Got my hands on an 8350I

**tritan** · 11-11-2008, 08:22 PM

Well talked to Rim tonight at the 8350I event/launch party and they confirmed a Dec 1 /2nd launch date online order only. She did state the models we played with at this event have a trackball that was to recessed to deeply and that problem is being corrected before the launch. That issue is part of the reason they pushed back from November launch to December. The device feels great the wifi can be configured to recognized your wifi network instantly when you enter a room. It’s a finger print magnet with the same black slippery plastic all new phones are coming out with . All the expected features:

128mb ram
Iden only 800/900mhz
Data is iden only 800/900 mhz/ wifi 802.11b/g
Gps sim interface
1400 mah li-ion battery
Display is 320x240 65 k tft lcd display
2mp camera
Up to 16g card for storage
Bluetooth 2.0
Voice activated dialing
Docs to go (looks great)

I love Docs to go it looks great and opens fine with nice looking menus. The device is running 4.6 and has the same home screen theme out of the box like the blackberry storm and Bold devices. It will come with a plastic holster that will face the device inward to protect the screen and keyboard. They are really hoping to strike a cord with the Nextel users that left due to the lack of smart phones. I think this device with be a home run with diehard Nextel users looking to upgrade from a dying 7100 device or dinosaur 7520. For the users that left Nextel due to lack of innovation and no smartphones its time to give Nextel/Sprint another look.

**kcberrymom** · 11-11-2008, 08:28 PM

That's the reason I went from Nextel to Sprint. I still miss my PTT 6 months later. I love my Pearl though

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**spidermanroach#cb** · 11-11-2008, 09:25 PM

Did you get to surf the internet??? I have the 7100i and it is HORRIBLE SLOW!!! Just want to get your thoughts on all of the phones features because I have been waiting for this!

**krs7272#AC** · 11-11-2008, 09:33 PM

I'm also interested in how data is compared to Sprint?

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**Norsk** · 11-11-2008, 10:00 PM

Confirm MMS available?

**0pusX** · 11-11-2008, 10:49 PM

data is on iden and will be as slow as any other Nextel handset...... unless you use the wifi.

Any way they could make a BB with iden voice and direct connect and CDMA-EVDO for data?

**krs7272#AC** · 11-11-2008, 10:50 PM

Can you confirm MMS?
I would think so seeing as it's a all iDen unit and Nextel already has MMS. But MMS may definetly push me over the edge to go back to Nextel just fo the MMS.

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**Tdubby** · 11-12-2008, 10:04 AM

I thought sprint/nextel were the same?

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**Norsk** · 11-12-2008, 11:01 AM

Yeah, I'm a tad confused. Even though this is a Nextel device, can I upgrade from my sprint 8830 to it?

**krs7272#AC** · 11-12-2008, 11:36 AM

Originally Posted by Norsk

Yeah, I'm a tad confused. Even though this is a Nextel device, can I upgrade from my sprint 8830 to it?

Yes. I'm in my 30 day trial of the 8330. Upgrading from Nextel to Sprint.
But I am still on the fence on weather I will stay?

I don't like the fact Sprint has no MMS. And no the @vzwpix has not worked at all for me?
(correction got it working, you need to remove your sprintspeed...... signature from BIS)

Call quality isn't as good as my previous i580 but that could just be handset differences.

**0pusX** · 11-12-2008, 01:03 PM

Originally Posted by krs7272

Yes. I'm in my 30 day trial of the 8330. Upgrading from Nextel to Sprint.
But I am still on the fence on weather I will stay?

I don't like the fact Sprint has no MMS. And no the @vzwpix has not worked at all for me?
(correction got it working, you need to remove your sprintspeed...... signature from BIS)

Call quality isn't as good as my previous i580 but that could just be handset differences.

Its not just the handset, I notice that iden quality is a LOT better than CDMA. I just upgraded to 8330 from an i880.

AS SOON as this 8350i is available I am going back. I dont care about slow data as much as I do voice quality and MMS.

**krs7272#AC** · 11-12-2008, 01:21 PM

Originally Posted by 0pusX

Its not just the handset, I notice that iden quality is a LOT better than CDMA. I just upgraded to 8330 from an i880.

AS SOON as this 8350i is available I am going back. I dont care about slow data as much as I do voice quality and MMS.

I agree totally on that. But I am curious what plays a bigger part in the difference? The fact that is iDen vs. CDMA or Motorola's handsets vs. the Blackberry's?

**Norsk** · 11-12-2008, 01:33 PM

Probably more handset related I'd imagine.

**vxaxv17#cb** · 11-12-2008, 02:24 PM

Originally Posted by Tdubby

I thought sprint/nextel were the same?

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They are the same company, but nowhere near the same network. Nextel uses IDEN and sprint CDMA. They are two totally different technologies and have different capabilities. This is why it really made no sense for sprint to merge with nextel. Merging two completely different networks is a recipe for disaster - I really dont know what they were thinking with that.

Anyway, IDEN has great voice quality and signal penetration (and great 2-way) but has horribly slow data compared to..well..basically everything else at this point. This new 8350i will be IDEN ONLY (except for wifi) which means slow data no matter how you slice it.

The existing 8330 that sprint offers is CDMA only which means great data speed but no nextel 2-way.

What they really need to offer is a hybrid bb (they offer other hybrid flip phones now) that uses sprint network for data and nextel for 2way. To me, this would be the best blackberry yet.

**pstereo** · 11-12-2008, 02:45 PM

Correct. People are getting confused on the name. Nextel is now owned by Sprint, however, their networks are still separate.

**pstereo** · 11-12-2008, 02:48 PM

Originally Posted by 0pusX

Any way they could make a BB with iden voice and direct connect and CDMA-EVDO for data?

yeah Motorolla already does this. The hybrid phones use Sprint's network for voice and data, and they use the Nextel network just for PPT. Pretty slick if you ask me. Instead of changing the network, just make a device that takes advantage of the best of both.
I honestly thought this was the way they were going to go (hybrid) per the conversations I had with Sprint agents, internet searches and what not. One year later this is what we get. pretty disappointing if you ask me.

**krs7272#AC** · 11-12-2008, 03:56 PM

Originally Posted by pstereo

yeah Motorolla already does this. The hybrid phones use Sprint's network for voice and data, and they use the Nextel network just for PPT. Pretty slick if you ask me. Instead of changing the network, just make a device that takes advantage of the best of both.
I honestly thought this was the way they were going to go (hybrid) per the conversations I had with Sprint agents, internet searches and what not. One year later this is what we get. pretty disappointing if you ask me.

If you look at the quote you responded to the OP asked if BB could make a handset capable of doing this. Which at this point in time they do not.

The Hybrids you speak of are Motorola handsets not BB

**hominid7** · 11-12-2008, 04:15 PM

Originally Posted by vxaxv17

Anyway, IDEN has great voice quality and signal penetration (and great 2-way) but has horribly slow data compared to..well..basically everything else at this point. This new 8350i will be IDEN ONLY (except for wifi) which means slow data no matter how you slice it.

Some people would disagree with your statement regarding the voice quality of iDen. However i will AGREE with you 100%. I had nextel for a short while and i do not know if it was the handset or the network, but it was the best and most natural voice quality, just the right amount of side tone for a conversation and a perfect balance of external noise elimination.

Today's GSM networks here in the US have terrible voice quality, Tmobile being one of the "least bad" and AT&T being the "most bad" quality. CDMA is better than iDen due to their cleaner handoffs, but iDen is no shmuck, and is still better in voice quality than the current GSM offerings.

Now don't get me wrong, iDen has a lot of other "issues", but i'm glad to see credit given where it's due.

**johnecko1976** · 11-12-2008, 05:21 PM

Originally Posted by vxaxv17

They are the same company, but nowhere near the same network. Nextel uses IDEN and sprint CDMA. They are two totally different technologies and have different capabilities. This is why it really made no sense for sprint to merge with nextel. Merging two completely different networks is a recipe for disaster - I really dont know what they were thinking with that.

Anyway, IDEN has great voice quality and signal penetration (and great 2-way) but has horribly slow data compared to..well..basically everything else at this point. This new 8350i will be IDEN ONLY (except for wifi) which means slow data no matter how you slice it.

The existing 8330 that sprint offers is CDMA only which means great data speed but no nextel 2-way.

What they really need to offer is a hybrid bb (they offer other hybrid flip phones now) that uses sprint network for data and nextel for 2way. To me, this would be the best blackberry yet.

I have know ideah where you people get your sources,But I`ve been a nextel costumer for 4years and just recently switched to a blackberry pearl,cus the curve was sold out at the time,And I got to say the only reason I hung on so long with nextel was the two way and just recently the two way got a little better with the digital but it`s still not all that great and with the new bluetooth equipment I found my self hardly using 2 way,But anyways What I really wanted to get across to you is,There is no way nextel phones have better voice quality than my sprint 8130 and I don`t think I will ever go back to a dying company like nextel which is why sprint bought them out and soon you will only see hybrid,because I beleive thats what sprint really bought was the patend on two way and that`s probally is why other phones have it cus sprint sold it to them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

**Smooth69Style** · 11-12-2008, 05:32 PM

This device is what I have been waiting for. Finally I can retire my 7100i gracefully, and not feel bad about my decision. I look forward to all the new upgrades, and the things you can do. I believe that good things come to those who wait, so those of us who are still Nextel fans, get ready. Even though I don't use the PTT, it's good for those who do. I welcome the new addition.

**pstereo** · 11-12-2008, 06:20 PM

Originally Posted by krs7272

If you look at the quote you responded to the OP asked if BB could make a handset capable of doing this. Which at this point in time they do not.

The Hybrids you speak of are Motorola handsets not BB

i understand, I'm just saying that it seems possible, I mean if they can do it with a motorolla (handset), they should be able to do it with a BB.

I mean I'm no electrical engineer, but if RIM can fit stuff like wifi and GPS on some of their phones, it wouldn't seem impossible they could add a separate radio for iden-PPT.

This phone would have been so kick-A$$ if it would've been released as a hybrid. I would have been all over it like a fat kid on a cupcake.
It would've been perfect for me, since my personal phone is Sprint, and my work phone is a Sprint hybrid handset. One phone would do it all, instead I have to carry an additional "belt wart" hehe.

**vxaxv17#cb** · 11-13-2008, 10:44 AM

Originally Posted by johnecko1976

I have know ideah where you people get your sources,But I`ve been a nextel costumer for 4years and just recently switched to a blackberry pearl,cus the curve was sold out at the time,And I got to say the only reason I hung on so long with nextel was the two way and just recently the two way got a little better with the digital but it`s still not all that great and with the new bluetooth equipment I found my self hardly using 2 way,But anyways What I really wanted to get across to you is,There is no way nextel phones have better voice quality than my sprint 8130 and I don`t think I will ever go back to a dying company like nextel which is why sprint bought them out and soon you will only see hybrid,because I beleive thats what sprint really bought was the patend on two way and that`s probally is why other phones have it cus sprint sold it to them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My sources are my personal experience and posts I have read by others in similar situations. I was with nextel for 8 years starting with an i90 and then using a 730, 870, 580, etc and most recently a hybrid ic902 and now my curve. With all of the iden phones I had great voice quality (even with ptt) and amazing penetration in buildings. ****, the phones would even work in basements and elevators. starting with the hybrid and now my curve, while I get better coverage in general, the quality is definitely decreased. At first I thought it was the people I was talking to but then I noticed it with people using landlines as well. And the worst part is I could have full signal outside but as soon as I step inside a building, the signal is almost cut in half. Definitely still usable but something I really was not expecting since I was so used to iden.

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**mohavewolfpup** · 11-14-2008, 03:00 PM

What would the upgrade be like for someone who recently got a curve 8330? Good idea or bad?

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**tritan** · 11-16-2008, 11:05 AM

I am searching to see if 4.6os on this new berry with work with Mozzilla Thunderbird email or Open office with the docs to go software comiing with it? Anybody know?

**bmw1986** · 11-19-2008, 11:07 PM

I have a Nextel/Sprint Hybird ic902 and the phone is horribleeeeee!!!! Anyone that has one will be the same thing. I have an 8830 from Sprint too but I hate to have an 8350 from Nextel. I love Blackberry's but that is wayyy to much!