Rumors persist that RIM has another BlackBerry planned for Nextel's iDEN network -- a network that's aging rapidly, no question, but it still has gobs of relevance in the business world where RIM just happens to keep its bread and butter.
Last we'd heard there would be a WiFi-compatible Nextel BlackBerry by the end of the year, and it looks like that window is still basically on track -- though it may slip to early 2009 -- and when it does finally launch, it'll take the form of a
Curve with model number 8350. Don't get us wrong, the Curve is a great device by 2007 and early 2008 standards, but if it really does launch early next year, it'll be staring down the barrel of at least one entirely new stablemate, the
Bold, and possibly
several others as well. 'Course, there are probably plenty of faithful push-to-talkers out there that are thankful just to have any reasonably recent BlackBerry in the pipeline, so three cheers for that, we suppose.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Maenxe @ Jul 2nd 2008 4:09PM
This makes no sense whatsoever. Sprint offers another PTT service that works over CDMA, why would they invite another iDEN phone to market. The sooner they switch all iDEN users over to feature compatible CDMA phones, the sooner they can start getting profitable again. iDEN users are leaving in droves to other carriers, obviously they aren't married to the platform.
M@
Chad @ Jul 2nd 2008 5:14PM
You have obviously never been a Nextel user. So far there is not a compelling successor to the iDen PTT network. Last year I had to switch from Nextel to AT&T because the new office is so high up (69th floor) you can't get any service from any carrier. Sprint wanted $150,000 to run a micro tower to our office and AT&T offered to do it for $125 mo. I got the BB 8800 with the PTT service. With AT&T PTT you first have to log in to access the feature (takes about 60 seconds to load) then once you are logged in you have to add PTT ontacts by searching available users which means if I already have your PTT name but you are not logged in (it disconnects randomly on me) you will have to try again when they are logged in to add them. Once they are added you can see if they are logged in or not. Once you select the contact and press the PTT button you must wait (about 15 seconds) for the service to sync with the person on the other end and the connection remains active until you "hang-up". Nextel.....just punch in the PTT number you want and Press the PTT button. Your connected or not and talking right away. For all the work and time it takes to get the AT&T PTT connected I could have dialed the cell number and carried on a complete conversation. If I could get the Curve and service at this location I would go back in a heartbeat and many of my colleagues feel the same way. We're not fanboys we just know what we like and nobody beats Nextel at PTT. Sprint just didn't get this when they bought Nextel.
zephxiii @ Jul 2nd 2008 7:10PM
because PTT on iDen =s Teh BEST. PTT on anything else is nowhere near as good, for the simple reason that its just not implemented and integrated like it is on iDen. Sadly, PTT is the only thing Nextel has going for itself, because Iden is just so freakn obsolete when it comes to everything else.
Jake H. @ Jul 2nd 2008 5:20PM
because iden and cdma networks may work in 1 area, but not in another, like at my house where my nextel 7100i blackberry has good coverage, but a sprint phones has none
Ecin @ Jul 2nd 2008 6:27PM
why don't they save themselves the money they would have to pay motorola and just do qchat.. besidens reva > wimax
miklm @ Jul 3rd 2008 9:45AM
Maybe other smaller regional carriers like SouthernLINC can get this phone too. There are still a LOT of users on these networks, people like fire departments, police departments, and basically the whole construction industry. If you have people spread far and wide, you probably use an iDEN carrier and I'm sure a lot of them would like to trade that ancient brick in on a phone/BB made in the last half-decade.
royce @ Jul 10th 2008 3:09AM
Ok so here is my thought on this idea. I was with Nextel for 6 years PTT rocks! IDen data blows......... So They have made a few hybrid phones here and there. CDMA for cellular service and IDen for the PTT. This would be an awesome phone if they did that. I only got rid of Nextel and went to Sprint because my work thought it would work out better for them without consulting the employees. I switched to Sprint and then about 45 days later my co-workers got their Nextels back. I was so frustrated! I could only hope for a hybrid Curve!
Jared @ Aug 16th 2008 12:59AM
I truly can’t believe Sprint has not put a single ounce of energy to capitalize on one of its true strengths in purchasing nextel= Competitive Advantage–that is to say after much time have not brought to market a pda phone w/ push-to-talk. Sprints voice service is strong here in Metro Detroit along w/ Nextel (and yes I know that nextel is an older network) . I truly believe Sprint has taken a bad rap on overall business, but I am going to have to jump on the band wagon here and say how disappointing it is that Sprint does not have the insight to capitalize on one of it’s core competencies since purchasing nextel– that new advantage was supposed to be push to talk along w/ sprint high speed voice/data network. I can’t believe this new 8350 is not even a hybrid. Come on Sprint, because of your lack of action, foresight, whatever you want to call it–you have let nextels ptt slip slowly into our distant memories. Never thought I’d see the day Verizon & AT&T would even get a foot in the door on Push-to-Talk. Sprint! You’ve got the right plans, now capitalize on bring the best of nextel (PTT) to more sprint based phones–especially smartphones/pda’s. Sprint is still my favorite network, but I had to leave it for the iphone3g (by the way, att’s 3G doesn’t come close to sprints high speed performance & consistency)–never the less I stick w/ att & a $160 phone bill because the Sam.Instinct is great, but not great enough to replace the iphone—–BUT, You know what?! A Samsung Instinct, Rim Blackberry, Motorola Q, HTC pda that came with Qchat/Nextel PTT button hands down would have my iphone up on Craigslist in minutes. Sprint! Use the cards you were dealt when you purchased Nextel–Play w/ a full deck! —final thought–if not then sell to T-mobile! (Talk about a company that’s maximized/created competitive advantages out of thin air! They don’t even have 3G, but have capitalized on UMA over Wifi Technology and somehow managed to be an industry changer in landlines offering its landlines @ $10.00 unlimited/month)–not to mention they market in Pink! (ok, I’m rambling, forget that last pink statement–I’m sure women love it)
TrOy @ Aug 21st 2008 8:35PM
It was said to be realeased Nov. Dec. of this year. I will be posting the release date a week in advance so that you can place your order with me. I will be able to get exclusive discounts that will out do the web pricing. trampolla@vazcom.net Email me and I will contact you directly