[MegaBit]

BG- I think we're on the same page. I'm not planning to return it or switch back to another device because the value and utility far outweigh the inconvenience of the dust. Its just disappointing after the long streak of solid devices RIM has brought to the market.

John- thanks! Look forward to any feedback you will be allowed to provide.

[jnelson2000]

RIM or Cingular just need to outline what will be done to clean/fix this problem. If I have to take it in every 3 months for an "oil change", then let me know that and what options I have.

[Boy Genius]

Also bring up Cingular MMS if you can...

[barjohn]

I will do both.

[RochesterBBOwner]

Would you please add a comment about lack of voice dial. Thanks.

[alann]

I know you already have a few requests but do you know if there is any word on Cingular upgrading their BIS like on Tmo?

[barjohn]

Let's see if I have the list of issues right:
1. Dust
2. MMS
3. Voice Dialing
4. New BIS

Did I get that right?

[likefre]

Originally Posted by barjohn

Let's see if I have the list of issues right:
1. Dust
2. MMS
3. Voice Dialing
4. New BIS

Did I get that right?

If you could move the new BIS to the top of the list i would appreciate it

[alann]

Thanks a lot John!

[chrisnol]

John -- You might ask about the tethering deal that Cingular said would be available around January to "officialy" allow tethering to a laptop with the 8700. Specifically: (1) what will the extra cost be for a tethered plan (I believe Cingualr charges $79.95 for a data phone card for a laptop for an unlimited data plan-- hopefully the tethered plan will only be a fraction of that when combined with the normal BB plan); (2) ETA for such a tethered data plan; (3) will you be able to tehter via bluetooth or will you have to connect via a USB cable. Thanks

[dr_devious]

Originally Posted by barjohn

I will do both.

As someone with visible dust under the window, I would be interested to hear what RIM thinks or will do regarding this dust issue.

[chrisnol]

Also, just for yucks bring up why its such a hassle to get a Cingular 8700 unlocked when TMobile does it with no brain damage. Tell them some forum members who happen to be attorneys think there could be an antitrust violation or some sort of consumer class action by Cingular essentially tying the purchased (and owned by the consumer) equipment to Cingular even though the customer owns the device AND presumably will honor the Cingular service commitment or pay the contractual termination fee. I know its delicate and you don't want to hurt your relationships, but they should know lots of folks are upset by this and that the way to retain customers is to provide good coverage, good technology, good customer service, and fair and competitive prices for voice and data services. Locking devices so customers can't switch is anti-competitive and necessary only if services or pricing are so bad customers would rather switch to another carrier. Apparently TMobile does not have the need to chain its customers equipment to its network-- is it because they know they have a great price on their BB data plans and that their customers won't leave for another carrier with a much more expensive plan.

By the way , I have been a Cingular customer for many years and wouldn't switch. It just pisses me off that they feel the need to treat their customers like they own them instead of keeping them so happy they want to stay.....

[Brad00111]

Originally Posted by barjohn

Let's see if I have the list of issues right:
1. Dust
2. MMS
3. Voice Dialing
4. New BIS

Did I get that right?

barjohn-

hate to add one more thing for you to ask, but I am REALLY curious about PTT for the 8700.......any chance of you sneaking that one in to?

[greggebhardt]

Originally Posted by dr_devious

As someone with visible dust under the window, I would be interested to hear what RIM thinks or will do regarding this dust issue.

I don't think RIM can do much about it. The latest RIM devices like the 8700 and 71XX series are like built by a different MFG. I like the older more robust units in the 75XX series. These newer units will not hold up like the older Blackberrys.

The dust thing is a sign of poor design. At night I could see light leaking out of several places on my 8700. My 7520 has no such problems and have owned them for a while and never seen anything like the dust I got in only a few days with the 8700.

[mobile_pheen]

i thought I scratched my screen because i kept noticing the light variation on one spot, i looked closely and noticed it was dust.... one day later.. more dust...

p.s mine is the 8700r with rogers.. so i guess its a design issue not a variant issue..
the device is impresseive, with the exception of dust... any solutions guys?

[MegaBit]

Originally Posted by mobile_pheen

i thought I scratched my screen because i kept noticing the light variation on one spot, i looked closely and noticed it was dust.... one day later.. more dust...

p.s mine is the 8700r with rogers.. so i guess its a design issue not a variant issue..
the device is impresseive, with the exception of dust... any solutions guys?

Bummer- sorry to hear that.

No solution so far other than taking up residence in a Class-10 clean room.

RIM is aware of the problem and looking into solutions per BarJohn.

[richard371]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.0) BlackBerry8700/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

Maybe they will send us a free t6 screwdriver so we can take then apart and clean them once in awhile.

[MegaBit]

Don't say that... I've been tempted to open it up!

[pawn]

It will be interesting to find out the cause of this dust problem. I've had mine for a week now, have used it heavily in different environments (it's lying on the carpet beside me now), including a dusty office, a steel mill, you name it, and there isn't a hint of dust. I can see light through the seems on both sides as most people have mentioned, but no dust. Just lucky, or is the seal around the screen installed better on mine?

For what it's worth, I will have no problems opening the unit and cleaning it if dust becomes a distraction.

[Inphektion]

Just to post my experience:

With over 20 of these devices so far, all have spaces in between the black plastic on the side and main part of the case. Best viewed in dark room with full backlight on, then you see see everywhere this case is not sealed correctly and this was not something noticed on 7290's.

Once in a while I actually would hit my BB all around with compressed air just to keep dust from gathering in cracks and grooves within. A few days ago before I even saw this thread I did that and noticed dust behind the screen. It went away the next day, I guess it fell down to where I can't see it.

Not a big deal for me unless it continually happens and I now know NOT to spray it with compressed air. But I assume 3-6 months from now the shipping 8700s will not have these issues.