Still torn over whether the BlackBerry Storm is worth your money or not? If you’re at the end of your contract and thinking about splashing the cash, here are five hidden talents of the BlackBerry Storm which might convince you to get your wallet out.
It acts as a wireless modem for laptops
While you should soon be able to tether your iPhone or T-Mobile G1 to a laptop for HSDPA speed internet on your computer, RIM are positively encouraging you to do it with the Storm, which is how we like it. No more silly, garishly coloured dongles: just fast broadband on our laptops whenever we need it. Oh, and it’s wireless too, using Bluetooth to beam the Storm’s net connection straight to your PC or Mac.
It can record voice memos
Note to self: if you plan on making dictations, you should know that the iPhone won’t let you do it out of the box. You’ll need a third party app for that. The BlackBerry Storm, however, will let you chatter away to yourself, record interviews or surreptitiously bug conversations from the moment you turn it on, making this the perfect consumer-cum-business phone.
It can shoot video
It’s been almost 18 months since the Apple iPhone first launched, but there’s still no ability to shoot video. Likewise, the T-Mobile G1 is lacking in the viddy department. If you fancy shooting flicks on your ‘fone, you’re much better off plumping for a Storm instead, filming at 30fps – that’s TV quality.
Finger-friendly focusing
A picture may say 1,000 words, but a 3.2 megapixel camera says more words than the iPhone’s 2.0MP snapper any day. It’s not just that though: the BlackBerry Storm’s tactile touchscreen does more than just help you tap type, it can help you take sharper shots. A light press kicks off the autofocus, and a firmer press-to-click takes it. Just like David Bailey. Except with a touchscreen phone.
Stereo Bluetooth
We’ve mentioned the Storm’s sad lack of WiFi before, but it boasts one vital wireless feature that the iPhone and even T-Mobile G1 lack: stereo Bluetooth. Listen to chords without cords in high quality on the train and make all those other smartphone owners jealous – though if they can hear it, your volume’s probably up too high.
