I called Verizon to inquire about setting 90+ lines for my staff within my company. I told them that we were established international, but just came to the main land with my corporate office. I aksed the kinds of PDA's they had and they mentioned the 8830. info: I do own a company, but did not need 96 lines of BB devices, but I do own an 8830.

After having the corporate sales person get back in touch with me, I played rather ignorant and asked about the 8830's capabilities. I then asked if it had any GPS capability as my staff travels the world and need use of GPS in case of loss of direction etc. The rep first told me that it is capable, but you have to down load third party software blah blah. I questioned him for clarification and he finally came around to saying that he didn't know if it would work and then he gave a definitive "no, it can't do what I need it to do". So I said, sorry , but I need this and thank you for your time.

Within 30 minutes I got a call back from a gentleman within the corporate sales team who told me that he was contacted by this previous colleague and that he was aware of my situation. He then clarified for me that the 8830 can do what I need it to do and that the capability through third party software will be available November 1st, 2007. I clarified again what I needed and he said Verizon is rolling that capability out on November 1st, 2007 and that he would be glad to stop in my offices with one of his data support team members to talk about implementing A BES system for us. I told him I needed to get in touch with my IT director so I could find a good date and would be back in contact with him.

Now, I recall someone posting another "insider" quote where they were also told that Nov 1st will be the roll out date. I am also assuming that since he clearly stipulated that this is capable through a third party software, that this does NOT constitute VZ nav, correct?! I am leaning the way of believing him since I clearly stipulated what I needed and he was willing to come in and meet with my IT guy. FYI, I acted as though my IT guy told me to inquire about this GPS issue because he was under the impression that Verizon has crippled this capability. I just can't imagine that they would come in and blatantly lie to a company that would purchase 90+ lines and risk serious legal litigation. Thoughts?

I would be very surprised if you got more than VZ nav.

But technically, VZ nav isn't a 3rd party app, right?! I am almost tempted to go through with the meeting and record the meeting. I am just afraid I would be tempted to go through with it, enter into the contract and find out that it really does happen! LOL How do I explain that expenditure to my financial department! LOL

I'm not saying it's impossible. However, I would NOT bank on GPS being freely available on November 1st. I would be VERY surprised if it will be anything more than VZ Nav. It's a 3rd party app in the sense that it doesn't come from RIM. I realize it does come from Verizon, though, so maybe just symantecs here.

Yeah, since it comes from Verizon, I don't take that as a third party app, but we all know the play on words game! I guess i would be surprised also, but i keep hoping.

Just an observation here, but has anyone noticed that if you go to Verizon Wireless website and look at the new Q it stipulates aGPS for 911 location/ sGPS. Does any one know what sGPS means and does the "/" constitute that its part of the GPS system for 911 or a separate GPS??

Also funny how when you look at the 8830 phone specs on the site NO WHERE does it even mention GPS for even 911 purposes. If Verizon was supposedly only advertising that prior to release for 911 purposes only, then why not list it now under specs, but list a comparable PDA (new Q) with GPS for 911 purposes?! hmmm

nov 1. crippled, and slow, and terrible vz navigator for smart phones launch date. i wodnt think anything more then that. its probably gonna be so crippled that even if you pay$10 a month, 3rd party like bb maps or google maps wont work, i woudnt not put this past vz at all.