RIM drops BlackBerry 8310 with GPS
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I never thought I’d say this, but thank God for Germany. Research in Motion has just dropped the BlackBerry 8310 on German soil. The handset is a BlackBerry Curve with a "twist," sporting the integrated GPS receiver that so many have been pining over. Yes! The handset is available effective immediately for 99 Euros from Vodafone, and comes bundled with Vodafone Navigator, which is a server side navigation system a la Telenav. While it could still be a hot minute before we see one of these baby’s stateside, we’re still pleased to see that RIM is committed to dropping the 8300/8800 updates in a timely fashion, and if you’re so inclined, you’re now free to get your BlackBerry 8310 import on. With the impending arrival of the BlackBerry 8820 on our shores, we can only hope that the Papa Bear Wi-Fi/GPS monster will see the light of day before the end of the year…Way to confuse the consumer, RIM!
Thanks, MiBlackBerry
this ala carte system of rolling out handhelds is BULL
have a base model and a the MACK DADDY model!
shame on RIM
This is the model I want as long as it can act as a modem.
Any firmer news about a T-Mobile release date? I saw the story a while ago that said September, but hadn’t seen anything new in a while.
Tmobile is the probably the worst carrier when it comes to updated blackberry handsets.
Wait a sec, who had the Pearl first in the US? Was it Verizon?
I want that! Any chance for the U.S.?
“and if you’re so inclined, you’re now free to get your BlackBerry 8310 import on.”
Please forgive me if i’m wrong but, does that mean this can be used on Verizon’s network?
no, its a GSM version for Vodaphone, so you would have to unlock it (check out blackberryforums for more info on that) and then use it on either T-Mobile or AT&T)
And let me just say GODDAMNIT! I just bought a Curve, and re-uped my 2 year cause I really wanted a new phone. But had i know this GPS was coming to the Curve I would have waited. I guess I can always go the Bluetooth GPS route. This Bites. Make a handset the right way the first time.
LOL @ Nick. I second that!
yeah, i think this is BS, why cant RIM just release all the versions? I guess they are just trying to milk every device for every dime. obviously people want more toys in their phones and they must do this to make people buy multiples. You know the tech and OS has been there since the base model launched, i mean BG had a wifi berry along long time ago.
“Tmobile is the probably the worst carrier when it comes to updated blackberry handsets.”
So you’ve never heard of Sprint???
I like this and would consider but the papa bear device is what I want. Hum who knows, might just get a regular phone. 3G that is.
T-Mobile had the pearl first right?
tmo had the perl first yes.
also I cant’t beleve vodaphin is using the verizon crippling stragey in germany Althogh it would not suprise me considdering voada phone OWNS 54% ov v erizon comunications. the red white cancer cant be avoded on GSM anymore
waiting for the 8820
BTW ther is somting that sux worse than tmobole or sprint ALTEL
very disappointed in how RIM is doing this, seems like they are always going to hold back on releasing the “papa bear” until their clients have bought the base models and need to upgrade again. Yes we know what we are buying but as a business strategy i think its horrible, I dont see 3 versions of the HTC devices in stores, why should there be 3 for RIM devices.
Much to the consumer’s frustration, RIM has brilliantly expanded their product line and phased releases of desired features to maximize their revenue from the sales of devices. We all would wait for what we want, but RIM doesn’t want to let us know when we should wait to spend our money. By keeping the product lines separate and incrementally introducing features we want they are maximizing their product line’s lives.
and pissing off their customers.
wait for tmos with wifi in september>>>you can always add gps puck but wifi you need built in
heck kismet or netstumbler for black berry how coo would that be?
Hey Everyone,
Instead of whining about RIM’s business strategy, how about appreciating all the GREAT features that this model has.
I would rather that RIM takes the time to make sure their quality control is on track.
CB
it has nothing to do with quality control. they are doing it simply to make more money off their customers. The great features are all available on other phones.
They had wifi and GPS ready to go in the 88xx and 83xx from the outset but will only roll them out after their base model sales have dropped, such bs. its not a quality control issue.
like i said, “Much to the consumer’s frustration”
But who’s powering the Vodafone Navigator service? This blog has the deets:
http://www.thegpsinsider.com/2007/08/01/gps-enabled-blackberry-curve-8310-hits-vodafone/
I know this thread is about 8310/GPS, but I hope they don’t ever add wi-fi to this unit… until such time as they can build a better browser.
While the browser, designed to be efficient over slow speeds, is passable with EDGE speeds, clearly RIM made some decisions which effect the browsers ability to render pages as designed.
If wi-fi support becomes prevelant on RIM BB’s, then RIM needs to re-write the browser to better render pages (even the iPhone which runs on EDGE does a much better job at rendering pages)
If Vodafone is in bed with VZW can we HOPE that a Verizon version of this phone is forth cmoing??? And yes I know VZW is CDMA, but a CDMA / GSM Curve would be nicer then that other offering now…