AT&T, the BlackBerry 8820, and GPS: BGR MythBusters Edition
It was recently reported by BlackBerry Cool that the BlackBerry 8820, when released by AT&T, will have it’s GPS features neutered. They said it was being influenced by AT&T’s deal with Apple for the iPhone and even stating that T-Mobile’s launch of the BlackBerry 8820 (the same device, mind you) would be better. There has since been a follow-up story which says, due to outrage expressed by the collective online BlackBerry community, GPS will no longer be disabled.
To clear up some of the confusion, this is NOT a new limitation to BlackBerry devices on AT&T. This started with the BlackBerry 8800, the first GPS-enabled BlackBerry device for GSM carriers, months before the release of the Apple iPhone. This is simply a software-enabled limitation very similar to locked themes that are bundled with all flavors of the BlackBerry device software packages. This is not a hardware/firmware-based limitation, as is the case with Verizon’s actual neutering of GPS functions on their devices (all of which have the GPS chipset on-board, mind you). Hit the jump for the whole run down!
Here’s a run-down of more well-known software and carrier-based restrictions found within the BlackBerry installation files:
BlackBerry.alx - Carrier themes (AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, Bell, Rogers, Vodafone, etc)
Platform.alx - Push-To-Talk (AT&T)
LBS.alx - BlackBerry Maps, GPS (AT&T, Orange)
Phone.alx - TTY (T-Mobile US)
From the LBS.alx device software installation file for the BlackBerry 8820:
<!– For 8800 series, hide the icon for Docomo (220), AT&T (102), Vodafone Germany (124), Vodafone Austria (137) and all Orange properties, including Amena (Orange Spain - 175). –>
<fileset SystemSize="normal" Colour="True" Java="1.0" _vendorID="~220|102|124|137|119|162|142|183|147|217|175" series="8800">
<files>
net_rim_bb_lbs_ribbon.cod
</files>
</fileset>
What does all of that mean?
- The comments between the <!– –> tags pretty much spells it out. For certain carriers, including AT&T, the ICON for BlackBerry Maps is hidden. The actual BlackBerry Maps application is installed to the device.
- The XML tag attribute labeled _vendorID denotes various carrier identification numbers (as defined by RIM). The tilde trailing the open quotation for this attribute denotes an exclusion. For clarification, in the event that it’s not clearly stated above in the comment, AT&T’s Vendor ID is 102. The XML tag attribute labled series denotes what BlackBerry series is being affected by this particular restriction - in this case, the 8800 series, which includes the 8800, 8820 and 8830 (more on this later, for the naysayers).
So basically what this particular XML entry instructs the BlackBerry Application Loader (found in Desktop Manager, for those not familiar with the terminology) to do is load the net_rim_bb_lbs_ribbon.cod module (the BlackBerry Maps icon) to all BlackBerry 8800, BlackBerry 8820, and BlackBerry 8830 devices except those with the Vendor ID number of those listed.
To further this little technical exploratory, to view your device’s Vendor ID, from the home screen, press and hold ALT+CAP+H. This will display a screen entitled Help Me! (fitting for this article). The Vendor ID will be displayed atop this list; my AT&T-branded Curve showing a 102 value.
Going back to the series="8800" attribute and value, you can typically view the Device.xml file to discover more information on the devices and their XML-linked attributes, which are part of the source for these ALX installation restrictions. With that said, for the BlackBerry 8820, the information has been placed at the top of the Platform.alx file. Listed below is the content of this, which clearly shows the series being listed as the 8800 family.
<osfiles>
<os radio="GPRS-WLAN" series="8800" Colour="True" Theme="Normal" JVMLevel="1.0" VoiceNotes="True" pttApp="True" Memory="Large" KeyboardType="Qwerty" Sound="Tunes8700g" SystemSize="normal" Bluetooth="True" MMS="True" GPS="True" ThemeSupport="Enhanced" VAD="True" JPN_Input="False">GPRS/rim8820g.sfi</os>
</osfiles>
This is hardly a limitation or a restriction, but rather a strategic means for AT&T and TeleNav to gather $10 in additional monthly service fees from unwitting customers. TeleNav is worth the subscription, but some customers would prefer to go the free route (BlackBerry Maps, Google Maps). The BlackBerry 8820 has never been hardware-restricted for GPS services nor was it restricted to the use of TeleNav only.
We aren’t hearing the Germans on Vodafone or the French and British on Orange or the Japanese on DoCoMo complaining about the same restriction, nor did we ever hear a peep about this SAME issue when AT&T first launched the BlackBerry 8800 six months ago. I hope this clears up the non-issue that has become a whirlwind of misinformation and misunderstanding surrounding the release of the BlackBerry 8820 and it’s GPS capabilities.
I feel like I just went through class. That was fun, now if we could only get one (I could get mine for free :-P) then we could all be happy.
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Thanks for taking the time to educate those of us easily influenced by rumors due to ignorance (me included). I’ve noticed Jibi making the rounds and explaining this in bits and pieces on other sites- great to have it clearly explained in one place. Bookmark’d!
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So boil it down for me - there is no hardware limitation, just a software limitation? Which can be easily removed by modifying a text file?
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In any case it makes you wonder about AT&T?
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The original story was blog spam in my opinion. People trying to get attention my using a known story to garner extra attention. I point my finger directly at Blackberry Cool as the culprit that spread this in order to get someone to look at them. Sad.
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Pete: you got it.
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If any of you didn’t know already. Blackberry cool sucks. They are make up stories just to get pathetic page views. Thank you jibi for clearing everything up for all of the readers it is very much appreciated and i for one will stick to tbgr for my gadget news
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Sounds like they got F’d in the A by their insider. I guess Boy Genius Report does set the bar high though, so i can’t blame them too much jumping on a tip.
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Eh, I like BlackBerry Cool. Heck, I even write for them. But concerning this story, I think they just had bad information. As a result of the alleged outrage, perhaps the restrictions will be removed from the LBS.alx file, but I don’t really view that as much of a victory, to be honest.
The simple fact of the matter is that their restriction was put in place not to disable GPS (as it was available for free from Google Maps and with subscription with TeleNav or any other mapping program), but rather to push their TeleNav subscriber plans. This is increased revenue for AT&T as a feature-add paid service. If it was intended as part of any sort of contractual obligation on AT&T’s part, it would have been the result of guaranteed subscription numbers with TeleNav’s service and not as the result of their contract with or pressures from Apple, as it was first reported.
Like I said, other carriers do this and even more without cause for concern. I just never really saw the big deal. Perhaps one man’s lack of concern is another’s gold mine in news reporting. It just never would have alarmed me in the first place. *shrug*
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Whatever the truth is, I got my plain-Jane 8800 through T-Mobile USA and don’t regret it. I like both Blackberry Maps and Google maps and use them both. I also have had zero trouble setting up email and learning to use everything on this device even though I have never owned any type of smartphone before.
T-Mobile may not have the coverage of AT&T or Verizon but it has done very well for me and I highly recommend TMO and the 8800.
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Someone from T-Mobile, who really should know these things, told me today that the Curve will have WiFi but will NOT support UMA/H@H
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Whadya expect from those whining infants at BBC or BBF? Mob-mantality? Them? Never!
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@K, firstly, my technical contacts at T-Mobile are much better than yours (I will guarantee that) and actually involved with the actual design, testing, implementation and envangelism of every technical project T-Mobile USA (or VoiceStream prior) has rolled out for the last decade. I will confirm that what you were told is incorret. Secondly, what does that have to do with this article?
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Jibi - the article mentions the ALT-CAP-H keypress combo, but this doesn’t seem to work on my 8100 (I’m assuming it’s a suretype limitation), any ideas?
Thanks,
MC
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Nevermind, Google was my friend on that one — suretype users to access the menu mentioned above, hold ALT, type 1/E/R, then ?/A/S, then 7/C/V, then release ALT.
-olly
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I guess a bad source could be to blame but I think to put up the apple part was all for attention. that was just stupid of bbcool.
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The 8300 is different, in that it lacks the GPS hardware entirely? No software disabling with the 8300 (Curve), simply a purposeful limitation in the unit itself?
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If the BlackBerry 8310 is ever released by AT&T, expect more of the same. But that is the only BlackBerry Curve series device that has built-in GPS. Connect a bluetooth GPS puck to the Curve and you can expect to have the same experience as AT&T customers using the 8800 and 8820 have, though.
Think of it this way. You install a program on your computer and it doesn’t put an icon on the desktop. The application is still installed, but sometimes you have to go through a bit of an extra effort (although not much of one at all) in order to get the shortcut icon where you want it. Really, that’s all there is to it.
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Great Info! Definitly got this one bookmarked for future reference if I have any problems when I get my new model.
Just another thought, for alot of people it is probbly easier for them to pay the monthly fee’s than to learn how to get around them.
With this in mind, maybe you can shine some light on the 8320 and 8820 models for a AT&T customer pertaining to the use of the Wi-Fi and how it has been said to have been limited to use threw a data plan. Is there any truth to this and if so would it be a similar fix to get it to work like say wi-fi in your laptop?
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Looks like jibi is the “jedi of blackberry” haha check out the link.
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I had the 8800 and the on-board GPS worked fine with Telenav, now comes Curve, and I buy it and bite the bullet and get a puck, a brand which Telenav endorsed, but which is nonetheless spotty in its performance. While I never leave my BB in the car, I don’t carry the damn puck with me everywhere I go, so it stays in the car. . . . until its stolen. So I’m hooked on GPS and I like the Curve a lot better than the 8800 but for the GPS, so I buy another puck, this time a non-approved brand, but one which is reviewed as a better unit than Telenav’s choice. . . and Telenav doesn’t want to offer any tech support unless you buy their choice of puck, not even to strip the embedded BT profile from the stolen puck. . . . I fiddle around, get the old setting out, and guess what? Even thought Telenav swears it ain’t so, the better-made-though-non-approved puck functions better with Telenav, so Telenav functions better with pucks made by companies that haven’t cut a deal with RIM, ATT, Telenav, etc., etc. Fascinating stuff, I know, but even while its fun to work around, there is a point of being jerked around (even by RIM itself) thereafter it ceases to be amusing. Its frustrating that all of these companies have the wherewithal to give their customers what they want, know what their customers want, but won’t give it to them, instead preferring to bleed their customers white through a thousand cuts
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hey-
if you don’t like the death-through-a-thousand-cuts game, then mobile technology is not for you. They are ALL (and I defy anyone to prove me wrong) a bunch of thieving whorish self-serving capitalist corporations (and god bless them for it…it is after all the AMRICAN way) and they make the rules and break the rules and bend and twist and stretch them…and just when you think you have it figured out…they screw you over one more time. No music, no tequila, just stick it in…and then (the best part…wait for it…) YOU GO BACK FOR MORE…
so…buy lots of band-aids apply where necessary…and always remember…only the first couple hurt…after that it starts to feel like the same old thing….
or… I could be wrong…
-db
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Ok Ok Ok. I will buy the At&T 8800 if somebody can confirm that you have BBMaps working after this hack. Please reply
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If you want better maps and have GPS then download Yahoo! GO. There map is way better. I used that map and my GPS to drive to Washington state from Las Vegas. Yahoo’s maps gave me a shorter drive time and better route than TELEnav. I got dupped once by telenav not again. T-Mobile is better all the way around. What it all boils down to is which carrier has the best service since they all have BB’s. They all get a new BB each year or 2 and 3 times in a year. T-Mobile is the way to go. Yahoo! GO can be used on any new BB from what I’ve seen.
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BBmaps and all other map apps work fine on the 8800. Shenee, you say service is most important and I agree with you, for my area its ATT. no problems at all.
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