First impression, it’ll take some time getting used to typing real fast. If I slowed down, it may not be as bad, but I was hitting some keys that were next to those I intended to hit. Not going to say it was an overall bad experience, but certainly not the same as typing on a Curve or Pearl. My biggest key error was hitting the space bar. When I was flying on the device, I noticed that I wasn’t hitting the key hard enough. Gave it more of a side thumb press and moved on to the next word. I’ll need to pay more attention to that space bar because that was approximately 50% of my errors…not separating the words. As for the letter, not much of a difference than typing on an iPhone, except you have the feedback. I also had an issue with some of the icons not executing even though I felt a click response. You do need to give it a good push down, but not sure why it varies when others executed with the same force. Seems like something that can be fixed via software. Plus it took a little time to open up some of the windows once you got the click. Nothing to go nuts about, I can wait the nano to one or two seconds.

The good…the picture/camera quality was very good, if not great, and the audio and video is certainly the best I’ve ever seen on such a small device. The audio blew me away. Video was right on with no skipping, delays, etc. Screen is fabulous. The device also has a solid build. You know it’s in your hand.

Overall, I’m going to proceed and purchase one. For $199, it’s worth it. There was enough good in the 15-20 minutes that I had with it to move forward.

PS – The store was also giving people the $50 rebate instantly if the consumer already qualified for it. I’m guessing it applies to existing VZW customers since a fellow customer and VZW user and myself were explaining that we were upgrading our phones and were eligible.

if your ” tired of the same old attacks back and forth when in reality they are meaningless and stupid.” Then why not take the high road and stop posting false information, and fail when it comes to knowing, posting and discussing the facts? You too are part of the problem you are complaining about. Never the less in time you may also learn to “know the facts” as AT&T says.

Bottom line: people are going to buy what they will, and both Apple and RIM will succeed and thrive. No doubt the Storm will have its strong points; I think their solution to tactile feedback on the virtual keyboard is positively inspired…it reminds me of something Apple would do. Rather than mess with other clumsy haptic technologies like other vendors, RIM went with an elegant solution that from all accounts seems to work better. In fact, ironically, Apple’s new laptop uses the same idea on their new laptops: their trackpad is one big button.

So kudos to both Apple and RIM, and let’s be glad we have both companies to push the technology envelope forward.

Lets “know the facts”

” but i’ll also say RIM has a better communication platform. the network control over the device and data compression are among the advantages” partially true until that “single network control” goes down causing complete outages. However the advantages of “device and data compression ” are not the advantage they once were prior to 3G networks and WiFi.

also please leave the myth’s at the door and speak with the facts, “at&t can’t be too happy with how bandwidth intensive those new iphones are!” The known facts from months ago show this is incorrect.

September 18, 2008
“The carrier expected a 5x growth in data consumption over the old iPhone, but it’s been closer to a 3x jump, AT&T (T) CTO John Donovan said this morning at a Goldman Sachs investor conference”

No sadly the “bad joke” is on all of us “f’ing morons” worse on those who make excuses why when RIM, and us continue to let verizon cripple and remove functions from smartphones. Allowing verizon to charge more and control how our smartphones are used. Sadly the obmission of some technologies on the Storm will not only bring extra charges to consumers but will also cost consumer in other ways.

Instead of making excuses, attacking others and proving ignorance why not use RIMarkable as a platform for change? Posting the truth and posting why the crippling and heavy handed actions by verizon (or any other Blackberry provider) are not acceptable to consumers and not acceptable for fans of the Blackberry wanting RIM to be able to freely design the Blackberry by pushing the technology and just not making a copy of a device almost 3 years later which falls short in comparison.

crazylegs, your right both Apple and probably RIM will sell tons of the devices However again as a RIM fan wouldn’t it be cool if RIM was able to make their new flagship Storm without a service provider calling the shots? Apple and the iPhone have proven that blocking carrier interference and control of the device is the path forward when it comes to smartphones. Apple has also in very short order proven a whole bunch of other things which they have improved when it comes to Smartphones. Taking any of that away and talking trash is ignorance. It’s good RIM has the Storm coming out, however one must be real, know the facts, and ask why RIM continues to allow it’s smartphone design to be controlled by a service provider making the device less than what it could be. Which by the way would be good for Apple, RIM, and consumers.

i’m happy to give apple and the iphone all the props with their “ease and elegance”, but i’ll also say RIM has a better communication platform. the network control over the device and data compression are among the advantages. at&t can’t be too happy with how bandwidth intensive those new iphones are!

so if RIM delivers their normal stable device that just works, and apple just keeps what they are doing, they’ll both sell tons of devices and they’ll both serve millions and millions of customers. the miniscule amount of opinions on this board mean absolutely nothing and the associated personal attacks are a bad joke you f’ing morons.