I dropped my motorcycle at low speeds yesterday and the biggest damage was to my 7290 BB. I lost the screen, it still works as a phone, but I am dialing blind. Reading through the posts here, it looks like Cingular is releasing the 8700 next week, right?

I really couldn't find any spec or comparisons to the 7290. Will it be worth paying the difference in price and waiting until it really gets released?

Any built in IM support? I too could use a better phone, but the phone is definately not my main usage, email is my #1 priority.

TIA,

Mitch

ps, Is it feasible to replace the display panel on a 7290?

I think they are announcing next week. When it will trickle down to the users is a different matter.

Mitch,
You can replace the screen, Try
http://www.promobility.net/html/blackberryparts.shtml

Good luch and keep the rubber side down and the seat side up

Always a good idea -- your 7290 still has enough resale value that it's worth replacing the screen. Replacing the screen is a procedure not too different from replacing a memory module in a laptop computer. Just make sure you have a Torx T6 screwdriver. They sell them too -- just order the screwdriver with the screen.

www.ProMobility.net is a BlackBerryForums sponsor.

BlackBerry parts:
http://www.promobility.net/html/blackberryparts.shtml

Are you ok ? Is the bike ok ?? And what kind of bike is it ???

I am fine, other than my pride, the bike has some bumps and bruises, hopefully it will be back to almost new with a few replacement parts. I ride a '06 Buell Blast. The biggest damage in the accident was my Blackberry, then my Mickey watch. I have about $50 damage to the bike.

http://www.perrysys.com/newride/buell-blast.jpg

Mitch

nice bike and really nice painting on the bug... What does it say?

Angelisa Rheanna Stardust, the name of the car. She was my daughter's car before her death in an accident Christmas Day, 1999. I have been driving her since, but she now has 155K miles. I bought the bike to try and reduce the wear on Angelisa so she would last forever.

http://www.perrysys.com/

Mitch

Sorry to hear about Katie. Christmas must be a tough time for you. Hang in there...

You would think Christmas would be tough, and I dreaded that first Christmas after her death. But the opposite happened. Her death has given me such a great appreciation of family and friends. Christmas means so much more to me now than it ever did. Yes, there is a sad time at 3:10pm.

Since her death, my wife & I have adopted 2 children (well almost, Donald's adoption should be finalized in the next 2 weeks). I have also got a great deal of enjyoment from the place I call the Happiest place on Earth, Give Kid's the World (www.gktw.com) where my wife and I volunteer as Mayor Clayton and also do family volunteer work with our kids as Airport Greeters or special events at the village.

But, I really wanted Specifications of the 8700. I really haven't been able to find them here. It would be nice if there was a "sticky" with the specs and pictures, maybe after Nov 1 that might happen.

Mitch

Mitch...

The specs of the 8700 should be 'officially' released on Nov 9. I think the wait for a week or two is going to be well worth it. The processor, screen and pretty much everything else has been upgraded to a certain extent. It's a very fast and very slick device.

I have a 7290 that I carry daily, but the day that the 8700 is released I will have one in my pocket. I had posted quite a bit of information about the 8700, but was then asked to remove it by RIM, ya... it sucks.

The wait will be worth it, I guarantee it.

cd.

ps. Sorry to hear about your daughter, I would die if any of my children were ever taken from me.

Won't the specs and all be public after the unvailings on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in NY, CHI, and SF? Do you think that RIM and Cingular think it will stay a secret after that? Unfortunately specs won't tell us how good the phone and speakerphone will be or the BT stack for that matter. We need real reviews doing real world comparisons against other phones. I am going to guess that the radio reception will probably be equal to or better than the current crop of phones. I keep hoping that they got Voice Signal or Fonix to do voice recognition for the device.

Mitch:
Thanks for your story. It is very inspirational to see how you've taken your love for Angelisa, multiplied it, and spread it to other children. As Corey points out, we can only dread as to how we would respond to such a grievious loss. I hope that I have your strength. I'll pray for you and Angelisa, your story has touched me so.

Just to set the record straight, for Angelisa was my daighter's car, which Katie named when she first got it. I have been driving it since the accident.

http://www.perrysys.com/beetle.html

Katie was my daughter; http://www.perrysys.com/Katie/Pictures1999.html

My bug was Blue Eyes, which I lost in the accident along with my daughter:

http://www.perrysys.com/Katie/Accident.html

Mitch

According to what I have read, I only need a Torx T6 screwdriver. Do I need any instructions to replace the screen?

Thanks
Chris

Thanks for setting it straight Mitch. I'm sure God knows who I'm praying for. I'll use Katie's name now. Angelisa reminds me of an angel, though.

I called Cingular and they pointed me to Blackberry, who quoted me $190 for repair, $220 for exchange.

I decided, maybe I should just go buy another 7290 with the 30 day return policy and then exchange it on the 21st for a 8700.

Does that sound feasible?

Mitch

My BB took a turn for the worst today, after braking it last week in the motorcycle wreck, it still worked as a phone and it vibrated when I got an email, so I knew to go check it on the web. I could also check voice messages from another phone. Today it still lights up, but nothing, no vibrating. I get ringtones when I dial, but I might have turned off the network some how. Since there is no screen, I can't see anything.

It would be nice if your idea worked. My luck they would delay the 8700 release and i'd be stuck with another 7290.

I ordered a new 7290 today, so I will have until December 3rd to return it for the 8700c. The corporate price of $159 was really good, I wonder if I will get a similar price on the 8700c?

Mitch

I heard from my Cingular rep, the price of the 8700 (with new activation) will be about $399.99

Just got off the phone with my rep at Cingular, $299 w/ 2yr contract $349 w/ 1yr contract

The price for the 7290 is also $299, that is why I was supprised that my corporate rate was so much lower. I know the current advertised price for the 8700c is $299, just wondering what the real price might be.

I was told that that was the price using the corporate discount allocated to our foundation account number. However he did admit that he didnt have an SKU in the system so you are probably right. The final pricing might not be know until you can actually order it.