How to charge your Motorola RAZR via USB and use it as a modem

Charge your Motorola RAZR via USB

The RAZR charges via its mini-USB port. However, it will not charge if you simply connect it to a computer. You’ll need to install special drivers to achieve this. Fortunately, Motorola has made available these drivers for members of the MOTODEV (Motorola developer community), and anyone can join in, create an account and download the RAZR drivers for their Motorola phone. Note that these RAZR drivers are only available for Windows based PC. Once you have installed the drivers, your Motorola RAZR should begin charging up as soon as you connect it to a computer.

Use your RAZR as a modem

As a bonus, these drivers allow you to use your Motorola RAZR as a modem. That means if you have access to a dial-up internet connection, your RAZR can allow you to connect your laptop to the internet from virtually anywhere. Once you have installed the drivers, the Motorola modem should be available to use in Windows just like any other modem.

If you don’t feel like creating an account with MOTODEV and messing around with drivers, you could always buy a spare charger… They seem to be selling chargers for the RAZR pretty cheap nowadays.

Sanyo Katana DLX Specifications

Sanyo Katana DLX & II News Release

Recognizing that customers want instant wireless connectivity without sacrificing fashion, Sprint (NYSE: S) and SANYO today announced the availability of the Sprint Power Vision® Phone KATANA DLX by SANYO. Operating on the Sprint Mobile Broadband network, Katana DLX by SANYO provides easy access to Sprint’s exclusive multimedia content, including the Sprint Music Store. The Sprint Music Store provides customers with quick over-the-air song downloads for just 99 cents each with a Power Vision data pack.

Also announced today, the Sprint Vision Phone Katana II by SANYO offers more total download capacity (21MB) than its very popular predecessor, Katana by SANYO, which debuted last year. This improvement significantly increases the device’s capacity for games, ring tones, applications and more. Katana II by SANYO runs on the Sprint Vision network and features a VGA camera, voice SMS and Sprint Mobile Email allowing users to access their email from popular providers simply by entering their username and password with no downloads required.

Both devices retain the thin profile introduced on the original Katana phone updated with a new luxurious finish. Katana DLX by SANYO is available in Platinum Ice, Champagne and Pink Satin. Katana II by SANYO is available in Cosmic Black, Pink Fascination and Midnight Steel.

Features shared by both Katana II by SANYO and Katana DLX by SANYO include power save mode, phone as modem, Bluetooth® wireless technology, wireless backup for easily restoring contact information if the phone is ever lost, stolen or damaged and a large QVGA main display. Both devices are GPS-enabled supporting Sprint Navigation, powered by TeleNav, with turn-by-turn driving directions and more than 10 million business listings.

Katana DLX by SANYO offers a 1.3 MP camera and a microSD card slot that supports 4GB microSDHC™ cards that can hold up to 4,000 songs. It also provides quick and easy access to multimedia content including:

* Sprint Music Store(SM), powered by Groove Mobile, which allows users to browse and wirelessly download full-length songs directly to their phone from a selection of more than 1.6 million songs.
* Sprint TV(SM) with more than 50 channels of live television and on-demand video and audio.
* More than a dozen streaming radio applications, including Sprint Radio and SIRIUS.
* Sprint Power View, the industry’s first made-for-mobile sports and entertainment video programming network.
* On-Demand with up-to-date information on sports, weather, news, money and more customized to the user’s zip code.

“We have sold millions of the fashionable Katana handset since its debut last summer,” said Danny Bowman, vice president of Customer Equipment at Sprint. “Sprint is focused on listening to the needs of our customers so we updated the original model with more memory and improved features while also adding a step-up version that offers industry-leading music and video capabilities on our high speed network. We are confident that customers will appreciate the enhancements evident on both Katana II and Katana DLX.”

“SANYO’s legendary Katana phone set the standard for style, function and features,” said Atsushi (Andy) Kodera, senior vice president and general manager of SANYO Fisher Company’s Wireless Communications Division. “The large, bright screens of these new Katanas are ideal for easy viewing while texting, gaming or using productivity applications such as Sprint Navigation. The thin profile allows the user to easily slip the phone in a pocket or purse while the new finish and exciting new colors make a fashion statement.”

SANYO was recently ranked “Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Wireless Mobile Phones in a Tie” in the J.D. Power and Associates 2007 U.S. Wireless Mobile Phone Evaluation Study(SM) – Volume 1. SANYO was evaluated on five key factors of customer satisfaction — physical design, operation, features, handset durability, and battery function. Sprint is SANYO’s exclusive U.S. wireless carrier partner.

Sanyo Katana DLX Reviews

infoSync World reviews the Sanyo Katana DLX and writes - “Sanyo makes solid phones, in terms of making and receiving calls, and the Katana DLX won’t disappoint fans looking for a solid, affordable phone with good features and some 3G amenities. However, none of the more advanced features stand out. The QVGA screen doesn’t pop like screens on recent Nokia N-Series devices. Streaming video was disappointingly halted by poor network reception, and the Sprint music store, though great in a pinch, is a let-down as a dedicated music player. The design seems dated already.”

Phone Arena reviews the Sanyo Katana DLX and writes - “The DLX is also capable of good quality MP3 music playback, even though the speaker is located on the back and there are no external music controls. The Call Quality and Reception both remain the phones main strong points. There was very little static during calls and the phone was able to place calls in fringe areas, where other phones could not. Overall, the Katana DLX is a good quality phone that is designed for the average consumer that is looking for a device with many useful features.”

About.com: Cell Phones reviews the Katana DLX - “I particularly liked how the sound volume was strong enough for hard-hearing users (it is also compatible with hearing aids) and the speakerphone did a good job — nobody complained about my voice sounding distant or anything.”

Sanyo Katana DLX 8500 Silver Phone (Sprint)
Sanyo Katana DLX 8500 Pink Phone (Sprint)
Sanyo Katana DLX 8500 Champagne Phone (Sprint)

BlackBerry Pearl Specifications

BlackBerry Pearl News Release

RIM is once again changing the mobile communications landscape [by introducing the BlackBerry Pearl]. This feature-rich smartphone incorporates best-in-class technology that is remarkably small and incredibly easy-to-use. The BlackBerry Pearl comes complete with digital camera, multimedia capabilities and an expandable memory slot for the first time, while continuing to provide the industry leading BlackBerry experience that users have come to love.

“The BlackBerry Pearl elegantly combines an incredibly small, stylish and full-featured smartphone with the gold standard in wireless email and the result is something special. Through the integration of hardware, software and service, we are able to deliver a mobile experience that stands apart in the industry. We are extremely excited to be launching this breakthrough handset and we look forward to rolling it out around the world with our carrier partners,” said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO, Research In Motion.

Beneath its sleek and stylish exterior, which measures just 4.2″ x 1.97″ x .57″ and weighs only 3.1 ounces, the BlackBerry Pearl is a quad-band GSM/GPRS and EDGE-enabled mobile application powerhouse delivering the fast performance of the latest generation BlackBerry handset platform. The built-in 64MB flash memory is now expandable with a MicroSD card, giving users plenty more storage for music, pictures, videos, and data files.

The BlackBerry Pearl delivers exceptional phone quality with premium, easy-to-use phone features including Speaker Independent Voice Recognition for Voice Activated Dialing (VAD), support for polyphonic, mp3 and MIDI ring tones, and intuitive call management features such as smart dialing, conference calling, speed dialing and call forwarding. It also features a speakerphone and Bluetooth® 2.0 for use with hands-free headsets, car kits and other Bluetooth peripherals such as a GPS receiver. BlackBerry Desktop Software synchronization via Bluetooth is also supported.

With a helpful Setup Wizard, the unique “push-based” BlackBerry service comes to life giving users synchronized access to both personal and corporate email accounts with attachment viewing and the ability to manage multiple accounts while on the go. The BlackBerry Pearl also comes with a newly enhanced version of RIM’s SureType™ QWERTY keypad technology that makes typing messages and dialing phone numbers quick and easy. The handset is supported on BlackBerry Internet Service as well as BlackBerry Enterprise Server, with a new set of IT policy controls on the latter to allow IT departments to administer camera and expansion memory settings on corporate handsets.

Images appear incredibly vivid and crisp on the BlackBerry Pearl’s large, ultra-bright, high resolution (240×260) display. Built-in light sensing technology automatically adjusts the screen and keypad brightness for optimum viewing of emails and attachments, pictures, web pages, business applications and games in indoor, outdoor and dark environments. The BlackBerry Pearl also introduces an incredibly intuitive user interface with a supple, responsive trackball that makes vertical and lateral scrolling fast and easy. Dedicated ‘menu’ and ‘escape’ keys on either side of the trackball along with context sensitive menus make navigation instinctive, smooth, and true to the BlackBerry experience.

Featuring a 1.3 megapixel camera with built-in flash and 5x digital zoom, users can snap a picture and instantly share it with friends and family by email, MMS or BlackBerry Messenger. Photos can also be set as caller ID images, and can be easily transferred between the handset and a computer using the included USB cable.

BlackBerry Maps delivers maps and step-by-step driving directions quickly and conveniently. BlackBerry Maps works together with other BlackBerry applications, enabling users to send maps via email and launch maps from other applications including contacts in their address book. BlackBerry Maps is currently available in North America only.

The BlackBerry Pearl comes with a media player and stereo headset jack so users can enjoy their favorite music and videos on the go. Music and video clips are delivered with rich sound and vivid color. MP3 and ACC music files and MPEG4 and H.263 video files are supported.

The BlackBerry Pearl will be available from T-Mobile USA in the United States beginning September 12. It will also be available in October from Rogers Wireless in Canada and a variety of carriers in Europe. Availability in Asia-Pacific and Latin America is expected later this year.

BlackBerry Pearl Reviews

Brighthand reviews the BlackBerry Pearl 8100 and writes - “There’s no doubt about it, the Pearl is a huge step forward for RIM. This smartphone offers features that many current and potential BlackBerry users have been wanting for years. But, for all its progress, I think this company still has a ways to go. Its implementation of some of the new multimedia features in the Pearl is a bit clumsy and are in real need of polish. And it still lacks features business users want, like better and easier access to Microsoft Office files. At the same time, the feature that was RIM’s biggest advantage for many years–push email–is available now on many other devices. All in all, I think this is a decent smartphone, and certainly better RIM’s first one, the BlackBerry 7100 series. But it still needs some work if it’s going to stand up to the competition.”

CNET has a review of the BlackBerry Pearl 8100 - “The RIM BlackBerry Pearl is the first BlackBerry to offer a 1.3-megapixel camera, music and video playback, expandable memory, and a mapping application. The supersleek phone also continues to offer superior push e-mail capabilities, EDGE support, and Bluetooth. The RIM BlackBerry Pearl’s microSD slot is inconveniently located behind the battery, and call quality was subpar in our tests. The phone’s camera doesn’t record video, and we wish there were external controls for the music player and integrated Wi-Fi. Though nothing revolutionary, the addition of multimedia features and the already solid e-mail capabilities make the RIM BlackBerry Pearl an attractive device for business users and consumers alike.”

The Globe and Mail reviews the BlackBerry Pearl 8100 - “In the end, the Pearl is all about the sweet spot; for such a wisp of a thing, it’s an awful lot of machine. Considering how many things it does, and how well, you may be amazed to learn that no laws of physics were broken in the making of this phone.”

Digital Trends reviews the BlackBerry Pearl 8100 and writes “While it looks sleek and fancy, there is no reason for a shrunken BlackBerry if it means shrunken text-input functionality. Still, if you don’t plan to compose long responses, but rather seek a little entertainment and have a desire to snap a candid picture to accompany your e-mail without looking like a hip-holster geek then you qualify as a Pearl diver.”

BlackBerry 8100 Pearl myFaves Phone (T-Mobile)
BlackBerry 8100c Pearl (AT&T)
BlackBerry 8100c Red Pearl Phone (AT&T)

The Motorola RAZR has been one of the most popular cellular phone in the last two years. Even today, a lot of people are buying it as it is now relatively cheap and it still has a lot of style. The Motorola RAZR V3xx model is available from AT&T and is the latest version of the RAZR.

Motorola RAZR V3xx Specifications

Motorola RAZR V3xx News Release

Featuring the perfect blend of broadband-like speed, dynamic multimedia capabilities, and cutting-edge design, the MOTORAZR V3xx is the ultimate combination. The MOTORAZR V3xx delivers high-speed connectivity and premium multimedia capabilities in the award-winning RAZR form. The first Motorola handset to ship with High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) and EDGE technology, the MOTORAZR V3xx brings effortless style and the power of high-speed connectivity - no compromises necessary. A compact entertainment machine, the MOTORAZR V3xx knows how to connect you quickly to the information and content that matters most. Demand the best in elite style and unrivalled functionality and enjoy the best of both worlds with this stylish new model.

The design of the RAZR broke ground with industry-leading design and legendary style. This revolutionary form factor offers the MOTORAZR V3xx head-turning elegance for even the most style-conscious user. This slim phone packs advanced functionality into an ultra-desirable package, with premium metal finishes, a precision cut keypad and a svelte form measuring barely half an inch thick. Slender, stylish and luxurious, the MOTORAZR V3xx is set to impress from the word “Go.”

The MOTORAZR V3xx is a secret mobile weapon in the digital world - keeping users connected while on the go. With HSDPA and EDGE technology, the MOTORAZR V3xx delivers broadband-like speeds for downloading, web browsing and data exchange - literally providing you with broadband in your hand! Leveraging these advanced capabilities, the MOTORAZR V3xx handset allows for live two-way video calls at up to 15 frames per second, over the air music and video downloads, streaming media and more. Combine that with advanced integrated Bluetooth® wireless technology, an integrated calendar and a 1000-entry phonebook - now emailing after a business lunch or sending a personalized video greeting is a walk in the park.

High-speed connectivity combined with advanced multimedia entertainment, the MOTORAZR V3xx will make that dull airport delay a thing of the past. Effortlessly download the latest music videos, catch up on news or check out a favorite television show via live streaming content, transmitted over the air with broadband-quality speed straight to the MOTORAZR V3xx’s clear 2.2 inch color screen - no waiting required. Sit back and relax to your favorite tunes - the MOTORAZR V3xx features an integrated MP3 player with Media Finder for easy navigation and A2DP and AVRCP Bluetooth stereo profiles for wirelessly streaming music to your compatible Bluetooth enabled stereo headphones. When the artistic mood strikes, create personalized content in low or high resolution via the MOTORAZR V3xx’s offering of a VGA camera and a powerful 1.3 megapixel digital camera. Snaps of friends and family, sights and sounds from travels and even video clips can be effortlessly saved to the optional, hot swappable microSD™ memory card.

* Updated & streamlined Motorola RAZR V3 design
* HSDPA 3.6 Mbps (category 6)
* EDGE Class 10, GPRS Class 10
* Integrated VGA and 1.3 megapixel digital camera with 8x digital zoom and full screen viewfinder
* Integrated MP3 player with Media Finder and optional mini-USB stereo headset
* Optional, hot swappable microSD memory card
* 256K color wallpapers & screensavers on internal display
* 65K color support on external display
* MPEG4 video capture and playback
* Integrated Class 2 Bluetooth wireless technology
* Bluetooth stereo Music Profile (A2DP) and Bluetooth Music Control Profile (AVRCP) for streaming music to compatible Bluetooth enabled wireless stereo headphones
* VGA Imager Point to Point Video at up to 15 frames per second1

Motorola RAZR V3xx Reviews

CNET reviews the Motorola RAZR V3xx and says - “The Motorola Razr V3xx cell phone offers decent call quality, stereo Bluetooth, and a great interior display. And thanks to the HSDPA data connection, it offers zippy Web browsing, fast downloads, and admirable streaming video quality. The Motorola Razr V3xx isn’t a quadband world phone, and its 1.3-megapixel camera is inadequate for such a high-end handset. Also, the voice dialing is unreliable, the phone lacks stereo speakers, and the data settings for third-party applications are too restrictive. Though its feature set didn’t live up to expectations, the Motorola Razr V3xx cell phone improves on many of the traditional Razr pitfalls that have plagued the product line since its inception. As such, it’s the most satisfying Razr to date.”

infoSync World reviews the Motorola RAZR V3xx and says - “The Motorola RAZR V3xx is the pinnacle of RAZR phones — as well it should be, given that Moto has had nearly four years to perfect this aging model. Its only competitor among the other RAZRs is the V3i, but only because we’re fans of that phone’s iTunes music app. We liked the V3xx’s crisp and bright high-resolution screen, along with its clear-sounded calls, robust calling options, and solid video (although it’s hard to recommend a phone for streaming video clips with true mobile TV around the corner). Otherwise, the V3xx features all our favorite options, like stereo Bluetooth support and compatibility with our downloaded Napster tunes. There is room for improvement, of course, especially with the phone’s still-bland interface and music player. That said, if you’re dying to jump onto the RAZR bandwagon at this late date, the V3xx is the one to get.”

CoolTechZone reviews the Motorola RAZR V3xx and writes - “The V3xx is a respectable candidate, and an update to the slowly dying RAZR line. We would’ve expected Motorola to blowout the rest of the RAZR phones with the V3xx, but it clearly failed. If you are one of the few people who don’t have a RAZR, maybe this could be a fit for you, assuming you don’t tend to make too many important calls on your cell phone. For the price of $79 with a 2-year contract, it’s quite a steal.”

Motorola RAZR V3xx Phone (AT&T)
Motorola RAZR V3xx Platinum Phone (AT&T)
Motorola RAZR V3 Black Phone (Unlocked)

The Nokia 6301 UMA cell phone introduces the UMA technology to allow for better indoor coverage by transmitting voice information over WLAN, meaning it can basically bypass cellular waves by borrowing a WiFi internet connection and reverting back to the GSM network when you’re out of range. This is very interesting because it means the cellular phone can be used indoor much like a regular land-line, and it probably means that you can also save money by bypassing carrier fees when you’re around a WiFi connection. It is expected to ship in Europe at the end of 2007.

Nokia 6301 UMA Specifications

Nokia 6301 UMA News Release

Nokia answers convergence call with Nokia 6301 UMA phone
September 20, 2007

Espoo, Finland - With a sleek stainless steel design, the Nokia 6301 phone launched today is not only stylish, but offers consumers seamless voice and data mobility across GSM cellular and WLAN networks via Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) technology. The Nokia 6301 phone uses UMA technology to integrate the benefits of landline and a mobile phone, including seamless indoor coverage, sound quality and affordability.

“The convergence of mobile and fixed/land-line technologies means consumers are looking for products that can help make their lives easier,” said Peter Ropke, Senior Vice President, Mobile Phones, Nokia. “With the Nokia 6301 utilizing UMA technology, worldwide triband GSM coverage is combined with superior indoor WLAN coverage to create a device that people can use in virtually any situation.

With UMA technology, the consumer can use the GSM network or a broadband Internet-connected WLAN network for mobile services. This can ensure excellent indoor coverage both at office and home. The consumer can have one multi-mode handset that works everywhere with enhanced and easy-to-use voice services. And, WLAN/UMA provides excellent coverage and sound quality, even in areas where mobile phone reception has previously been poor.

With UMA technology, the Nokia 6301 benefits operators as well, allowing them to deliver voice and data services to subscribers over WLAN, substantially increasing mobile service availability while decreasing the costs related to network deployment.

Orange will be one of the first operators to offer the Nokia 6301, as part of its Unik/Unique portfolio.

Yves Maitre, Senior Vice President, Devices, Orange said “The Nokia 6301 is a stylish new addition to our Unik range of converged fixed and mobile phones. Orange’s Unik offer brings together the convenience of a single phone and tariff at home and on the move and the widest range of UMA handsets. The Nokia 6301, with its sleek candy bar design and attractive stainless steel exterior adds to the appeal of Unik for Orange customers.”

The Nokia 6301 is an evolution of the modern monoblock design. Weighing a mere 93 grams and measuring less than 13.1mm thin, the Nokia 6301 is constructed of quality materials. To accompany the UMA technology, the Nokia 6301 also offers consumers a modern suite of features, including a 2 megapixel camera with 8x digital zoom and full screen viewfinder. Ideal for home and office, the Nokia 6301 comes with an attractive desk stand, the Nokia Desk Stand DT-23, to hold the phone and keep its battery charged while connected to WLAN.

The clean lines and recessed buttons of the Nokia 6301 are highlighted by a stainless steel frame with hand-hugging curves. In addition, the Nokia 6301 includes:
- 2-inch QVGA screen
- USB/PC Synchronization
- Internal user memory of 30MB and 128MB in-box microSD card, with support for up to 4GB microSD cards
- Voice dialing, voice commands and voice recording
- MP3 player, FM radio
- Integrated hands-free speaker

The Nokia 6301 has a talk-time of up to 3.5 hours and a standby time of up to 14 days. The Nokia 6301 is expected to begin shipping to select markets in Europe during the fourth quarter of 2007 with an estimated retail price of 230 euros before subsidies or taxes.

Motorola has announced the new version of their ever popular cell phone, the Motorola RAZR2 V9 and V9m. A small upgrade to the original RAZR phone, the new version is merely an update in terms of technology. Now with a 2 megapixel camera and stereo Bluetooth support, this model comes slightly bigger and heavier than the original cell phone.

Motorola RAZR2 V9 and V9m Features

Motorola RAZR2 News Release

MOTORAZR2 Debuts With U.S. Wireless CarriersSleeker outside and more powerful inside, the next-generation MOTORAZR will soon be available to U.S. consumers from coast-to-coast

The MOTORAZR2 will be available from Alltel, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile USA, US Cellular, and Verizon Wireless, with availability from certain carriers within 14 days. Consumers should check with their wireless carrier for specific availability dates.

“The Motorola RAZR2 delivers the sharpest mobile experiences available – and customers of every national carrier in the U.S can now own one,” said Stu Reed, Executive Vice President, Motorola, Inc. and President, Mobile Devices Business. “With smart features available such as blazing-fast 3G wireless broadband, and modern style that’s slimmer and stronger than the original, the Motorola RAZR2 is the ultimate iconic feature phone.”

The MOTORAZR2 family – V9 (3G HSDPA), V9m (3G EVDO CDMA) and V8 (GSM) – will be available to users of all three major technology networks. The product features a larger internal screen for full HTML web browsing1 and a best-in-class external screen that enables viewing media, music and/or messaging without opening the flip.

Consumers will also receive touch feedback on the external screen through “haptic” key technology. The product also features Motorola CrystalTalk™ for better voice quality, up to 2GB of on-board memory, real-time point-to-point video and ultra-fast menu navigation.

A great multimedia device, MOTORAZR2 also supports the most popular music formats and media services. With built-in stereo Bluetooth® wireless technology, users can enjoy a wire-free music experience when paired with the compatible lightweight ROKR™ S9 Bluetooth stereo headphones.

Motorola RAZR2 V9 Reviews

Washington Post reviews the Motorola RAZR2 V9m from Verizon and writes - “The RAZR2 is a good, well designed cell phone in hardware terms; both screens are great and the keypad is comfortable. However, the software on Verizon’s version simply doesn’t take advantage of this hardware; it doesn’t allow you to do things like play videos on the external screen. The lack of a software upgrade means the user experience is much the same as the original Razr, only with a much more inflated price. As this is the case, we don’t feel the RAZR2 V9m is a good deal at this point. It’s not a bad phone, but the upgrades are just not worth the extra cost.”

CNET has reviewed the Motorola RAZR2 V9 from AT&T and says - “The Motorola Razr2 V9 is a fabulous-looking phone clad in steel and glass. It has HSDPA support plus a 2-megapixel camera, a music player, and good sound quality and battery life. The Motorola Razr2 V9 has skinny side buttons and a rather flat keypad. We also wished there were one-push access to the music player plus one for the speakerphone. The Motorola Razr2 V9 is a great successor to the first Razr. Despite a few quibbles, it has an eye-catching design, solid performance, and an impressive feature set.”

LAPTOP Magazine has a review of the Motorola RAZR2 V9 from AT&T and writes - “Although the Motorola RAZR2 V9 is pricey, its excellent voice quality, smooth Web-surfing, loads of multimedia content, and beautiful design make it one of best mobiles that Motorola has ever produced and one of the best with AT&T, period.”

PC Magazine reviews the Motorola RAZR2 V9 from AT&T and says - “As long as you aren’t interested in Video Share, Motorola now makes AT&T’s two best phones, the V9 and the V3xx. Which one you pick depends largely on your budget. The V9 is a better device, although not by much–the difference is largely CrystalTalk and the more luxurious case. For improving on the best phone out there, I’m willing to give the V9 an Editors’ Choice. The AT&T RAZR2 V9 goes on sale in early September.”

Motorola RAZR2 V9 Phone (AT&T)
Motorola RAZR2 V9m Phone (Sprint)
Motorola RAZR2 V9m Phone (Verizon Wireless)

The BlackBerry 8830 was released this summer and is available from Alltel, Bell, Sprint, TELUS, U.S. Cellular and Verizon Wireless. The most interesting feature of this new PDA phone is that it supports both GSM and CDMA, allowing the user to roam freely between both networks.

BlackBerry 8830 Features at a glance

Features Available: Wireless email, Organizer, Browser, Phone, BlackBerry® Maps, Media player, Corporate data access, SMS, MMS, GPS.

Size and Weight: L: 4.49″/114mm, W: 2.60″/66mm, D: 0.55″/14mm, Weight: 4.6 oz/132g

Data Input/Navigation: Trackball, Keyboard

Voice Input/Output: Stereo headset capable, Headset jack, Integrated earpiece/ microphone, Built-in speakerphone, Headset, hands-free and serial port profiles supported (Bluetooth® technology)

Display: 2.5″ TFT 65k color display

Media Player: Audio (MP3, MIDI, AMR-NB, AAC/AAC+/eAAC+, WMA), Video (MPEG4 Part 2 Simple Profile, H.263, WMV)

Notification: Polyphonic ringtones, MP3 ringtones, Vibrate mode, LED indicator

Battery: 1400 mAhr (Removable/ rechargeable lithium cell)

Approximate Battery Life: GSM - 16 days (standby), 300 minutes (talk time)
CDMA - 9 days (standby), 220 minutes (talk time)

Memory: Expandable memory – support for microSD card, 64 MB (Flash memory)

Modem: RIM® wireless modem, Tethered modem capability

Email Integrations: Works with BlackBerry® Enterprise Server for Microsoft® Exchange, Works with BlackBerry® Enterprise Server for IBM® Lotus® Domino®, Works with BlackBerry® Enterprise Server for Novell® GroupWise®, Integrates with an existing enterprise email account, Integrates with existing personal email account, Integrates with optional new device account

Accessories Included: USB cable, Wall charger

Device Security: Password protection and keyboard lock, Support for AES or Triple DES encryption when integrated with BlackBerry® Enterprise Server, Pending Approval (FIPS validation), Optional support for S/MIME

Wireless Network: Dual-band 900/1800 Mhz GSM/GPRS networks, Dual-band 800/1900 Mhz CDMA2000 1X Ev-DO networks

BlackBerry 8830 News Release

Verizon Wireless Announces the Next Evolution in Global Connectivity: The BlackBerry 8830 World Edition Smartphone and Global BlackBerry Service

First CDMA/GSM BlackBerry Smartphone, Coupled with Always-On Global E-Mail and 24/7 Help Desk, Keeps Travelers Connected In More Than 60 Countries

Basking Ridge, NJ and Waterloo, ON - Verizon Wireless, operator of the nation’s most reliable wireless network, and Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM), a global leader in wireless innovation, today introduced the first Global CDMA/GSM BlackBerry®. The BlackBerry® 8830 World Edition smartphone will be available on May 14 through Verizon Wireless’ business sales channels and in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores on May 28.

In addition, Verizon Wireless announced the May 14 availability of its new Global BlackBerry service, an “always-on, always connected” wireless e-mail solution that provides quick, easy access to e-mail, contacts, calendar, organizer and the Web while on-the-go. With the BlackBerry 8830 World Edition smartphone and Global BlackBerry service from Verizon Wireless, customers get wireless e-mail and the convenience of one local number for domestic and international use in Australia, Europe, parts of Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and North America.

Verizon Wireless’ new Global BlackBerry service allows customers to place and receive voice calls from more than 150 countries and send and receive e-mails in the United States, Canada and more than 60 countries worldwide. With Global BlackBerry service, Verizon Wireless customers receive the Global Support Pack, which includes a SIM card, a user reference guide and details on accessing the Global Help Desk for 24-hour customer support, seven days a week. Customers also receive a calling card for free support calls while traveling outside of the U.S. from any landline phone to technical support if the BlackBerry 8830 is lost, broken or stolen.

“The BlackBerry 8830 with Verizon Wireless’ Global BlackBerry service will set a new standard for global wireless service,” said Mike Lanman, vice president and chief marketing officer of Verizon Wireless. “Customers leave the U.S. with the ultimate productivity tool enhanced by a service and support package they won’t find anywhere else in the industry. This is the gold standard for the international enterprise, and with its unique blend of form, function and value, we expect this device to quickly become our top selling BlackBerry for domestic use as well.”

“The BlackBerry 8830 is built on an exciting new device platform that combines CDMA and GSM/GPRS roaming support with the latest in industrial design and functional innovations,” said Mike Lazaridis, president and co-chief executive officer at Research In Motion. “This innovative and stylish smartphone includes all the benefits that users have come to love about the BlackBerry solution along with a compelling new global service from Verizon Wireless.”

The BlackBerry 8830 provides an international option for enterprise customers of all Verizon Business groups. The Verizon branded companies offer customers a portfolio of wired and wireless solutions inclusive of the recently announced BroadbandAccess Router Service.

Features and Pricing for the BlackBerry 8830 World Edition Smartphone and Global BlackBerry Service

The new BlackBerry 8830 World Edition smartphone packs the latest features into a stylish global device and offers the following capabilities and features:

• EV-DO/GPRS network connection for high-speed data transfer in more than 60 countries
• GSM/GPRS (900/1800 MHz) for continued voice and e-mail while traveling internationally
• Auto-selection of CDMA/GSM Mode
• Thin form factor of just 14mm for both style and easy handling
• New Trackball navigation system
• Media player
• Expandable memory option with microSD™ card (sold separately)
• Speakerphone
• Bluetooth® capabilities for certain profiles inclusive of hands-free, dial-up networking and serial port
• Speaker Independent Voice Recognition (SIVR) for Voice Activated Dialing (VAD)
• Instant Messaging capabilities for quick and easy communication

The BlackBerry 8830 World Edition smartphone will be available in May for $299.99 after a $100 rebate with a new two-year customer agreement. An additional $100 credit toward the purchase of the device is available for customers who sign up for qualifying voice and data plans at the time of purchase.

Customers signing up for Global BlackBerry service will get unlimited e-mail in the United States, Canada and more than 60 countries worldwide for $64.99 monthly access with a qualifying voice plan, or for $69.99 monthly access without a voice plan. Customers can also add a “Pay As You Go” data feature to any qualifying voice plan for an additional $20 per Megabyte. Customers wanting to use the BlackBerry 8830 for e-mail solely in the U.S. may opt for an unlimited e-mail plan beginning at $49.99 monthly access.

Customers may request more information on the BlackBerry 8830 World Edition smartphone and Global BlackBerry service from Verizon Wireless at www.verizonwireless.com/global. For more information on BlackBerry devices from Verizon Wireless, visit www.verizonwireless.com/blackberry. Business customers should contact a Verizon Wireless Business Sales Representative directly at 1-800-VZW-4-BIZ.

BlackBerry 8830 Reviews

Dev Hardware has a review of the BlackBerry 8830 and says - “For the traveling professional, or anyone who needs to keep in touch while traveling, this may be the smart phone that you have been waiting for. The RIM Blackberry 8830 “Cyclone” is a very solid device overall, and is one of the best smart phones on the market today. This phone has a great set of features such as “world coverage,” GPS, media player, and a good interface. The performance of this device, including battery life and processing, is on par with any other smart phone on the market today.”

CNET reviews the BlackBerry 8830 and says - “The RIM BlackBerry 8830 offers dual-mode functionality so you can use the phone globally. It’s also EV-DO capable, has a built-in music and video player, and offers solid performance. The BlackBerry 8830 doesn’t support Verizon’s V Cast services at the moment, and the handset is on the larger side. There is no camera option and the phone doesn’t support stereo Bluetooth headsets. For the globe-trotting executive, the RIM BlackBerry 8830 is a powerful voice and messaging tool that offers world roaming and solid performance.”

LAPTOP Magazine reviews the BlackBerry 8830 and writes - “When in GSM mode, the 8830 World Edition runs on only the 900-MHz and 1800-MHz international frequencies. While this is a bit disappointing to those who may want to pop their AT&T or T-Mobile SIM cards into the phone here in the States, it’s the closest thing to having an unlocked phone while traveling abroad, without having to fork over extra cash for another handset.“