Uh . . . . have you looked at RIM's stock. I bought a but load for $30 a share long ago and well, Blackberry DOES have it figured out!

You threat to go to the iPhone is not scaring RIM.

My girlfriend doesn't listen to me, either. If you're a BlackBerry user, I've accepted that this just automatically happens the moment you get your first message on the device.

I hope Rogers gets word out soon on this device, though. Rumours and hearsay can only get you so far.

Not a rumour, this is coming straight from an Rogers employee who has played with the device, also dealerships across western Canada just had a meeting where this was all outlined.

I really wish it was a rumour. As soon as i got quoted on blackberrycool I also got on the phone with a the data/silver certification guy from Rogers head office to triple check things and make sure the unit i was playing with was the unit we were going to be selling.

I am going to try to stay optimistic about the 9XXX and hope for this year but what is going to happen and what IS actually going to happen sometimes dont match up.

IE i hoped to marry Dolly Parton, I ended up living with a english girl who looks like and speaks like Harry Potter. Go fig?

Is there a scheduled release date for the 8800 on Rogers (even tentative?). My 7290 is starting to give me problems, including a continually sticking 'm'. I need to upgrade soon but not sure how much longer I can wait. WiFi would be great but I will survive if it doesn't have it.

Its not set in stone (as other devices will be announced throughout the year) but pretty much if the said no its not coming 07 you can be safe to garentee its not coming. With that being said the 7290 doesnt even run on our EDGE network so you will see a pretty good difference when browsing the net on the blackberry.

The 8800 is going to be a great phone for Rogers and will be worth the upgrade.

Also when you upgrade the price is based on revenue generated so if you have been on a 7290 for a while you should be able to get a good price on any data product you select.

According to both of my corp Rogers reps the 8800 just like the Cingular vsn will be sans WiFi. One of my Rogers reps didn't know anything about the 9xxx when I asked him today but the other said he heard Rogers would launch it in 2007 as there has been talk about it, this is what he was told by his contacts at RIM. He went on to mention that Rogers and RIM have a great business relationship and that Rogers is committed to launching all of RIM's products. He said he is going to get back to me next week with more info when he comes back to the office so I'll report back in next week to inform you if I hear any new info at all.

This info was all outlined in the last dealer meeting with the Rogers higher ups. They had no plan for the 9XXX to be launched in 07. There was specifically questions about the 9XXX and it was clear that as of right now its not in their cards. Unless someone changes something or Ted Rogers demands it things will stay the same. Regular reps and most corp reps will not know this info. Maybe some silver certifed reps will know and really depends.

Rim and Rogers does have a strong relationship, no doubt we were the one of the 1st carriers to back Rim and support them to their fullest. If its doable and Rim will be ready for Rogers and Rogers tests enough we will see it sooner. But the bigger carriers like t-mobile or cingular usually take up the large orders and leave Rogers as not such a large priority to Rim. Rogers should have had the pearl and 8700 before the US carriers but the manufacture bumped all Canadian orders for the US carriers. Unfair? Maybe but they make so much more money from the US compared to Canada.

Unless something is confirmable, we really shouldnt speculate.

Just had a breakfast with the RIM rep for rogers out here in Calgary. Held a shining new 8800 in my hand. Beautiful unit.
8800 has features of the pearl, sans camera. Also has built in GPS receiver (my biggest reason for the upgrade).
Wi-Fi not included on unit (sorry to disappoint), but should be coming sometime in the future.
Also saw the albino pearl - finish similar to a white ipod, same metallic sides.
Asked about 9000 series, but no knowledge there.

does it come with a holster?

i actually didn't think to ask.. only saw the unit, not the box, but guy had it in a holster on his waste.. typically full querty devices do come with, so i would assume yes...

another little tidbit that may interest some out there.

I don't know what the max capacity of the SD slot is, but, the sd slot is accessible without removing the battery. it is positioned on the back, right in the middle, under the button to slide the battery cover off.

Does this button seem to work well. I heard the battery cover has been redesigned nad well secured with this button so we will have no more lose backs.

How does the overall build quality of the 8800 seem to you?

I believe that HSDPA actually implies UMTS as well. Nevertheless, the (Rogers version of the) 8800 doesn't have either HSDPA or UMTS -- or does it?

Hey guys,

I got some good news! You might already know this but incase you dont the 8800 is being released on Rogers in March 2007. I'm pretty sure if you have a corporate rep you can special request a demo unit also. I know mine has offered me one. Can't wait to get it!

Can't wait to replace my 8700 with the 8800. I went back from my Pearl to the 8700 due to the keyboard. I sure miss the voice dial, MP3/video player, and enhanced software that were on my Pearl.

Was my dealer yesterday to see if he's seen one or try and get any info out of him. Nada. I have a feeling we won't be seeing this till Spring.

My Rogers rep just told me he won't even get a demo unit until March. By then I'm sure they will be a line of much larger customers than us who want it.

Comes with a case. I am guessing RIM's attempt to spur more accessories sales didnt perform so the 8800 will be coming with cases. Tis a slick device, feels solid in the hand, mem card accessible without having to remove battery. Other than that its a pearl with a full keyboard. sans camera. 9*** not here til 08

I saw the new 8800/Canuck today. It has the look of the Pearl, but with the QWERTY key board and Track Ball. It is slimmer than the 8700 but a little longer.Overall it is a classy looking device.
Talking to the people from RIM today, they seemed to love the track ball.
I cant wait to start selling them!
If anyone needs one, please let me know.

did you get the MSRP ?

when is it hitting the shelves?

is there a holster included?

Yes - there is a holster with the new 8800.

No exact dates on release yet (looking like March)

Not sure about $$$s

Since you've had the 8800 in-hand, how does the keyboard compare to the 8700 and to the current Treo in tactile feedback and key spacing (for error-free typing)?

Thanks.

let me guess...$299.99 on a 3 year contract..... God forbid they actually give you a great deal....

just my opinion....

$299

rogers aint that generous

$349 or $399 is my guess

Even $399 is generous for Rogers, I peg it the same as the 8700 was. $499 on a 3yr contract.
Gouge the early adopters for all they can.

i dont think i will pay $499

$299 and lower is the sweet spot!


i paid $99 for my 8700 on a special advanced promo to "valued" rogers customers.

i hope they run that again.

I need a device to hold me over till the 8800 w/camera comes out. I glanced at this thread from my crusty old PPC..I am debating to buy a pearl today mainly because I thought that the Feb 12th model of the 8800 for cingular wouldn't have a camera? what's the concrete scoop here for someone that lives in the united states? I want a device I can keep for 2 months. I feel like I'm buying a g4 powerbook 1 week before the announcement of intel upgrades (which I did before). so I'm scared at listening to the speculation..help!

From what I have read, I'm not an expert at all but no it won't have a camera. The one with the camera they say will be a couple months later. I dont think there is a concrete release date for it.

you are right my man!

Does anyone know what colour the bb will be? I hope its black!

Why would Rogers sell a WIFI device? That would (potentially, unless they control otherwise) you to use a Blackberry w/o service?

Rogers wants customers, not people buying hardware that don't sign up for service..

The same question applies to every carrier why they carry a wifi device that could utilize data?

Rogers has carried wifi enabled HP devices in the past though and has not had an issue with it. Remeber wifi isnt everywhere in Canada and Rogers assumes that a business user isnt going to run around trying to find a hotspot when they need email asap... The target audience of people who buy an 8800 is will be using it for heavy emailing.

Also the rumour was that 8800 wasnt going to have wifi for data usage anyways, it was more or less for voice which could have been controled by all the carrieres who could support the service.

As for Rogers wanting subcribers thats completely true, but Rogers is very soft when it comes to locking people into data contracts. There is no obligation for people to sign 3 yrs on a data plan when it comes to buying a data device. To get the best discount on a device they want you to try out a data plan for a trial period but your only commitement is for the voice portion.

if the cingular prices are correct on BGR then rogers prices will be $399 with 3 yr deal and $599 to buy cdn

or higher?

Is there any sort of rough date for this 8800. The reason I ask is my 8700r is on it's last leg. They have replaced it multiple times but the manifactures 1 year warranty ran out. Every time I speak to tech support. They ask for the IMEI and try to exchange it under warranty. And every time it lands up being a fight between my self and tech support rep with the CSR in the middle.

The sooner I can get rid of my 8700. The sooner I will be at peace again with rogers. 9 years going down the drain because people simply don't read there screens.

EDIT: Update, After getting someone this morning who knows what they are doing and a little luck. It all got worked out. I got different model blackberry at a fair price. and Rogers gets another 3 years. After 10 years already with them what the heck.

Rim press release says Rogers will sell it in March in Canada...no date.

no price

BlackBerry - BlackBerry Press Releases

Tomorrow Morning is the Take a Snow Day event for Rogers with Jim Balsilie.

Toronto.

What is that?

I guess he is talking about this

how do you register for that event?

I'm pretty sure it's by invitation only...