8703e -- Engadget Mobile

Sprint's BlackBerry 8703e with a stub antenna?

by Chris Ziegler posted Nov 7th 2006 @ 10:29AM

Last time we checked, RIM's 8700 series BlackBerrys were sleek little devices without an external antenna anywhere to be found. We're at a loss, then, to explain this little gem unearthed by a reader on a page detailing Sprint's BlackBerry 8703e and 7130e which clearly shows the former bearing a big, obtrusive, unappealing stub jutting from the top left. We smell a conspiracy -- what's the deal here? Are there two versions of the Sprint 8703e floating around? If so, is the antenna for GPS reception? If not, what prompted some graphics dude / dudette to graft the stub onto the press imagery? We have a sneaking suspicion some clowns at Sprint are snickering at us right now, watching us get all worked up over this. Can't breathe, hyperventilating... excuse us while we go grab a paper bag.

[Thanks, Jeremy]

Sprint launches IP-830W, SCP-8400 and BlackBerry 8703e with GPS

by Thomas Ricker posted Oct 2nd 2006 @ 7:55AM

BlackBerry, PocketPC, and Power Vision lovers unite 'cause Sprint just unleashed three phones meant to distribute the love to all. First from the gate is the IP-830W from Samsung (pictured center) we peeped on Sprint last month. For $600 with a 2-year plan ($750 without!), it's yours to take global with quad-band GSM / GPRS and CDMA / EV-DO pumpin' Windows Mobile 5 plus AKU2 on a 520MHz Intel PXA272 proc. Out next is another Sprint Sanyo clam in the form of the dual-band Power Vision SCP-8400 (pictured right) with Bluetooth, 1.3 megapixel cam, and of course Live TV, Music downloads, and multiplayer game action. Yours for $100 after rebates, instant savings and your signature on a 2-year plan. Out last is the GPS-enabled BlackBerry 8703e which brings EV-DO speeds, Bluetooth and speakerphone for $350 after discounts and 2-year signup. Thing is, it's already available on Verizon only without GPS navigation for $100 less. What to do, what to do.

[Thanks, Jim]

Read -- BlackBerry 8703e
Read -- SCP-8400
Read -- IP-830W

Sprint next to get BlackBerry 8703e

by Chris Ziegler posted Sep 21st 2006 @ 4:39PM

Hot on the heels of Verizon's launch (ring any bells?), Sprint will be the next to add a CDMA variant of the BlackBerry 8700 series device to its portfolio. The handset drops on October 1 for $350 with a two-year agreement, matching Verizon's offering to the letter. With EV-DO, Bluetooth 2.0, integrated GPS, and as much push email as your poor thumbs can handle, the 8703e brings it strong -- which it has to, considering the amount of play one of its GSM cousins has been getting lately.

[Via MobileBurn]

BlackBerry 8703e for sale on Verizon's site

by Ryan Block posted Sep 17th 2006 @ 3:15AM

We told you it was coming, we told you how much for and when, and now the BlackBerry 8703e is on Verizon's site -- yours for $249 with a two year contract, or $399 for a one year contract. We're a little sick of writing about this thing, so please, go get it (or not), and let's all enjoy our Sundays, shall we?

[Thanks, Phil]

BlackBerry 8703e now official for Verizon

by Chris Ziegler posted Sep 13th 2006 @ 9:18AM

We don't know anything new here, but we're happy to confirm a few key details about the 8703e's launch on Verizon thanks to a freshly-issued press release: it'll drop on the 17th of this month (that's this coming Sunday for the impatient among us) for $349.99 on a two-year contract. Yes, it'll be well hotter than the 7250 it sits above, but with plenty of QWERTY goodness coming down the pike, the price gives us pause -- especially considering that we won't be getting any GSM love for international travel.

[Thanks, Doug]

Verizon Wireless gives the green light to the 8703e

by Michael Caputo posted Sep 6th 2006 @ 12:02PM

Well it appears that Verizon Wireless has decided to give the green light for launch of the much anticipated BlackBerry 8703e. Look for this decice on the web the 17th of this month, and B2B on the 18th (sorry, no date yet for those wishing to pick theirs up at a retail store). Overall the pricing is consistent with the previous QWERTY BlackBerry: two year contract is at $349.99, $399.99 on a one year, and (ouch!) $469.99 full retail. This BlackBerry is built on the 8700 platform and shares all the same features and functionality only bringing Broadband Access Connect (tethering) to the table. All in all, an overdue addition to BlackBerry's CDMA lineup. Now the only quandary is to buy the 8703e or the Pearl. Decisions, decisions.

[Thanks, Dizzle]

Continue reading Verizon Wireless gives the green light to the 8703e

The Boy Genius Report: Verizon 8703 spec sheet

by Engadget staff posted Aug 31st 2006 @ 12:28PM

Field report tidbits from Engadget's mobile insider, the Boy Genius.

Boy Genius apparently won't be satisfied with the BlackBerry news, so we've no choice but to give the public what the public wants. We received technical specs and a brochure on the BlackBerry 8703e on Verizon, which we couldn't post until today without compromising our source. Yep, it confirms everything. Nothing really new and exciting, except if you're one of those CrackBerry addicts that's been waiting impatiently on this for almost a year now.

Download [PDF]

Continue reading The Boy Genius Report: Verizon 8703 spec sheet

More fuel to the fire: BlackBerry 8703 appears on VZW roadmap

by Michael Caputo posted Aug 29th 2006 @ 10:00AM

If we haven't been inundated with enough information about the BlackBerry 8703e for Verizon Wireless, here comes some more of the usual business. August 28th came and went with no official announcement, so could this be light at the end of the tunnel? Here we see the latest Data Device Roadmap with 8703e with a release date of 09/01/06. With all the hype built around this device, we're hoping that they follow through on this one -- guess we'll find out for sure this Friday!

BlackBerry 8703e screen caps outed; no GSM?

by Chris Ziegler posted Aug 22nd 2006 @ 5:45PM

Far be it from us to suggest a screen shot of unknown origin conclusively proves that GSM won't be found on Verizon's 8703e, but the four little letters there on the display -- "CDMA," as opposed to, say, "CDMA/GSM" -- certainly have us thinking that the handset may yet be less world-friendly than we'd hoped. 'Course, we'll reserve our final ruling until this thing hits the streets, but hopefully these caps give our QWERTY-loving friends a little more fodder to chew on while they wait.

[Thanks, Brad]

Verizon 8703e in the flesh

by Chris Ziegler posted Aug 22nd 2006 @ 1:12AM

If you'd closed your eyes and thought really hard about what a Verizon-branded BlackBerry 8700 might look like, we're guessing you would've come up with something like this. Granted, it looks like we didn't get a launch today, but the wait should be measured in weeks at worst, days at best -- so we're hoping this eye candy is enough to hold everyone over in the meanwhile whilst you get ready to eBay your 7130e.

[Thanks, Gary C.]

BlackBerry 8703e on Verizon this month?

by Chris Ziegler posted Aug 8th 2006 @ 6:21PM

Late to the party, perhaps; but late is almost always better than never in the phone game, and word on the street has the 8703e variant of RIM's 8700 series finally finding its way to Verizon on the 28th of this very month. Normally, we'd pass on this kind of hearsay, but roc a fella's track record speaks for itself, so Verizon customers may want to start their thumb strengthening regimen immediately.

[Thanks, Gary]