23 Apr 07 Goodbye SureType, Hello GPS
I placed my order this morning for the new BlackBerry 8800 from T-Mobile. I’m trading my BlackBerry Pearl for a Sidekick 3 from a friend. Now that I placed the order, I saw that the price is $349 ($373 with tax + free shipping) with instant rebate. CRAP! I paid $518 with express shipping and tax. I was planning on getting a 2nd line from T-Mobile anyway for the Sidekick 3.So, I’m going to call them up when I get the 8800 in, and ask to open a 2nd line. I will tell them I would like to also purchase the 8800 at the time, yet they don’t have to send me one since I “already bought one.” In a small company, this wouldn’t be a problem, they would just say keep the other one and that’s it. We aren’t talking about a small company here. Logically I should just keep the phone, yet pay the $349 price. Logistically, because of the serial number and since it is “on a different line on the same account” I doubt that T-Mobile will be able to pull it off. Props to them if they can, but I don’t see it happening.
Also, the press release from RIM says this:
Operating on T-Mobile’s EDGE network, the quad-band BlackBerry 8800 offers T-Mobile’s myFaves(i) experience to easily stay in touch with those who matter most, and incorporates built-in GPS (Global Positioning System) to support location-based applications. BlackBerry Maps is included, which provides on-screen driving directions with the ability to track the route via the GPS, and also makes it easy for customers to generate a map directly from their BlackBerry Address Book.
T-Mobile’s site has no mention of GPS at all. The Pearl from T-Mobile also doesn’t contain GPS, while the Cingular/AT&T version does. Whose fault is the typo? I was looking forward to GPS on the 8800, and didn’t purchase the Cingular/AT&T version (with GPS), because I didn’t want to switch companies yet.
When I get the 8800, I’ll report back on the exchange process, and if it has GPS. Here’s hoping everything works out smoothly.
23 Apr 07 AT&T Responds to BlackBerry Outage With Cash
Were you left stranded the day the BlackBerry died? Miss that important email that lost you thousands of dollars? Well AT&T has something for you, $2.50. Yep that’s right, AT&T is crediting any user who calls in and requests credit for the downtime with a cool $2.50. You can maybe even buy a small tall coffee at Starbucks for that much, wait nope. How about a Big Mac, nope. Well we’re sure you will find some way to spend that $2.50, that is if you want to take the time out of your busy today and wait on hold for $2.50.
18 Apr 07 How Many Cell Phones Does One Need?
I’m a big cell phone user, but I don’t make many calls at all. I use cell phones for the features that go beyond making calls. Of course I am planning on getting an iPhone once it launches in June, but I’m sick of my BlackBerry Pearl. Mainly, I hate the SureType keyboard on it. Next Tuesday, T-Mobile is launching the BlackBerry 8800 with GPS and a full QWERTY keyboard. I’m switching to that for sure.
The Sidekick ID, a slimmed down version of the Sidekick 3 comes out Wednesday.A BlackBerry is great for email, but I’ve always preferred to SMS and IM through the Sidekick. With the Sidekick ID coming out next weeks, it seems like a cheap way to get back into the Sidekick world of IM’ing. The Sidekick service by itself runs $30/month. BlackBerry service from T-Mobile also runs $30/month with no voice plan. I’m already paying $60/month for 1,000 minutes and unlimited BlackBerry usage on my Pearl.
I am also testing the Samsung UpStage for Sprint with unlimited usage for 6 months. I can use this phone as my primary “phone call” phone for that time.
Is it worth it to have 2 data phones? I would use the BB 8800 for Google Talk, GPS, and Email, while the Sidekick ID would be for AIM, MSN, Yahoo, and SMS. I just really liked the ease of use on the Sidekick. Thoughts?
06 Apr 07 Rogers Blackberry 8800 Released
Recently Rogers, released the Blackberry 8800 into the Canadian wilds. Expect to pay $499.99 with a 3 year service agreement after rebates. For those not expecting to stay up where hockey is a religion and health care is free for three years, you can expect to pay $649.99 for a 2 year agreement or $599.99 with one year contract. The 8800, similar to the Cingular model, includes GPS for easily finding your way around when a Mountie isn’t around to ask directions.Read
12 Mar 07 Blackberry 8300’s OS
Over at The Boy Genius Report, they’ve got the scoop on the new Blackberry OS used in the upcoming 8300. Not a ton of new items, but spell check is finally included. Full screen video playback and wireless upgrades are also some of the new features. Can’t wait to see when this model is going to hit the stores. The keyboard is simply better looking then what is being offered on the 8800.
