[dbdynsty25]

Originally Posted by penguin3107

He's not getting screwed at all.
International BB data plans are typically around 65-70 per month.
The 44.95 plans do not include international blackberry data roaming.

I thought he said the international roaming WASN'T important to him???? Maybe I'm just misunderstanding.

[Fafafoooey]

Question:

It is said that the 8830 works as such: In the US, CDMA Verizon network. Outside the US, GSM. So is that a hard line? what if you go into Canada, where Verizon normally works on a non-world phone. Would it stay on the CDMA network, or would it use the GSM network since it is roaming? Or would it always try to use or roam on a CDMA network first (first priority) then if no signal found, jump to the GSM radio?

Thanks

[Flying Dutchman]

I have a question regarding the GPS functionality. Is this going to be true GPS (connecting to satelites) or is this some kind of positioning system based on tower tracing? Who knows?

[BBDummy]

Originally Posted by Fafafoooey

Question:

It is said that the 8830 works as such: In the US, CDMA Verizon network. Outside the US, GSM. So is that a hard line? what if you go into Canada, where Verizon normally works on a non-world phone. Would it stay on the CDMA network, or would it use the GSM network since it is roaming? Or would it always try to use or roam on a CDMA network first (first priority) then if no signal found, jump to the GSM radio?

Thanks

My understanding is that it prefers CDMA, and switches to GSM only if it cannot find a CDMA signal.

[h@x0r]

Well, one more strike goes against Verizon: It appears that their EVDO service is no longer considered "unlimited", the word is that it's capped at 5GB/month. Now, while I don't think most of us would fill that limit but there are times when I need to download an .ISO of some software and considering Exchange Server 2007 Beta ISO is around 3GB, that would deplete my limit rather quickly. Besides, I *HATE* the silver look of VZ 8830 BB. So, looks like I'm gonna wait until July to go to Sprint.

...I never liked Verizion anyway. No, I'm lying. I've always STRONGLY DISLIKED them. No... here I go lying again. I FRIGGIN HATE HATE HATE Verizon.

Ok. I feel better. Thanks for letting me vent. ;)

[BBDummy]

Originally Posted by h@x0r

Well, one more strike goes against Verizon: It appears that their EVDO service is no longer considered "unlimited", the word is that it's capped at 5GB/month.

I'm not 100% certain of this, but I think that 5 GB has always been the Verizon definition of "unlimited." Also, I'm fairly certain that putting a hard cap on so-called "unlimited" plans isn't uncommon amongst the major US carriers.

[thought]

Originally Posted by BBDummy

I'm not 100% certain of this, but I think that 5 GB has always been the Verizon definition of "unlimited." Also, I'm fairly certain that putting a hard cap on so-called "unlimited" plans isn't uncommon amongst the major US carriers.

Correct...Actually, this is a step forward. All carriers place caps on their "unlimited" data plans...just read the fine print. The big difference is now Verizon let's people know exactly what that cap is, so there is greater transparency. This is exactly what consumer advocates have argued for...transparency and disclosure. Sure we'd like true unlimited service, but that's not to be at this point in time. The best we can hope for is what we now have with Verizon: the carrier makes us an honest offer, and we know exactly what that offer is.

Also, 5 GB is a huge amount of wireless downloading...most will never approach that....and certainly not with BB emails. 5GB is pretty much a huge amount of multimedia streaming.

So again, sure any limit in theory sucks...but this represents no change in actual policy.

[soldano]

Two reasons why I won't be getting this:

1) The keys are spaced too close together

2) The silver color is absolutely hideous

[SDCromer]

Originally Posted by soldano

Two reasons why I won't be getting this:

1) The keys are spaced too close together

2) The silver color is absolutely hideous

I agree with both of your points and especially the silver color. However, the ability to have the Verizon network in North America and phone/Blackberry functionality in Europe outweighs those issues for me. I've made two business trips to Europe already this year for a total of 20 days and expect to make 2-3 more trips before years end. Now with my 7130e, I have to check out a GSM phone from our IT department and the Blackberry is non-functional across the pond. This unit will be just the ticket for me.

[Fafafoooey]

Could someone answer this for me?

If I get the 8830, and I do not hook it into a BES, but leave the standard data settings be, does the internet and network service go through Blackberry's servers(BIS)? Like the BES, when you hook into a BES, all your network traffic is funneled through the BES, then out to the world, assuming they allow all traffic through.

Thanks

[ChefJon]

I got to play around with a VZW 8830 yesterday for a while. I liked it. I don't mind the silver color. It did not have GPS enabled but the rep said it would shortly. It had some kind of mapping program on it but I could not tell whose it was. Anyway, I'm getting two of them to test on Tuesday. I should know more after a couple of days of using them.

[whsbuss]

Originally Posted by ChefJon

I got to play around with a VZW 8830 yesterday for a while. I liked it. I don't mind the silver color. It did not have GPS enabled but the rep said it would shortly. It had some kind of mapping program on it but I could not tell whose it was. Anyway, I'm getting two of them to test on Tuesday. I should know more after a couple of days of using them.

Don't count on the GPS being enabled. Most of the reps don't understand.

[ChefJon]

Originally Posted by whsbuss

Don't count on the GPS being enabled. Most of the reps don't understand.

I'm definitely not counting on it but he did say it was a topic at technical meeting they had about the 8830 and that the engineer said they were coming out with their own app that would use GPS. So, I'm sure they'll be charging for it. I asked him if we'd be able to use 3rd party GPS and he said that he would check. I'm sure we won't be able to use 3rd party apps. Sometimes I ask these questions just to find out how good my reps are...usually they are clueless when it comes to the tech stuff.

[acoustix]

Where can a person purchase an 8830? My plan won't let me upgrade my phone for over a year so I'm looking to buy it at the "full price".

Nick

[mendes9]

"I have a question regarding the GPS functionality. Is this going to be true GPS (connecting to satelites) or is this some kind of positioning system based on tower tracing? Who knows?"

It will use both, GPS and tower info. Also, it looks like GPS will be locked down to Verizons GPS app.

[chedardog]

Verizon shipped us a 8830 demo unit, so I've got 30 days to play with it.

The 8830 OS version is 4.2.2.66 vs the 4.2.1.72 on my 8800c

Biggest win so far that I've noticed is a Shuffle option in the Media player. (come on Cingular, let us OTA download this upgrade to the media player).


A little shocked that it didn't come with the DST patch pre loaded, or that the DST OTA download site didn't tell me that no patch was needed.

The Verizon URL for its Global Phone & Email offerings is

Global Services

[cdd543]

Originally Posted by chedardog

Verizon shipped us a 8830 demo unit, so I've got 30 days to play with it.

The 8830 OS version is 4.2.2.66 vs the 4.2.1.72 on my 8800c

Biggest win so far that I've noticed is a Shuffle option in the Media player. (come on Cingular, let us OTA download this upgrade to the media player).


A little shocked that it didn't come with the DST patch pre loaded, or that the DST OTA download site didn't tell me that no patch was needed.

The Verizon URL for its Global Phone & Email offerings is

Global Services

How about putting the gps thing to bed for us and checking on your device.

[chedardog]

What is the specific GPS question? ( I can't tell you if its connecting to satelites or towers)

I can tell you under Options | Advanced Options | GPS there are two fields
1) GPS Data Source - set to "Device GPS" and
2) GPS Services - two options: "Location On" and the default set to "911 Only"

[Teledatageek]

So - Do we think this will be available to order tomorrow (5/13) for Verizon biz customers for delivery Tuesday? If I recall they opened up ordering on a Sunday for the 8703 (the day before launch).

[genoist]

Originally Posted by chedardog

What is the specific GPS question? ( I can't tell you if its connecting to satelites or towers)

I can tell you under Options | Advanced Options | GPS there are two fields
1) GPS Data Source - set to "Device GPS" and
2) GPS Services - two options: "Location On" and the default set to "911 Only"

On my 8830 it seems that applications do not have access to the GPS in the phone. Google maps just sits on "updating location" forever.