i know someone that got a rogers 8800 yesterday.

he does some work for RIM, so i guess its all about who you know.

Latest date seems to be March 26th for the release of the 8800 on Rogers now that they have the issues with the firmware/GPS resolved.

Been waiting months for number portability so that I move to Rogers and get an 8800. With all the issues I've been reading on the 8800 and the advance problem of the release ... I picked up a few 8700r's and will wait for the 8830 to be stable before upgrading.

While at my dealer picking up the 8700's ... the RIM rep was there with his spanking new 8800 ... that he only received the night before. I got my stuff yesterday.

Rich

i got an unlocked one stateside. what issues? it's working perfectly. including gps.

They had GPS issues ... the whole reason behind the 2-3 week delay.

Look back in this thread ... the answers are there.

Actually....

The issues are with the Rogers version of the 8800 and GPS which required a firmware upgrade.

The US Cingular devices have been released and seem to be working well including the GPS.

I am going to NY Thursday, is there anything I should look for in particular when buying one.

???

Not sure what your asking?

If you plan to bring a 8800 back and use it on Rogers with a Rogers SIM it needs to be unlocked. There are lots of companies out there that can unlock the Cingular 8800.

So am I better off waiting for the Rogers gang to get their act together or is this unlocking thing a fairly simple procedure?

Bought my unlocked Cingular 8800 via eBay and I'm using it with Rogers SIM card - works great! I am pretty much an eBay and Crackberry addict, so you can get a BB unlocked for a measly $20-$30 CDN. Some rip off by charging for ridicilous (sp?) huge fee like $200 to unlock. Sheesh...

Anyway, I couldn't wait for Rogers to release the BB 8800's, so it's why I got mine from Cingular unlocked. It's really an awesome pda!! Still getting used to the qwerty and the track ball

Spoke to Rogers rep on the phone March 19 and asked when 8800 would be available. He told me I could order one on the spot and they would ship right away. He was not sure when they would be on store shelves, but assured me they were shipping for orders placed direct with Rogers over the phone.

Pricing: $525 with 3-yr contract & upgrade discount
Retail (no contract) $750

I called today and the Rogers customer service indeed said that today was the "new" launch date, but again it was delayed until April due to unforseen difficulties.

My Rogers corporate rep informed me that the relaunched date of March 19 and been pushed back to Monday March 26th.

I may as well wait for the Bell 8830!!

I just tried to order through Rogers c/s and they told me the phone was not yet available to be ordered. They had no idea when the new date would be.

Grrrrrrr - I want a Rogers branded 8800. I've contemplated getting an unlocked 8800 from the US but I have had issues with these devices before so I've been waiting for the one from Rogers as they have a great warranty exchange program.

Let me explain the way it works. Rogers has been on a month promotion nation wide for the 8800. It started in February and is ending on the 28th of March, I believe, in Quebec city. If you are an eastern Canadian client, how would you feel if the west coast received the 8800 before the east coast and especially Quebec, had the official Snow day release. So when the event is over, you will have your BB 8800. It is that simple. No GPS problems etc, etc. This is Canadian politics. The big base is in the east. It has always been that way and will remain that way. I went to the snow day event in Vancouver. As an IT admin. the BB is just another toy. All the BB's are toys. If you take the first BB 957, which I am still using, it does what all your toys do today: deliver email effectively, that's it. If you want a camera that works, but a cheap digital and keep it in your pocket. Using the internet on a BB is like sucking a thick Stawberry shake through a small straw. At 100 dollars a month for 200mb; that $1200 dollars a years enough for part of a child's post secondary education. Let's get back to the old days. Buy one cell phone or if you need, i emphasize need, but a small BB plan and get on with it. The 8800 is $500 of toy. It does nothing my 957 can't do except listen to music and be used as a phone. I still have my V60 for that and for that matter many thousand of dollars in the black. When the V60 breaks down, i will buy another cell phone. i have had for almost three years.

Not sure where these different prices are coming from but I was at Rogers Wireless in the Eaton Centre today and they had the display model there with a $499 price tag for a 3 year term. I've been told either March 26 or April 2 release depending on who I talk to at the Rogers corporate plans.

v60? why subject yourself to a phone that has no 850? You are much better off with the 8800 interms of receiption.

There is no definte time fram for the release. I spoke to a Customer service manager and sign up a new contract for three years. When I said I wanted a BB8800, the Manager said, there is no release date yet, Matter of fact they havnt received the shipment from BB. So she gave me a Motorola phone to use it until the BB come to market. Why would she give me a 100.00 worth hardware, if BB is going to be released next week. (But I will be getting the BB at the promotional rate when it arrives, ) not a bad deal, Promo deal for BB and free back up phone. (I heard it will be 499 with 3 year contract)
Any thoughts?

Guys, It is sad, Even India is launching BB 8800 tomorrow. BB's orign country canada, still waiting!!!! isn't it funny? I looked at the link for indian career which was posted here in the forum and it will cost 725 dollars out right buy.
Is Rogers sleeping? or no money to purchase BB 8800?

Nice Rant, but the 8800 DID have handheld code issue beyond the GPS.Most people here are speaking from what they have heard. I had no trouble with the GPS in my preproduction unit, however, there were definitely other stability issues with the OS build I had. I would figure THAT is the true delay. Rogers is pretty anal about stability in their phones.

thats pretty funny cause i know someone that got an 8800 (rogers) two weeks ago directly from Rim and he is having no issues with it on rogers nwkt.

What do I say... Results may vary, but in the "preproduction" model I had from Rogers/RIM the handheld code had issues. I can't tell you more than that because of my NDA. The only thing I can say is that the cingular/AT&T code was newer than the code on my unit.

So, I spoke to my friends today who works for an MP here in Ontario and the whole office got 8800. Some got some today others last week. I've been told all the MP's in Ontario have the 8800 now!

Check out their website at rogers.com/blackberry

8800 went on sale yesterday through the web and c/s. Retail chain is waiting for inventory. That being said the waiting list at some stores is 150+ people.