EXCLUSIVE: T-Mobile BlackBerry Roadmap for 2008
August 7th, 2008 | by mikeypants |
Ladies and gentlemen, BlackBerryNews is pleased to present you with the 2008 T-Mobile BlackBerry Roadmap in all of it’s fascinating glory!
Over the final four and a half months of this year, the German-owned company has some very aggressive plans for the American market. This period of time will see the release of at least five “new” BlackBerry devices, in addition to a big marketing push.
The Pearls
T-Mobile already offers the BlackBerry Pearl 8120 in Ruby, Gold, and Titanium, but over the next few months three new colors will be available for purchase.
The three new colors will be Tahitian Green, Indigo and Light Blue.
And if new colors of the Pearl isn’t enough to get you excited, there will be at least two new models to chose from.
The 8220
We’ve talked a lot about the BlackBerry 8220 in the past and referred to it as the Kickstart, its internal codename, but leaked Rogers documents show that it might actually be marketed as a new type of Pearl. You can expect the UMA-enabled 8220 to be available in late September/early October in a multitude of colors for a contract price of around $50.
The Javelin
With a targeted release of late November/early December, the 2.5G BlackBerry Javelin is set to test the will of a lot of BlackBerry fanatics as they try to decide whether not they want the 3G capabilities of Bold or the EDGE-capable Javelin, which features a Curve-like keypad, larger and higher-resolution, and smaller body.
The Software
All of the models scheduled for the second-half of 2008 will feature at least OS 4.5 - the BlackBerry 8220 will feature OS 4.6.0 and the Javelin will feature OS 4.6.1. For the BlackBerry Pearl 8120 devices, this marks a definitive move towards OS 4.5 for T-Mobile USA, who has been one of the more quiet juggernauts with regards to the updated device software.
The Marketing
T-Mobile is planning anaggressive marketing push to stave off users from defecting to AT&T in order to purchase either a BlackBerry Bold or iPhone 3G. To to this, they are going to be pushing several things which they feel will best serve the needs of their current and future customers. Expect to read and hear things a lot about:
- Benefits of BlackBerry applications such as Google Maps, Facebook, XM Satellite Radio, and the upcoming SlingPlayer for BlackBerry which enables users to watch their TV from anywhere they have a data connection.
- Convenience of using the internet anywhere for instant updates on news, weather, markets, and sports
- Games for BlackBerry
- Ability to sync a BlackBerry with iTunes
- Potential savings from subscribing to T-Mobile’s HotSpot and UMA package
- A more personal sales approach in stores as the rep evaluatates the needs of the customer
Intrigued? Yeah, we are too. Now if T-Mobile would release a 3G-capable BlackBerry for their recently unveiled 3G network, but it appears they will be late to the table - sometime in 2009 - with fulfilling that request.
All images of the BlackBerry Pearl are from BlackBerry.com and have been altered to show off their new colors. Image of the Javelin is courtesy of Engadget.
28 Responses to “EXCLUSIVE: T-Mobile BlackBerry Roadmap for 2008”
By DavidB on Aug 7, 2008 | Reply
It’s pretty clear TMO is in no hurry to get a 3G ‘berry. Their 3G network is live in what, 2 cities now? I’d say they have PLENTY of time for RIM to work out issues with the BOLD, and build a BOLD model that works on TMO’s 3G network (different frequencies than the rest of the world uses for 3G GSM).
Boy, using “Pearl” to name the Kickstart to the public is sure a boneheaded move though.
By coldconfession13 on Aug 7, 2008 | Reply
I could have a javelin by the end of this year!!
By tom on Aug 7, 2008 | Reply
WE WANT THE BOLD!! T-mo, you may loose me to another. Your biggest downfall is your inability of offer the newer phones with the greatest demand. Sure you get the second tier phones from suppliers, but seldom the “hot”ones first.
By BOLDPassion on Aug 7, 2008 | Reply
I’ll be really ticked off if come September Tmo can’t deliver on the Bold. I will definitely move to the carrier that has it. I sustained the onslaught of the iphones looking forward to the blackberry and they get beat to the punch by the other guys. They are not worth my money than!
By NX2000 on Aug 7, 2008 | Reply
I’m happy about the kickstart…hope the name is wrong though they should differentiate it from the Pearl. My g/f and 2 daughters will probably end up with the kickstart and I think it is great for their market. I am disappointing about the Javelin over the bold though. I want 3G. I’ll have to evaluate weather I want it enough to jump ship though.
By Chris on Aug 7, 2008 | Reply
Dear T-Mobile,
Let me start off by saying I love you. You save me so much money and give me so many more minutes then the other so called “carriers” out there, but WHY? Why do you push me away. This twisted romance we have is becoming a bit of a sleeper. I want someone more captivating, more stylish. In a simpler term I want someone more BOLD. You German cousin is BOLD, you have family in Austria that is BOLD, but why not you my darling? If you cant be BOLD for me then I am sorry. I have to leave. With a heavy heart I must say farewell my dearest T-mobile.
By Wang FOo on Aug 8, 2008 | Reply
T-Mobile may lose me on this one. Hell they may lose my corporate account with this one if the uproar is loud enough from the users on my network. This is truly sad to read. Verizon with Thunder, at&t with all the 3g blackberries… tmobile with… a flip phone?? I feel a little rinky dinky.
By pablo on Aug 8, 2008 | Reply
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/08/07/tmobile_bold_september_launch/
might be true, but doesn’t me US will get it
By nelly on Aug 17, 2008 | Reply
just to let you know what is the point of having a 3g phone with not enough 3g coverage? look at att’s map for 3g. its tiny compared to verizon’s cdma evdo(3g) which is massive. i would pick the javelin just because of how it looks and also battery life. the battery on the bold is going to be weak because 3g eats up power. oh well!! thats just my thought though! to each their own.
By JACK on Aug 18, 2008 | Reply
I am glad T-Mobile isnt getting the BOLD. Why would I want to pay $650 for a blackberry when I can get one for $99 now. If the only difference is the 3G, whatever! With the processors inside, Im sure it wont be a huge difference.
By maurox on Aug 21, 2008 | Reply
bold looks cool but I’m happy with my curve and I am not paying $650 for a phone…
By miguel on Aug 21, 2008 | Reply
if t-mobilr does no tget the bold, and germany has it verizon is getting the thunder i’m leaving after three years with them.
By Mia on Aug 22, 2008 | Reply
I just spoke to tmobile they they bssed me and said they have no immediate plans to offer the BOLD. With thier paltry choice of phone I think I am heading over to AT AND T where I can choose b/c blackberry IPHONE a whole lot of other phone…tmobile has nothing goign for it but sickening customer service who make you want to hit them in the month for the cherriness
By bvoh8r on Aug 22, 2008 | Reply
I have already made the decision to go with another carrier (probably AT&T). I have been waiting since May to see when they are going to be getting the BOLD with no answers. Even if they said January I would be happy so I would know how long I had to wait. T-Mobile does have the lowest priced plans but at the cost of having the worst selection of phones and not having the hottest phones first (if ever). I know I ask all of my friends and coworkers which provider they have and by far the fewest have t-mobile. Something tells me that if something doesn’t change soon, t-mobile may not be around in the US for much longer.