Dec 05, 2008

Well, here’s an interesting side effect to the new BlackBerry Storm being released…

BlackBerry Storm

According to David Pogue of the New York Times (who gave the Storm an abysmal rating), Mac users are no longer the bitchiest, most attack prone fanboys on the planet.  Apparently that cruel-tongued title has now been usurped by zealot BlackBerry users.  Surprise, Surprise!

To be honest, at this point, I’m an avid BlackBerry user myself and a proud BB Curve owner for the past 2 years.  It wasn’t always that way though – I was an unwilling Palm convert who was cruelly subjected to a forced RIM job.  Ahem.  Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.  I’ve been dying to say that ever since I had to make the switch…

Anyway, back to my point.  I love my BB, though it certainly has its share of shortcomings.  The screen is gorgeous, the email support is fantastic and the phone sound quality and overall volume are both excellent.  That said though, I have been salivating at the idea of upgrading to the Bold due to its faster processor, WiFi capabilities and new OS.  A cold bucket of ice was thrown on that dream when I saw the $400 corporate contract price.  It stopped me dead in my tracks.  At $200, it would have been a done deal.

SIGH.  But, I digress again.  My REAL point here is that I found myself wondering how many of the folks that wrote in agreeing with Pogue and who hated the BB Storm were actually normal BB users.  The tone of his article kinda makes it seem like all of the people who have had problems with the Storm were unwitting, helpless victims in the whole process – untold masses being deceived by the evil Waterloo temptress who they simply had no chance of resisting.  And, that all of the REAL BB fanboys were attacking him with great hostility for no apparent reason.

I’m sure that’s not quite the case…  Look, most companies allow you 15-30 days to exchange the phone if you don’t like it.  RIM has touted the clickable touch screen for quite some time, and my first thought was, “oh, that is either going to be REALLY awesome, or REALLY suck – I don’t think there will be an in between…”  I gotta believe that others were thinking that too.  Long story short – people can try this stuff before they are stuck with it.  Experiment away folks!  No, some of the disenchanted were certainly part of the BB faithful that Pogue is deriding.  Ain’t no doubt about it.

My real feeling is that while all groups of people have assholes in it (and zealot BB users are certainly no exception) that there is probably a deeper story going on here.  Many zealot product groups tend to back up their fervent ardor with representative stock purchases.  RIM’s current $39.49 price is a far way off from its high of $144.56 this past June.  Ouch.  Anyone who has lost nearly 75% of their investment value can’t help but be a little bitchy.  The last thing they need is a bunch of bad press on one of RIM’s big bets getting in the way of their sorely sought recovery.

My final few thoughts (thank goodness, I know!!) are these:

• I’m glad that the Storm was released on Verizon, thereby removing all temptation for yours truly.
• I formally repeal any ill will that I had towards AT&T for continually delaying the Bold release on their network.  It was apparently time well spent, as that launch went off without much of an issue and no big surprises.
• I now take my formerly repealed ill will towards AT&T and send it back in their direction two-fold for the ludicrous $400 corporate contract price that they have shackled the Bold with.

A pox upon those stinking bastards!  I hope they die!

YIKES!??  Did I just say that?  Hmm… Maybe Mr. Pogue was right after all!??