T-Mobile launching BlackBerry Curve (8320) on September 24th
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Filed in BlackBerry, EDGE, Exclusives, GPRS, GSM, Handsets, RIM, T-Mobile
Well, isn’t this a glorious day. You begged, you pleaded with the T-Mobile gods, and now we finally have something concrete. It seems as if September 24th is the rumored launch date set in stone for one of the most anticipated BlackBerry devices to date — the BlackBerry Curve with WiFi + UMA (8320). We’ve got a string of other handsets we’re sifting through at moment from our oh-so-fabulous informants, but in the meantime, I guess we can all just "marinate" on this BlackBerry Curve launch date. Yeah, it’s golden. Hey T-Mobz, care to send us an embargoed unit? Thank ya’s
Thanks, tmophonehome!
joanberry,
Thank you for replying so quickly. Based on my own research and attempts to discuss my concerns with AT&T and T-Mobile I think that the Curve with T-Mobile is the overall better purchase, even though it may incur slightly higher carrying costs (by my estimates around $7.00 to $10.00 more for comparable plans). I think that I would not mind paying extra to keep the stellar customer service.
Also a severe limitation with the iPhone is the battery is fixed inside the unit and can not be accessed by the customer. It is my understanding that a Blackberry does not suffer from this battery access issue? This makes me very nervous if I need to replace a battery I simply can not go buy one on the same day, but as you indicated the phone must be mailed in and await a replacement. Being without a phone means loss of business and potential harm to reputation. That is simply not acceptable.
Thank you,
Sam
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joanberry,
Thank you for replying so quickly. Based on my own research you are correct to be concerned regarding the battery in an iPhone. The battery is inside the unit and can not be accessed by the customer, so in the event it needs to be replaced quickly the customer is in trouble. I do not think the Blackberry suffers from this battery issue? Also T-Mobile does have excellent customer service. Given the overall comparisons on plans I estimate that I will end up paying about $7 to $10.00 more for T-Mobile, but I think it is worth the extra cost.
Thank you,
Sam
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I also have had a pre-release device for a few days now and can confirm that it does come in GOLD. I also know that it will initially come in two colors, gold and titanium (silver).
So far, the UMA works great…no problems switching from gprs/edge to uma during calls and the data speeds are awesome over uma when connected to a wifi network with high-speed internet. Voice quality so far is iffy over UMA, but have had some very good calls and some not so good calls, so not sure if it’s my network, T-Mobile or the phones I’ve made calls to.
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joanberry…
with the features you plan on adding to the Curve, it would make your plan more expensive than if you were with AT&T. You don’t need to get the hotspot at home service. Cutting that out would give you a similar price than AT&T with more minutes.
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Thank you for your reply! The info is a huge help in making my decision… I might have made a bad choice based on misunderstanding. GPS is much more important to me than WI-FI, so I will look for an unlocked 8300 to use with my T-Mobile SIM card. Thanks again.
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I think the model you need to look for is the Curve 8310, NOT the 8300. The Curve 8300 came out first with AT&T and does NOT have GPS nor WiFi.
AFAIK the 8310 will be a Rogers [Canadian] release.
http://na.blackberry.com/eng/devices/device-detail.jsp?navId=H0,C221,P583#tab_tab_overview
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JoanBerry… I was under the impression that T-Mo has the lowest rate plans, especially compared to AT&T. At least that is what I have seen over the years.
T-Mo has had it’s $20 unlimited data plan, which includes BB e-mail service. AT&T charged $30 for its unlimited data plan and I am not sure if that included BB e-mail.
In any event, the $10 hotspot service is a great choice if you plan on making lots of calls from your house AND you have eliminated your landline.
If you have a small office/home office, hotspot lets you make 24/7 calls from the Curve, at no charge or deduction to your cell plan, nor for long distance.
Remember that you currently need to be getting cable broadband to your house. This is because the hotspot network router [free after rebate] connects and uses the broadband connection.
As to my costs, so you can compare: we are considering getting the $10 BB e-mail only plan being offered currently by T-Mo on promotion.
Our two cell lines snapped up the $40 monthly for 1000 minutes, free nights and weekends.
We have two hotspot at home accounts at $10 each monthly.
So my monthly costs [not including broadband cable/TV costs] after getting the Curve will be:
$40 for 1000 minutes, n/w free
$10 for BB e-mail ONLY plan
$10 for hotspot at home.
$xx taxes and robber baron fees.
So $60 is pretty low to me considering I can make no-cost calls from my home office 24/7, and nights and weekends free on the cell.
As to my 1000 minutes for $40, you can keep an eye on T-MO television ads as they run that promo to compete with what else is going on. You can then switch to that plan when it becomes available.
As to hotspot, keep in mind that T-Mo is marketing the service on how it benefits you and how it should be used, which is basically to get rid of your home landline service. Factor that savings into your monthly costs.
I got rid of my home landline about five years ago and went wireless, as they call it. I saved about $40 a month by eliminating the landline costs.
You need to do what I did years ago. Total up current costs for all your phone needs, then pencil out total costs if you cut out some services and include others.
If you find that making unlimited calls from home is of value [and at any T-Mo hotspot throughout the U.S.] and that the bottom line will result in savings, when making the changes, then go with the Curve, etc.
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Michael-
Since you plan on doing the $10 email plan only, maybe you could answer… Or maybe no one knows yet… Would you still have access to WiFi web browsing with the email plan, or do we need to have the data plan in order for WiFi capabilities to be enabled???
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You do not need a data plan, otherwise T-Mo would advertise that as a “minimum requirement” for WiFi.
WiFi is a physical “card” inserted into the Curve. It emits and receives radio waves to create another way to connect to the Internet.
In contrast, data plans use the cell network for accessing the Internet [and to use RIMs e-mail service].
WiFi does NOT use the cell network. That’s why you have to be at a hotspot to use the Curve’s WiFi features.
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OMG FINALLY CURVE IN TMOBILE 1 QUESTION IS IT ONNLY GOING 2BE GOLD???
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The official release date is October 15, 2007 for this Blackberry Curve according to the T-Mobile Representative that I spoke to.
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yes is it in GOLD i have it in my hand
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Thanks Speedy, Go check out another thread addressing the gold color. The trusted word on the street is that T-mo will be offering two colors.. http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2007/09/01/t-mobile-blackberry-curve-8320-in-the-concrete-jungle/
Although the gold color BB Curve 8320 is something Master P and Lil’ Romeo could both endorse LOL
(check sidekick threads for details)
Thanks “Go” for your quick response. I sure wish I could have an 8320 in my hand..
-Warren
PS, I’d rock the BB-8320 over the i-phone POS any day.
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Pricing info? anyone?
Oh, and is it MONDAY YET?!?!?
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I see pricing for this on http://www.brokeit.com/#
Seems like biz folks can order now. I am going to call Tmo soon and see if I can pre-order mine as well. Good luck to you all.
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So just for feedback… given the choice of the 8830 or holding out for the 8820 which would you do
thanks
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The color is gold and silver (There are 2 editions)
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yes corporate accounts can pre-order at 199.99 for a quantity of 10 and 149.99 for 20
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Well I predicted that upgrade pricing will be about $250. But that’s just an informed guess with a touch of wishful thinking.
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I am currently with att and own the curve, its the sickest phone out there…I’m switching to T-Mobile on Monday, I will be saving about $65.00 per month on my bill and recieving more minutes. ATT is a rip off. Go T-Mobile! Get your curve on folks, you won’t be disappointed.
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Spoke to TMO Rep today. They said the curve is delayed until Sept. 28. Sorry for the bad news…
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I just wanted to keep all of you guys in the loop on colors. My corporate account rep has confirmed the public price and colors. 2 year contract price will be 199.99. 1 year contract price is 349.99. It will come in 4 colors from the begining, and these are the for sure colors! Gold, Black, White or Red.
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Gold, black, white, and red? I am not sure about that…is it true? I have heard that there will be a red curve for att later this year, but nothing about a red or a white curve for tmobile. Can any one clarify this? Any pics?
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Craig… Delayed until the 28th? Four days, not that big a deal at all since I have been enjoying my Pearl for the past year. Truth be told, I am going to miss my Pearl [that I will be selling on eBay]. But I need the Curve for all the improvements and the dual-mode UMA hotspot feature.
Tom: How reliable is that info. No one has mentioned the white, red colors [nor black, unless you mean titanium]. You just yanking our chains?
And are those prices for the public or for corporate accounts?
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Well I was given this information by the head of corporate accounts, Should be very accurate seeing how she supports us as one of larger corporate accounts nation wide…. You will all see very soon.
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