The lot of you who have been waiting for the BlackBerry 8830 should be very happy, as Verizon has recently unloaded the global phone for a mere $199 (after agreements and rebates). Sprint users still have to wait until July to get their hands on the device, which boasts 2GB microSD card slot, media player, Bluetooth, Voice Activated Dialing (VAD) and trackball navigation.
The GSM capable BlackBerry 8830 World Edition will allow BlackBerry users to take advantage of GSM technology when traveling abroad, but don’t think you’ll be able to sneakily sample ATT or other domestic GSM carriers through the BlackBerry 8830, that nifty GSM is for international travel only.
8830 GPS won’t work in Europe.
I did a google search and came up with this from: evdoinfo.com/content/view/2051/64/ and last updated 15 August 2007.
Quoting: “Q – Does GPS work internationally?
A – No, the GPS chipset on the 8830 is disabled when the device is in GSM/GPRS mode due to Qualcomm requirement.â€
The only mention of a tie between GPS and CDMA in Blackberry’s own user manual is:
Quoting: “About assisted GPS support
Your BlackBerry® device is designed to support assisted GPS when your device is connected to a CDMA network. If you make an emergency call or your device is in Emergency Callback Mode, an emergency operator might be able to use assisted GPS technology to estimate your location.â€
I have been unable to find any info on Blackberry’s website or their user manual that the 8830’s GPS will not work in Europe. In point of fact, in a phone conversation with a local Alltel/Blackberry salesperson he indicated that he too believed that the 8830 GPS would work in Europe. Seems like a deceptive business practise on Blackberry’s part to me.
Hardly a “World Edition” GPS-wise.
Travelers beware.