[arnoz]

Hi there,

I'm happy to join your community and would like to ask you a few questions concerning BlackBerry. At the moment I have a Sony Ericsson K750i but I'm thinking of buying a BB 8100 Pearl or 8820 because I need it for my job and my carrier offers more and more DATA plans. Could you please help me to choose the right one considering that:
1) I'm a Mac user and don't have access to PC. Is that a problem?
2) I need at least EDGE but I think every BB offers it, right?
3) Wi-Fi would be really great but if i'm not mistaken there's only the 8820 which offers Wi-Fi.
4) I don't need the most advanced BB but need everything related to contact/calendars/notes/email and optionaly bookmarks/music syncing
5) I read a lot of stuff concerning the 2 models i'm interested in. However, I do plan to keep my phone for a long time as I did for my K750. I would like to be sure to buy the most up-to-date device, even if it is more expensive. Are there going to be any new devices like the Pearl (for its sleakness) or the 8820 (for its advanced features) in a near future?
6) Does the Wi-Fi feature means I can surf the web wherever there is a wireless network (home, hotspot, ...)
7) My carrier doesn't provide BBE at the moment. But my BB could work anyway to use the phone, EDGE and/or Wi-Fi features, right? Push mail is not that important if it's the only thing i'll be missing.

Thanks!

[John Clark]

1. Yes, it can be a problem. You can sync your information but you won't be able to reload/update/upgrade the device OS.
2. EDGE is device dependent AND carrier dependent. All the new GSM BB's are EDGE but not all the carriers have EDGE on their towers. You may only get GPRS (little slower than EDGE.)
3. Wifi is on the 8820, 8320, and 8120.
4. All the new BB's will do this.
5. There are always new devices coming out. I'd just go with the latest of the devices that you like.
6. Yes, you can surf the web at home and at hotspots with the wifi.
7. Without a BB data plan you'll be able to use phone, internet with wifi. You won't get push email, BBMessenger or any other BB specific features that require the BB data plan.

[juwaack68]

Welcome to the forums. I've moved your post to the General forums (from Rants & Raves) since you're asking a lot of questions and not raving or ranting.

[John Clark]

Originally Posted by juwaack68

Welcome to the forums. I've moved your post to the General forums (from Rants & Raves) since you're asking a lot of questions and not raving or ranting.

I was getting there....

[JSanders]

(EDIT --oh well, JC beat me to helping you, but I bet our answers are similar.)

1- You will miss some functionality of Desktop Manager (which will not load to Macs, but there are Mac apps which perform the functions, see the Mac Users sections of this website.
2- Yes, I think the 7100 and below do not on GSM networks. EVDO on Verizon.
3- 8320 and 8820 offer WiFi
4- All available. Email will not sync on the personal BIS setup except with Google and Yahoo email. It will with BES systems.
5- You can depend on RIM releasing new models (now-a-days) about every six to eight months. It just happens.
6- Yes
7- BBE? BlackBerry Express? You must have either BES or BIS and both include push email, as that is the main reason to get a BlackBerry.

[arnoz]

Hey,

Sorry for the wrng forum. Thanks for your replies, but concerning:

1) So the only way to update the device OS is through Windows? Do they offer updates every day or more like every month?
5) I know, what I meant is if there is a new device really amazing that's rumored to be coming in a month or so, please let me know
7) That's what I thought, but that doesn't really bother me. i don't know these features but if I just want to be able to use it as a phone/PDA and use Wi-Fi or EDGE to check my mails/surf I'll be able to do it, exact?
8) Is it possible to install third party applications?
9) Is it possible to use themes, wallpapers or that kind of things?

The 81xx serie is really what i'm looking for: small, powerful and Wi-Fi. The 8130 seems to add great features and the 8120 has Wi-Fi. 8120 seems to be better onsidering what i'm looking for. Why isn't it on the BB website?
Lastly, what are the main differences between 8820 and 8320. Or which one would you rather buy?

Thanks a lot!!

[JSanders]

1- OS installs need to be from a PC.
5- Stick with what is out now, in the 83xx series or 88xx series. There is a new 8130 Pearl coming out, you might like to try.
7- Yes, you can do that and login to your email server from a Opera Mini browser without having a BB DataPlan. It may be much difficult, and you will be missing a MAJOR reason for having a BB.
8- Yep. There are many.
9- Yep. Much available.

8820 and 8320 - The 8820 is slightly larger. The 8320 has a camera.

The 8120 has just now been released in the UK.

[arnoz]

Again, thanks. I've read a lot of things concerning 8120 and it is a really cool phone. But the only way to buy it is in England at the moment? No other way?

[JSanders]

I am betting they will be on Ebay shortly, if not already.
Watch for scams.
Buying a BlackBerry off eBay - BlackBerryFAQ

Watch our Buy Sell section as well.

[arnoz]

I'll definitely buy the 8120
Thanks for all your tips!

[arnoz]

Last question: does the 8120 already exist with an AZERTY keyboard? And if I buy a QWERTY one am I going to be able to write with accents etc like in French or is it only American?

[arnoz]

Please?
And is it already possible to unlock the 8120?

[arnoz]

I'm sorry but I really need an answer concerning the keyboard and the unlocking because I found one and I need to know if I can safely buy it. Can anybody help me?
Thanks!

[JSanders]

Originally Posted by arnoz

Last question: does the 8120 already exist with an AZERTY keyboard? And if I buy a QWERTY one am I going to be able to write with accents etc like in French or is it only American?

You WILL be able to have French Language Input method. Yes.

[JSanders]

Originally Posted by arnoz

and the unlocking because I found one and I need to know if I can safely buy it. Can anybody help me?
Thanks!

To unlock:
How do I unlock my BlackBerry? - BlackBerryFAQ

[arnoz]

Thanks! And sorry for the triple post.

EDIT: Yeah I checked those websites but none list the 8120 in the "available unlock codes" lists.

[arnoz]

Another two questions:
If I buy it from eBay or anywhere but from my carrier, will I be able to update the OS?
Is there a way to backup data on the BB (SMS, call logs etc) to my Mac or, alternatively, to Windows?

I might buy mine really soon... I'm just waiting to find an unlocked AZERTY one which doesn't seem to be easy or at least not if I don't want to pay it 500€.

Thanks!

[JSanders]

For unlocking, contact horizonwirelessonline.com, listed here:
How do I unlock my BlackBerry? - BlackBerryFAQ
He is reputable and trustworthy. Don't worry if your model is not listed, contact them anyway. You can PM him here as user ShapelessBB

No matter where you buy off eBay or whatever, the OS is updateable.
Yes you can back the data to MAC and to PC (it is much easier on the PC).
Syncing your data regularly is a great idea.

good luck.

[TeritaM]

arnoz what kind of mac are you using?
if you have an intel chip I'm going to suggest you bite the bullet and load windows on your machine. for synching purposes. the current functionality of "sync" software between mac/bb is suspect at best.

[arnoz]

I have a MacBook Pro and I began installing Windows yesterday I think I'll use it with Desktop Manager and maybe a software for full backup of the device (any name to suggest?).
But I'll use Missing Sync with my Mac to sync my calendars, contacts, ...