So that shot from the other day was, in fact, legit. Leaked Vodafone docs show that this new device due out in May will be packing quad-band GSM, HSDPA, GPS, Wi-Fi, a 2.0 megapixel camera, a 624 MHz processor, a 480 x 320 screen (up from the current 320 x 240 standard), and a 1500mAh battery (up from the 8800′s 1400 mAh). As for carrier, the Rogers logo has been spotted on it, so we can expect it in Canada soon, too. The stats match up previous 9000 series info. Based on these specs, the only 8800-series device that might survive is the 8830 for those who happen to hop on CDMA networks – GPS, Wi-Fi and a camera all in one device really does blow everything else out of the water. In fact, if we’re just running on the slideshow, the possibility of this one being an inaugural 9000-series device still seems entirely possible. What do you guys think? The BlackBerry 8900 or the 9000? One way or the other, this thing is sounding pretty sweet.
Tag: gsmPage 4 of 9
Leaked shots turn out to be new 8XXX model?
Okay, you can drop the booing and hissing, we know it would suck, but it’s all gossip until the thing comes out. Keep in mind that this is just for the first iteration of the series, the BlackBerry 9000, and that the previously-rumored 9100 should still have 3G. Outside of that, the rumors are also telling us the 9000 will be packing quad-band GSM/GPRS, QWERTY keyboard, support a, g and b flavours of Wi-Fi, and a 480 x 320 screen like the 9100. Nothing’s been said for sure about a touchscreen, and I’m partial to the idea that it’s just wishful thinking on a lot of people’s parts.
According to a study by 3G Americas, GSM market share has grown 9% in the last year, totalling up to 62% of the market. In Latin America and the Caribbean alone, that penetration hit a wooping 78%. CDMA, on the other hand, has dropped in subscribers by 2.5% to 193 million subscribers. The report also notes the broad strokes of this year in GSM worldwide:
400 UMTS/HSDPA devices launched by manufacturers.
193 UMTS networks commercial; additional 71 networks planned or in deployment.
152 commercial deployments of HSDPA in 67 countries.
148 joint EDGE/UMTS networks; 244 commercial EDGE networks in 128 countries.
17 HSUPA networks now commercial, with many more expected in 2008.
The FCC has released the docs and testing information for the BlackBerry 8120, giving us hope, however vain, of a North American release. The recently-cleared instruction manual for the BlackBerry 8120 doesn’t reveal too much that’s new about the Wi-Fi, GSM Pearl. UMA (voice handoff to Wi-Fi) is working soundly, making T-Mobile’s Hotspot@Home a likely target for the new device.
Trimble has announced today three new programs for GPS users on a GSM network. First up is AllSport GPS which tracks a regular exercise route and calculates how many calories you’re burning, how much time you take, and all sorts of fitness-related info. Next is Geocache Navigator, which is geared towards playing a location-based game. Geocaching is basically a GPS treasure hunt where players plant waterproof containers in isolated locations and post the coordinates in online communities. Finally, they’ve got Trimble Outdoors, which lets you plot outdoor trips as well as upload associated multimedia onto Google Earth. That’s quite the package on the whole, but it’s a bit of a let-down that this is all for GSM users only. Right now they’re all available for month-long trials and should be available for $39.99/year or $5.99/month by the end of November.
A few sources inside Rogers have told us that the new Wi-Fi-enabled BlackBerry 8120 will be be out before Christmas, aiming for a December 1st. release. The usual rumor disclaimer gets tacked onto this, as release dates often get shuffled around. In addition to this, we also heard about a ruggedized BlackBerry being in the works – not just an OtterBox, but fully beefed up device for folks working in construction and other rough-and-tumble environs. Details are sketchy right now, but we’re definitely excited to see something similar to the Edge available for the mass market.
