This How to will combat the email, internet and text messaging problem that you get when you plug in a 8350i into the Boost Mobile network.
Email:
I found that using the Gmail application works great for notifying you of incoming email and text messages (this part will be addressed last). All you have to do is run to Google Mobile and install the Gmail app to get all the functions of Gmail. It will even notify you of incoming messages if you go to your Profile and setup the alert options.
Internet:
I found using Opera mini is the best for getting around on the net if your not near a Wifi spot. If you go to
http://mini.opera.com you can download the latest version there. How ever there is one little bug. The menu will not show up, I have read somewhere that if you hold the "Q" button down a list of available functions will show up. Which it does I tried it. You will just have to get by with this until there is a fix out.
I am not sure about BOLT Browser Bolt Browser as I find it very slow to load pages and hard to use on this device.
Text Messaging, SMS and Chat:
If you use a program called EQO EQO - Mobile VoIP, free texts, and free mobile IM with EQO it does all this. It does cost money to send a text or SMS to someone (.10 cents per) but it also has instant messaging which is free and easy to use. It will talk to Google Talk, AIM, MSN, Yahoo and Jabber clients. I chat on it all the time. Works great with wifi or not.
Forward incoming Text Messaging:
I copied this from another forum but if you wish to see the orginal post go here: HowardForums: Your Mobile Phone Community & Resource - Text message work around for 8350i and all other (Boost iden) phones!!!!
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I know we are not getting what we pay for in the texting department so I think I have found a way to go around it. I know this works on my Blackberry 8350i and I'm sure it will work on any phone that is able to download and use the google mail app, or if you want to send text/mms strait to your email.
1) Go to Cell Phones, Mobile Phones, and Wireless Calling Plans from Sprint and on the home page find, "Need to register for access?". The next page will ask you to enter your phone number to receive a text message. Enter your boost mobile phone number.
2) Once you enter your phone number you will be taken to a page that ask for all you personal information. FILL IT OUT COMPLETELY!!! <~~~Very important!!!! Enter a user name and password. The last segment of the page is, Set up account management. This is where the magic starts to happen. Under "Identify your phone:" , select your model and phone (8350i users select other). Then enter your SIM ID. At the bottom select the option "I am not the account holder"!!!! (It may sound weird but it is the only way to make it work since Boost Mobile uses a 4 digit pin and Nextel uses a 6 digit pin.") Of course click continue.
3) Go to
http://mms.nextel.com/mms and sign in using the user name and password created before. Once in you can setup your MMS to be forwarded to an email address of your choosing.
I personally use the Gmail app. It only polls once every 30 min but at least I can get text messages with my Blackberry 8350i. Hope this helps.
Also It seemed like it may have taken 24 hrs to update but once it did I get all my messages on my email and my phone.
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I hope that this helps all the people out there that are looking for a way around the problems of not having BIS or BES.
Thanks to Michael for posting this work around.