What is different about the BlackBerry 8707v?
by Robb Dunewood on March 24, 2006 · 12 comments
We were so excited to tell you that there was a new BlackBerry that forgot to mention and specs on the device, so, for those of you that are wondering what is different about the BlackBerry 8707v, we are about to tell you.
The main difference between that BlackBerry 8707v and the 8700 models is that inclusion of 3G IP modem. That doesn’t mean a lot to those of us in the States, but, for those European CrackBerry addicts fortunate enough to get their hands on one of these puppies will have incredibly fast broadband connections.
BlackBerry 8707v Phone Features
Intel PXA901 at 312MHz
35 key backlit full QWERTY keyboard
Hands-free speakerphone
Voice Input/Output: Integrated speaker and microphone
Hands-free headset capable
Bluetooth v2.0 hands-free headset and car kit support
Thumb operated track wheel and ESC key
Intuitive icons and menus with a variety of themes
vibrate mode
LED indicator
Dedicated Send, End, Convenience, Power and Mute keys
Internet browser
Connectivity
Embedded RIM 3G wireless modem
Mini USB
Bluetooth 2.0
3G
GPRS
BlackBerry 8707v Messaging
Push email
SMS
MMS
BlackBerry PDA Ringing Tones/Notifications
Polyphonic and MP3 ringtones
BlackBerry PDA 8707v Memory
64MB flash memory
16Mb SRAM
Organiser
Calendar
Address book
Task list
MemoPad
Calculator
Networks
Quad-band Operation – North America, Europe and Asia
850/900/1800/1900 MHz
BlackBerry 8707v, 3G
Tagged as:
BlackBerry 8700,
BlackBerry 8707v
{ 1 trackback }
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
It has been said that the 8700c will be able to handle 3G with a software upgrade, when Cingular makes the service and upgrade available.
This is analogous to the situation with the Verizon 7250, where a software upgrade makes that unit operate on their 3G EVDO service.
Note that the 8700 uses the exact same Intel processor as the 8707, so the processor is certainly capable.
You have a lot of assumtions here. i suggest do some research.
“Someone always knows more..”
Undoubtedly, it is at this point only speculation and rumor that Cingular might release a firmware upgrade to the 8700c to enable it for their 3G networks.
However, such speculation does exist. For instance, according to John Griffith of the “barJohn” blog,
“According to conversations I had with three different managers at the San Francisco event (1 Intel, 1- Cingular and 1-RIM) the new chipset supports UMTS/HSDPA and with a firmware upgrade the phone could support the blazingly fast 400-700kbps speeds Cingular will be rolling out. It will be interesting to see if Cingular makes the upgrade available.”
On Blackberry forums the same individual posted:
“I spoke with the Intel folks, Cingular and RIM folks at the SF event and asked that specific question. With a grin they all said that the phone is upgradable to UMTS, HSDPA in particular and Cingular told me the targget was a true 700kbps rate anywhere you had a signal.”
So all signs point to the fact that the 8700 is upgradable to handle the Cingular 3G network…whether Cingular will make that upgrade available remains to be seen.
What does 3G mean precisely in this context? Meaning, are we talking about UMTS, or are we talking about HSDPA? Is there any EDGE fall-back? Are we talking about only 2 of those, or all 3? And is this the inflection point where RIM introduces tethered modem capability for any non-7130/7250 product?
From reading the spec sheet, it appears that this model is UMTS, not HSDPA, ready. Of course, HSDPA service is probably not available with the carrier introducing this device, just yet.
As to EDGE fallback, while I can’t say for sure, I would imagine that if there is no UMTS service but EDGE, that the device does fall back to EDGE.
I know with the 3G Cingular phones that have been released in 3G markets that this is the case: if the phone cannot find UMTS, it defaults to EDGE. It almost has to be this way, due to the more limited availability of the 3G service.
Does this mean that this BB is WCDMA 2100 compatible, and so
travellers to Japan and Korea can access WCDMA 2100 voice
there too (with appropriate roaming contracts)??
Yippee if so!!
Will an unlocked 8707v still retain all its functionality on other networks?, ie Orange UK.
Where Orange only have 8700g, which does not have the fast download speed.
i am wondering if i find an unlocked 8707v and use it with my already network Cingular – will it workI understand that DO have 3G capability –
and i can’t really get a clear answer – i am not the savvy phone person but know that 3G is the best…
I am in the states…
if someone could email me direct? with some kind of answer that i’d understand
thanks
sandra@vencercorporation.com
Just to answer a few questions on this thread. The 8707v will work in the US, but will be dependent on your network carrier setup (GSM/GPRS/EDGE/3G). Once 3G is fully rolled out — you will be all ready for it.
The 8707v does work in Japan — I used it last month with no problems (on Vodafone Ireland SIM).
Enjoy
I am wondering if i put an at&t blackberry SIM on the international unlimited plan in one of these could i than use 3g speeds in europe? or is the at&t roaming agreement limited to 2g?
if that works; the next questions is will skype(or another VOIP service over 3G) work?