One of the big BlackBerry rumors floating around the web over this passed weekend was that Sprint may be launching a CDMA BlackBerry Bold in Q1. Although this may be big news for Sprint, I cannot remember a time when Sprint came out with a new BlackBerry before Verizon.
That being said, I wonder how long it will be before Verizon comes out with their branded CDMA BlackBerry Bold.
I doubt RIM has any doubt that a CDMA BlackBerry Bold would sell much better on Verizon than it would on Sprint and, if I were a betting man, would venture that Sprint is aware of this fact as well. I just don’t see Sprint signing some long exclusivity deal with RIM to carry the Bold because AT&T subscribers can arleady get it, and Verizon subscribers won’t swicth to Sprint to get it even if they offered it for free.
I am sure that Verizon wants to see a few more BlackBerry Storms move out the door but I don’t think that the emergence of a CDMA BlackBerry Bold would hinder that. It’s not like Verizon subscribers who don’t want a touch screen only BlackBerry will eventually come around. They simply will wait until on an alternative.
I am guessing the Verizon subscribers won’t have to wait too long…
I wouldn’t be suprised if the Bold comes out around the same time as it does on Sprint.
I am looking forward to a WiFi Bold on VZW. In the meantime, my VZW Curve will suit me just fine. I wish the Storm would have been a bit better.
Haven’t we seen this movie before? Sprint leaks their rumor about an upcoming device, knowing full well that VZW will get it before they do. But all they can beat Verizon on is the leak.
Isn’t this what happened with the CDMA Curve? And the CDMA 88xx series?
For that matter, I remember going back to an old Palm Treo release that was first leaked as coming out on Sprint; but lo and behold, VZW still released it first.
We’ll probably see leaked pics of the Sprint Bold first as well. But there is no way that Sprint will beat VZW in this release. VZW will make sure of that; as for RIM, it only makes business sense for them to release first on VZW.
@Thought:
I agree 100%! This sounds VERY familiar! We heard the EXACT same thing with the 8330 – we were assured it would come to Sprint first… the redheaded step-child of CDMA carriers (just being honest…) and then it showed up on Verizon.
@Eric:
WiFi on a Verizon device? Why? EVDO works just fine for me….
Ben, EVDO may work fine… but it is not WiFi. I loved my TMO Curve. I could literally turn off mobile and use WiFi for my calls, emails, etc. It was like have a micro-cell site in my home.
No doubt though that WiFi on a VZW device would work only for web and nothing else.
@Eric
I guess I’m just looking at it from Verizon’s perspective. Why would they need another battery drain like WiFi when their data network is basically DSL in your hand?
Just playing devils advocate a little…
I agree with Ben…EVDO is pretty good and enough bandwidth for me based on what I do with the phone, although having WiFi wouldn’t hurt as an option in a remote area (I’d have mine turned off unless needed).
As for the Bold hitting the CDMA circuit, I also agree with Thought that it will most likely appear with VZW before it hits the shelves at Sprint. I can only hope that this version will carry the Javelin form factor and come in a bit smaller than the AT&T model. That model is just too big for my taste. And I’d probably hop all over that VZW model if and when it does come out. The Storm has been somewhat of a disappointment in my opinion. While I’m sure it will eventually be a solid device down the road, at this time it has too many issues that hamper my day-to-day work activities. I simply can’t rely on it under a heavy workload. I’m really hoping they get the kinks out. So far VZW has not been able to give me one answer to any of the issues that I’ve brought up. It’s just part of the process with any new device, and I’m holding on to my Storm until they do get it right.
@bluehorse
I assumed the CDMA 8930’s were gonna be the “Javelin” form factor and the 9030’s were gonna be the Bold form factor…
I’ve still patiently awaiting a patch to 4.5.0.77 for my 8130 because I’ll randomly lose CDMA connectivity and have to turn my radio off and back on… almost daily…
I agree with you Blue about the Storm: in time the Storm will be a very good device. I think RIM could have spent a few more months fine tuning the software. I gave it a try (almost four weeks) and it was just not the device the Curve is (and the Storm sure is heavy!). It has some very good features though.
I too hope that the next VZW branded Blackberry will be in the Javelin form factor. That would be quite awesome. Hopefully it will be a world phone too.
Last note on the WiFi: it can always be turned off. I would rather have more features than less.
You don’t have EVDO on airplanes but you can get WIFI
Another, purely marketing, reason for including WIFI is for those who are not concerned about data services away from hotspots. Thus the ability to get a voice plan WITHOUT a data plan yet still get data services for free anywhere there is an open hotspot.
At home I get patchy, terrible service. With wifi I could still use most of the functions of the phone regardless of the signal. Or Verizon will lose my business to another service. I’m waiting to see what happens with the bold & wifi.
I would be willing to bet the new Run on RIM promotion at VZW is a push to get rid of some of the old BlackBerry stock in order to make room for the new.
If you don’t know what I’m talking about, as of Feb 6th all BlackBerry devices (including the storm) are now Buy One Get One FREE as long as both phones are activated at time of purchase.
Hopefully the bold will be coming shortly. And hopefully VZW won’t gimp features like WiFi, that’s a dealbreaker for me.
sprint needs to get up there and get all the good phones.. if it wasnt for the great service sprint has, i would’ve switched to at&t. when it comes to phones they get all the good stuff!
I love reading all these old comments from arm chair quarterbacks. Know-it-all nerds. Looks like you were WRONG AGAIN as you speculating idiots always are.
Sprint got the Bold and no sign of VZW getting it any time soon.
When will you idiots learn that your predictions are usually wrong? Your claims to have “inside info” just makes everyone cringe. Everyone knows you’re just fat ass virgin nerds sitting at your computers eating cheetos trying to impress other geeks.
God damn you idiots just piss me off. I’m trying to find credible information and I just get the S you spew out.
Hey Kris,
where did you get sprint bold info from? im excited. Pre seems to be lost in space
verizon already giving the storm away for free
Did anyone consider the raping performed by Verizon for charging an extra $30-$45 for owning a PDA/Smartphone? They say licensing agreements, but I contacted Blackberry (BB). According to their legal documents, BB requires you comply with the service providers requirements to own a BB. So, it’s Verizon. Also, the buy one get one free doesn’t apply to everyone. If you are an existing customer: I have a family plan and I am available for an upgrade (FREE BB) but my wife isn’t for two more months. In order to get the free BB, we’d have to start a new line. Come on, it’s two months!?!? So now we’d have to pay new customer price. I’m jumping ship to Sprint. Yeah may be a little worse, but it is more affordable for more features.