For those hoping for a CDMA/GSM global 8703e blackberry, the FCC test docs indicate CDMA only. Sorry!

Boy Genius comes thru again, thank you, thank you. Please send gift baskets and champagne to my office.

and where in ny is that office located?... it wouldnt be located near 43rd and 8th would it...?

Hey Genius how about I'm buying at Delfriscos this weekend, all i need is a pre-release 8703!!! we'll have a little $900 a snifter cognac....

I wonder what the speaker on the back looks like...

Are there any pics of that floating around? I've not seen any as of yet.

Does any one know if the 8700s (or 7100s) are going to be able to view the pics of the upcoming cameraberrys?

P.S. I can't wait for the 8703!!!

How is the keyboard? Comfortable? How (size) are the keys?

It is "CDMA By Qualcomm" as printed on the battery door. Listed network options are "Automatic A, Automatic B, and Home Network Only" It doesn't seem to pick up GSM signals at all either in the US or Canada.

The form factor is slightly wider (edit: thicker) than the 8700g, but it does fit in the Seidio 8700g holster. Speeds are excellent for browsing and downloading themes, but reception has not been as good as expected. Hopefully it's just because it is pre-production.

The keys are chamfered differently than the G, the corners and tops are chamfered as well. Otherwise, they are identical to the G. The texture of the keys is very smooth. It feels different to type on than the G or C, but it's an easy adjustment. Battery life has been comparable.

Jester

SHOCKER!!! Just like the 7130E...Verizon and their crap EVDO network, they seem to have done nothing with the problem over the last 8 months.

Its a CDMA only phone. GSM is not supported according the the FCC documents posted.

interesting... not good reception? How can you further define that?

Jungle, you were having problems with your 7130e.. where are you located?

Would the reception problem be enough to be turned off by the phone?

I was just providing some empirical data to what was stated in the documentation, not disputing it.

smilingburgers: the speaker looks like the 8700g speaker. In fact, the plastic forms look all the same except color and the back plate is thicker to let the CDMA chipset fit.

Jester

http://www.blackberryforums.com/gene...g-problem.html

InPocket: I didn't say it was bad... just not as good as expected. I keep switching between 1x and 1xEV and signal strength bounces between 0 and 2 bars. I have an EVDO Aircard that is getting good reception, both on Verizon. My GSM phones are getting great reception. My Sprint EVDO Aircard is working flawlessly here.

At other locations, I am getting fine reception and not bouncing between 1x and 1xEV. Like I said... it just doesn't seem as good at the moment.

Jester

Yep. Same issue on my test unit.

Jester

Jungle:

I read through your thread, its interesting. Someone posted in your thread that it doesnt affect the phone quality persay, but does it affect your ability to send an email?

Jester:

Dont get me wrong, I completely appreciate you giving an honest opinion about a device I myself cannot hold. It helps me evaluate whether the device meets my needs (which it most certainly WILL) before a purchase.

Overall, from my device standpoint (XV6700) I have also been having problems in the last month or so with EVDO. Particularly, the device doesnt "catch". Sometimes I have to click links twice or more, thus I can withstand some EVDO problems.

Getting back on topic however, is the 28th dead on target?

I'm not a network genius or anything, but wouldn't getting good reception be a matter of where you are, and where you live, etc.? Just like I have shit reception from cingular mostly where i live, but on the other hand Verizon has been great?

Called my contact at the Sprint BB support ... Sprint 87xx coming out at the end of September. I was going to buy 7... 7130e He told me to wait.

Two devices on the same network can preform defferently. Its a combination of many factors. The 7130e was poor for RF until after a software upgrade for me.

Different in a good way? Are they easier to type on than the current 8700 model? And lastly do they move? I like the fact they are attempting to make them easier to type on.

Thanks for the info.

I had my 7130E side by side by side with two other EVDO enabled Verizon devices, the other two had ROCK SOLID EVDO signals at all times, but the 7130E was awful...

Different as in a different way. Some will like it more, some less. I've been using an 8700g for a while now and am having some transition issues with the keys. I find them harder to feel. Once I get used to them, they may actually be better to type on. Six of one, a half dozen of the other.

Jester

Hah!

If you're talking about the one @ 1221 6th Ave, that used to be where my old company was!

Great steak btw. Although sparks > *

Regards,
dolo

I'm partial to Morton`s since its at the bottom of my building (45th and 5th)... mmm.. the crabcakes are good too!

Just make sure you order that Godiva chocolate cake early....

...and make sure you don't drive home cause you may pass out from food coma!

haha.

dolo

Peter Lugers, Brooklyn NY.

When I was using the 7130 for tethering I had alot of "connection refused" problems (inability to connect).
I switched back to a 7250 and no more troubles, I luv the 7250, rock solid.
Verizon's EVDO works great (for me & 7250).
When I'm in rural parts of Jersey I'll loose EVDO and switch to 1X and the 7250 handles it without any problems and it will switch back to EVDO effortlessly.
I won't be upgrading, I'll wait, plus I use the bb outside alot so the old style screen on the 7250 works good even in the sunlight where as the 7130 was harder to read in direct sunlight.
btw, I was in a frantic rush this week and accidently knocked my 7250 about 5 foot to the concrete,it went flying with alot of force, and it now has a big chip on the paint but still works.

if the release date is 8/28 when do you think the units will actually be delivered to the stores?

i might call at 9 few and see if any arrived

Best to call saturday or late tonight. Most stores get shipment today. UPS could show up late in the afternoon.

O.K., so I can't wait to get my 8703...... But now that I know about the 8200 series, I cant wait for that one!!!! I know that it will be forever before Verizon gets it!!!!!!!!

jeez... one step at a time...

you may also want to run by a circuit city, i was able to buy the motorola q about 5 days prior to the official launch date at a CC. too bad i ended up taking it back a few days later.

Anyone think it is weird RIM changed the confidentiality on the FCC 8703 to Oct 7th now? Monday October 9th launch?

So does this mean it's not launching on Monday 8/28

Doesn't sound good for the 8/28 date. My guess is late September.

Uhhhh Back to the drawing board i guess, now I will probably just buy a Q, 7250, or regular cell phone because i can't wait much longer ;(

Tho, I still find it odd that all these people have 8703's already for testing, how long do they test these things? Until mid October would be kinda long.

I told this forum a few weeks ago and I will tell this forum again, the release date is Saturday, October 28th.

Have yet to see Verizon release any device on a weekend.

It is Saturday, October 28th. That is the date. I have been working too long in the industry to put up with message board crap. If you listen to "Roc-a-Fella" or "Boy Genius" that is fine. The make educated guesses correctly much of the time but if you private message me, I will gladly tell you how they get all their information and get a hold of their products so easily. I do not want to post how they do it here because I do not believe in "smearing".

Thank you

just spoke to a rep at the store on 6th ave and 42nd he said 3rd week in sept

but they also told me last year the samsung i730 would be delayed by 1 month and turned out i got it 3 days after they told me that.