Best Buy outs BlackBerry Bold release date?
RIM BlackBerry Bold
(Credit: RIM)Perhaps you're like me and starting to wonder if the RIM BlackBerry Bold is just a mythical creature like Bigfoot--spotted in the wild a number of times but yet to be captured, or in the Bold's case, released. The smartphone was announced way back in May for AT&T, but we have yet to hear about an actual availability date. Oh, and trust us, we've asked RIM numerous times for just a teeny tiny hint and have been met by the same answers: "this fall" or "very soon."
We do think the launch is close, but if you're looking for something a little more concrete, here's something to nibble on in the meantime. On Monday, the Boy Genius Report posted screen shots of what looks to be Best Buy's computer system, showing an in-stock date of October 26 for the Bold. BGR goes on to say that the smartphone will have a price of "around $600" (come again?) and will be released a week or two ahead of AT&T.
Again, this is all speculation so take it for what it's worth. Personally, I'm tired of waiting and have already moved on and set my sights on the RIM BlackBerry Storm. Anyone else?
Bonnie Cha is a senior editor for CNET, covering smartphones and GPS. When she's not testing the latest gadgets, you can find her chasing after her crazy lab or surfing in the chilly waters of Northern California. E-mail Bonnie. 
I think it may be a problem with the 3g network in the US. Maybe all the iphone people are stretching it too the max. Who knows though?
I wish the storm was on ATT though, that looks freakin sweet.
I'm betting that the delay is due to AT&T approving the software. The 8320 is still stuck on OS4.2 (I'm running 4.5 and it is far superior in usability), although there have been rumors for the last 8 months of AT&T releasing higher revs. The 4.5 rev was released by major carriers in the UK, Europe, Canada, and Asia over the last 2 or 3 months, but AT&T still has yet to approve & release.
I got my wife & kids 1st gen iPhones and the QWERTY keyboard in portrait mode works well enough, even without practice. Overall, though, having a larger screen makes reading and digesting info much faster and I read much more than I type. If the Storm could keep nearly the same form factor and add a slide out QWERTY keyboard and virtual QWERTY in portrait (closed) mode, it would be perfect for me. I'd prefer to get an HTC Touch Pro or Xperia X1 and swap SIM cards, but I'm not sure how well that would work on a BES system.
The fact that the screen on the Bold is slightly SMALLER than the screen on my 8320 makes it much less interesting. It probably played well in focus groups with limited hands-on time, but in daily use, the existing screen is barely acceptable for reading and composing emails. For web use other than checking weather and sports scores, it's nearly useless as well. Given the larger screen and much faster processor of the Storm, that's where I hope to be soon.
The lack of WiFi isn't a major issue for me. My 8320 on EDGE is nearly as fast for my use, so the Storm on 3G should be schwanky. The family iPhones are much faster in web-browsing, due to their far superior render times. My 8320 is downright pedestrian and reminds me of 1997 dial-up browsing. For anyone downloading a lot of music, videos, or large file attachments, I'm sure WiFi would be a big benefit. My major concern will be Verizon capping the download max, when I don't have an option to take my larger downloads off of The Network to save them bandwidth.
You can't say "NOW!!" in .5 seconds... what the hell??
First, a Best Buy mobile sales consultant isn't going to have information that a VZW salesperson doesn't.
Second, RIM nor BB are stupid enough to put a touch screen phone meant to compete with the iPhone on the market for $600 when you can buy the iPhone for $199.
Beyond that... it really doesn't matter...
btw, my 3g iphone is locked up and no longer in use.
- by sutben November 4, 2008 9:00 AM PST
- BTW, What is the actuall price?
- Like this Reply to this comment
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(16 Comments)Esther Eng wrote:
The BlackBerry Bold 9000 launch price at PCCW is HK$1,988.
For more information please visit: www.blackberrybold.com
[Esther Ng]
It means around USD280. Right