Here is an email that I got on my BlackBerry 7100T from T-Mobile yesterday afternoon. They are going to do a major upgrade of the BlackBerry Web Client.
On October 2, 2005, T-Mobile will upgrade the BlackBerry Internet E-mail service (formerly called BlackBerry Web Client) with a number of improvements. You don’t have to do anything to keep getting your e-mail on your BlackBerry(r) handheld, and if you get corporate e-mail using BlackBerry Enterprise Server(tm), your e-mail service will not be affected.
The upgrade eliminates the need for the BlackBerry Internet Service(tm) Web site. All e-mail functions can be performed from the handheld, or the source e-mail account. As a result, on October 1, the BlackBerry Internet E-mail service Web site will be shut down. Account settings will be managed directly from the handheld, and through My T-Mobile.
IMPORTANT: If you have e-mails or contacts stored on the BlackBerry Internet Service Web site that you want to save, you will need to forward them to another e-mail address before October 1. Access the Web site from your computer at www.t-mobile.com/bis.
Please visit http://www.t-mobile.com/bisupgrade for additional important information on the BlackBerry Internet E-mail Service upgrade.
The website also shows some of the features that will no longer be present … and one in particular that will no longer be there is auto-BCC. I loved that feature as I could keep a copy of all emails sent from the 7100 to a Google account and thus be able to keep the device relatively free from the blizzard of little check marks that appear when you send an email.
I wish RIM would reconsider that idea.
I am not a techie and therefore have no idea what this change means to me in practical terms. I am very dependent on my Blackberry and the thought of anything getting screwed up, especially my address book, is scary.
Any advice other than calling T-Mobile?
The Blackberry Web Client was a great tool for printing emails, and managing your account. I spoke with T-Mobile customer support on Oct. 2, 2005, the day of the upgrade, and they stated that most customers were not happy with the upgrade. I learned from my conversation that the upgrade to do away with the Blackberry Web Client happened across the board with all cellular providers (T-Mobile, Cingular, Nextel, etc).
In terms of the BCC function, it is still available. Log into your account, and edit the email addresses that you have listed. Under each address, you can choose a BCC function to forward your emails to any address. Looks like they took your suggestion seriously.
Allan,
Don’t worry about anything getting screwed up with the upgrade. There will be some delays with emails, but at the close today, everything is being forwarded to the blackberry as required. T-Mobile’s customer support is absolutely the BEST in the industry. Their Blackberry Support is great, and they have been able to help me without long hold times too!!! HATS OFF TO T-MOBILE SUPPORT!!!