Dear Verizon,
It has been 6 months since the BlackBerry Pearl was first released on T-Mobile. We know that you generally take about a year or so for your CDMA versions of BlackBerry devices to come out after they first appear on your GSM competitors, however, I don’t know how much longer you can afford to play this game.
I call it a game because, according to RIM President and co-CEO, Mike Lazaridis, the java based nature of the BlackBerry allows it to be “quickly ported over” to CDMA hardware. If it is easy to do, the only reason I can see that you don’t is because you are trying to gage the amount of time you can make your subscriber base wait without bolting along with the decreasing licensing fees you pay to RIM for new devices the farther you get away from their initial launch.
I understand that this is smart business in the corporate world. It won’t, however, work in the consumer world.
Consumers are fickle. They want what they want when they want it and when they want it is always now. They won’t view devices like the Pearl or the 8300 as a business device, but as a cool new phone that they can take pictures with and send and receive email on. I am a die-hard Verizon user and truly believe that you have the best network out there. I can honestly tell you, however, that I would switch to T-Mobile in a heartbeat to get the Pearl if it were not for the fact that my company pays for my Verizon service.
Why would I switch when I am a die-hard Verizon subscriber? Simply because they have the phone I want, you don’t, and their service is good enough. In fact, where I live, T-Mobile service is actually pretty good and although I hate Cingular, their service around here is not too bad either…. Their customer service just sucks.
The problem for you is that if a die-hard network loving Verizon user like me would leave because you don’t have the phone I want, what do you think your chances are of signing up new consumers who want the latest greatest BlackBerry devices as soon as there leaked, let alone come out on your network a year after everyone else gets them.
Don’t make the mistake of letting T-Mobile and AT&T come out with two CameraBerrys before you come out with your first. It’s time for you to come out with a CameraBerry now.
Too late – verizon already lost me to the Pearl on AT&T and I couldn’t be happier. I even paid the ETF!
Don’t worry people, look for Verizon to unload a whole variety of blackberries soon. RIM and Verizon are working together closely to bring these new devices out to the market.
BB4Life: do you know when Verizon might release this load of new blackberry’s?
Well, I’m pretty sure Verizon will be releasing their hybrid 8800 soon. And RIM has set their goals to double or triple the production of their blackberries against their competitors PDAs. Verizon is definitely one of their key target projects for RIM. So don’t worry Verizon blackberry hopefuls, your time will come.
“Verizon releasing soon” usually means “just in time for T-Mobile’s next generation”. I’m about 4 weeks away from buying a Cingular Pearl.
I’m afraid I’m about to jump ship as well. I am really digging the new 8300 on AT&T, and I just don’t see VZW picking up a BB with a camera anytime soon. 8800 ain’t gonna cut it for me.
Verizon is pushing the limit of good taste on this delay. My corporate colleagues are jumping ship left and right to get a Pearl (specifically). The only reason more are not moving from Verizon is the complicated family plan and contract agreements that they set up. Corporations have standardized on the BlackBerry Server and will not support the Q and other “blackberry-like” devices. Get moving Verizon before you lose anymore of corporate America (where the real money is).
What can I say when I’m in a country where only CDMA Blackberries are sold…
When I see thw new Pearls and 8800s out there, I fell that I own Fred Flinstone’s 7250
Why keep crying about vzw and their meek BB offerings? Been a BB follower for how long? Everyone knows vzw will never put out first run, top of the line BB’s before the GSM carriers get them first. cdma consumer numbers are just one reason for this.
You want a cranberry BB? Drop the vzw and its proprietary technology and upgrade to a service provider which uses the open global system for mobile communications. Only then will you get the BB’s you deserve.
If VZW does not have a new Blackberry device by the 22nd of April (end of my contract) I will be a new Cingular/AT&T customer. I am tired of VZW and their Stone Age devices.
Cingular users how is the network in NYC Metro area?
post to digg.com
http://digg.com/hardware/Verizon_Needs_To_Release_a_CameraBerry_Now
Does anyone know if T-Mobile or Cingular allow you to sign up for new service without a long-term contract? I’ve seen pearls going on Ebay for as cheap as $50 bucks and I was thinking that I could just buy one to see if the coverage is good enough for me to leave Verizon but I don’t want to get locked into a 2-year agreement.
Am so frustrated with the slow speed at which Verizon is bringing in new Blackberry devices that I switched my entire company (150 employees) over to Cingular. Bummer but just wasn’t willing to wait any longer.
the 8830 will be on vzw and it does have a camera. trust me.
NL,
Do you have anything other than your word to back up your statement about the BlackBerry 8830 having a camera? Every indication shows that it will not, including the beta unit that I’held in my hand not 5 weeks ago…
no NL, it does not have a camera. I am 200% sure…and I don’t know, where you get your sources from….
Press shots of the BlackBerry 8830 have just been leaked and it absolutely does not have a digital camera. It basically looks like a silver BlackBerry 8800.
I’m getting frustrated with Verizon not having the latest and greatest phones available. However, I’m not sure I want to jump ship yet. I used to have AT&T and I couldn’t get service anywhere. I live in the Los Angeles / Orange County area and would expect most carriers to provide service in major metropolitan areas but AT&T does not. I couldn’t get service at home, at the office, in the car, etc. Does anyone know of a service provider that offers good service and the Pearl?
Too late Verizon. I left you and just took my family/relatives with me. You’ve wasted too much time lolly gaging in the dirt.
You refuse to pursue new phones in a timely manner and you “insist on crippling your phones for your uses”. Well enough was enough this holiday season and I say good riddons.
I’ll be thinking how much happier I am this next few years with my 8310 from AT&T not to mention the reduce bill.