[unknownvirus]

i know they have a bad habit to use their lame OS on all phones, but how about their blackberrys?

im guessing the OS is still intact, but are generally any differences between a att 8800/8100 and vzw 8830/8130

[rsnadel]

Not sure what you're asking. Because they don't use SIM chips, the "lock down" part doesn't really apply...the technology is CDMA. To the best of my knowledge, any 8800 can use any version of RIM software for the 8800...but you can't mix 8800 software on a non-8800 device. Same would apply to the other models...any version of OS for a given devide will work, but the software is device-specific.

[kdog1176]

Verizon cripples GPS on the 8830.

[NJBlackBerry]

Originally Posted by rsnadel

Not sure what you're asking. Because they don't use SIM chips, the "lock down" part doesn't really apply...the technology is CDMA. To the best of my knowledge, any 8800 can use any version of RIM software for the 8800...but you can't mix 8800 software on a non-8800 device. Same would apply to the other models...any version of OS for a given devide will work, but the software is device-specific.

The software for the 8800, 8810, 8820 and 8830 is unique to each device. You can not put 8800 software on an 8830. You can, however, put 8830 software released by Sprint onto an 8830 branded by Verizon.

And Verizon does disable the GPS on the 8830, while Sprint doesn't.

[unknownvirus]

alrite, i understand
i was more so just wondering if they lock down the themes or anything to use a vzw specific theme, cause their so bent on not allowing the customer any freedom with their regular phones

and i figured u cant load 8800 software for the 8830, because of the cdma/gsm difference

[JRSCCivic98]

Best thread eva!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[juwaack68]

I feel the need to run spellcheck continuously.

[Dawg]

Oh Boy here we go again

[kdog1176]

So many threads on verizon crippling/locking something or another on a BB. Hmmm interesting.

[NJBlackBerry]

Seems to be important. To the same people over and over and over.

Can you hear me now?

[kdog1176]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8820/4.2.2 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

Being a newbie to BB (and this forum) this past summer, the one theme I picked up right away from this forum is that there are many people who find this "verizon issue" important. It seems no other carriers get the same scrutiny.

[NJBlackBerry]

I believe they are the largest carrier in the US. So they are bound to get some scrutiny.

[Mark_Venture]

Originally Posted by kdog1176

So many threads on verizon crippling/locking something or another on a BB. Hmmm interesting.

I could say this can be attributed to Verizon imposing their UI on non-smart/non-PDA phones, stripping off the MFG's UI, as well as removing features found on the same model phones compared to other CDMA carriers... (example: less Bluetooth profiles on a Verizon Moto than the same Moto model sold by Alltel)...

So its a logical question for anyone who has never used a blackberry from Verizon before.

Yes, it is interesting... But unfortunately, it appears the "hacker" or "phone enthusiest" type people are the only ones aware of what Verizon does to there Phone hand sets.

Because the regular "mom and pop" and "kids" don't realize what there phone should be capable of, Verizon continues to impose their will...

So its logical for this question to "spill over" into the Blackberry space, wondering does verizon do the same here...

If this question, about Does Verizon lock out or cripple their blackberries? comes up often enough... I suggest a FAQ entry.. or Stickied thread to say something like..

Currently for Verizon blackberries... they contain the same features/functions as the same models sold by other CDMA wireless carriers... With one exception to this point. The Built-in GPS unit, on models which include this feature, is "locked" to only their VZNav application, and only other applications to which VERIZON allows... It is not available to FREE apps like Google Maps, BB Maps, or others, and there is no indication that it ever will be.

Verizon includes the standard themes of...

BB Dimension Icon
BB Dimension Today
BB Dimension ZEN

as found on blackberries sold by other wireless carriers, and they look/feel the same, as well as their "custom" Verizon theme, just like most other carriers...

[Dawg]

[unknownvirus]

Originally Posted by Mark_Venture

I could say this can be attributed to Verizon imposing their UI on non-smart/non-PDA phones, stripping off the MFG's UI, as well as removing features found on the same model phones compared to other CDMA carriers... (example: less Bluetooth profiles on a Verizon Moto than the same Moto model sold by Alltel)...

So its a logical question for anyone who has never used a blackberry from Verizon before.

Yes, it is interesting... But unfortunately, it appears the "hacker" or "phone enthusiest" type people are the only ones aware of what Verizon does to there Phone hand sets.

Because the regular "mom and pop" and "kids" don't realize what there phone should be capable of, Verizon continues to impose their will...

So its logical for this question to "spill over" into the Blackberry space, wondering does verizon do the same here...

If this question, about Does Verizon lock out or cripple their blackberries? comes up often enough... I suggest a FAQ entry.. or Stickied thread to say something like..

Currently for Verizon blackberries... they contain the same features/functions as the same models sold by other CDMA wireless carriers... With one exception to this point. The Built-in GPS unit, on models which include this feature, is "locked" to only their VZNav application, and only other applications to which VERIZON allows... It is not available to FREE apps like Google Maps, BB Maps, or others, and there is no indication that it ever will be.

Verizon includes the standard themes of...

BB Dimension Icon
BB Dimension Today
BB Dimension ZEN

as found on blackberries sold by other wireless carriers, and they look/feel the same, as well as their "custom" Verizon theme, just like most other carriers...

thank you, your response was the most informative out of all the others, who just chose to mock the question

though, i can say that, even the most basic of phone users get annoyed with verizons "red" GUI...it drives my mom crazy for sure..and shes yet to figure out how to text message

i was a former verizon customer for 5 years, and loved the service they offered, but overall found it to be the most expensive of all the carriers, with no added benefit along with the usual lockdown of the phones. I live in the TriState area, and here all 4 of the major carriers are equal in service, so verizon holds no charm, because even though AT&T has the same priced rate plans, at least they still offer roll over. AT&T's data service is also generally cheaper, seeing as they've always had a BIS plan, which vzw is now introducing.

vzw can claim the best service and all that, and GSM probably will never be able to say all that (if you compare the technologies, cdma is superior to gsm, being able to hold more users, and faster data rates, and holds a better SNR) but the freedom that comes with GSM (buying weirdo phones from japan on ebay is fun) is worth the extra dropped call here and there? haha


ok bye

[NJBlackBerry]

Some of us like GSM due to the global coverage.
Which makes a lot of difference to some people.

[rambo47]

Verizon doesn't "lock" their phones to their own network like GSM carriers because they don't need to. They will only activate their own phones, and Sprint has the same policy, iirc. No need to lock it if no one else can use it.

[unknownvirus]

sprint actually now will activate any CDMA phone on their network and allow you to do the same with their phones, not that verizon will let you use a sprint phone though

[RandyF]

So...how do I "unlock" my GPS?

[Mark_Venture]

But when it comes to non-PDA/Non-smart PHONES "carrier locking" on CDMA carriers isn't the same as Sim Card on GSM carriers...

Verizon, Sprint, Alltel, US Cellular, Bell, Telus, etc.. use CDMA.. but their data authentication schemes are slightly different enough... and they have carrier specific values and settings embedded in their firmware....

this means.. that even if a CDMA carrier accepts a "Foreign" ESN number (i.e. phone from another CDMA wireless carrier)... that phone will only work for Phone calls and text messages. It wont work for MMS, web or other data services.

I'm not sure if this is the same in the CDMA Blackberry space or not... I know for GSM blackberries, you can sim unlock and go.. (exception was the Service Books issue for the BIS Browser on the AT&T Curve being used on T-Mo's network prior to T-Mo offering a Curve, but all other data functions, including BES browser worked fine)