10,000 BlackBerry 8700s are en route to China, following the October announcement. Alcatel’s involvement has earned it branding status on the BlackBerry, which will be carried exclusively by China Mobile for about RMB 3450. Rumors are floating that competing Gome Mobile might be dealing with Alcatel for some 8700s as well, but officials have denied the possibility so far. Well, a limited release is better than no release, eh?
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Hayden just updated us on the status of vTap, the video search and video player for mobile. It’s now optimized for BlackBerry OS 4.3, which included streaming video support, and stretches back to the 8700. The search is pretty cool, working a lot like Boopsie in that it offers results as you type. On top of YouTube searching, they’ve also got a Wikipedia search with the same instant-return feature. The usual disclaimer follows that you probably shouldn’t be trying this out unless you’ve got an unlimited data plan, or really deep pockets. While it doesn’t look like the video search is ready just yet (just Wikipedia), we’re sure it will soon be accessible at http://m.vtap.com from your mobile browser.
Coming shortly behind Ukraine’s release, RIM is set to launch its products in Russia. Security concerns from the KGB’s successor, the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation, effectively stalled earlier deployment, but a compromise has been reached to everyone’s satisfaction. The FSB wanted the encryption codes that RIM uses for its communications, so it’s a little iffy on where they found middle ground. It’s only a little over a thousand BlackBerry 8700s crossing the border, and there’s only a year-long allowance for the devices, so any Russkies looking to get in on the action will have to be quick to act. Check out your closest MTS or Vimpelkom outlet sometime in the first quarter of 2008.
Our buddy Josep at miblackberry just got back from the Connect with the Experts conference in Madrid recently, and has a fair bit to report. Connect with the Experts is a traveling one-day seminar for technical BlackBerry professionals, with Amsterdam set as its next destination on November 8th. CWTE has given us a look at some upcoming developments for BlackBerry… First up, all OS updates will be over the air – no Desktop Manager needed. While updating, which takes about two hours, you’ll be able to keep using your BlackBerry normally without any problems. We also hear OS 4.3 is due before the end of the year and will work on the BlackBerry 8700 and later – everything else is out of luck. BES admin software will also get a bit of a facelift, available for free beta download soon. BIS users can keep their eyes open for an upgrade to 2.5 also before the end of the year, including support for Microsoft Office formats.
After much confusion as to the availability of BlackBerry in China, we’ve finally got an official announcement that the BlackBerry 8700 is, in fact, landing there sometime this year. It’s been quite the struggle getting BlackBerry through the gates, but it’s finally going to happen. RIM’s stock took a huge jump at the news, hitting $125.62 at present after opening at $116.07. China’s running their own PT/Expo China Comm concurrent with CTIA, where the 8700 will be showcased and the good word spread.
A recent story went over some of the challenges RIM faces in the Chinese market, primarily China Unicom’s nefarious RedBerry. The article states that SIM cards and data plans are the only things available for BlackBerry, as previously reported. Despite this, we have it on good word that the 8700 and 7290 are, in fact, sold by China Mobile, but how well they’re doing against the significantly cheaper RedBerry remains to be seen.
“Chinese businessmen are not that international yet, so they are not as familiar yet with the Blackberry and prefer local gadgets,” said Rock Yang, principal handsets analyst at Beijing-based BDA. “Price will be the deciding factor in determining how the BlackBerry expands in China,” he added.
