The Boy Genius Report: The BlackBerry 8800

by Ryan Block posted Sep 23rd 2006 at 4:27AM

Well, now that the pearl's out and about, it's time we focused once more on RIM's utilitarian bizphone lineup -- except now the Boy Genius has gotten a hold of some pictures of the BlackBerry 8800. You guys remember the one, don't you? Probably not enough to push RIM's price above $90, but hey, it's got three different branded options. Right? Right? Click on for some more photos. Oh, and Boy Genius wants to give a shout out to Muellerlinger!

Filed under: Handsets, RIM

Tags: 8800, blackberry, boy genius, BoyGenius, features, the boy genius report, TheBoyGeniusReport

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Neutral

Wayne Schulz @ Sep 23rd 2006 5:57AM

I wonder if this one is going to allow streaming audio/video or if it's going to only work by dragging and dropping the audio files to the device. I also hope it can hangle over 1GB of SD data unlike it's little brother the 8100.

Sadly by the time the carriers get these out they are usually too dated.

Neutral

SonyStyle @ Sep 23rd 2006 9:01AM

i like this one a lot better because it is full querty

Neutral

ben @ Sep 23rd 2006 9:27AM

network? CDMA please!

Neutral

resource @ Sep 23rd 2006 9:57AM

I don't get it.

Why are there 3 different ones?

Will one of them have a camera?
Please tell me one will have a camera.

Neutral

Johnny Donato @ Jan 10th 2007 2:02AM

B * A * L * L * E * R

Neutral

Dan @ Sep 23rd 2006 12:31PM

Does anyone else notice that the Y and Z are in the wrong places on the article's main photo????

Neutral

PEZ @ Sep 23rd 2006 11:53AM

There aer 3 models for 3 different carriers - at least.

Mmmmmmmmmmmk? :)

Neutral

Rick Russie @ Sep 23rd 2006 11:50AM

Am I missing something, why are the Z and the Y on the first image switched?

Neutral

BLOCKMONSTER @ Sep 23rd 2006 12:10PM

First one is Euro version (Indigo). They have QWERTZ and the next one is T-Mobile (Crimson), and of course the self-revealing last one is Voda.

Information used from the guy on BBForums who posted it.

Neutral

Ben Dawson @ Sep 25th 2006 7:53AM

I work for Rogers Wireless here in Canada (GSM carrier) and we are launching the Pearl in about 2 weeks. We've already started hearing rumors about this one coming out 2nd quarter of 2007. I'm currently using an 8700r and am very excited about the 8800 since I'm not a big fan of Suretype keyboards.

Neutral

Benjy @ Sep 23rd 2006 12:51PM

Will there be WiFi?

Neutral

nofx @ Sep 23rd 2006 1:19PM

now thats sexier than the 8100.

Neutral

acnst @ Sep 23rd 2006 2:30PM

@9: There is more than one keyboard layout on this planet. The QWERTZ-layout is usuallay used in Germany.

Neutral

Chillin @ Sep 23rd 2006 2:48PM

Where's the Camera?

Without one it is useless to me.

Neutral

Minhua @ Sep 23rd 2006 3:06PM

With a camera, it becomes a liability for corporations, which is why I think it doesn't have one. If a consumer wants a camera, go get a Pearl.

Neutral

json @ Sep 23rd 2006 3:16PM

There's some hot treo killer action going on here... If any of these models get 3g and video streaming and mp3 playback with wifi, i will definately be selling my treo 700. I'll miss my 1.3mp camera but i'll just have to cope(not)

Neutral

brian l @ Sep 23rd 2006 3:23PM

i hope nextel or sprint will be one of the three. especially nextel. one can dream

Neutral

Steve @ Sep 23rd 2006 3:36PM

I'm actually really surprised this doesn't have a camera. The Pearl is VERY enterprise friendly as the built in camera can be fully disabled via BES policy

Neutral

Adrian @ Sep 23rd 2006 4:08PM

Does this thing have a memory card slot?

Neutral

paolo @ Sep 23rd 2006 4:28PM

GSM/UMTS FOR SURE!

Neutral

J-RoQ @ Sep 23rd 2006 5:10PM

Why are there too 'S' letters and the 'Z' and 'Y' buttons aren't switched? Just weird to me

Neutral

FM @ Sep 23rd 2006 5:23PM

#20 (J-RoQ)

That 1st one does NOT have 2 "S". The bottom corner is a "$" (dollar) sign. And as stated above, the "Z" and the "Y" keys are switched, due to it being a GERMAN version keyboard. They use the "QWERTZ" keyboard, instead of "QWERTY" like the United States.

Neutral

Scuzzy @ Sep 23rd 2006 6:12PM

That is not an "S".... it is a dollar sign "$"

Neutral

Mobaisle @ Sep 23rd 2006 5:36PM

It appears that the scroll wheel has been replaced by the trackball on the face of the device, which seems like it would be more difficult to operate. I predict a lot of complaints from management-types that have been using the scroll wheel Blackberry for years.

Neutral

Ben @ Sep 23rd 2006 5:36PM

Since the T-Mobile one might not have a camera, can this possibly bring down the price, and if so how much do you think it could go for?

Neutral

kesey @ Sep 23rd 2006 6:00PM

GAY WATERMARKS ENGADGET.

Neutral

Bob @ Sep 23rd 2006 6:08PM

In response to #16: Sorry man, inside info tells us that Nextel will NOT be getting any new blackberry's. Sprint will, but there will probably not be any realeased with the PTT function that Nextel has. Looks like we're stuck with 7100i's till the end of the world.

Neutral

ryboy @ Sep 23rd 2006 6:29PM

C-D-M-A

S-P-R-I-N-T

P-L-E-A-S-E

Highly Ranked

Greg Gebhardt @ Sep 23rd 2006 6:46PM

What are the two copper contacts on the edge of the device. On the bottom group of images, look at the first image.

Neutral

acnst @ Sep 23rd 2006 7:21PM

@28: I think that these are charging contacts - similar to the ones found on the 8100. I expect to see a charging cradle, like the one for the 8100 found on www.shopblackberry.com, which uses these contacts.

Neutral

Shai Bomze @ Sep 23rd 2006 11:47PM

Please dont tell me they got rid of the thumbwheel!!!
I can't see one on these pics

Neutral

Thought @ Sep 23rd 2006 7:36PM

According to the guy on blackberryforums, Muellerlinger, the second one is called Indigo...the others for T-Mo and Voda will be called Crimson.

He also talks about release dates:

http://www.blackberryforums.com/rumor-mill/47938-what-do-you-think-about-8800-pictures-inside.html#post326266

Neutral

SLVR6 @ Sep 23rd 2006 8:28PM

While I would prefer to have a camera on my phone, there is certainly a place for not having one. #17, in my case it wouldn't matter if the camera was disabled or not. Many big corporations that deal in developing new product (cars in my case), strictly forbid camera's onsite. I don't think security would be willing to believe me that the camera was disabled!

Neutral

dilligaf @ Sep 23rd 2006 8:38PM

Where's the camera?
At this level of the game, a gadget as popular as the Blackberry not to have a camera is beyond stupid.

Neutral

TRAFMAN @ Sep 23rd 2006 8:39PM

What happened to hating watermarks guys?

Neutral

Tyler Turner @ Sep 23rd 2006 9:03PM

Ok, so if this DOESNT come for TMO, which it probably will ... am I able to get the voda version in the US ... I mean, will it work the same (reception and such)? To me, their version looks the best :P

Neutral

Jeremy @ Sep 24th 2006 1:04AM

It WILL be released to T-Mobile

Neutral

HaulinSS @ Sep 23rd 2006 10:51PM

Why are the "Y" and "Z" swapped in the first picture?

Neutral

Frank Jonen @ Sep 24th 2006 12:42AM

I don't buy the "liability issue" for not including a cam. With the blackberry server you can enable and disable about every function on a blackberry device connected to it. But honestly if a company can't afford their own blackberry server, chances are they don't use anything that can't be found on the web anyway.

So for the companies with the really big secrets it's irrelevant if it has a cam or not. If it's to prevent naughty office pictures… don't, that's what flickr is made for :)

Neutral

RT @ Sep 24th 2006 1:55AM

Federal courts also do not allow cameraphones inside, so this phone not having one is a plus for lawyers.

Neutral

lgost @ Sep 24th 2006 9:34AM

Why does RIM have a problem with VAD?...It's one of the safest "hands-free" options going, and they stick it only on the Pearl?...what do they have against the business users??

Neutral

Pierre @ Sep 24th 2006 10:12AM

the z and y's are switched on the keyboards in germany because the Z is more commonly used

That could reveal a little something about our leaker don't y'think?

Neutral

Wayne Schulz @ Sep 24th 2006 2:10PM

1. The lack of a camera will be a plus for nearly all corporate users. There is no easy way for a security guard to tell if the camera function has been disabled remotely.

2. Streaming over the Internet is a must. The ability to stream Sirius/XM content (or any other online source) would be very welcomed.

3. While I greatly adore the eight billion slightly different variations of the same theme -- would RIM please just give me the ability to read html email? It can't be that hard.

4. Before you can be better (than the Treo) you have to at least be the same. The lack of quality third party apps will relegate the BB devices to heavy email use only.

Just my .02 - obviously your mileage may vary.

Neutral

d33zilla @ Sep 24th 2006 9:28PM

T-Mo, Sprint, & Cingular will be gettin these, jus LOOK at them! they all have a likeness 2 a phone on these Carriers!

1st pic u know thats the pearl's big brother, thats goin on T-Mo we all know that!

2nd pic kind looks like that Sprint "Razr" (Samsung MM-A900) nextel? that word be real WACK!

and 3rd pic goin 2 Cingular, they all ready have a BB that with the same style (BlackBerry 8700)

really all i want is a CAMERA & FULL QWERTY.......!!!!
thats it

cya..........

Neutral

robbie edell @ Sep 25th 2006 3:24PM

Can anyone please confirm for verizon... and if anyone knows dates that would be great..thanks

Neutral

paul @ Sep 24th 2006 4:53PM

does the mona lisa picture in first shot indicate a camera?

Neutral

TexRob @ Sep 24th 2006 5:01PM

No thumbwheel going forward, it was holding them back from making Blackberry's slimmer.

Neutral

SteveNYC @ Sep 24th 2006 11:16PM

Here's my question. Did they finally provide the bluetooth DUN profile? I cannot for the life of me understand why they refuse to provide that profile. On Verizon, they encourage you to take the $15 tethering plan and use the BB as a modem via a USB cable. Why the limitation? Odd.

Neutral

Ed @ Sep 25th 2006 4:19AM

Have they got rid of the highly useful scroll wheel for up down scroll buttons? I know mechanical things such as wheels are less reliable but it is one of the best features of the 8700 series.

Neutral

SHoe @ Oct 10th 2006 11:18PM

>>Here's my question. Did they finally provide the bluetooth DUN profile?

Don't know - but they have opened things up so that other developers can create their own profiles - so now somebody else can at least do that.

>>44. No thumbwheel going forward, it was holding them back from making Blackberry's slimmer.

Not so sure that is there motivation - there are other devices much slimmer thamn the thumb-wheel Blackberries that had wheels (i.e. Moto-Q, a number of Sony Clie PDAs, etc).

>> Streaming over the Internet is a must. The ability to stream Sirius/XM content (or any other online source) would be very welcomed.

There is not streaming support (i.e. streaming protocol) out of the box, but there is already 1 streaming application made by an independant software company that works on 7130 (and its safe to say it will work on this though may needd some modification for compatibility).

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