Hands-on with RIM's WiFi-equipped BlackBerry 8820
By Sean Cooper 
posted May 28th 2007 4:12PM
posted May 28th 2007 4:12PM
posted May 28th 2007 4:12PM
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Shoot, forget the bluetooth speaker. Send this my way engadget.
I have a feeling that more people are stoked that it doesn't have a camera. Some people aren't allowed those devices and really limits their selection these days.
@ Brad
You're exactly right. A ton of businesses and governments prohibit devices w/built-in cameras so I imagine RIM will always continue to have at least one device that doesn't have a camera.
the AT&T branding seems to just be the theme. not necessarily an indicator that AT&T will pick it up.
AT&T/Cingular (mostly) is against wi-fi on their phones. i could see this one on t-mobile.
against wifi? hmmm, that explains why both the 8125 and 8525 have it
Since AT&T/Cingular is against WiFi, maybe at least 3G?
So the GPS has been replaced with WiFi or are they both on board?
it will be for AT&T I can guarantee. I have seen it in person and played with it the wifi is nice :)
Since you claim to "have seen it and played with it"; is it as chrome looking as the pictures show? Is it a finger print magnet?
at&t against Wifi ?? that explains why the iPhone has Wifi ... :))
Would be nice to see their browser in action.
I sooooo hope this has GPS in addition to the WiFi. The WiFi is not as important as the GPS, but I would like to at least verify that this model has it (and for T-Mobile) before I just buy an 8800.
its actually black just like the 8800 its just the flash that made that chrome effect on the phone
AT&T is not so against wi-fi as long as you subscribe and spend alot of time in Avis rent acar outlets.
Coldconfession13, where did you get to try this device out? I am holding off on buying anything until this comes out. I need WiFi, so my only other option is the Dash.
If anyone has any more info on a release date, I would really appreciate it. I am currently on T-mobile and was about to get the Dash, but this would be better for my needs. My wife needs a new phone soon, but I want to get her on the BB bandwagon. HELP me with a release date!
It seems like this would be advertised a lot more if it was really supposed to be out during Q3 this year. The Dash is only reviewed higher than the Curve because of the lack of WiFi.
the release date for att is july 30th
can you confirm that date in any way? i JUST bought the 8800. If the 8820 is in fact releasing on the 30th, i have a chance of exchanging it because i'm within the 30 days. any info would be greatly appreciated.
i talked to a at&t rep. and he said it was to be released the 30th
Oh, that'd be nice! Sign me up.
I'm new to the "Smart Phone" world and I'm trying to figure out which device to buy. I really like the 8820, but my only issue is the device being able to sink with my MS Outlook automatically. I'm self-employed, so I don't have BB Enterprise Server. I do have MS Small Biz Server. Is there anyway for me to have the 8820 sync w/ my Outlook automatically, or am I out of luck? Thanks for any feedback/suggestions.
you can just use the desktop redirector. or find a hosted service for something more reliable
Will I be able to 'automatically' sync with Outlook when I'm using Windows XP and Office?
I read somewhere that while AT&T is launching this, they are turning off the WiFi radio because of some agreement with Apple and the iPhone. Has anyone else heard of this?
I hope not. I don't think it's a good strategy. The iPhone lacks GPS, and the 8820 lacks a camera. I think for some people it's a pretty clear choice as to what they want more. I'm thinking of getting something like the 8820 when/if they make a Pearl version of it. I guess I'm a stickler for good looks. :(
Can the blackberry be used without a carrier just connecting to wi-fi????
It could be my PDA with wi-fi. Cingular is not good in my area.
How is web browsing on this thing? Is it MobileWeb or is it real web like the iPhone?
Will this have bluetooth A2DP stereo support and the new media player like that on the Curve? I wonder if the 8820 OS will work with the 8800?
I am considering switching to this from my treo 750-just too slow and crashing all the time. like the looks of this. with the risk of sounding very ignorant is the wifi option the ability to tether it to my laptop when there is a wifi signal nearby? or does the phone itself get wifi speeds from the cingular network? if so could this then be tethered to laptop?
I am considering switching to this from my treo 750-just too slow and crashing all the time. like the looks of this. with the risk of sounding very ignorant is the wifi option the ability to tether it to my laptop when there is a wifi signal nearby? or does the phone itself get wifi speeds from the cingular network? if so could this then be tethered to laptop?
what are the crowds recommendations if i want a similar phone that has a camera. are there any with similar features, maybe w/out wifi, that has a camera?
thanks
I looked threw the pictures with some hopeful insight, but I didn't see alot about the actual Wi-Fi feature, it was almost like a 8800 reveiw. Since engadget actually has one of these available for testing.
I'd like to see a demo of this phone utilizing the Wi-Fi connection to browse the internet.
: without a sim card
: without a purchased data plan
: without a blackberry enterprise server
: without VPN
for example a Linksys Wireless Router using cable / dsl like most home small networks.
Hi,
I'm a UK user and I picked up one of these on the orange network today. It's rather nice, it's my first smartphone (new business) and I like it. It has EDGE (not 3G), WiFi (which is very fast, tricky with my apple WEP, but got past it), very beautiful display, GPS built-in and of course all the Blackberry features (push mail etc).
It's the slimmest one that they've released and it's very sleek and pretty. As a mac user I have some thoughts - you can't sync using bluetooth, only USB (through pocketmac software) and you can't easily send a file to the device, you have to upload files to your own webspace and then download them onto the device or email them to yourself at the expense of using up your monthly MB allowance. However it does sync all ical and address book details quickly.
Roller ball is accurate and activates in low-light. Allows for Micro-SD cards too.
Anyone want any further information?
LJ
How's the web browsing via wifi (and EDGE for that matter)? Actual web pages, or "mobile" internet? Thanks
Although you posted your comment about using the Blackberry 8820 with a Mac over a year ago, I wondered what you have learned in that time. I just got an 8820 yesterday and is seems like a good device. The PocketMac sync software seems limited, but there do not seem to be any other options. Again, just trying to find out anything you've discovered about the 8820 and Mac over the past year.
Thanks.
Frank Hoffman
Phoenix, AZ