[Danwahoo]

I am a long time reader, short time poster:

I have been following the Storm for months all over the web, after being in the store a few times to play with it, I dont think I could handle:

1. The slow typing
2. The poor way to edit a word in the middle of your email
3. The touch screen is extremely poor to navigate through the internet and click on links

I am curious if their is ways to "unlock," "hack," or whatever else it can be called to unlock a bold for verizon. I think the next BB phone will have to have a better "virtual" keyboard or stick with a real one.

Thanks!

[weath]

Can't be done. The Bold is GSM, and Verizon is CDMA. Verizon's World Phones are GSM, but only for outside the US. GSM is active through their roaming partners only, not in the US.

If you want a Bold, you'll need to switch carriers, or wait and see if Verizon introduces a CDMA version.

[bradhs]

weath is right, it cannot be done. Chances of a Bold on Verizon is slim until summer 2009. Switch to AT&T (and update the Bold software since the one that comes pre-installed has issues.)

[weath]

Interestingly enough, it seems you CAN unlock a Storm, and use it on T-Mob's US GSM network.

From Engadget:

Two BlackBerry Storm updates imminent, handset unlocked for use on T-Mobile - Engadget

And there's a thread in the 9500 forum.

I'm sure there will be some confusion now: If you can unlock a Verizon phone and use it on GSM, how come you can't unlock a GSM and use it on Verizon?

Still the same. Technologies and frequency bands won't allow it. Storm to GSM=Yes. Bold/GSM to Verizon=No

[Danwahoo]

Hey guys,
Thanks for the help.

Like I said, I just dont think I could handle the storm for the reasons I gave. I am sure most of the users who enjoy it are new blackberry users are light users. I quickly adapted to suretype and then the full keyboard, but I feel as this is to different.

I know friends who get some crazy Nokia phones from China and have them unlocked, so I am shocked to hear no one can or has done a bold on Verizon (or hasn't read this thread).

Hopefully the next blackberry has it all in one, and Verizon has it

[NJBlackBerry]

You *really* have to read the threads closer.

The Bold has quad band GSM. OK?

Verizon ONLY uses CDMA. OK?

You CAN NOT take a GSM only device and make it work on CDMA.

Your friends with crazy Chinese Nokias WHICH ARE GSM, have them unlocked to run on other GSM providers. Not on Verizon.

[Danwahoo]

They definitely don't have them on Verizon, most on AT&T.

[NJBlackBerry]

Unlocking a crazy Chinese Nokia phone is child's play.
GSM carrier to GSM carrier is easy.

GSM to CDMA is impossible. Not difficult - impossible,

[Danwahoo]

Never said it wasn't...

[NJBlackBerry]

Originally Posted by danwahoo

I know friends who get some crazy Nokia phones from China and have them unlocked, so I am shocked to hear no one can or has done a bold on Verizon (or hasn't read this thread).

Oh. I guess you were talking about something else here.

[Danwahoo]

Thanks weath for you help

[weath]

No prob. Glad to help.

[mralanlew]

They (your friends)dont unlock them, they come unlocked... You can walk into alot of stores in Asia and buy a sim free phone its a normal thing. You can walk into phone stores and buy sim cards with a local number. It's here that we are limited to locked phones and carriers.

Verizon and the storm and world phones have confused everyone....Verizon is CDMA and you can't unlock there phones to use on a GSM carrier....I have this constant argument with my friends.... i guess you get it or you dont.

Verizon no sim

Tmo and ATT - use sim