RIM’s BlackBerry 8300 Lineup
There has been a little bit of confusion with the 8300 series and I just got some new info from one of my sources to try and clear things up. Please note before we begin that device specs and hardware do change before final production, but this is most likely very accurate. I reported here that the unit I have had GPS. It has a GPS option in the options menu, yet doesn’t work because this unit apparently doesn’t have GPS hardware. There has been talk about T-Mobile 8300 test devices with GPS and WiFi built in. Why the drama? Well, here we go! There are 3, yes 3 versions of the 8300. The 8300, 8320, and 83xx. Code names are Baby Bear, Mama Bear, and finally Papa Bear respectively. My unit is code named "Baby Bear" hence no GPS and WiFi (please no comments from the peanut gallery). Why RIM would go to such outlandish lengths to ever confuse the consumer with 3 more variations of the same model is beyond me — one 8300 device guys. Also don’t confuse the 8320 with the 8820 which will be the regular 8800-style device except with WiFi. I completely agree with RIM’s strategy to differentiate the business oriented lines, and consumer lines as much as possible. I really do. Releasing the 8800 first after the Pearl was a great idea — show that you didn’t leave the corporate and business market behind. Enter the 8300. Great! But why RIM. Why Jim? Why Mike? Can’t you release just one 8300! Quick rundown below.
-
8800 (No Camera, GPS)
-
8820 (No Camera but WiFi and GPS)
-
8300 (Camera, no WiFi, no GPS)
-
8320 (Camera, WiFi)
-
83xx (Camera, WiFi, GPS)
-
9xxx (Don’t get me started)
It appears (from the photo on the left) that another new feature of the 8820 will be the interchanging of the “x” & “y” keys!
I agree with BG, i really applaud the personal and business line. my house has 2 BB’s, 1 on a BES and 1 personal… very different uses.
HTML e-mail = HH code 5.0, Q4 or Q1 next year
What app / view is that on the 83XX on the right that displays calendar and email? Is that a vodaphone customization?
I’m a BB newbie so it may be something very obvious.
So I am assuming BG that the 8300 will be set for a release on cingular, since that is the model that you have (and was branded with.)?
My unit has a Cingular OS, and Theme…didn’t say it was coming out for Cingular first
Just a comment on WiFi…I really don’t understand the hype behind this. As an earlier comment stated, most BBs come with unlimited data plans, and most places where you might be tempted to use WiFi (airport, hotel, Starbucks) charge you for the pleasure. While I’m sure it has application in some business situations, as a consumer feature I really think it will be lost on the masses. Thoughts anyone?
We don’t have unlimited data here in Canada. Rogers charges you an arm and a leg for even modest data packages compared to the US plans, and overages are back breaking.
Using the WiFi at home, office, etc. allows major savings, and now that HydroOne has a downtown WiFi network for a reasonable access fee you could use Skype to avoid long distance charges as well.
Wow, Boy Genius how can you be so cruel to your faithful followers?
Cingular or T-mobile? How cruel not to let us in.
Any chance of a size comparison between 8800 and 8300?
Great work BGR. Quit making my life so difficult!
It’s clear to me that Papa Bear (83xx) is the killer device with all the features.
Has anyone noticed that in the picture on the right, the Z and Y keys are switched? Is this a foreign thing I don’t know about?
So, since it appears that T-Mo is going to have the papa bear version of the 8300 – how does everyone think this stacks up against the other popular smart phones? For instance the Moto Q, the Cingular 8525, the treo line, maybe the Dash?
*I like the camera – sounds decent.
*Edge is a disappointment – but is it necessary to have decent battery life vs 3G?
*The keyboard seems better than the Dash and Treo – but not as spacious as the 8525 / T-Mo MDA keyboards.
*Screen is decent size
*I have a Dell Axim that I never edit documents on – so I probably won’t miss that feature if this doesn’t have it.
*BB will have real html email one day? And has fixed their inability to view some websites?
*Anything important I am missing?
I was thinking I would wait for the T-Mo 8525 equivalent – but maybe this will do.
——–
From the first thread on the “8300 in hand”
On Mar 10, 2007 @ 4:06 pm, Your_Mom Said:
QUOTE
—-
“I got my hands on it about 2 weeks ago… I had a T-Mo branded one though. Everything BG said is true… 8800 = trash. It is def. smaller than 8800. GPS/Wifi all built in.”
——-
END QUOTE
Yeah – I believe that’s how the keyboards are in Europe, and possibly elsewhere..
Hmm, no 83xx device without a camera. Guess that’ll be another niche device for us, just like the Pearls are.
What about streaming video?
Flash player multimedia support?
Is the internet browser the same as the 8800?
Where is the microSD slot located?
Great info so far, thanks!
Thanks BG for all the great info- Please tell me that the Papa Bear (83XX) will be released with Sprint….in this calendar year!!!!
Regarding Wi-Fi, my initial question was why with an unlimited data plan would anyone bother. What I’m hearing increasingly from people at RIM and in general is that corporate wireless structures are looking into VOIP (and Skype) and more and more people within companies are wanting to go into VOIP over their corp. network architecture. The reason why carriers are for WiFi is because it will actually help them make money.
Offering WiFi/VOIP means corporate clients still will be using their cellphones rather than landlines to communicate, and the data transmission cost/expense ratio for carriers is far more advantageous to the carrier than is voice. They want complete reliance on the cell phone, including a full-on unlimited data package. With the price of minutes dwindling, data packages are a way for carriers to make lots of money and the quality and the consistency of that data transmission is one place where there is room to move one way or the other.
Meanwhile, I don’t need/want Wifi, so go figger
THe next blackberry from Verizon will be based on the 8800 series. Release date sometime in may. It will have cdma but gsm roaming capabilities. check blackberry codename: cyclone on the web for pics and specs
I am making the jump to a smartphone soon. I need a Cameraphone (prefer 2.0 or more) also have to be able to tether to my laptop like twice a week, though wifi would be wonderful. I also would like to be able to get my AOL email pushed to me if possible or have an easy way to check it and maybe even visit my fav site offshorebettor.com and gjupdate.com one is a forum and one is a line service.
Any recommendations for Verizon?
Is this 8320 or 8820 the thing that will do what I need?
When will a BB have video capability?
My friend works at RIM (hence thw reason I haven’t used my real name) and he tells me that RIM intend to release the 8300 & 8320 at the same time in early May. I have had a play on the device and it feels good. It is defo more ergonomic than 8800.
tell me its too good to be true.
May here we come
any thoughts on which carrier will get the papa bear?
I heard that Sprint will be realeasing the 8830 in the May to July timeframe. Did anyone else here this?
I want Wifi because where I work we don’t have very good cell service if any (we have to stand in one spot) and I don’t want to have to drag my laptop (well it’s a 13″ macbook so not really dragging) to get on the internet, check email, and use aim when we have a wireless router that I could connect my WIFI blackberry to if there was one!
I have just got my hands on my very own 8300. I have played with it b4 and think it is got to be the best that RIM have brought out EVER! As I am moving to S.America where there is no Blackberry service I will not need it and will be offering it for sale on Ebay. If any of you guys want it just email me.