days ago

I still don't understand why Strom doesn't have a Wi_Fi? This is a big selling point...

 
 
Posted by MMaggio Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 1234 days ago

no it's not

 
 
Posted by brandon p. Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 1234 days ago

its not a selling point. EVDO Rev A is very fast, and VZW's coverage is superb.

Plus, you are PAYING FOR DATA, why not use what you pay for?? Unless you are an iPhone user who cant because your pretty piece of junk keeps losing signal...

 
 
Posted by iceykola Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 1234 days ago

As someone that has a 2.75 yr old BB 7130e on VZW's ev-do network (not even rev. a), I can tell you that the network is plenty fast for the device. The bottle neck is in the browser software running scripts, that's where it slows down, not in downloading the data. Wi-fi would not make a dif. Processor is too slow to notice any difference.

 
 
Posted by kirkk Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 1234 days ago

Agreed.... I keep seeing posts from all these apologists saying that WiFi is no big deal because of VZW's great EVDO coverage. I agree that VZW has better 3G coverage than any other provider but there are still LOTS of places (including my home) where I don't get an EVDO signal but I do have WiFi... not including WiFi in a phone as advanced as the Storm (if that's true) is very stupid.

 
 
Posted by sheesh Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 1234 days ago

dude.. why on earth would you can if your phone gets wifi at home?? get up and walk over to the computer!

 
 
Posted by Anonymous Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 1234 days ago

AS AN EMPLOYEE OF AT&T, THIS DOCUMENT IS FALSE! The Storm will make its was to all carriers that will spend the money. AT&T will more than likely not have this product because of the iPhone and how well its doing.

 
 
Posted by Anonymous Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 1234 days ago

"more than likely" = you have no clue. It must be an AT&T prerequisite for employment!

 
 
Posted by TXBlade Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 1234 days ago

How would you know this document is false? It's pretty obvious that you are not that high up on the AT&T food chain... because if you were you would know that Verizon is the exclusive seller of the Storm in the US.
Also define “pretty well” Apple has targeted 10 million iPhones sold in the first year whereas 1 in 10 of all phones sold is a Crackberry, that is 10% of the world market. (Nokia is #1 with 46%) – AT&T can say what they want but they are backing the wrong horse in this race.

 
 
Posted by @nonymous Thursday, Sep 25, 2008 1233 days ago

actually, a quad band GSM version of the Storm is already in the works, model number 9500. whether ATT will get it first, whos to say. probably not due to the Bold. For anyone that ACTUALLY works in the wireless industry, they would know that different manufacturers produce several models for several carriers, each with initial exclusivity.

 
 
Posted by rebshalom Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 1234 days ago

If AT&T would get their act together and release the Bold, they wouldn't have to worry about running attack ads against the competition. iPhone may be a good product, but it still has the image of a teen-agers toy.

 
 
Posted by Anonymous Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 1234 days ago

Im just wondering.. Has anyone of you used bb storm? No? How do you know that it is super easy to use and works like magic? How do you know that Storm has Multi-Touch? Because this "Kevin" told you final specs? Those same final specs that didn't include flash?

And wifi not important? Anyone of you ever used international data roaming?

 
 
Posted by kirkk Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 1234 days ago

This isn't an attack ad... in fact it's not an ad at all. It's a document distributed internally to help AT&T employees make an argument for their product vs. the competitors product when they get questions from potential customers. There's nothing new about this and VZW issued the same sort of "talking points" document to their retail employees when the iPhone was released.

 
 
Posted by kirkk Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 1234 days ago

Whoops

 
 
Posted by Shawn Valle Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 1234 days ago

Other than the WiFi option included in iPhone, this ad is total BS. AT&T, did you do any homework?

Full rant (with props to BGR and CrackBerry) at: http://blog.javadevelop.com/?p=883

 
 
Posted by Anonymous Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 1234 days ago

that AT&T will never get the Storm? Cause if they do, they'll have to retract these statements and say, "No, the Storm is pretty cool!"

Or maybe they're being told by their overlords at Apple to defend the iPhone against RIM.

Instead of making derogatory statements towards the Storm, maybe they should concentrate on releasing the Bold. Cause if they don't, I am leaving AT&T for the Javelin, Storm, or Bold on another carrier.

 
 
Posted by SonnyBerry Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 1234 days ago

The talking points are all true, it's hard to dispute facts!

People, when will you realize that the Storm is nothing more than a Blackberry with a very simple touch screen device and nothing more? No application store, no multi-touch, no HTML email, no "real" browser, no open GPS, there is nothing here in this device that makes it a direct competitor w/ iPhone.

My god, look at what Verizon is saying about the Storm -- "RIM's first touch screen Blackberry"... is that the best they can do? You need more than just a touch screen to compete with the iPhone. All Verizon can say about it is that it has a touch screen (but no multi-touch? forget it!), has world phone capability, and has rock solid email that Blackberry is known for. Okay, um, except for the touch screen that's all been done before and there's nothing new here.

I love my Curve, and chose it over the iPhone because I hate AT&T. But people, you have to admit, the iPhone is just an amazing piece of technology. The Blackberry Storm is a "cool" design aimed at corporate types who want to upgrade. It's not designed as an iPhone competitor in any way except the physical, and even then it looks a lot thicker and much less flattering.

 
 
Posted by Anonymous Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 1234 days ago

SonnyBerry do your research before you post! Storm does have multi-touch, it uses the same webkit as the iPhone for FULL HTML browsing, HTML email has been out for several months now on BlackBerrys (OS 4.5), its pretty much the same size as the iPhone. And by the way they are developing an app store...not to mention there have been third party applications for Blackberry long before the iPhone was conceived. Also, the Storm has better screen resolution than the iPhone.

Have you not read any of the material that has leaked from Verizon?? Geez!!

 
 
Posted by Anonymous Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 1234 days ago

This is a fake!

 
 
Posted by Anonymous Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 1234 days ago

I don't have ATT, but I do know the data problems they're having with the iphone has completly loaded the system. If they released the bold....total chaos would result.

 
 
Posted by briankeith513 Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 1234 days ago

@SonnyBerry,

Actually, the document confirms that the Storm has both multi touch and gesture touch, and a 3.2 megapixel camera. It also has a fully feature web browser utilizing the same web kit that the Iphone uses. It also does cut n paste and mms and stereo bluetooth. It also can view and edit word and excel documents. It also has assisted gps with voice activated turn by turn directions for $9.99/month, and free standalone gps for apps like Blackberry Maps. You should read the wowfactor article on engadgetmobile.com for more specs.

 
 
Posted by Anonymous Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 1234 days ago

I went to two Verizon Wireless locations and asked when an approximate release of the Bold/9000 will be released with them since its pretty much out everywhere except THE U.S.!!!!!!!
Their response? OH well what differs us from AT&T is that we will release it by February-March and it wont have any buggs. I asked then when will the storm be released? only to be told sometime this fall. As we all know Marketing 101 it will be in December to jump on th Christmas TRAIN.
Whats sad is that Brazilian have the Bold and us Americans are playing with out Curves....
I SAY SIGH !!! At Blackberry leave your biggest amrket out sure why not?
It is infuriating that i travel to the U.K and Belgium and kids are ahving a blasty blast with the Bold and God be with us that blackberry give us back some dignity by treleasing a GOOD thunder

Thats all

OH and AT&T are crooks and Verizon runs on CDMA which sucks

 
 
Posted by Anonymous Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 1234 days ago

ALL I CAN SAY TO U IS QUIT CRYING AND WHAT A WASTE OF GAS MONEY TO ASK QUESTION U ALREADY KNEW THE ANSWERS TO!!

 
 
Posted by @nonymous Thursday, Sep 25, 2008 1233 days ago

"Marketing 101" would suggest that the release will be in early/mid November, as that is what all the VZW documents have suggested. Also, when a product of this nature is released in Q4, its generally out PRIOR to the holiday shopping season, to build hype and word of mouth. A product such as a new Blackberry isn't exactly a Tickle-Me-Elmo. It's marketed and sold to a more specialized crowd. Releasing a product in December is much more common with a product that is a house hold name, where people would know about it from media coverage 24/7. The Elmo's are a perfect example, or the Nintendo Wi. It's much more likely that if you were to ask anyone off the street, they have heard of either of those 2 pieces compared to the Blackberry Storm. Don't talk about "Marketing 101" unless you actually have some experience in Marketing.

 
 
Posted by @nonymous Thursday, Sep 25, 2008 1233 days ago

"Marketing 101" would suggest that the release will be in early/mid November, as that is what all the VZW documents have suggested. Also, when a product of this nature is released in Q4, its generally out PRIOR to the holiday shopping season, to build hype and word of mouth. A product such as a new Blackberry isn't exactly a Tickle-Me-Elmo. It's marketed and sold to a more specialized crowd. Releasing a product in December is much more common with a product that is a house hold name, where people would know about it from media coverage 24/7. The Elmo's are a perfect example, or the Nintendo Wi. It's much more likely that if you were to ask anyone off the street, they have heard of either of those 2 pieces compared to the Blackberry Storm. Don't talk about "Marketing 101" unless you actually have some experience in Marketing.

 
 
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