[jibi]

Might be old information (I know the 8707 has been mentioned here). 'Codenames' are presumably uElectron and uCharm for the UMTS devices (8700 series and 7100 series); wElectron for the WiFi 8700. There appears to be confirmation of the expected 7100 series EDGE device, as well. All appear, from the file information, to be 64MB (or more, perhaps) devices. Take this with a grain of salt, as its just information within the Device.xml of the latest Development Device Simulator code.

		<!-- 7100 EDGE -->
		<os radio="GPRS" series="7100" Colour="True" Theme="Normal" JVMLevel="1.0" Memory="Large" KeyboardType="Reduced" MMS="True" Bluetooth="True" Sound="Tunes8700g" SystemSize="normal" Backdrop="68M_240x260" ThemeSupport="Enhanced">0x84000903</os>

		<!-- wELectron -->
		<os radio="WLAN" series="8700" Colour="True" Theme="Normal" JVMLevel="1.0" Memory="Large" KeyboardType="Qwerty" Sound="Tunes8700g" SystemSize="normal" Bluetooth="True" ThemeSupport="Enhanced">0x04000906</os>

		<!-- 8707 uELectron -->
		<os radio="UMTS" series="8700" Colour="True" Theme="Normal" JVMLevel="1.0" Memory="Large" KeyboardType="Qwerty" Sound="Tunes7130c" SystemSize="normal" MMS="True" Bluetooth="True" ThemeSupport="Enhanced">0x84000B07</os>

		<!-- 7130u uCharm -->
		<os radio="UMTS" series="7100" Colour="True" Theme="Normal" JVMLevel="1.0" Memory="Large" KeyboardType="Reduced" Sound="Tunes7130c" SystemSize="normal" MMS="True" Bluetooth="True" Backdrop="68M_240x260">0x84000907</os>

Also mentioned in the Device.xml file from the Bharti 8700 series software is the following:

		<!-- 7135 -->
		<os radio="GPRS" series="7100" Colour="True" Theme="Normal" JVMLevel="1.0" KeyboardType="Reduced" MMS="True" Bluetooth="True" Sound="Tunes8700g" SystemSize="normal">0x84000903</os>

Not sure if that's something in the works or not, but considering the SystemSize says normal (32MB), I'm betting that its outdated information.

[BrooklynzFinest]

Any word on the carriers testing these devices or are they not even at that stage yet?

[jibi]

Not a clue if these devices even exist (grain of salt), but if I'd have to guess, I'd say that it was European (T-Mobile, Vodafone, O2, Orange), Asian (CSL, SingTel), and North American (Cingular, Rogers) doing the testing ... they all have UMTS networks in place. If I'm not mistaken (and someone can correct me if I'm wrong), T-Mobile's main focus in the states is their UMTS upgrade to be available in the next year (late 2006 for some areas, mid-2007 for the rest of their network).

[BBAdmin]

Hi guys

Seemed a suitable thread to post this -I can now confirm the 8707v BlackBerry will be launched shortly with Vodafone UK. This is a 3G enabled device, full QWERTY and of course will ship with 4.1 code on board. Cannot confirm an exact date yet unfortunately. It's slightly wider than an 8700 device but about the same height, thickness and weight. Got an image on our site if you fancy a look:

http://www.airtimemanager.co.uk/Arti...e_Article.aspx

[Seattle18]

Originally Posted by BBAdmin

Hi guys

Seemed a suitable thread to post this -I can now confirm the 8707v BlackBerry will be launched shortly with Vodafone UK. This is a 3G enabled device, full QWERTY and of course will ship with 4.1 code on board. Cannot confirm an exact date yet unfortunately. It's slightly wider than an 8700 device but about the same height, thickness and weight. Got an image on our site if you fancy a look:

http://www.airtimemanager.co.uk/Arti...e_Article.aspx

DAMN! That's kewl! I like the look, and more importantly the 3G. Will the Cingular version have on board WiFi? And will it ship UMTS capable for Cingular? WHEN???

[BBAdmin]

I know Vodafone UK will have an exclusive period with it, but don't know how long. The really annoying bit is that when I used it, it was in an area with no coverage so I couldn't test the speeds!!! It appears to have it's own summary 'today' screen as well which is nice (unless you write third paty apps like that)!!

[Seattle18]

Originally Posted by BBAdmin

I know Vodafone UK will have an exclusive period with it, but don't know how long. The really annoying bit is that when I used it, it was in an area with no coverage so I couldn't test the speeds!!! It appears to have it's own summary 'today' screen as well which is nice (unless you write third paty apps like that)!!

Can you get any first-hand photos or screenshots?

[BBAdmin]

When I saw the beta versions a few months ago it was under NDA so I couldn't take pics or say anything. The pic on our website (which is the finished polished version) is the only one I have so far which I've only just been given permission to share. The minute I get something else you guys will be the first to know. With luck we'll get our hands on one shortly and I can give you more info.

[Seattle18]

We all will be anxiously awaiting...

Thanks in advance!

[BBAdmin]

Have just received more images - will try to get them up on the site within the hour - watch this space!!!!

[jeffharris]

Will the 8707 also support EDGE? This would make it truly a Universal device.

I am tired of 3G phones, that don't have EDGE (only UMTS and GPRS), and 3G carriers, where my 8700, which has EDGE, has to use GPRS, because 3G carriers generally don't support 2.5G

[BBAdmin]

Here you go, enjoy:

http://www.airtimemanager.co.uk/Blac...rry-8707v.aspx

Si

[dc/dc]

All, please bear in mind that the 8707 will not take advantage of UMTS in the United States as our UMTS frequency is different (as usual) than the rest of the world.

Cingular operates UMTS/HSDPA in 1900, whereas the rest of the world operates UMTS in 2100.

However, I will likely purchase one as it means I should be able to now use BlackBerry whilst roaming in Japan.

[aphr0deity]

When I first saw those images, I got scared and thought there was a camera lens in that little red earpiece.

Don't jump all over me now--but I'm one of the few consumers who wouldn't mind a simple crappy camera (but just a camera. No video and music capabilities, please). Anyway...

WHEW. Looks like it's the 8700, just taking advantage of different technologies. Not like we in the US will be getting it in the next 6 months or anything ;) so I'm still in line for the 8700.

---Just keeeeding. I like the look of this font much better than what's on std US models now. Ha!

[dc/dc]

Originally Posted by aphr0deity

When I first saw those images, I got scared and thought there was a camera lens in that little red earpiece.

Don't jump all over me now--but I'm one of the few consumers who wouldn't mind a simple crappy camera (but just a camera. No video and music capabilities, please). Anyway...

WHEW. Looks like it's the 8700, just taking advantage of different technologies. Not like we in the US will be getting it in the next 6 months or anything ;) so I'm still in line for the 8700.

---Just keeeeding. I like the look of this font much better than what's on std US models now. Ha!

8707 won't be sold in the US at all unless RIM attached the UMTS radio to both the 1900 and 2100 band.

[Seattle18]

Originally Posted by dc/dc

8707 won't be sold in the US at all unless RIM attached the UMTS radio to both the 1900 and 2100 band.

DOH! It's always something...

[jax]

Any idea if this will work in Japan to send / receive data?

[jeffharris]

Originally Posted by jax

Any idea if this will work in Japan to send / receive data?

Yes, as long as it is UMTS 2100, it should. Like my Nokia N70 does.

@BB Admin or @ dc/dc

I understand it won't be able to take advantage of UMTS 1900 (Cingular) in the US, but, I would love to know if it will support EDGE, so I can use EDGE in the US, and UMTS everywhere else. By the included specs in the sheet, it seems it doesn't.

[BBAdmin]

At this stage I don't believe it will based on the information I have received

[dc/dc]

Originally Posted by jeffharris

Yes, as long as it is UMTS 2100, it should. Like my Nokia N70 does.

@BB Admin or @ dc/dc

I understand it won't be able to take advantage of UMTS 1900 (Cingular) in the US, but, I would love to know if it will support EDGE, so I can use EDGE in the US, and UMTS everywhere else. By the included specs in the sheet, it seems it doesn't.

I would be surprised if it did not support EDGE. However, Vodafone does not have EDGE deployed anywhere in the world, so the EDGE hardware may have had to have been removed to support the UMTS hardware.

Originally Posted by jax

Any idea if this will work in Japan to send / receive data?

Yes. NTT DoCoMo and the soon-to-be-sold Vodafone KK networks operate UMTS 2100, so if you have T-Mobile or Cingular and put your SIM into this device (provided it is unlocked) you should be able to use it in Japan. This does not guarantee that BlackBerry services will be available, but phone and SMS for sure.