AT&T BlackBerry Bold receives Technical Acceptance; Nov 4 launch, $300
We’ll get right to the point on this one. One of our sources notified us last night that as of 6:00 PM EST yesterday, the BlackBerry Bold has officially received Technical Acceptance from Big Blue, meaning the handset has been approved for sale by the phone gods of AT&T. Typically, TA means the handset is about two weeks from launching but we had our fingers crossed that AT&T would somehow be fast-tracking the release since the Bold has already been delayed so many times. Unfortunately it doesn’t look that that will be the case. Word is coming in now that AT&T has officially stated on this morning’s earnings call, that the Bold will be released on November 4th. We still have it on pretty good authority that October 27th was intended to be the date – looks like AT&T and RIM just had to keep the tradition of delays alive one last time before launch.
UPDATE: This just in – $300 price point yall! (Thanks Carlos)
I agree it’s a little over-glorified. But i can’t help checking this site ever 30 mintues to see if its ready for pickup yet. Att is a good company, but they need a little work. By the way, this phone is perfect. Screw touch-screens and anyone who says otherwise until they have used one for about a year needs to gtfo. I’ll never look forward to another touch screen, not that they are that bad, but i prefer a mounted keyboard and I’m over the hype. The storm is like whoopty do, they remade the iphone better. The bold is sick because its like an updated curve, without all the crap you dont need or want.
i have this device already and its amazing.
highly recommend it!
FINALLY the bold is out Nov. 4! i was getting ready to throw in the towel with this phone but im super excited right now..im like a kid on Christmas waiting to open some new toys…cant wait to get this phone! FUCK OFF IPHONE!
@ROME: AT&T does not care enough about this (or any) website to change release dates.
BGR wrong once again. Finally there is a date on the interweb that didn’t originate from this website. By default, it has to be more accurate then the totally fabricated stuff that is usually printed here.
I’ve only been coming to this site for about 3mo. Can someone tell me if BGR ever gets things right short of an official press release. Cause if he doesn’t why even come here other than for pics?
@MadMike
I believe Big’s comments fall along the lines of “don’t know, don’t tell”
@The Jackal
Two posts less than an hour of each other reveals some level of priority.
… Technical Acceptance from Big Blue? What does IBM have to do with this? (smile – a bit of old guy historical humor!)
@ROME: If anything, AT&T knows enough to allow sites like these, as it generates interest. It’s free advertising. AT&T isn’t stupid, changing dates on purpose to thwart a Tech Blog would be irrational and totally unnecessary.
@Basehead: Actually, BGR is more accurate than the rest of the blogs when it comes to cellphones. Furthermore, he’s not inaccurate. He reports the date, because thats the date that was set. BG is as only as good as the information he gets from his Ninjas. Companies change things last minute.
Can anyone comment on ATTs return policy? I want to get it first, but also want to give the Storm a try. Does anyone know if I do return the Bold during the 1 month period, do I just get charged for my mins that I’ve used and get everything else refunded? Thank you in advance!!
This really is the most fucked up launch of a phone ever. well atleast we got it before Antarctica.
The Iphone and Storm are far superior… actual keys are for people too old or dumb to learn how to use a touch screen
If one of your “sources” told you last night that the BOLD had`passed TA, why is this post not dated till after the press release? Maybe your “source” = gum stuck to the sidewalk.
Thanks for the heads up BGR. Looking forward to getting that phone soon…
P.S.: I’m glad some people in the blog realize that it’s just a phone not a cure for cancer…hahaha
To all the others that are dissing (excuse my language) this phone: it’s all about the features and the good compression that blackberry offers with the services like the messengers (yahoo, msn, google, blackberry…etc), Shozu, facebook and so on. That type of service makes the phone worth while along with the GPS and WiFi (so you can make VOIP calls from anywhere in the world as if it were local/much cheaper).
I suppose the next blog would be about the launch party hu…
@JC
I think you don’t get refunded the activation fee or the minutes but you do get refunded for the phone. Call up ATT support @ 866-246-4852 for more info…
Your welcome in advance
AT&T Return Policy: You have 30 days to cancel your contract after you sign it and you’ll only be charged the activation fee and a prorated portion of your usage. You have 30 days to switch out the device and you can do this multiple times and you will only have to pay for the difference between the two devices. After 30 days you’re stuck in your contract and face an ETF.
I’m glad it’s finally out, I’ll be getting this for my employee line. It’s much more than cosmetic upgrade. It features a much better looking and running OS, brilliant screen, upgraded keyboard, and the big killers: WiFi and HSDPA/UMTS/3G. I plan on using the email and internet services on my phone very extensively and I know that if I can shave seconds off of getting things done on my phone, I’ll be more productive. Plus you now have the ability to receive data at the same time as your making a voice call so your texts and e-mails will come through even during a call and you won’t have to wait. Not to mention navi and PTT. I actually look forward to this more than the storm. Touch screens are too hard to type on and a physical qwerty will let you get more done. The touch/qwerty combo BB will be my next upgrade.
Stop talking shit about BG, he is one of the best out there.
@Steve G- Ive had an iphone since it came out, and it made me hate all touch screens.I’ll bet my Cornell MBA that its not because I am too stupid to learn how to use it.
AT&T Ninja,
What if I decide to go completely to another carrier? Will ATT ding me for that? ThankS!!!
@MichaelK: I’m not that old, and *I* still consider IBM to be “Big Blue”, and AT&T to be the “Death Star”… Ok, so maybe I have punch cards somewhere in a box from when I was a kid, and I *know* I have a few stacks of 17×11 green bar paper with Zork maps on the back…
@MichaelK: I’m not that old, and *I* still consider IBM to be “Big Blue”, and AT&T to be the “Death Star”… Ok, so maybe I have punch cards somewhere in a box from when I was a kid, and I *know* I have a few stacks of 17×11 green bar paper with Zork maps on the back…
Just called AT&T and got them to give me an early upgrade. I am dying for this phone after all my research, etc. This is definitely a device I have been waiting for.
@AT&T Ninja
Wow…your “personal use” novel you just typed away doesn’t seem like a marketing feat at all! Really! I really believe that you will do exactly what you said!
That also makes me want to buy the Bold even more!
In all seriousness, it’s good to see that AT&T finally announced it and I’m looking forward to buying it. BUT, AT&T did kill my excitement by delaying this device for so long. Jerks!
At $299 RIM has priced the Bold out of the market. While its a good phone, its not THAT good. Other similar handsets come in for significantly less cash, and offer exactly what the bold does.
If my old Treo 750 falls apart one more time (probable) and if the Bold is not released on or before Nov 4 (highly possible)then there will not be a Bold in my future as I will have moved on to some other device. I’m trying very hard to nurse the Treo along until I can get what I want to replace it but I can only survive on hope a little while longer.
@John: What device are you referring to? I have yet to see one “Significantly” cheaper. And $50 is not “significant”.
@level:
Thanks, someone gets what I’m saying.
@MadMike:
Relax, you’re the only one here getting over excited.