Vodafone Germany and RIM Introduce the UMTS-Enabled BlackBerry 8707v
by Volker Weber
In addition to supporting email, phone, text messaging, browser, organizer and corporate data applications, the UMTS-enabled BlackBerry 8707v can be used as a wireless modem to enable mobile users to access the Internet from their laptop. In addition, UMTS support enables users to simultaneously send and receive email, browse the Internet and use other applications while speaking on the phone, even while the handset is being used as a tethered modem.
OK. I want one. ;-)
Comments
Kosten? Monatliche Kosten? :)
Ok, we use a single UMTS connection for a) sending & receiving email, b) browsing the web, c) using hybrid or even online clients, d) voice communication and finally e) as the internet connection for a laptop.
Last thing I heard of was a connection bandwith of 384 kB/s in practice (incl. overhead) with UMTS. How much does that leave for a single appliaction / usage scenario? Admitted, all scenarios at once is highly unlikely, but then quit this marketing yaddayaddayadda, please!
However: I'd like one as well ;-)
Tja, in Frankfurt läuft gerade die "launch party", für alle die nicht warten können einen in die Finger zu bekommen. Ich muss weg.....
Great. I'd like. But I want to know how many it will be cost...
Max, ich weiß. Und wenn Du genau aufgepasst hast, dann hast Du mich auch gesehen. :-)
Contrary to many - I don't want one!
And here are the reasons why:
1. I'm trying to consolidate my "mobile" equipment as much as possible from carrying many devices into few ore even one device (besides the laptop) that can do all I need. And from what I see in my business environment, almost all are carrying their mobile phone PLUS the Blackberry [believe me - those baggy pockets look great on a suit ;-) ]
2. I couldn't find anything whether it syncs with a Mac, hence iSync - this would be mandatory; and does it support TomTom or any other Navigation software? if it doesn't .... - well, off you go...
3. I do find it quite annoying, sometimes even a bid rude if you are at a conference or dinner, and half of the people at your table are constantly "playing/working" on their Blackberrys the whole evening. (Maybe I'm becoming old fashioned finally...)
The alternative? - I'm hoping for an UMTS enabled successor to the Nokia 9300(i) sometime - still have the one without the (i), syncing with Windows and Mac, doing navigation if necessary and I could use it for Blackberry Push Services if I would be required to do so.
But the 8707v does look very nice.
As always... - your mileage may vary...
ad 1) The 8700 series are perfectly usuable phones.
ad 2) This IS a problem. PocketMac syncs Blackberry and Mac, but it sucks for various reasons. If you have a Blackberry Enterprise Server and all your data in Notes or Outlook, you sync from the server though. No TomTom.
ad 3) This is not a Blackberry problem. :-)
3 reminds me of this problem. Have you found a solution for this (besides juggling SIM cards)?
Hi Volker -
in reply to your comments -
ad 1) I would trust you on that.
I felt that when talking to my colleagues the voice quality on the older Blackberrys was inferior to a "standard" mobile; ok - it may have been due to connectivity issues on the mobile network but I could also easily distinguish whether they were using the Blackberry or the mobile phone.
ad 2) so the Nokia 9300 is here to stay... - let's see if they further extend this model.
ad 3) I fully agree :-)
There is no TomTom GPS navigation software for BlackBerry but there are alternative software products:
Wayfinder Navigator
Telmap for BlackBerry
Spot for BlackBerry
Telenav for BlackBerry
Webraska Naviagtion 6 for BlackBerry (press release)
BerryVine Companion
I did not test any of the products myself.
