Report: ‘Bumpy Start’ For BlackBerry Storm

The BlackBerry Storm, RIM’s first touch-screen handset, has gotten off to a rough start in its bid to compete with Apple’s iPhone, according to a report Monday.

The phone, plagued by technical problems, sold 500,000 units a month after RIM unveiled the device Nov. 21, according to the Wall Street Journal. By contrast, Apple sold 2.4 million iPhone 3Gs in its first quarter.

Jim Balsillie, RIM’s co-chief executive, said swatting bugs after a product hits the shelves is now the “new reality” as cell phone makers attempt to duplicate Apple’s success with the iPhone.

Only “by the skin of their teeth” was RIM able to introduce the Storm prior to Black Friday, Balsillie said.

Verizon Wireless, the exclusive carrier for the Storm and RIM in December released the first patch to fix initial problems. The carrier told the newspaper “future releases” will address other errors reported by owners.

Despite the rocky start, RIM is producing 250,000 Storm handsets per week.

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