[vhato]

I was issued an 8530 from Verizon a week ago as a backup device and at first I thought all was great.

Then the users started calling and saying they just can't work with them like they did with the AT&Ts. I figured they were all idiots because the device seemed like a mildly scaled down 9700...then it hit me.

Aside from it being stripped of a fast CPU, remotely decent screen, nice control buttons, no rubberized back, autofocus, etc (the 8520 ain't better either)........I prayed the 9650 would be the solution then I tried to send an IM while on speakerphone only to be told I can't. So I switched to BBM and was gonna hit up another user, same problem. So I figure I will open the browser and find the info myself....NOPE.

I understood what my users were complaining about. Unless they were connected via WiFi, you can't use the telephone, speakerphone or even bluetooth ear piece while trying to work. A limitation of CDMA, that as I understand will still be issue with LTE.

So why does Verizon want to be a business tool when:

1. They always force consumers to compromise on hardware: The Storm 1 lacked WiFi (No excuse), the 9650 is a Bold with a slow(er) CPU, The Tour lacks WiFi as well, the 8530 is barely competitive and recently released, etc..

2. The network cannot allow simultaneous voice and data traffic. All the more reason all devices should always have had WiFi, but still not a real solution.

The ONLY reason we may keep Verizon as backup is their network upgrades include microwave backhaul, so in the event of a natural disaster we can probably depend on Verizon for being there for us.

I am proud my users have embraced simultaneous voice and data and didn't even know it until we tried Verizon as an alternative and we learned about how Verizon's business plan encourages a reduction in work efficiency.

I'm just ranting. I had high hopes.

[Dubdub]

Sounds to me like you didn't do your homework up front before you switched?

[vhato]

We didn't switch, just backup devices with out of state numbers. We were considering a switch if all went well, but it won't happen. Verizon gets placed in our desk drawers until the day comes we need them.

[TheRinger]

Originally Posted by vhato

2. The network cannot allow simultaneous voice and data traffic. All the more reason all devices should always have had WiFi, but still not a real solution.

This is because it is an EDGE device and not 3g.

[zerog46]

VZW is not edge, it's 3G, and it has nothing to do with that, its the CDMA Network. As soon as LTE comes out you will be able to make voice and data at the same time.

[TheRinger]

Originally Posted by zerog46

VZW is not edge, it's 3G, and it has nothing to do with that, its the CDMA Network. As soon as LTE comes out you will be able to make voice and data at the same time.

Oh drr, missed its verizon.

Has verizon said they will be putting 2 radios in the LTE devices? If not, will be the same issue all over again

[wabbit]

Wirelessly posted

No us cdma 3g can do data / voice

Lte on vz and on att will. I can't speak about wimax or sprint 4g since it has zero interest to me

I don't know how you could not see an att commercial over verizons 3g

p.s the bold on verizon will also be a slower process then the bold 9700 on att.

it has something to do with battery life, and cdma. over all i doubt you can tell the difference in 75 htz. or w/e it is. its small but slower then the 9700 cpu.

[wabbit]

Originally Posted by TheRinger

Oh drr, missed its verizon.

Has verizon said they will be putting 2 radios in the LTE devices? If not, will be the same issue all over again

att has 1 radio. verizon will have 1 raido. etc. the data/voice has to do with cdma hard limits how cdma works. there is a very expensive cdma setup with data and voice, which verizon did not take the route. its how the phone works. and time slice of cdma technology.

[wabbit]

Originally Posted by TheRinger

This is because it is an EDGE device and not 3g.

verizon is 3g. not edge.

[TBOLTRAM]

And the Verizon network tends to work in places that at&t does not.

I do agree that Verizon tends to have phones with features (or lack of them) that causes me to wonder if the drugs dogs need to be turned loose in their corporate offices.

[LunkHead]

I dont understand why a hotdog is called a hotdog????

Any help for me???

[TBOLTRAM]

We took a poll and you are way past help.

[scottjb]

@vhato,

The 8530 is considered a "low-end" consumer device. Not sure what you expected from it. If you look at it in that light, it's a pretty slick device--depends on your view and needs. "Remotely decent" and "nice" are hard to quantify. Is a rubberized back that critical? I think you're purpose for posting was to do an AT&T commercial. :-/

What line of work are you in that people need to be on their mobile phones and use messenger and other data at the same time?

[rambo47]

I miss simultaneous voice & data that I had with AT&T, but I don't miss their network. 3G on my Bold was as slow as EDGE, sometimes worse, and dropped calls were a problem. Now with Sprint (which roams for free onto Verizon) I never drop a call. The downside is, of course, if I'm talking on the phone and waiting for a file via email, I'm out of luck. I have to hang up and call back when I receive it. Total trade-off.

[Briant392]

Originally Posted by rambo47

I miss simultaneous voice & data that I had with AT&T, but I don't miss their network. 3G on my Bold was as slow as EDGE, sometimes worse, and dropped calls were a problem. Now with Sprint (which roams for free onto Verizon) I never drop a call. The downside is, of course, if I'm talking on the phone and waiting for a file via email, I'm out of luck. I have to hang up and call back when I receive it. Total trade-off.

Yeah, I noticed that the other day as well. I have verizon and I wondering that was the case or not. Thanks.

[dc/dc]

The only way you can get simultaneous voice and data with a CDMA provider is if the device has WiFi, you turned the WiFi radio on, and are successfully attached to a WiFi network.

[daphne]

Just curious... could the lack of Wi fi on vzw until just recently be due to all their government contracts? I.E government not wanting a bunch of people running around with wi-fi.

[jsconyers]

Originally Posted by daphne

Just curious... could the lack of Wi fi on vzw until just recently be due to all their government contracts? I.E government not wanting a bunch of people running around with wi-fi.

Could be, who knows. Maybe they were trying to find a way to nickel and dime their customers for using WiFi with a new app like VZWiFi. Kind of like how they blocked GPS except for VZNavigator a few years back

[SteveO86]

You don't know how quickly I would jump from VZW if they did that.

[SpectreBlofeld]

Verizon didn't design these phones. Verizon isn't even the only carrier that carry these models. There are CDMA carriers in Canada, you know, which is where these things come from. And there's Sprint, Metro, US Cellular, and the like in the US that all use CDMA and carry these handsets. As for complaints about the quality of the 8530, remember that it's the phone that VZW sells for a whopping $29 on contract. I wouldn't expect must more than a glorified feature phone at that price, personally.

Not to say that the complaints about the quality of CDMA Blackberries aren't valid, of course, but look around at CDMA blackberries around the world, in other US carriers, Canada itself, Mexico, India, South Korea, China, etc - no other carrier has any nicer ones than VZW. In short, while worthy of a rant, the rant should be pointed squarely at RIM, IMHO. Verizon doesn't dictate the manufacture and quality of Blackberry phones for the whole world.