BlackBerry 8830 World Edition /
8830v
Discontinued 26th April 2007
Based closely on the BlackBerry
8800, the RIM BlackBerry 8830 World Edition
(or alternatively the BlackBerry 8830v) is a dual-mode
CDMA/GSM version of this popular messaging device.
Dual-mode GSM/CDMA handsets are very
rare, one notable one being the Motorola
A840, but the this approach allows subscribers to
US CDMA networks (such as Verizon) access to more common
GSM networks when roaming abroad. Yes, certain carriers
in the US (such as T-Mobile) support GSM in the United
States, but this lack of roaming functionality has always
put CDMA-only networks at a disadvantage.
This is a dual band 800/1900 MHz CDMA2000
device with support for 1X EVDO high-speed data, plus
the BlackBerry 8830 World Edition supports 900/1800
MHz GSM with GPRS data. In contrast, the BlackBerry
8800 is a quad-band GSM device with GPRS and EDGE. The
BlackBerry 8830 switches seamlessly between GSM and
CDMA (according to Verizon) and subscribers will keep
the same phone number where ever they go.
As
far as we can tell, the rest of the 8830's specifications
are identical to the 8800
- with the familiar messaging systems, personal information
management functions, Bluetooth, excellent QVGA screen,
expandable memory, media player and GPS support. This
last function is another interesting feature in the
8800 series of BlackBerries, but as yet the GPS functionality
is limited to a few location-based services.. but then
the 8800 has only been around for a couple of months
and we still wait to see what other applications can
be developed for it.
The BlackBerry 8830 World Edition is
fairly compact compared to the original "classic"
BlackBerry device at 114 x 66 x 14mm / 4.5" x 2.6"
x 0.6" and 132 grams (4.6 ounces). Talktime is
a good 5 hours and the maximum standby time is an astonishing
22 days. If you use the BlackBerry 8830 just for email
then you can expect to be at the upper end of this scale,
although voice calls and Bluetooth use will eat into
the battery life.
We understand that the BlackBerry 8830
will be available to US-based business customers from
Verizon on May 14th 2007, followed by a release to Verizon's
retail stores on May 28th. If taken with a new contract
then the 8830 will be around $300 after a $100 rebate.
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|
RIM
BlackBerry 8830 World Edition
/ 8830v at a glance
|
Available:
|
May
2007
|
Network:
|
CDMA
800/900 + GSM
900/1800
|
Data:
|
GPRS
+ EV-DO
|
Screen:
|
320x240
pixels
|
Camera:
|
No
|
Size:
|
Messaging
device 114 x 66 x 14mm
/ 132 grams
|
Bluetooth:
|
Yes
|
Memory
card:
|
microSD
|
Infra-red:
|
No
|
Polyphonic:
|
Yes
|
Java:
|
Yes
|
Battery
life:
|
5 hours talk / 22 days standby
|
|
|