Well looky what we found this morning, RIM's new
BlackBerry 8820 in all its WiFi-enabled glory. While we can't cheer and celebrate hot looks or bold new design, we are pretty stoked to finally see WiFi under the hood in one of these toys. As some rumors have pointed out, it is indeed lacking any type of camera, but hey, the new wireless option has given us plenty to smile about, so we won't gripe until the next iteration. We don't have any hard specs or pricing to talk about -- except what has already been
rumored -- but the AT&T branding all over the place certainly hints at a potential carrier. Seems it may be a busy month for our big blue friends with the potential
June 13th launch date for the 8300, and now the 8820 waiting in the wings. Check the gallery for a pile more pics.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Trevor @ May 28th 2007 4:19PM
Shoot, forget the bluetooth speaker. Send this my way engadget.
Brad @ May 28th 2007 5:40PM
I have a feeling that more people are stoked that it doesn't have a camera. Some people aren't allowed those devices and really limits their selection these days.
Jason @ May 29th 2007 11:38AM
@ Brad
You're exactly right. A ton of businesses and governments prohibit devices w/built-in cameras so I imagine RIM will always continue to have at least one device that doesn't have a camera.
jjames @ May 28th 2007 6:06PM
the AT&T branding seems to just be the theme. not necessarily an indicator that AT&T will pick it up.
AT&T/Cingular (mostly) is against wi-fi on their phones. i could see this one on t-mobile.
Will @ May 28th 2007 9:39PM
against wifi? hmmm, that explains why both the 8125 and 8525 have it
OzzieDog @ May 28th 2007 6:25PM
Since AT&T/Cingular is against WiFi, maybe at least 3G?
Greg @ May 28th 2007 6:41PM
So the GPS has been replaced with WiFi or are they both on board?
coldconfession13 @ May 28th 2007 9:48PM
it will be for AT&T I can guarantee. I have seen it in person and played with it the wifi is nice :)
OzzieDog @ May 29th 2007 9:59AM
Since you claim to "have seen it and played with it"; is it as chrome looking as the pictures show? Is it a finger print magnet?
drew Eastman @ May 29th 2007 9:12PM
at&t against Wifi ?? that explains why the iPhone has Wifi ... :))
Ben @ May 31st 2007 4:05PM
Would be nice to see their browser in action.
Jeremy Kitching @ Jun 1st 2007 4:06PM
I sooooo hope this has GPS in addition to the WiFi. The WiFi is not as important as the GPS, but I would like to at least verify that this model has it (and for T-Mobile) before I just buy an 8800.
coldconfession13 @ Jun 2nd 2007 10:58AM
its actually black just like the 8800 its just the flash that made that chrome effect on the phone
Gregory Thomas @ Jun 4th 2007 8:39PM
AT&T is not so against wi-fi as long as you subscribe and spend alot of time in Avis rent acar outlets.
Josh @ Jun 8th 2007 4:04PM
Coldconfession13, where did you get to try this device out? I am holding off on buying anything until this comes out. I need WiFi, so my only other option is the Dash.
If anyone has any more info on a release date, I would really appreciate it. I am currently on T-mobile and was about to get the Dash, but this would be better for my needs. My wife needs a new phone soon, but I want to get her on the BB bandwagon. HELP me with a release date!
It seems like this would be advertised a lot more if it was really supposed to be out during Q3 this year. The Dash is only reviewed higher than the Curve because of the lack of WiFi.
Richard @ Jul 4th 2007 11:27AM
the release date for att is july 30th
ed @ Jul 8th 2007 6:25PM
can you confirm that date in any way? i JUST bought the 8800. If the 8820 is in fact releasing on the 30th, i have a chance of exchanging it because i'm within the 30 days. any info would be greatly appreciated.
Richard @ Jul 7th 2007 10:49AM
i talked to a at&t rep. and he said it was to be released the 30th
Jesse @ Jul 9th 2007 1:39PM
Oh, that'd be nice! Sign me up.
Chris @ Jul 12th 2007 10:03AM
I'm new to the "Smart Phone" world and I'm trying to figure out which device to buy. I really like the 8820, but my only issue is the device being able to sink with my MS Outlook automatically. I'm self-employed, so I don't have BB Enterprise Server. I do have MS Small Biz Server. Is there anyway for me to have the 8820 sync w/ my Outlook automatically, or am I out of luck? Thanks for any feedback/suggestions.
muddyh2o.com @ Jul 15th 2007 2:26PM
you can just use the desktop redirector. or find a hosted service for something more reliable
budblog2 @ Jul 17th 2007 7:36PM
Will I be able to 'automatically' sync with Outlook when I'm using Windows XP and Office?
bry @ Jul 18th 2007 12:30PM
Can the blackberry be used without a carrier just connecting to wi-fi????
It could be my PDA with wi-fi. Cingular is not good in my area.
kunikos @ Jul 18th 2007 1:05PM
How is web browsing on this thing? Is it MobileWeb or is it real web like the iPhone?
Johnson @ Jul 18th 2007 1:41PM
I read somewhere that while AT&T is launching this, they are turning off the WiFi radio because of some agreement with Apple and the iPhone. Has anyone else heard of this?
kunikos @ Jul 18th 2007 12:49PM
I hope not. I don't think it's a good strategy. The iPhone lacks GPS, and the 8820 lacks a camera. I think for some people it's a pretty clear choice as to what they want more. I'm thinking of getting something like the 8820 when/if they make a Pearl version of it. I guess I'm a stickler for good looks. :(
lmw @ Jul 19th 2007 7:04PM
Will this have bluetooth A2DP stereo support and the new media player like that on the Curve? I wonder if the 8820 OS will work with the 8800?
Kdog @ Jul 25th 2007 12:03PM
I am considering switching to this from my treo 750-just too slow and crashing all the time. like the looks of this. with the risk of sounding very ignorant is the wifi option the ability to tether it to my laptop when there is a wifi signal nearby? or does the phone itself get wifi speeds from the cingular network? if so could this then be tethered to laptop?
Kdog @ Jul 25th 2007 12:05PM
I am considering switching to this from my treo 750-just too slow and crashing all the time. like the looks of this. with the risk of sounding very ignorant is the wifi option the ability to tether it to my laptop when there is a wifi signal nearby? or does the phone itself get wifi speeds from the cingular network? if so could this then be tethered to laptop?
Kdog @ Jul 25th 2007 12:07PM
what are the crowds recommendations if i want a similar phone that has a camera. are there any with similar features, maybe w/out wifi, that has a camera?
thanks
TJhood @ Aug 13th 2007 7:48PM
I looked threw the pictures with some hopeful insight, but I didn't see alot about the actual Wi-Fi feature, it was almost like a 8800 reveiw. Since engadget actually has one of these available for testing.
I'd like to see a demo of this phone utilizing the Wi-Fi connection to browse the internet.
: without a sim card
: without a purchased data plan
: without a blackberry enterprise server
: without VPN
for example a Linksys Wireless Router using cable / dsl like most home small networks.
Lewis @ Aug 16th 2007 4:58PM
Hi,
I'm a UK user and I picked up one of these on the orange network today. It's rather nice, it's my first smartphone (new business) and I like it. It has EDGE (not 3G), WiFi (which is very fast, tricky with my apple WEP, but got past it), very beautiful display, GPS built-in and of course all the Blackberry features (push mail etc).
It's the slimmest one that they've released and it's very sleek and pretty. As a mac user I have some thoughts - you can't sync using bluetooth, only USB (through pocketmac software) and you can't easily send a file to the device, you have to upload files to your own webspace and then download them onto the device or email them to yourself at the expense of using up your monthly MB allowance. However it does sync all ical and address book details quickly.
Roller ball is accurate and activates in low-light. Allows for Micro-SD cards too.
Anyone want any further information?
LJ
Eric @ Sep 10th 2007 9:39PM
How's the web browsing via wifi (and EDGE for that matter)? Actual web pages, or "mobile" internet? Thanks