Blackberry Bold and Features? Seriously, why the differences?

[Savage 3l3m3n7]

Okay, so today is June 17, 2008 and all the latest news and gossip has come out as far as release dates and possible pricing of the Blackberry Bold for each carrier. But one detail had me "discombobulated" and left me second-guessing whether I should stay and continue my service with T-Mobile or not!

"The device will support 3G on AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon. Unfortunately for T-Mobile subscribers, though the device is listed as HSDPA capable, it is the same model as will be on AT&T. That means that the magical Band IV will not be included, so this means no 3G for the T-Mobile BlackBerry Bold." - (posted on phonemag.com)

Whoa! So can anyone validate 3G availability and programming on the "Sexy" phone?

And, and! As a FAN of the Blackberry Pearl and Curve line...I've noticed some big differences (feature wise) between the Curve and Pearl from one carrier to another. For example, the Pearl I had on T-mobile did not have a Video Recorder, but the SprintPCS version has. And then the Curve on AT&T only had GPS, whereas the Curve I now have on T-mobile has Wi-Fi. And just finding out, the Curve on SprintPCS has 3G!

So what's going on? What are the differences (in features) this time around? And why the differences anyway? If it's true that T-Mobile's version of the "Bold" isn't going to have 3G, then it's obvious to not stay with T-Mobile. And if I were to choose another carrier, what "Kind" of "Bold" am I actually getting? A very "Limited" Edition, or what? C'mon RIM, show me some love!

By the way, I love the new BOLD! Care to share one with me? Okay, okay...can't hurt to try right? He he!

[stevetaz]

Welcome to EB and I hope you enjoy your time here!!!

Originally Posted by Savage 3l3m3n7

Okay, so today is June 17, 2008 and all the latest news and gossip has come out as far as release dates and possible pricing of the Blackberry Bold for each carrier. But one detail had me "discombobulated" and left me second-guessing whether I should stay and continue my service with T-Mobile or not!

First of all the phonemag article you are quoting is from May 16. Second, it is all conjecture at this point as to who is getting what and when. The given is that AT&T will get the Bold first (US carrier anyway). How soon will the others follow? Anyone's guess. However, the article seemed to be indicating Verizon and other CDMA carriers won't have to wait long? That has not been RIM's style up to now.

Originally Posted by Savage 3l3m3n7

"The device will support 3G on AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon. Unfortunately for T-Mobile subscribers, though the device is listed as HSDPA capable, it is the same model as will be on AT&T. That means that the magical Band IV will not be included, so this means no 3G for the T-Mobile BlackBerry Bold." - (posted on phonemag.com)

Whoa! So can anyone validate 3G availability and programming on the "Sexy" phone?

You might want to continue reading that article as the author posted this "correction" the same day the article was written, May 16....
Chase Higgins says:
May 16th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Talk about mistakes on my part. It is still early. The comparison is talking about GSM bands, NOT HSDPA bands. It could very well have band IV so do not count T-Mobile out yet. Sorry guys, I can not believe I missed that.

Since TMobile has yet to really get their 3G installation beyond a few metropolitan cities I think this is premature to be anxious about. Besides the fact we don't really know when and if TMo will be getting the Bold. Here are the latest release rumors and they only involve Rogers and AT&T:
Latest release guesstimates are:
Rogers, June 25th (Would be a first, a Canadian company getting the new device first, but this is just about confirmed)

AT&T, End of July/Early August (a bit more of a guess. The iPhone 2 is to release July 11 so the Bold will be at least a couple of weeks after that. AT&T will have the exclusive in the US, but unknown if the US exclusive will be 90 days, 120 days or what).

Originally Posted by Savage 3l3m3n7

And, and! As a FAN of the Blackberry Pearl and Curve line...I've noticed some big differences (feature wise) between the Curve and Pearl from one carrier to another. For example, the Pearl I had on T-mobile did not have a Video Recorder, but the SprintPCS version has. And then the Curve on AT&T only had GPS, whereas the Curve I now have on T-mobile has Wi-Fi. And just finding out, the Curve on SprintPCS has 3G!

Most of the differences are purely due to the carrier and their decision as to what they choose to include and not include. My guess is that your Pearl had the OS version 4.1 or 4.2, which does not include video recording. The 4.3 (an early version of 4.5) does include the capability and future upgrades to 4.5 when released will include for all. Along with DocsToGo so we can edit and author documents and save them to the SD card. The big vendor famous for disabling features is one you didn't mention....Verizon. They automatically disable GPS because they want you to subscribe to their paid services. People still like their service and put up with that nonsense so they can get away with it. WiFi has to be built into the device and TMo includes that and GPS. My daughter has a TMo curve and is loving it. I also think they have decent pricing and don't seem to disable things they shouldn't.

Originally Posted by Savage 3l3m3n7

So what's going on? What are the differences (in features) this time around? And why the differences anyway? If it's true that T-Mobile's version of the "Bold" isn't going to have 3G, then it's obvious to not stay with T-Mobile. And if I were to choose another carrier, what "Kind" of "Bold" am I actually getting? A very "Limited" Edition, or what? C'mon RIM, show me some love!

As above, this is not RIMs decision. It is strictly the carriers and you have to be informed and aware of what you are getting into.

I hope this is of help and that you can use the information. You really should look around for some more up-to-date information and always keep in mind that whatever you read is going to be slanted in one direction or another depending on the author's connections or whims. That is why the more you see the more broad the views will be and you will be able to pick and choose what is important to you.

Sorry for the long rant/post.

SteveTaz

[Savage 3l3m3n7]

Hi Steve! Thank you so much for replying and helping with figure out all this confusion of what's going on with The Bold! I've had my eye on it for so long and I guess I was being heavily discouraged by all the gossip and "slanted" information out there.

I am really enjoying the vast information out there regarding the world of Blackberry's and I am excited to be part of a forum with so much knowledge, advice, and help!

[stevetaz]

Hi Again:

I am glad you you found useful information in my long-winded post.

Are you a current user, or are you looking for the Bold to bring you back into the fold? Hey, I'm a poet!

Please visit often and post to increase traffic here. We are much less pretentious than those "other" sites....

SteveTaz

[Savage 3l3m3n7]

Hi Steve,
I currently have the Curve from T-Mobile, and an avid user I must say. Been using the "Beauty" for a while, here in the Bay. I'm such a big fan of the Blackberry Line, and I just can't wait to make the "Bold" all mine!

Whoa! I guess you just brought out the poet in me as well! Haha!

I promise to visit and post as often as I can. Looking for PR? Well, I'm your man. I've already told several Newborn BB users that I know, to snoop around while they visit. I encouraged them to post anything, as long as it's not explicit.

Questions they might have? "Answers they'll get", I say. Ideas and tips you have, they'll get in some way. I did guarantee to them, that it's all informative and fun, and that the world of Blackberry has only begun!

Okay, Okay! I'd better stop before I'm on a roll! All this poetry has taken it's toll! Oh man, see, there I go again. Have a good day/night, be safe and until the next time...my friend!

Hahaha!