RIM sparks Storm as shops run dry

 

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By Stewart Mitchell and Reuters

Posted on 22 Nov 2008 at 12:31

Police were called to break up ugly scenes in New York after Verizon Wireless shops ran out of Research in Motion's newly-launched Blackberry Storm smartphone.

Hundreds of super keen Americans had queued up outside the Manhattan store in an effort to get their hands on the first BlackBerry Storms, the debut touch-screen phone from RIM, which aims to compete with Apple's iPhone.

But police were called when the shop ran out and started turning customers away shortly after it opened at 8am local time.

Verizon says hundreds of others were in lines outside its stores along the east coast, but that if they ordered the phone online or in store, they would get the gadget in five to seven days.

The handsets are available in the UK through Vodafone, which says it has had thousands of pre-orders, although the company admits handsets are in short supply on this side of Atlantic, too.

"We're currently experiencing very high demand for the BlackBerry Storm - but we're working really hard to get more into our warehouse," Vodafone says on its website.

"This means you may have to wait a little longer than the normal four working days - from the date you order online - until you receive your new phone. We'll keep in touch by email so you know how your ordering is progressing."