I have been a TMobile customer for almost 2 months now..
I had a Tmobile Wing but decided a Blackberry would better fit my needs.
So I posted out on Craigslist a swap, my Wing for a Blackberry.
I had a guy offer a new in the box unlocked 8800 and decided to do it and did it this morning..

I realize I've only owned the phone for about 12 hours so I don't know all there is to know, but as of this moment, I'm not sure getting an unlocked phone is what I should have done.

What are the advantages / disadvantages to running an unlocked phone? It was a cingular phone so it has all the cingular splash screens and stuff which I would love to do away with if possible.

Anyway, just wanted to get your (the experts) opinons on unlocked vs locked..

Thanks

If it's unlocked you are good to go. The Cingular splash screen makes no difference.

You will need a Blackberry data plan, however. Call TMo and get that added.

Once a Blackberry is branded by a carrier it stays that way. With my unlocked Rogers 8300, even though I'm using it with T-Mobile each time I restart it I see the Rogers logo. I even replaced the OS with one for British carrier O2, but the Rogers splash remains. No biggie though. Branding on Blackberrys is generally pretty light.

An unlocked phone has a higher resale value and attracts way more potential buyers. It's a major selling point if you do decide to resell. The downside to buying an unlocked phone is that you're not getting it from your carrier and therefore not getting the discount you normally do when buying a branded/locked phone from them.

My sister worked for TMobile and she got me the Wing for $100 and I traded it for the unlocked 8800 so I've only got $100 in it..

I really like the My Faves program.. Is that available for download somewhere?

I've got tons of questions and and don't want to bug you guys too much out of the gate....

The guy I got it from recomended I get a username and password from Blackberry for the GPS.. I would like to use this feature, does anyone know what he's talking about?

Thanks for helping out a bigtime n00b.

Oh yeah, I've got the data plan.. I had that with the Wing but had to change it a little with the 8800... It's actually saving me $10 per month going with the 8800...

You need myFaves on your account in order for the myFaves app to work.

As far as the GPS, I'm assuming he means a username and password for TeleNav? TeleNav is a subscription app (a really good one, BTW) that's $9.95/month. It gives you voice prompted, turn-by-turn directions on your BB. However, you can use your 8800's GPS with Google Maps for free. You won't get voice prompted turn-by-turn but you'll see your location on the map and it will move as you move.

Did you get a BLACKBERRY DATA PLAN.

Do not know what kind of plan you had on the Wing but T-Mo must have a heck of a BB plan if when you switched to it, you saved $10!

I just have the unlimited data plan.
Not the blackberry plan.

I'm only checking pop mail on a regular basis.

How do I turn on the GPS to work with google maps?
I'm such a n00b I know, but all the help is greatly appreciated..

I have one other question.
On my desktop (forgive me if that's not what it's called) on my blackberry I've got an icon of a sun. when you mouse / trackball over it it shows the city / temp. How do I change that city?

I really appreciate the help..
Thanks again.

Also I do have a My Faves plan. Is it possible to install the My Faves program on an unlocked Cingular Phone?

no BlackBerry Data Plan, no push email, no gps, no PIN messaging.

The Homescreen sun weather icon, open it, edit preference or options.

All you need to do is edit the .alx file to load the myfaves apps. Instructions are the same as for themes.

How to Add Vendor Locked Themes - BlackBerryFAQ

So I can't use the GPS with the Google Maps if I dont have a blackberry data plan? I have the unlimited data plan where I can IM, surf, e-mail all I want.. I just didnt have the need to connect to a blackberry mail server so I went with the regular data plan..

That weather icon when you click it opens a browser window that shows a 5 day forcast on the accuweather page.. When I open the options it's the browser options..Not app / link options? Anywhere else I should look?

Weather -- It's under "BlackBerry HELP!" under "Links" in your browser bookmarks screen. It's a browser push service and fully configurable. I have two such icons; one from Accuweather and one from The Weather Network, both set to my city.

You are awesome !!
Thanks man.. I found it..
I guess it takes some time to update after you get it plugged in. It's still showing the old city that I removed in the push services.

Using InfoSpace Find it my gps works just fine with the maps..
Can someone tell me how to get my current position inside Google Maps?