Comments on: EXCLUSIVE: AT&T neuters the BlackBerry 8820 in favor of the iPhone

By: All good things… | BlackBerry Cool

All good things… | BlackBerry Cool — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 08:32:37 +0000

[...] my part? I’ve had the opportunity to meet with many industry luminaries (see above photos), broken some pretty major news, launched a cool mobile application, hosted breakthrough industry events, and played with so many [...]

By: JC

JC — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 16:03:24 +0000

I do not know where you are getting your crazy comment about apple products not selling well. Are you blind or do you not keep up with news. I am a PC user but let’s be frank and look at facts. The rate macs, ipods, iphones are selling are just incredible compared to competitors. The new iphone 3G is an amazing device, not because of the hardware…but the intuitive software. No matter if you like Steve Jobs or not, he is a brilliant marketing guru and knows exactly what the majority (obviously not awax)of the people want. Blackberry was a great device…but they need to really start innovating more than listening to all these complainers. Blackberry is going to lose serious market share if they dont come up with something, NOW.

By: awax

awax — Mon, 12 May 2008 16:48:10 +0000

The iphone is pathetic. Well Apple is pathetic. They make shitty products that are supposed to be unique and superior but they don’t sell. Then they make companies like att do things that should be illegal(blocking competition). Bottom line is that when my contract runs up in september with att, they better give me a blackberry 8820 with GPS for no extra charge. It comes with the capability so they should give it to us…and no i will not buy an iphone because they are outrageously priced and i like the black berry phones much better anyway. Im pissed but this consumer(like many others) will just go to T mobile and have a blackberry with GPS and no extra charges. I don’t like att anyway, it’s just an excuse to take my business elsewhere when it would be simpler just to extend my contract. Oh well, GPS would cost at least 10 or 15 bucks EXTRA a month for a blackberry with att than at T mobile where they let you use RIM which is free. With all the business people getting smartphones you bet they will shop around when they are faced with a choice between 15 extra dollars a month or going somewhere else. Honestly, this just makes the iphone look pathetic…like they aren’t selling very well. And their not, and thats why blackberry has been neutered. RIM shouldnt stand for this!

By: marketguy

marketguy — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 20:05:26 +0000

It’s a free marketplace. If AT&T does not want to play fair and threaten to not buy RIM’s devices all RIM needs to do is threaten to cut off AT&T’s access to the RIM network and write an app that will unlock AT&T blackberry devices so customers can migrate to other networks. AT&T has a LOT more to loose with all the existing Blackberry handsets out there. All of AT&T’s customers could march down to T-Mobile and activate their handsets. If AT&T does not want the enterprise market thats their choice. Even a one day shutdown to the RIM market would have AT&T’s phone lines lit up with screaming customers canceling contracts.

RIM has their niche market. AT&T is just another crummy service provider. AT&T is probably one of the most evil companies out there. They are the main reason I refuse to buy an Iphone. Apple you screwed yourself by selling out to the devil’s phone company!

By: IceBerg

IceBerg — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 10:25:26 +0000

A few things, this article states the T-Mobile 8820 will be better. There is NO T-Mobile 8820 and there never will be, it’s an 8800 and does NOT have WiFi.

MegaCorps like AT&T can do as they please because YOU the consumers allow them to. I’ve worked in the cellular industry since about 1991 and I have watched how the the market flows. Large cell companies and guide the direction things go by limiting features or in the corporate sector.

It’s funny because they do something similar in the consumer sector. They get college students to jump on their bandwagon by introducing some feature you have to have.

However they can not predict everything. Texting is the biggest thing on college campuses and when parents started getting outrageous bills they started taking phones away and this was hurting the CellCos. This started the trend of free test messaging. This is proof that if you demand something and quit using their services till they cave they will indeed cave.

The only other option is to wait for the hackers to bypass this lockdown.In fact if you know the right people it’s already done. As is a universal algorithm for generating unlock codes on the 88xx series phones.

By: Coreburn

Coreburn — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 22:39:39 +0000

I just got an 8820 through AT&T, and one of the first things I did is install Google Maps which seems to use the GPS just fine… oh and it also has Wifi…

By: AT&T buckled ??? - BlackBerryForums.com : Your Number One BlackBerry Community

Thu, 03 Jan 2008 02:58:45 +0000

[...] Originally Posted by ezrunner Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8800/4.2.1 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/100) I believe that was all suspect info! Gps wasn’t disabled and wifi works just fine. EXCLUSIVE: AT&T neuters the BlackBerry 8820 in favor of the iPhone | BlackBerry Cool [...]

By: david

david — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 19:51:14 +0000

Bought a usa bb on e-bay – no sim. It does not work on T-mobile in the uk -contract. Anyone help please?

Many thanks

By: Siul

Siul — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 02:32:40 +0000

THis is only a rumor, my company got this new model for me and it does enables GPS applications with Google Maps, the pre-installed application and best of all, with Garmin, although I had to pay $99 for the activation of the software, but is the best of all, with voice prompts, mobile manager, gas prices, etc, etc.

By: AT&T's "Neutering" The 8820...? - BlackBerryForums.com : Your Number One BlackBerry Community

Fri, 07 Dec 2007 04:02:50 +0000

[...] since I may be getting one soon as a partner to my 8310 Curve…and it really chapped my butt!! EXCLUSIVE: AT&T neuters the BlackBerry 8820 in favor of the iPhone | BlackBerry Cool If this is true, and AT&T has effectively blocked the 8820 from using any other GPS [...]

By: iphonetopics.com » AT&T Neuters BlackBerry GPS for iPhone?

iphonetopics.com » AT&T Neuters BlackBerry GPS for iPhone? — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 03:32:40 +0000

[...] 8820 BlackBerry. Why? So the device isn’t better than the Apple iPhone. This rumor WREAKS of bogusness to The Raw Feed. First, AT&T still competes with other carriers for lucrative [...]

By: Robert

Robert — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 07:40:42 +0000

Hi all,

I have a Blackberry 8820 from AT&T and just installed Google Maps on it, a screen poped asking if GM could access the GPS info….I said yes…and a couple a seconds later I had a petty blue dot on my google map showing my current location. Even gave me direction to the meeting I have tomorrow.

So, at least my AT&T 8820 does not have its GPS locked down….thank god…

Robert

By: Experience Mobility » Blog Archive » This is sad …

Experience Mobility » Blog Archive » This is sad … — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 13:21:02 +0000

[...] BlackBerry Cool had an item up about AT&T neutering the BlackBerry 8820 in favor of the iPhone. They got word from an insider at AT&T that the GPS functionality in their upcoming BlackBerry 8820 has been locked down so that the only functioning 3rd party software will be TeleNav. Can you imagine? If I were a Blackberry fan, I would be a very unhappy camper … come to think of it, they could do it to Windows Mobile devices too! Yeah, I am now unhappy …. it is wrong! [...]

By: Cosmin

Cosmin — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:45:36 +0000

Despite all of the pro’s and con’s of owning an Apple iPhone I finally purchased one in the beginning of October 2007. By the 14th day I was so fed up with the iPhones lack enterprise support (there may be a better way to give better enterprise support, but it sure isnt easy)…

I RETURNED my iPhone in favor of the Blackberry 8820.

This is my second blackberry and for business users. Blackberry has no comparison. Too bad they backed down to AT&T though

By: Donnie Berkholz

Donnie Berkholz — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 07:26:15 +0000

@Mickey: You can set up Google Talk (native for BB) to communicate with an AIM transport, using a Jabber client for a desktop OS. I connect to AIM, Yahoo, etc all with Google Talk.

By: jim campbell

jim campbell — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 02:53:50 +0000

STARTED CHECKING OUT DIFFERENT PHONES ON INTERNET- I LIKED WHAT I READ ABOUT BLACKBERRY 8820 PHONE-WILL BE USING WITH MY BUSINESS’S-DID NOT NEED CAMERA-SO I ORDERED 8820 FROM ATT-SPENT APPROX AN 1 1/2 HOURS PICKING OUT RIGHT PLAN-NOT ONCE DID ANYONE SAY ANYTHING ABOUT NOT HAVING GPS BLACKBERRY MAPS=
PHONE IS SUPPOSED TO BE HERE TOMORROW OCT 15=THIS IS GOING TO BE 1 MAD TURKEY IF GPS DOESNT WORK

By: Andrew Gray

Andrew Gray — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 01:42:43 +0000

I tested out both the iPhone and the 8820 and think they both have their pluses and minuses.

The major minus of the 8820 is that it call 911 when locked in you pocket. Nothing is better than having the police find you because the phone called them while locked.

I blogged about it if you are interested.
http://graymerica.com/wpblog/technology/worst-cell-phone-feature-ever-key-locked-blackberry-8820-calls-911/

By: killermiller

killermiller — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 19:29:31 +0000

Besides the backstabing Jobs doing in the gps,at&t did it to increase revenue the same as verizon did. Funny how Apple appeals to the hippie fringe…yet can you be more corporate or capitalist than Apple. No cloning…everything proprietary…stupid liberals…

By: Phaustus

Phaustus — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 21:32:55 +0000

It doesn’t matter… still not good yet.
lacking the following VERY important features:
– 3G modem .. that is the reason why we need wi-fi so much! EDGE network really sucks and again we are not always close to a wi-fi hot spot are we?
– CAMERA … Yeah right! .. a better BB just without one of the most important accessories on cell phones/pdas nowadays.

need to say more? we know At&T sucks… but come RIM .. you can do better than that!

By: Jim

Jim — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 20:43:35 +0000

Check out the ATT customer agreement. In the terms of use for the data service it says that service is provided only for ATT “certified” devices. Seems like a loophole….when “the masses” learn to make/buy unlocked devices then the carrier will simply refuse to let them on the network!!!!

People should think of smartphones as their own “pc”….just shell out the bucks for an unlocked device and then sign up one year with carrier of choice..maintains autonomy and flexibility.

BTW…if you want real shivers just swing by the Verizon site and take a look at their new customer agreement….one paragraph says that they can put software on your phone which gathers info on usage to be shared with affiliates, vendors and third parties…..oh yeah….I want Verizon loading my phone with spyware!!!!! Give me a land line and an IBM typewriter!!!!

By: Mickey

Mickey — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 06:44:42 +0000

I have had the device for a day and a half. I’m seriously considering taking AT&T up on the 30 day satisfaction guarantee.

I have found that the GPS will work with Google Maps, but the phone seems to reject a lot of other software.

I also found that the home page on the Media Browser is locked down. The phone comes with 2 copies of a similar browser… one has the Blackberry Logo, and one has the AT&T logo. When the AT&T version of the browser comes up, it keeps forcing the user to go to AT&T’s default home page.

The network has blocked the use of AIM, so you cannot use AOL Instant Messenger.

By: Scott

Scott — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 20:25:38 +0000

As someone who has seen AT&T’s decision making first hand, I can guarantee you that MANY different reasons get bandied about for any specific decision. Unless this person was the person that made the decision, they most probably do not know what all the reasons were.

However, “we can make more money if we do X” is generally considered a strong argument. The executives have a fiduciary/moral responsibility maximize shareholder value and profits.

By: The Inquirer DE : AT&T kastriert GPS im Blackberry

The Inquirer DE : AT&T kastriert GPS im Blackberry — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 07:26:54 +0000

[...] Blackberry Cool // [...]

By: ATT Customer 2

ATT Customer 2 — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 00:28:00 +0000

If one gets an unlock BB8820 and still use AT&T. Will this be able to go around the GPS problem?

By: ATT Customer

ATT Customer — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 00:42:41 +0000

What happened to Black Berry 8820, most of the sites mentioned it will be released on September 4th, but 4th has come and gone, but ATT is really not opening their mouth on the release date, this is totally sucks! i will need to look for a better alternative, with unlocked BB8820

By: Teann Nash

Teann Nash — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 14:34:17 +0000

I was using my new AT&T Blackberry 8800 to access GPS yesterday 9/1/07. This was the the first time to access this GPS feature. It seemed to work pretty well. Will that change? How will the GPS be affected?

By: kdkirsch

kdkirsch — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 04:05:45 +0000

This is awful news to hear. It is a perfect example of a “service” provider/Telecom using their unchecked power to dominate consumers. This is exactly why America needs real competition in the industry. We all need to hope that the upcoming wireless spectrum auction results in an open network that doesn’t lock-out/in certain devices. That way WE can buy our device from the manufacturer so that AT&T/Verizon/Sprint don’t have the chance to cripple them. Until real competition shakes up the industry we’re all going to be victims. Like the airlines, the telecoms are oligopolists in a race to the bottom!

By: AT&T, the BlackBerry 8820, and GPS: BGR MythBusters Edition · TechBlogger

Thu, 30 Aug 2007 17:47:16 +0000

[...] was recently reported by BlackBerry Cool that the BlackBerry 8820, when released by AT&T, will have it’s GPS features [...]

By: Research in Motion

Research in Motion — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 19:51:58 +0000

[...] none too pleased with the hurricane of negative feedback that rolled through the Internet after we broke the story. So basically, loyal citizens of the Internet, you have yourselves to thank for putting AT&T in [...]

By: John Gaver

John Gaver — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 06:09:38 +0000

Apple had a chance to make a Blackberry-killer and blew it, with a product that’s not yet ready for prime time. Then RIM had a chance to take advantage of the iPhone’s shortcomings, with the 8820 and they also blew it, by crippling the 8820. This leaves the consumer with a choice of two half-baked products, both requiring serious trade-offs. The question that this raises is, can you purchase a non-crippled 8820 (either from T-Mobile, in the USA or Orange, in the UK) and use it on the AT&T network, without the AT&T limits? If not, then this would be enough to make me wait for version 2 of the iPhone, in the hope that Apple will fix the myriad shortcomings in that device. But, I won’t hold my breath.