BlackBerry 8800

The BlackBerry Will Soon Become The Music Player Of Choice For Consumers

February 22, 2007 by Robb Dunewood 23 Comments

I read an article in the Globe and Mail today where Research in Motion co-CEO Jim Balsillie said that the BlackBerry will soon become the music player of choice for consumers. I actually had to read his comment several times to make sure that I understood the context in which he was saying it and after doing so, realized he meant it pretty much like you read it in the title to of this post:

The BlackBerry will soon become the music player of choice for consumers…

I have one question for Jim Balsillie… Have you completely lost your mind?

Verizon BlackBerry 8800 Rumors Continue To Surface

February 22, 2007 by Robb Dunewood 15 Comments

We have been hearing for a while now that a CDMA / GSM Verizon BlackBerry 8800 would be coming to Verizon sometime in Q2 and more rumors about the device have begun to surface.

According to new BlackBerry Forums member rianlu, Verizon will release their branded version of the BlackBerry 8800 which will be called the BlackBerry 8830 in the May / June time frame. Sprint will follow with their branded version of the BlackBerry 8830 shortly after Verizon.

Here is exactly what rianlu had to say about the BlackBerry 8830:

BlackBerry 8820 To Include Wi-Fi

February 22, 2007 by Robb Dunewood 4 Comments

The Boy Genius is reporting that the upcoming BlackBerry 8820 will have Wi-Fi. Leave it to BG to scrutinize the device.xlm file that comes with OS 4.2.0.109 from Cingular. Notice the highlighted section in the device.xml file above. You will notice that the os radio =”GPRS-WLAN”.

What does this mean? Well, while the details may not be completely clear and one hundred percent correct, but it shows that it will have a GPRS/WLAN radio stack, a first for BlackBerry devices, as well as the customary support for voice-activated dialing and push-to-talk capabilities. Unfortunately, one feature it does not list is the camera, so let’s rule out this device for that 8800 series CameraBerry model.. for now, of course.

So, in English, the BlackBerry 8820 will have Wi-Fi, won’t be 3G, and won’t have a camera. If I were going to get another cameraless BlackBerry on Cingular (no way in the world I would ever do this) I would hold of on the BlackBerry 8800 for a BlackBerry 8820.

BlackBerry 8800, BlackBerry 8820

If You Need To Buy 3 Or More BlackBerry 8800 Devices You May Want To Hold Off

February 21, 2007 by Robb Dunewood 1 Comment

A BlackBerry Cool tipster is reporting that Cingular will soon offer a BlackBerry Buy 3 promotion that will offer up to a $500 Visa rebate card to any customer buying 3 or more BlackBerry 8800 devices.

Customers must sign a 1 or 2-year service agreement, activate on a Blackberry data rate plan and be active on each line after the 30 day return period in order to qualify for the rebate.

Upgrades are eligible. Voice plan activation is not required. Customers may use BIS or BES as their BlackBerry email solution.

Limit of 15 total (Buy 15 and get $500 VISA rebate card)

Not sure that I understand the limit. Are you limited to buying 15 BlackBerry 8800 handsets and getting $500 gift card for every 3 8800s, or, do you only get a one gift card for every 3 to 15 8800s that you purchase?

We will definitely stay tuned to hear more on this one…

UPDATE: RIMarkable commenter J has cleard things up a bit. You get one $100 rebate for every three BlackBerry 8800s that you buy. The limit is $500 in gift cards.

BlackBerry 8800 Now Available On Cingular’s Site With Free Guaranteed Overnight Shipping

February 21, 2007 by Robb Dunewood 5 Comments

It looks like Cingular may have just updated their web page. You can now order the BlackBerry 8800 on their site and they are offering free guaranteed overnight shipping.

I must say that I have been very critical in the ~~passed~~ past on Cingular’s BlackBerry launches, however, they are proving me wrong on this one. I am impressed.

Cingular BlackBerry 8800

T-Mobile BlackBerry 8800 Now Available in Germany… Won’t Hit U.S. Until April

February 20, 2007 by Robb Dunewood 8 Comments

Update: T-Mobile has just officially announced the BlackBerry 8800 in the United States…

I was just reading a couple of posts over on BlackBerry Cool that indicate that the BlackBerry 8800 is available on T-Mobile in Germany and that it will be available on T-Mobile here in the U.S. in April.

According to the T-Mobile Germany site it looks like the BlackBerry 8800 has been available on their site since Feb. 13th, the day that it was unveiled at the 3GSM World Congress. The German T-Mobile BlackBerry 8800 will cost EUR 179.95 with a 24-month contract on the Relax 100 rate.

As far as the U.S. goes, the T-Mobile BlackBerry 8800 will be available in April.

The BlackBerry 8800 launch is like the Cingular Pearl launch all over again…

February 19, 2007 by Robb Dunewood 1 Comment

Will Cingular ever launch a BlackBerry without looking like they have never heard the word logistics. The BlackBerry 8800 is coming out this week. Some Cingular stores have it and are selling it. Others have it but are not selling it until the 21st. Most don’t have it and don’t know when they are going to get it, and quite a few don’t have and have never even heard of it. So much for Cingular stores being on the same page.

I’ve written several times about how botched the Cingular BlackBerry Pearl Launch was. Looks like AT&T buying Cingular hasn’t improved things much. From what we’ve heard the BlackBerry 8800 won’t be released until the 21st so out of fairness, will give Cingular until then. I will say however, it isn’t looking good so far.

BlackBerry 8800

Is That Nicky Hilton With A BlackBerry 8800?

February 19, 2007 by Robb Dunewood 2 Comments

What is that device in Nicky Hilton’s hand? This picture was sent to us by a Celebrity BlackBerry Sightings reader named Dan. It is kind of hard to make out, but, the keyboard configuration on the device Nicky Hilton is holding in her hand looks similar to the one found on the BlackBerry 8800.

Maybe with her being a billionaire heiress and all, she was able to pull a few strings to get one early.

BlackBerry 8800, Nicky Hilton

BlackBerry 8800 Now Up on Vodafone’s Site

February 16, 2007 by Robb Dunewood Leave a Comment

Vodafone has just added the BlackBerry 8800 to their site. Although the actual release date isn’t listed, you can get a Vodafone BlackBerry 8800 from Free up to £153.19. You can also get a free Mototola Bluetooth wireless headset when you purchase your BlackBerry 8800 through the Online Business Shop.

BlackBerry 8800, Vodafone, Motorola Bluetooth Headset

BlackBerry 8800 Getting Started Guide

February 16, 2007 by Robb Dunewood 1 Comment

Research in Motion has recently added a BlackBerry 8800 Getting Started Guide to the BlackBerry Technical Knowledge Center. The BlackBerry 8800 Getting Started Guide covers everything from Setting up your BlackBerry 8800 and sending email to making calls and troubleshooting.

The BlackBerry 8800 Getting Started Started Guide is just over a 2 meg .pdf and can be downloaded here…

BlackBerry 8800