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First Firmware Update For The BlackBerry Storm Blows Into Town

If you've read any reviews of the BlackBerry Storm, you no doubt have heard that the poor thing is a bit buggy. Heck, even The New York Times' David Pogue harshed on it. The initial batch of Storm's are running firmware version 4.7.0.65. Over the weekend, firmware version 4.7.0.75 became available, and with it a bunch of fixes.

In InformationWeek's review of the BlackBerry Storm, I detailed the issues the device has. Software lag, accelerometer lag, app crashes, and other bugs really drag the device's usability down. Both of the review units I examined were running firmware 4.7.0.65. Many hoped that the bugs could (and would) be fixed by a firmware update. RIM has heard the cries for help.

Users first began spotting the firmware update over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. At first it appeared that 4.7.0.75 was only going to be offered to the few, but it has since become available to anyone who can find it on the web.

The biggest improvement seen with the new firmware is reduced lag and response time of the Storm. That's a very good thing. What's better, is that one user was able to find yet another firmware update, 4.7.0.76. This latest update brings with it even more fixes.

According to The Boy Genius, the latest firmware build is leaps and bounds better than either of the preceding two. It offers faster landscape-to-portrait switching, better battery life, better touch screen response, more natural browser orientation in landscape mode, faster response in the music player application, and faster navigation through the photo gallery.

The bad news is, there are still many bugs present. Some of them include failure of the back button to work, slower data connctivity, and increased bugs in the camera application. Both of my review units had a lot of bugs in the camera app.

Firmware version 4.7.0.75 is out there, but 4.7.0.76 is not. There has been no official word from Verizon Wireless nor RIM as to when the latter will be made available to the masses. In the mean time, update to 4.7.0.75 if you can, and enjoy the slightly improved Storm.

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