[digitmasher]

Currently using a 7520. Love the device but preffer cingular's service. Wondering if RIM is looking to release a BB that will work with EDGE speeds.

[jibi]

Look down a few for a thread called 'Electron'. Unfortunately, it won't be available until Q1 next year, from most reports that I've read. Most N. American providers are currently offering EDGE already (Canada) or will soon be offering it (T-Mobile USA on Sept 1, for instance).

[howeler]

Also who knows what the Sprint/Nextel deal will bring... they are releasing a EVDO product as they call it...

[buddapaw]

Will current bb be able to access the Edge network?

[jibi]

buddapaw, in short, no. the EDGE networks will still be backwards compatible with GPRS, though. you won't lose data access during the upgrades (which most have already happened).

howeler, supposedly the 7250 handhelds have EVDO capabilities built in, but software has not been released to unlock it. i'm not sure if this was wishful thinking or something that merits substance...

[jnelson2000]

The 7250 has EV-DO andwill be enabled with the next software update by RIM. This is fact and not wishful thinking. The EV-DO testing is about complete (this month) and is in final testing with VZW.

I have used it and it is nice.

[Mark Rejhon]

Yes, EV-DO exists in the 7250.

As for EDGE, one will have to wait till the Electron (I imagine it'll be an 8000-series BlackBerry).

[dyzs]

Other than faster browsing and quicker attachment download, what benefit is there to EDGE on a BB?

[Soapm]

Originally Posted by dyzs

Other than faster browsing and quicker attachment download, what benefit is there to EDGE on a BB?

Remember, faster is a relative term. The rumors say EDGE will take you from slower than dial up to just faster than dial up. Don't expect a big difference.

Benefit, you'll probably get to charge your BB more often? My guess...

[jibi]

well, from real-world testing, they are holding true to 150-180kbps, which is about 10x that of real-world GPRS (which is nowhere near its advertised 50kbps max).

[camerch]

Actaully Cingular is planning on releasing the 8100 in September!

[jibi]

the 8100 is the Electron or a slim-line, prosumer/consumer EDGE-enabled handheld (a la 7100)...?

[schlepers]

When will the Electron on Cingular be out?

j--

[pb2]

Originally Posted by jnelson2000

The 7250 has EV-DO andwill be enabled with the next software update by RIM. This is fact and not wishful thinking. The EV-DO testing is about complete (this month) and is in final testing with VZW.

I have used it and it is nice.

Is it noticibly faster? My concern is that the processor on the 7250 is the bottleneck, not the bandwidth.

Will they be upgrading 7250s that are already on the field?

PB