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JSylvia007 · 02-27-2010, 07:58 PM

I'm taking a government job, and since they don't make a 9700 without a camera, I'm looking for a way to hide the camera.

I really like the speed and increased space, as well as the form factor of the 9700 over the original 9000.

Anyone on here work for the government own a 9700? If so, what have you done about the camera. I'm open to all suggestions. I'll even destroy the camera module if you think that the security office will allow me to keep this phone.

~Jake

Dubdub · 02-27-2010, 08:02 PM

Don't even try it. It isn't worth the problems that you will encounter if you are caught, plus you know the rules and need to abide by them. The rules are there for a reason, whether you agree or not.

And by adding your personal information to the post, you are really opening yourself up for trouble.

JSylvia007 · 02-27-2010, 08:08 PM

Wirelessly posted (Bold 9700 (AT&T))

I'm not trying to "get away" with something, or do anything illegal.

I have no problem with physically damaging the camera making it unusable. Its more about keeping the device, rather than going back to a 9000.

Then again, OS 5 is available for the 9000, so the experience wouldn't change much. They offer a 9000 w/o a camera already.

I just don't want to damage the camera on the 9700 if security will still reject the phone.

aiharkness · 02-27-2010, 08:34 PM

Wirelessly posted

You need to find out the exact policy at the location you will be working at. If camera phones are not allowed, the best you can hope for is that the camera will be required to be physically and permanently disabled and only then would you be able to have it onboard the facility. But you need to find out. As you suspect, it may not matter and you may not be allowed to have it on the facility no matter what.

My advice is to have another blackberry, without a camera, and use that when you are onboard the facility, or traveling to another facility where cameras are not allowed. Switch the 9700 at all other times.

JSylvia007 · 02-27-2010, 08:46 PM

Wirelessly posted (Bold 9700 (AT&T))

This is what I'm thinking, aiharkness. Unfortunately, I'd be spending ALL my time in places that don't allow camera phones.

And to be honest, I think its more of a hassle to swap devices for the precious 48 hours out of the week I'd be able to use the 9700, its just as easy to make the cameraless 9000 my permanent phone.

I'll be asking the security office up-front about the policy, and I'm going to be honest and straight-forward.
Again, my goal here is to be able to use the 9700 for all its' features, to hell with the camera. I barely use that anyway.

Who knows... Maybe RIM has a 9700 in the works for just my situation...

aiharkness · 02-27-2010, 08:59 PM

Wirelessly posted

I understand. Swapping isn't that big a problem. But it's individual preference.

JSylvia007 · 02-27-2010, 09:04 PM

Wirelessly posted (Bold 9700 (AT&T))

Well, I am on a BES for some consulting that I do, and I'd rather not do a BIS swap AND a BES activate twice a week. LOL

aiharkness · 02-27-2010, 09:06 PM

Wirelessly posted

Ahhhh, gotcha.

Dubdub · 02-27-2010, 09:12 PM

Jacob, I don't buy it. As a former senior military officer, you are asking for trouble. Makes no difference what area of the government you are joining. Sorry, but that is how I see it.

JSylvia007 · 02-27-2010, 10:54 PM

Wirelessly posted (Bold 9700 (AT&T))

Let me clarify, as I believe the first post might be misrepresenting my intentions.

I'm honestly not trying to get away with anything, and this is why I'm asking the question.

I truly want to be legit, and if physically destroying the camera in my 9700 is good enough for the security office, then I'm set.

If that's not good enough, then I will go to the 9000 that comes from RIM w/o a camera.

miakica · 02-28-2010, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSylvia007

I'm taking a government job, and since they don't make a 9700 without a camera, I'm looking for a way to hide the camera.

I really like the speed and increased space, as well as the form factor of the 9700 over the original 9000.

Anyone on here work for the government own a 9700? If so, what have you done about the camera. I'm open to all suggestions. I'll even destroy the camera module if you think that the security office will allow me to keep this phone.

~Jake

I had a same problem, my work doesn't allow camera phones...
Solution that worked for me - ordered a ZAGG skin from zagg.com, and i didn't remove the cutout for camera that is on the skin. Camera is completely covered, and they didn't have a problem with it. Mind you, they are not government either...

jsconyers · 02-28-2010, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSylvia007

Wirelessly posted (Bold 9700 (AT&T))

Well, I am on a BES for some consulting that I do, and I'd rather not do a BIS swap AND a BES activate twice a week. LOL

If you have 2 devices that you're swapping your SIM to, why would you have to reactivate on the BES? The BES (BIS as well) use the PIN of the device not the SIM card. You shouldn't have to reactivate anything.

JSylvia007 · 02-28-2010, 10:27 AM

You cant have 2 pins tied to a BES or a BIS, therefore each time you switch the device you need to reactivate each time you switch a device.

aiharkness · 02-28-2010, 10:34 AM

Wirelessly posted

Quote:

Originally Posted by miakica

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSylvia007

I'm taking a government job, and since they don't make a 9700 without a camera, I'm looking for a way to hide the camera.

I really like the speed and increased space, as well as the form factor of the 9700 over the original 9000.

Anyone on here work for the government own a 9700? If so, what have you done about the camera. I'm open to all suggestions. I'll even destroy the camera module if you think that the security office will allow me to keep this phone.

~Jake

I had a same problem, my work doesn't allow camera phones...
Solution that worked for me - ordered a ZAGG skin from zagg.com, and i didn't remove the cutout for camera that is on the skin. Camera is completely covered, and they didn't have a problem with it. Mind you, they are not government either...

Hiding is the problem. Maybe your employer is ok with what you are doing. The OP is likely in an entirely different situation.

The confusion with the OP, in that case, was use of the word "hide."

Modifying the camera phone so there is no camera, and the modifaction cannot be reversed in ordinary circumstances is one thing. "Hiding" is another.

jsconyers · 02-28-2010, 10:34 AM

Ahh, gotcha. I see what you're saying now. I assumed you would only use the 9700 for BIS use and not activate it on the BES at all and use the non-camera device for BES use (unsure if they allow BIS access).

JSylvia007 · 02-28-2010, 11:39 AM

Yea, like I said, my 9700 is my personal phone that I hooked up to the BES of a company that I do consulting for. It's my only phone, so I use it for everything.

It's looking like the best way will be to go with a 9000 and just deal with it. I am going to talk to the security office, and see what they are going to say though.

I know several people who work at the base now who all have Moto Razrs, that they took to the security personnel and literally smashed the camera in front of them.

eLogikal · 02-28-2010, 12:39 PM

Dude just use the 9000 and send me your 9700 with undamaged camera. I'll keep it safe til you get fired for trying to "hide" the AK-47 you bring into the building. Just kidding. If I were in your shoes I would quit and be a hobo with a sweet ass 9700.

Cooper · 03-03-2010, 12:51 PM

Work should provide a phone that is suitable to their constraints.

My buddy had to wait on a BB upgrade a few years back cause of a 'no camera' policy at a Civilian/Military Contractor named Raytheon. They since update their policies. Some places they just have a policy of no phones allowed in the room. And employees all have NDA's etc to sign.

I wouldn't be sacraficing my personal device for work... My work pays for my plan, and we get free devices from RIM

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Hiding the Camera