Apple issues iPhone update and the Blackberry Storm blows in

Apple have launched its latest update for the iPhone and iPod Touch. As usual you can install the update by connecting your device to iTunes and hit the check for update button. iPhone 2.2 improves maps, telephone functionality and browser stability among other things.

Be warned, some of the features do not update on the Touch. It looks like Apple is moving towards differentiating between the two devices. Also there have been sporadic reports of problems following the update. For the full run-down on the update go to iLounge's full run-through here.

The bigger picture is that this update was launched at the same time as the Blackberry Storm touchscreen phone finally hit America. After months of ad campaigns there were queues outside carrier Verizon stores in many cities - the first time that has happened for a Blackberry phone.

The iPhone has been cutting into the Blackberry market with its improved functionality aimed at business users and now RIM, the makers of Blackberry, are returning the compliment by offering a phone aimed at Apple's consumer fanbase. Sales in the run-up to Christmas will be crucial for both companies. Which one is better?

Comments

[O K]

I bought the Storm on the 2nd day of launch and the 3G iPhone on the 6th day...and the iPhone wins hands down by a huge margin!
The Storm is nowhere near the iPhones appeal or usability!

[Tom Taylor-Duxbury]

I had a blackberry, I have an iPhone, the blackberry is no iphone. No going back.
Key is iTunes, the dot me account & the apps store. For once you can get stunning apps for free (bloomberg) the maps from google are amazing as a tool - I could go on. Mobile phones have been selling of the back of mega pixel cameras rather than total functionality, Apple have kicked their lazy, self satisfied butts into this century, eventually we will all win irrespective of the supplier.

[andrew holden]

iTunes got binned on my iPOD because it is pants in comparison to MediMonkey - proprietary AAC technology too, why would anyone prefer that to open standards (Apple hypocrisy?). Storm still has a better camera, better video, better email - horses for courses?

[Jim]

"proprietary AAC technology"

Ahem, allow me to correct you. AAC is an open ISO standard, ISO/IEC 13818-7:2003.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Audio_Coding

Before you spout off nonsense, it's a good idea to do some research.

Apple have been FORCED to put DRM onto some AAC files, but as soon as the labels allow it (like EMI have done), you will be able to buy DRM free.

Again, it is the labels, not Apple, that dictate the DRM conditions.

[Anuj]

Well Iphone is for those who can bear with the touch screen and insecure stuff, News of Iphone has been hacked, jail broken etc came out even before apple Iphone hit the mass market, which tells about the Iphone secruity and their maturity in the mobile market.

I have a BB, had Curve before and now have BB Bold,its lot lot better than the previous Blackberries, its awesome phone, secure email and long history and experience behind the enterprise email market.
Iphone is just the kid in the market, they have to come a long way to make a solid and strong phone, Yes they have edge on the graphics side, and one thing which is in their favour is the app store, but first quarter next year BB are coming up with similar stuff, but again what I would like to convince here is that people who prefer keypads would always stick to keypads, plus people who have unlimited time to browse net on their phones - Iphone is meant for them - not for business people or people who have more things to do in life then spend time just on watching you tube and playing games over the phone.

End of the day, we as a consumer are getting better products !

[Anuj]

Well Iphone is for those who can bear with the touch screen and insecure stuff, News of Iphone has been hacked, jail broken etc came out even before apple Iphone hit the mass market, which tells about the Iphone secruity and their maturity in the mobile market.

I have a BB, had Curve before and now have BB Bold,its lot lot better than the previous Blackberries, its awesome phone, secure email and long history and experience behind the enterprise email market.
Iphone is just the kid in the market, they have to come a long way to make a solid and strong phone, Yes they have edge on the graphics side, and one thing which is in their favour is the app store, but first quarter next year BB are coming up with similar stuff, but again what I would like to convince here is that people who prefer keypads would always stick to keypads, plus people who have unlimited time to browse net on their phones - Iphone is meant for them - not for business people or people who have more things to do in life then spend time just on watching you tube and playing games over the phone.

End of the day, we as a consumer are getting better products !

[Matt]

Like Jim says the AAC compression codec is by far the most stable and compressable of the mp4/mp3 formats and still maintains better quality on all but the highest and lowest bit rates.

Nothing better has been developed between 96 and 192 kbps.

Personally the only part of your post I agree with Andrew is horses for courses. The iPhone certainly has it's flaws, if you want to send video messages, have a video conversation or take hi-res photo's and MMS them to you're friends then the iPhone is definately not an option, where as the Storm certainly is.

[James]

I feel the Storm is a bit more chunky than I would like, but the killer for me is no WiFi, i think that was a big mistake.
The iPhone is still better! (only my opinion guys and girls)

[Kieran McCallum]

Think the iPhone is far too gimmicky, had a Blackberry Pearl for a few months now and I'd be hard pushed to find a phone that gives me more functionality than this. With the added WiFi compatability it is a joy to use. I might struggly going back to a normal phone keypad now though!

[Simon]

Firstly, issues like video recoridng and MMS sending can be resoved by third party software that can be very easily downloaded and installed through a process known as 'jailbreaking'. Secondly, I have used HTC, Blackberry and Sony smart phones and NONE of them come anywhere near the straight forward intuitive design of the iphone - their screens lack responsiveness and menus need far too much devotion to understand.

As for Blackberrys having matured in the market, is that why the Bold was withdrawn from Orange due to technical issues? What exactly are these companies doing to try and push things forward, aside from copying Apple ideas badly? Simply put, the iphone is a joy to use and a giant leap away from the bland that is Windows/Blackberry OS phones.

htc windows mobile phones have had all this stuff including lots of apps , including free ones, including google maps and gps and wifi and bandwidth that beats 3G (cdms) AND including keyboards, (much nicer than typing on a screen) and for a long time and you aren't stuck with AT&T. This is all kind of a yawn... an in-crowd thing as far as I can tell.

[Brad]

Having used and supported both the RIM and Apple products, I have to say that Blackberrys have had their day. 2 - 3 years ago, RIM ruled the corporate world, however problems with the RIM 'notwork' and unreliability of the handsets means that corporates are looking elsewhere for smartphones, Windows mobile is seen for what it is (a nightmare) and Apple are doing (admittedly just) enough to make the iPhone look attractive.
No RIM fees, integration with Active sync, the Application store and development tools mean that it is a viable platform.
Apple need to clean up some of the rough edges (No cut and Paste or Meeting requests- ?) but the devices are proving to be robust and reliable in the most part.
For the consumer space, the music player and gaming make it a compelling must have gadget that is continually improving with every software update.
I am glad that I purchased an iPhone so far it has been a brilliant tool, and my colleague Ian is cursing his BB Curve (it lost all his contacts last night!)

[rach]

The Blackberry Storm isn't the Iphone but its a nice alternitve to the consistently costly apple add on accessories and upgrades. I say yes BB and am looking forward to the firmware updates. I am done with Apple products because my wallet with them never closes.