T-Mobile BlackBerry Curve 8320 Unboxing!
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Filed in BlackBerry, EDGE, Exclusives, GPRS, GSM, Handsets, T-Mobile, Unboxing
If you haven’t heard yet, T-Mobile has started to sell their brand new BlackBerry 8320. You should be able to pick these up by ordering direct from T-Mobile, or from a store, though we’re not sure if this is a case of some stores just selling early, or an official notice from corporate giving the "OK". One BGR reader sent us a plethora of pictures of his brand new device, and we’ve added them in our gallery. So, the question is, did you get a T-Mobile BlackBerry 8320 today? And if so, Pale Gold, or Titanium?
Click on over to our T-Mobile BlackBerry Curve 8320 Unboxing gallery!
Also, I had a question on what of my old batteries would work since the Curve’s looks similar to the Pearl and 7100t batteries.
What I did was insert the Seidio “medium” sized battery that I had been using on the Pearl. I say “medium” because it is in between the standard OEM battery, but not as big as the largest extended battery for the Pearl.
I inserted the Seidio battery and slipped the Curve cover over it. It was a bit snug, but it fit. So I then took off the black foam square that sits on the inside of the Curve cover.
The cover now fits perfect over the medium extended battery.
Was so thrilled that I have used that battery only since I got the Curve last Friday. Battery has been performing flawlessly and longer than the OEM Curve battery.
I was glad to not have to spend more money for batteries, at least not having just got the phone.
Here is a link to the battery I am using.
http://www.seidioonline.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=658
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Oh, one last thing. I have been using hotspot @home here in San Francisco for the past 45 days. I was using a Nokia 6086 until the Curve came out.
I also used the D-Link router available for FREE from T-Mo [after $50 rebate].
When the Curve came in, put in the SIM I had been using with the Nokia. My Curve recognized the hotspot @home connection and worked perfectly. My Curve screen indicated “UMA” and “WiFi.”
So I don’t know about CSRs telling people they need 4.3 OS to get WiFi to work.
Maybe some people are having problems because they are not using the T-Mo router [the one with the T-Mo logo on it.
Also, I heard that unless one uses the T-Mo router that one cannot get support for router issues. Don't know how accurate that is. But when I called when I first got the hotspot @home service [45 days ago] I called T-Mo support and they helped me get connected.
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As to a free Curve, the vendor that I have used to buy phones is giving them away for $25 and two year contract. I did not qualify for that, but here is that Vendor.
Such a deal. Wish I was not under contract.
http://www.ushopwireless.com/wireless/getyours/index.php?pc=UShop_8320&oc=SGSB9&campaign=goog_search_8320&gclid=CLeA74DG744CFQyPYAodP3oZKA
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Yes it has.
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I configured mine to access the WiFi network at home, which uses a Linksys (not even a TMO router) and a RoadRunner connection in NYC. It was very easy and now when I get home my display says “WiFi UMA” and everything (including voice, BES, SMS, MMS and PIN) works using my WiFi connection. I do not subscribe to TMO@Home but wrote to them today asking how usage via WiFi is charged. I believe the value added proposition of the TMO@Home is to have the hand-off between GPRS/EDGE - WiFi and vice-versa and/or special rates for int’l VoIP calls.
Oh, and here is something interesting, when you remove the SIM card from the phone, it will still surf the web using WiFi!
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The BlackBerry Curve may lose UMA capability when you switch from a previous BlackBerry device to the BlackBerry Curve.
If you use a BlackBerry Desktop Manager on your PC to “Backup” the data and settings from your previous BlackBerry device and then “Restore” that data and settings to your new device, the Curve will lose its UMA capability.
At this point, you won’t be able to make voice calls over Wi-Fi. All voice calls must go over GSM.
If you have the HotSpot @Home plan will not be able to make free calls.
You won’t be able to send text or picture messages or access t-zones over Wi-Fi.
How to fix - click on the “Help” Icon on the screen (the “?”). Then click on help from BlackBerry, pick “Curve” etc. Failing that, BlackBerry Customer Care should help.
As far as a couple of the other questions:
The Curve won’t come in Blue - the (non-UMA) Pearl just came out in Blue, Pale Gold and Red.
T-mobile pushes the router because it offers longer battery usage, voice prioritization, as well as the afore-mentioned T-Mobile Tech support. It’s cost is around $50, with a $50 mail-in rebate - making it a net zero cost.
A bit lengthy, hope it helps.
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I read that the problem is restoring the entire backup file from the old BB is the problem. If doing a full restore the old backup file puts OS elements from the old OS on to the Curve OS and that screws it up.
The fix is supposed to be to wipe the Curve then do a selective restore, meaning contacts, calendar, etc., but NOT the OS with programs, etc.
Sorry for the layman’s terms, but hope you get the idea.
I’m simply not restoring my old Pearl backup file on to the Curve, for now. I mostly had contacts and all, about 375, and I did not want all of those anyway. So it’s no big to not restore at this time.
And I think I can sync with Outlook and that will put all my Outlook data on the Curve.
And as Kevin says, the T-Mo router is free, so might as well get it.
But are you all saying that the $10 a month for hotspot @home is not needed? Oh well, I will still pay it because I like calling tech support for the hours of help I need on setting things up. For sure I’d use $120 in labor in one week trying to figure it out myself. I’m no network guy, at all, so tech support is worth a lot to me.
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Have anyone got the $25 Curve 8320 from :
http://www.ushopwireless.com/wireless/getyours/index.php?pc=UShop_8320&oc=SGSB9&campaign=goog_search_8320&gclid=CLeA74DG744CFQyPYAodP3oZKA ?
How was the service and was there any security issue?
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DB - We used that company to purchase four 7100t phones about four years ago. They had a rebate which ended up making the phone free.
I referred a friend to this company about three months ago to get a free Pearl. She ended up not being able to use it due to poor T-Mo signal in her area.
She sent the phone back and there was no problem.
IMHO the Company is great. They have been around for about five years.
I think they send the phone two-day FedEx.
Wish I qualified as a new customer so I could get their deal on the Curve.
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How did you do that, and can I do it too?
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This whole service is flawed. If your in Seattle or Denver its cool, but the rest of us, especially with old towers, can still not make uma/gsm handoffs. Have had an open ticket since August and they still don’t have it fixed nor will they let me out of my contract!
After this past weeks flood, my phone stopped working for over a week and is still acting up.
Coverage map says 2-3 bars service in my area but it is 0-1.
I tried T-Mobile for the UMA, I wish I had avoided them like the plague.
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I have to say, I’m loving it! The best phone/blackberry I’ve ever had. I typically get bad service at my house, but with this phone, I pull into the driveway and I automatically switch to my home WiFi - no issues.
I’ve been to China twice with it. Log onto my factories open WiFi service, and presto……free calls to the US.
This is the first handset that I have no complaints with! OK, the camera could be a lot nicer, but after all - its a phone camera!
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You say that you use your curve in China on your companies wi-fi. I am having major trouble getting UMA in China.. I can connect easily enough for data not for voice…
What is the secret? I am in China now and can’t call…part of the whole reason I springed for the phone in 1st place
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Could some one help me create email address on my new blackberry 8320?
I cant seem to figure it out.
Thx.
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how can i connect internet using my blackberry curve 8320 to my laptop?
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Jus lost my blackberry curve. Im very hurting right now. Its A very sad time 4 me…
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