The only problem that I see to increase the BB sales in Brazil is that the price of the BlackBerry services still very high, but usually mobile data services in Brazil are very expensive (we even have “first looking cheap” plans, but with a lot of limitations that most of the users will only understand after their first bill…).

The 3G networks in Brazil are only available on big cities (as Sao Paulo, where I live) but they are very unstable and the bandwidth usually is a joke. Or networks are OK for e-mail, acceptable for mobile browsing but never mind to use it for youtube or similar applications (that’s why I’ve wait until Bold was launched here, because of its Wifi). In most of the country all that we have is poor GPRS networks (with some EDGE areas).

The Storm will be launched here tomorrow, but I think that the sales won’t be that big. Most of the “geeks” already have their brand new iPhones (almost “a must” from October until December of last year), and they still paying for them (an iPhone 3G it costs at least US$ 1K here… as amazing as it sounds).

If you need more information about IT&C in general in Brazil, please let me know.

I own a japanese BB Bold too. Although I’m longtime WM user, it was clear to me, that I will buy a BB Bold. I was on the way to purchase one over the Internet, but, after it was announced last year in late summer, I decided to wait for its release by my favourite carrier.
For me, it has nothing to do with some kind of status. It’s my main smartphone and email machine at time and the WM device, a japanese Touch Diamond Pro, from NTT Docomo too, is the second one. They are working very well together. Japanese input on the BB Bold is very fluently, no problem at all. Of course, right now, there aren’t much japanese software available yet, but I think its just a matter of time to fill the gap. The same is for japanese office document support. Some work and some not. I got some workarounds here in first place. For example, Simprits Gridmagic, Pocket Informant, Calendar Pro and some other work very well with japanese fonts.
No, my Bold has no overheating problems. I think this is some kind of overreaction. I’m not sure,but it looks like some people using some kind of not so much compatible USB chargers around here.
By the way, NTT Docomo will proceed selling the BB Bold on early April. That should give that other company, I think the name was Softbank (without that white dog, they wouldn’t sell anything), some little bit time to sell a few Samsung Omnias and stop shouting. The comming of the BB Bold long time ago announced and Softbank had their deal with the IPhone (they bleeded for this contract), so it looks like Softbank might be lose some ground to BB Bold switchers. Maybe we might see some similiar kind of conspiracy when NTT Docomo releases the Toshiba TG-1A in comming May.
I’m glad the NTT Docomo finally got their sense for great technology back.

Joerg