As mentioned earlier, the RIM [RIMM] BlackBerry Storm was scheduled for release today, and it certainly did, amidst a flurry of “you-just-gotta-have-it” TV and radio commercials. Although the product has been in the pipeline as a competitor to Apple’s [AAPL] iPhone 3G for several months, it did not seem to have the kind of public reception that most people (me included) expected.
Some of its thunder was certainly stolen by the advent of the T-Mobile [DT] G1 (also known as the HTC Dream), especially given the partnership between Google [GOOG] and its Android cohorts.
Much remains to be seen about whether the BlackBerry Storm will truly be successful. In the professional/corporate mobile device market, RIM has generally been strong, despite its missteps, mostly because there were no other major players who cared to tap into the burning need of the corporate and professional mobile users. The other opposing force against RIM is, of course, its own previously-released devices.
Potential Customer Reactions
As I wandered about, asking various folks at several local stores whether they’d be willing to purchase a BlackBerry Storm if it was available to them, the majority of responses were lukewarm. The two biggest reasons given about this were:
- “The iPhone is a much better product.”
- “I already have a cell phone that I’m okay with.”
Supply Problems
On a separate but related front: there appears to be a supply issue with the BlackBerry Storm. Simply put, there were not enough issued to retailers, so people who were interested in seeing the product and buying one were unable to do so today. 
Perhaps tomorrow? Or the next day? Or the day after that?
Let’s give it a few weeks or so, and then let’s see what’s up with this ‘phone… 
