It is sad that Verizon does this kind of nonsense. I have a Sprint 8830 (company paid and provided) and GPS is included, but I understand Verizon blocks the on-board software as they want you to use their pay GPS plan.
It normally comes from the manufacturer abled, yet Verizon has that feature disabled. They are also about the most expensive plans. I understand other features have been known to be disabled by them, but I do not know for sure.
I am getting a Pearl for my daughter, but I think I am going to TMobile. Coverage here and at her school look to be okay and I will have only 14 days to decide if coverage and her like of the BlackBerry is sufficient. However I think she will know by the first day and probably will voice her like or dislike without much prodding.
-TMobile....1000 anytime minutes, unlimited text, unlimited email (up to 7 or 10 accounts, I forget) and unlimited data. Plus, all calls to your five "favorites" are free. $60. Pearl $100 after $50 mail rebate.
-Sprint....900 minutes, unlimited text, email, data. $90. Pearl $100 after $100 mail rebate.
-Verizon....900 minutes, text, email, blah, blah. $120. Note this appeared to have gone up from $100 on 3/26. Pearl $150 after $50 mail rebate.
-AT&T....900 minutes, email, text, data. $95. Pearl $200 after $50 mail rebate.
In my home area I know that no service is really good and I have had experience with AT&T, Sprint and Verizon. They have all been about the same. I do know that I have just ended a three-year relationship with a Treo because my company couldn't put up with the Treo's peculiar habits and little quirks so now we are trying Sprint BlackBerrys.
I must say that I am pretty impressed with the 8830 so far. Most noticable, the phone has a consistantly better signal and I have fewer problems than the Treo.
By the way, I never realized how lucky I am to have a free BlackBerry (or phone for that matter) until I started shopping around for this gift. YIKES!!! I can't imagine what a small family's cell bill can be a month and add in a smartphone or PDA nor can I imagine how they pay it. OMG it is ridiculous.
SteveTaz