BlackBerry 9630 is the Niagara, Verizon World Edition?
So… we’ve just got word from a really trusted source, dropping bombs all around on the BlackBerry “Niagara”. First off, the model number we’re told is the BlackBerry 9630, not 8930 or 9030, or anything like that. Second, the phone will definitely be a Verizon World Edition with support for CDMA 1x, EV-DO Rev. A, GSM, GPRS, EDGE, and UMTS, though we’d bet the UMTS band is going to be 2100MHz only. The last of the big news won’t surprise any Verizon-haters, but this bad beast is not going to have Wi-Fi. Oh man, they never learn, do they? To recap everything for you slow pokes:
- The OS actually we’re told is 4.7.1 (but possibly, possibly, be OS 5.0 depending on launch date).
- No Wi-Fi.
- Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE support along with WCDMA support (bands not specified, but most likely 2100MHz).
- CDMA 1x/EV-DO Rev. A device.
- Release date unknown, but we’d say May/June if we had to bet.
- 3.2 megapixel camera (though we heard a rumor there might be a camera-less version, but that’s unconfirmed).
- The web browser supports JavaScript 1.6 (not huge news, but at least the browser is slowly improving).
Now how many of you are going to buy one of these things when they are released? We think a whole lot of people are.
Chris, Sprint will be getting this too and you’ll be saving some money by not having to pay for nav or messaging with either a Pro Pack or the Everything plans
I know I asked this before, but why wouldn’t verizon get the pre at some point?
Thanks for the suggestion Dave, I’ll check it out. Not trying to stray off subject here, but to answer your question/reply, my reason for switching to VZW is due to majority of family & friends are now on VZW. Monthly bill would be $20 higher than T-Mobile -minus an 8% disc VZW offers for the company I work for. Happy with T-Mobile, but considering switching for faster network, family, and the new Niagara. If not, and if I don’t want to pay a higher bill per month, I’ll stay with T-Mobile. Currently have the BB Pearl-Flip, would get new 8900.
Thanks again!
Chris
Please keep in mind of this:
There will be no WiFi because of it being a World Phone (GSM Hybrid) which means no room for WiFi access.
This is not Verizons choice.
At least you have Rev A data which is almost everywhere.
WiFi would have been great, but please look in to this and sse how it does have Rev A data and Roaming GSM, GPRS, EDGE, and UMTS data for roaming.
There really was no room for WiFi just like the Storm.
no wifi… no deal. this is pathetic at this point in the game…
why verizon =[
t-mobile or at&t please!
Looks nice. I’ll get it but mostly because I need a new BB and Verizon doesn’t have anything else that I like! My 8830 is pretty good but lacks a camera and I’ve beat it up pretty good over the last two years. I’m not a fan of the Curve…slightly too small for me and feels cheap. Don’t even get me started on the Storm.
Whats the word on GPS…will it work for any/all apps or just for Blackberry Maps like some?
I have a VZW Curve 8330 and absolutely love it. I just wish it had more CPU horsepower. I’ve outgrown it and need something better and faster. I’m definitely jumping on this bandwagon
What I don’t get is this…what’s the uproar/deal breaker mentality with “no wifi”?
If you’re not within an area with a connection, are you going to dry up like a leaf and blow away? Is being THAT connected THAT important?
Someone…please essplain because with wifi or without, it’s still going to be a great phone..why the hate?
Verizon claims there is no space for WiFi. Verizon also claims that because the 802.11b/g frequency range conflicts with Bluetooth, adding WiFi would cause qudio quality problems.
The reality is Verizon does things their own way, and WiFi isn’t something they like.
Yes, Verizon has good data speed, and great coverage. But when I’m in my office, I have two good reasons to want WiFI. First, WiFi gives me access to internal websites that I can’t access thru the Verizon network. Second, I don’t have data access when I’m in the office because the building is shielded.
But my real problem is… GPS access
Will I be able to use it with Google Maps? The new ‘lattitude’ option in Google Maps is something my Wife and I really want to use. But no GPS means that isn’t going to work either.
Bottom line…
Cool Phone with 2 drawbacks…
No WiFi? Bummer
no GPS? Verizon will loose a long time customer
For the people mentioning that wifi isn’t a necessity because of Rev A are ignorant. I live an area where no carrier gets reception, and If I were to have wifi on my current curve, I would be able to connect to my router and make calls..
Its 2009. Wifi should be standard on a PDA. Its not a necessity for some, and insignificant for others, but it would be nice to have it.
when you are paying for a data/email plan is wifi really a must have? esp when verizons coverage is by far the best. everyone always says the need wifi but whats the point? if im home i use a computer and when im out i have the data plan(unlimited).
oh well looks like a good phone, love the curve but def want something more.
Say what you want about Verizon and no Wi-Fi. I have Verizon and their service is superior. I have friends on AT&T and cry every day. Look at what MSN just reported today about the Sprint report for Q4 losses and Verizon for Q4 gains:
Sprint Nextel (S, news, msgs) lost $1.6 billion in the year’s final three months. It bled customers as well; 1.3 million went elsewhere in the fourth quarter and Sprint lost 4.6 million customers over the full year.
Against that backdrop, the performance of Verizon Communications (VZ, news, msgs) was a tour de force. Its fourth-quarter profit rose 15%, to $1.2 billion. The number of Verizon wireless subscribers grew by 1.4 million in the period.
How did Verizon do it? By planning ahead.
I love the storm. I have optimized its functionality with great apps and love the touch screen. I can live without a keyboard. As for Wifi I don’t care about that either. I never have a problem with the signal and the GPS is great. I don’t know why people don’t like it.
Verizon Wireless in 1X which is where I live sucks WIFI is like not having a keyboard!
The reason no wifi point blank…
3.4 billion revenue from operation
3.3 billion revenue DATA ONLY!!!! ITS OBVIOUS THAT THEY WANT YOU TO USE THE DATA SO YOU WILL GO OVER AND THEY CAN RAPE YOU IN THE TAINT!
As long as Verizon refuses to get WiFi, I won’t buy any Smartphone from them. Not having WiFi is not “Smart” at all.
That doesn’t mean people don’t want WiFi
Well it better be Good. Verizon is already down with all those Phone with lack of fuctionality, I am a verizon guy and waited for so long for the stom but didn’t like it.
again for “Niagara”9630 if not good then go with AT&t, they have all the nice phone.
Now if verizon would only realize they would sell more phones if they let you upgrade more than twice a year…
Release Dates????????????????
Im definently IN cant wait to ditch my 8330 its still a good phone but I was waiting for this 9630 for a while. I passed on the “Storm” I need a physical keyboard thanks VZW lets not delay this too long please.
Since the appearance of the BlackBerry Curve 8900 and BlackBerry Bold are morphed into one, does any knows if Verizon will still offer the Blackberry Curve 8930?
Verizon doesn’t need Wi-Fi because it is just that-Verizon. T-Mobile has Wi-Fi because there service is just awful. I have never been a place where I do not get service with Verizon (12 states-including the upper peninsula of Michigan).
Anyone no why Verizon wont have wifi on this phone? I do have wifi on my verizon samsung i760. Don’t know why they wouldn’t do it with the blackberry
will the niagara have visual voicemail?