Leaving the restaurant last night, and walking half a block to my car, I lost my 8800 that I've had for about 2 weeks! So aggravating, because a replacement wouldn't qualify for any of the discounts I was entitled to when I upgraded to the first one!

What was especially frustrating was that I couldn't use the GPS or PIN as a way of communicating with the unscrupulous person who seems to have switched out my SIM card for theirs.

Anyway, after a serious dent in my wallet, I replaced the bugger at full price. Interesting that there already seems to be a few differences between the unit I got today and my original.

- Using the Dimension ZEN theme, I have 6 icons on the main screen. I am pretty sure I only had 5 on the original.

- The keyboard is noticeably more tactile. When I press a button, I can feel the click as I press the key. The original model was something I'd describe as mushy

- There are no creaks. I saw some thread where someone talked about cheap build quality, etc. The one I got today has no play in the case.

- The screen of the original one had something of a greenish tint for things like messages. The envelope icons looked a bit unhealthy. The new model has no such tint.

The O/S number of the newer one is 4.2.1.72. I don't recall the release number of the original O/S. Wondering if they've made changes already...

Also, if anyone has any ideas how to communicate with my original phone after someone else sticks their SIM card in there, I'm all ears. I suspect that they do not currently have Blackberry service, but I suppose on way to try to track them down is to keep trying to use BB Messenger on my old PIN. If they ever add Blackberry service, they should show up, right? Can I try to send them IM without asking their permission to add me as a contact? I doubt they'd accept my invitation, since they obviously saw my name on the lock screen when they picked up the phone, but elected not to use the information to contact me... Very interested in ideas for reaching out to the person who "stole" my phone...

Thanks.

Just send a PIN message (not using messenger). If you get a checkmark with a "D" above it then the message got through. If no "D" you know the message isn't going through. I don't know what good it will do except you can send nasty messages to whomever swiped your phone.

For Messenger to work you have to send the request and they have to accept it before you can send messages. PIN messages go right through.

did it fall out of the leather holster or out of your pocket?

that thing is thin and heavy, i can see it falling out of many coat pockets.

Thin and heavy and slippery! Definitely needs care to hold onto.

Like John said if they get BB service, you can PIN them till the cows come home!

Not sure when it came loose. Didn't fall out of the holster - the whole holster must have come loose. And it was such a short walk between when I know I last had it, and when I was settled in my car. Sadly, the only populated place I passed was a coffee shop with lots of high school kids. I'm guessing that someone is using this powerful device for nothing more than SMS messaging, and will never spring for Blackberry service. Sigh.

Have you considered reporting it stolen? I wonder if RIM/BB would disable it (or the provider if locked) if you reported it stolen? Seems like it would be easy enough for them to do. Just a thought. Sorry about the loss. Nothing sucks like having to replace at full retail; I had to when I dropped one and couldn't wait for the repair time... At least I did repair it later and then sold on ebay and recovered some of my $.

Yes it is, I wish RIM would re-think the plastic\chrome sides. To me a better option would be a rubberized coating to give the divice a better grip in your hands. Similar to the rubberized coating that is used by the aftermarket cases sold for the 8100

Wow! Sorry to hear about your loss.

Just give it a couple weeks of pulling the 8800 out of it's case by it's slippery sides and the squeaky sides will return.

RIM could have provided better grips. The darn thing is so slippery.

Really? I've had no such problems and I'm not taking any extra precautions when handling my 8800. Maybe my hands aren't quite as oily...