The BlackBerry Storm: Should Apple
Be Afraid?
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Apple may have raised the bar when it introduced the iPhone. But the race to
dominate the multi-billion dollar smartphone industry is definitely not at a
standstill . New and much improved models have come out since from the
established players in the market.
To make it even more interesting, internet search giant Google has entered
the mobile phone market with its Android phone.
And now comes Research in Motion (RIM), the makers of the popular
BlackBerry smartphone.
Less than two weeks after Google announced it was branching out into the
highly-competitive smartphone market, RIM came out with a model that sports
the world’s first “clickable” touch-screen.
According to RIM, the touch-screen of the BlackBerry Storm actually depresses
slightly when it is pressed. The user distinctly feels the screen being pressed
and released with a gentle “click,” similar to the feeling of pressing a key on a
physical keyboard or a button on a mouse.
The BlackBerry Storm, like the iPhone, features a built-in accelerometer,
allowing its screen to automatically switch between landscape and portrait
modes.
One area where the BlackBerry Storm beats the iPhone hands down is it’s 3.2
megapixel camera which is equipped with variable zoom, auto-focus, a
powerful flash and video recording capability. (The iPhone only has a paltry 2-
megapixel camera which cannot record video.)
Also, the BlackBerry Storm comes with a removable battery, a feature that
many consider a must for a smartphone (the iPhone’s battery is built-in and
owners have to pay Apple a sizeable fee to have it replaced when it runs out).
Other features of the BlackBerry Storm:
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 | | Preloaded software allowing users to edit Microsoft Word, Excel and | | | PowerPoint files directly on the handset
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| | Built-in GPS supports location-based applications and services, as well | | | as geotagging of photos
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| | 1 GB of onboard memory storage and a microSD/SDHD memory card | | | slot that supports up to 16 GB of additional storage
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| | Media player that can play movies smoothly in full-screen mode, display | | | pictures and slideshows quickly and manage an entire music collection;
playlists can be created directly on the handset and there’s an equalizer
with 11 preset filters for customized audio ranges
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| | A 3.5 mm stereo headset jack, support for Bluetooth stereo audio profile | | | (A2DP/AVRCP) and dedicated volume controls
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| | An ambient light sensor that automatically adjusts backlighting for ideal | | | screen viewing
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Obviously, the BlackBerry Storm is aimed at competing with the hot-selling
iPhone.
Which brings up the inevitable question: Should Apple be afraid?
Judging by the fact that the BlackBerry Storm has similar features as the
iPhone and some, Apple is probably nervously looking over its shoulders now.
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