BlackBerry Bold training on AT&T cancelled due to launch delays
For realz, y’all. October 2nd was about as concrete as we were going to get, but the powers that be (RIM’s lack of focus on the OS) have interjected. We’ve been working on this story over the past couple days, and here is a quick rundown on what we’ve heard… The Bold, while originally set for a launch on October 2nd is still having OS issues and it’s been up to RIM to fix them. Normally BlackBerrys can glide through AT&T’s testing labs in a pretty short time frame. Something like 2-3 weeks. As you are all aware, not this time. Regardless of what the problem is, there’s no excuse for having probably the most botched launch in device history. Device training was supposed to start October 7th, but that has been pushed back now, and then there’s the launch parties coming up starting mid-month. We’re not going to give another predicted launch date until we can fully confirm it, so we’ll get back to you on that. Any RIM PR reps want to give us a ring and still tell us the device was never delayed? Suckaz. Hit the jump for an email explaining the delay and the postponed device training sessions!
Thanks, CrunkBerry!
As you are aware, with the anticipated launch of the 3G AT&T BlackBerry Bold, RIM has committed to hold training sessions in over 40 cities. A large number of these sessions were to take place this and next week. Due to the continued uncertainty of the device launch date, we will work with RIM to reschedule these sessions to a later date.
Any representatives that have registered will be informed by email of the schedule change. No action is required from your part.
Rescheduling the training to align with a final technical acceptance for BlackBerry Bold launch will ensure that:
a) the training material can cover all the feature functionality that will be on this device at launch (at this time we don’t have clarity on the status of all features).
b) handouts can be given to Dealers to reinforce the material covered
c) we will be able to provide attendees with a general availability date
c) the delivery of the material will be within one – two weeks of launch to ensure content retention and ability to practice what they learn in the field
d) the desired 30 person per session registration/attendance is achieved (training in the last week of a sales month at the end of a sales quarter should be avoided if possible)
Please let me know if any questions.
Thank you in advance for your understanding.
Email edited to protect our ninja.
thanks, atleast I get to build a little fan club for all of the frustrations that bold is giving us. hey BG do you think the Bold will come with a bottle of KY as a bonus…you know for the way we have been getting fucked on this ??
Well guys, if it’s any consolation…
I’m locked in with Sprint, so I’m going to have to wait a LOT longer than November before I have any new RIM love come my way…
OK, so it’s no consolation… I tried.
=)
@Jordan
You’ll be lucky if it comes with a holster, let alone a bottle of KY. Pause. No homo. And all of that.
Posted from BGR Mobile on iPhone from: New York, NY
ha ha I know btw I think we might have some friends in common
BG so the phones delayed till next week?
Can you say Android? The bickering and other delays between RIM and ATT forcing the lack of a viable device launch will have Google stealing a lot of market share. I didn’t want an iphone or G1, but what choice am I going to have? Can the launch of the ATT Bold possibly go smoothly?
I think this has more to do with RIM finding out that ATT only wants its reps to sell the iPhone. If you are caught selling anything else you will basically be gutted. The average store is selling something like 30% or more iphone mix. Which is HUGE, HUGE, HUGE!!! until this forced selling of this phone stops later next month RIM wants nothing to do with the AT&T. I’ve seen ATT managers just about rip apart their reps that were trying to sell a customer a blackberry or anything else, it’s crazy in there.
I agree with Gil, it works just fine everywhere else in the world. So because it wont work here in the US, its RIM’s fault, never AT&T, eh? As usual this site jumps on to bssh RIM while kissing AT&T to convice them its everyone’s problem, no way is it theirs.
I don’t get it. Sprint released the 8830 with a huge bug that caused the device to believe that it was no longer connected to the BIS server and it took them over a year to fix it (OS 4.2.2.196). If Sprint and RIM can accept that, why not push the Bold already so I can drop the Titanic cell service aka Sprint. May the Xohm be with you, I’ll take LTE and some customer service. Thanks!
I still don’t get how its RIM’s issue when AT&T is the only carrier not to have it yet
I didn’t see any evidence to support the claim that RIM is at fault for any delay. All evidence points to AT&T. Particularly since the Bold is released and working in 30 other countries at this point in time. Why did Boy Genius fuel fire to blame RIM when there just doesn’t seem to be any evidence of fault? That’s irresponsible blogging. I’m gravely dissappointed.
HAHAHAHA!!
RIM sucks. Come on over to T-Mobile and get the G1..there is a firm release date and a better phone.
HAHA AT&T!!
lmao evening my tiny island of Grenada is getting it before AT&T. Fuckity fuck shit…
On Sep 30, 2008 @ 6:02 pm, Gil Said:
Judging by Kevin Michaluk’s article the other day over on Crackberry.com, it doesn’t seem that this is RIM’s problem. The Bold up in Canada on Rogers’ 3G network seems to be working just fine but when trying to function on AT&T’s 3G network, it’s a mess. Sounds to me that the delay isn’t so much because of RIM, but because of RIM trying to get the OS to actually function in a stable manner on AT&T’s joke of a 3G network.
I honestly do not believe it’s RIM’s fault, but AT&T’s
Am i the only one seeing the contradiction in this above statement? “not RIM’s problem… RIM trying to get the OS to actually function in a stable manner on ATT’s joke of a 3G network”
If ATT’s 3G is so unstable, how come EVERY other carrier on att has multiple 3G phones that operate just fine, exception iPhone 3G (issue corrected).
It’s on RIM to dream/design/manufacture a QUALITY product that should meet and or EXCEED current standards of 3g-ness on a phone. Especially when it’s their first foray into that arena. I applaud ATT for not releasing a sub-par device on their “unstable” 3G network.
Quality over quantity
turd.
WTF…I heard a commercial for the Curve 2 from AT&T today…maybe I’ll just go get that.
“Am i the only one seeing the contradiction in this above statement? “not RIM’s problem… RIM trying to get the OS to actually function in a stable manner on ATT’s joke of a 3G network” If ATT’s 3G is so unstable, how come EVERY other carrier on att has multiple 3G phones that operate just fine, exception iPhone 3G (issue corrected). It’s on RIM to dream/design/manufacture a QUALITY product that should meet and or EXCEED current standards of 3g-ness on a phone. Especially when it’s their first foray into that arena. I applaud ATT for not releasing a sub-par device on their “unstable” 3G network. Quality over quantity turd. ”
Here’s my question to you. If AT&T’s network isn’t the problem, why does this phone work fine on SO many other 3G networks? You seem to have overlooked that particular detail. And correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t the blackberry quite a bit different than a garbage LG or samsung? Or even a decent HTC product?
Posted from my Curve on T-Mobile
this is great… AT&T is awful… AWFUL!
There is not getting around it, I died a little inside when I read this. I have been waiting forever for this phone so I can get rid of my damn Iphone and its pretend keyboard…I swear if this is the BEST GOD DAMN blackberry ever when it finally comes out, I’ll write another scathing blog!
Curve 2 is wifi…and its blue. I had heard of the training getting cancelled and decided im going with the iphone for awhile.
Also, we are dropping the tilt and replacing it with….wait…. the pantech Matrix! lol wow.
I’ve been using a Bold (purchased in Singapore) on the AT&T network for 3 weeks now. I can see why AT&T would delay, as the power management on this device is horrible. It is as bad as the iPhone and am charging the device at least once during the day.
3G support is much better than my iPhone in the same area. I have had ZERO dropped calls and holds a 3G signal much better than my iPhone.
Aside from that, folks, this is a beautiful enterprise device. The display is magnificent and the speed is incredible. Voice quality is incredible. I love it, except for the power consumption issues…
Just forget about the BBB.
We need more info on the new Curve 8900 (Javelin)! Come on BGR get some Javelin info. We don’t need that over rated 3G crap.
Internal AT&T Email says Bold in November, but no firm date yet.
Borneo got it. I can see India. They have a lot of people and RIM said F-u to the Indian government. But Borneo? Raise your hand if you thought only spider monkeys lived there.
raises hand….
really though. this is becoming more and more of a joke
@ BGR: DOES THIS ALSO DELAY THE OCT 26 DATE???
What’s the big deal? It’s just another BlackBerry. Hardly a trend-setter, or revolutionary. Even after all these years it’s not much different than the old 8700. Yeah better screen, and somewhat better browser (still nowhere near as good as any other webkit based browser).
And @BG, RIM nor any other manufacturer can get a device through any carrier in 2-3 weeks, I’d bet most have at least 10-14 week cycles. Even simple maintenance releases take 2 weeks, so I’d imagine a “new” device would take quite a bit longer.
That’s the problem with bloggers making up release dates, they aren’t based on reality.