Although Verizon has had a non-camera version available since launch, Sprint will now be releasing their non-camera version of the BlackBerry Bold 9930 on September 9th. While many folks can make use of the camera equipped versions, there is still somewhat of a demand in the business sector for devices without cameras. Some employers simply do not allow the use of camera equipped phones. Fewer and fewer device manufacturers are catering to this user base, instead relying on software locks and IT policies to block camera access. RIM could do that as well through the BES infrastructure but it’s still nice to see separate devices being made available.
Personally, if I never used the camera on my device — I think I’d opt for a non-camera version just for the cleaner appearance of it. No price difference is found between the two versions but if you’re in need of a non-camera equipped BlackBerry and Sprint is your carrier; you can get the BlackBerry Bold 9930 for $249 from Sprint starting September 9th.
In lieu of yesterdays news about Sprint raising their ETF(Early Termination Fee) to $350, the group over at SprintFeed also got info on Sprint raising their upgrade fees from $18 to $36. No one is quite sure why Sprint is doing this, and many people feel it is part of an Iphone recovery plan. With this double whammy, I am sure there are more than a few upset Sprint customers. These changes come in to effect the same day as the early ETF hike, September 9th, 2011.
Sprint’s Dan Hesse told us point-blank back in July that he was penning a “great story around 4G” for this fall, and it looks as if October 7th will be the date that it “all becomes clear.” We just received an invitation to quite the atypical event — a “strategy update” for the press to cover in New York City. All we’re told is that presentations by senior management will be on tap, with a sure-to-be-lively Q&A session to follow. ‘Course, this may all be a ploy to waste our precious time on a precious Friday in autumn, but something tells us Sprint ain’t exactly in a position to be blowing cash on a Hot Air session. So, what’s on deck? Let’s count the possibilities: more details on its side regarding the iPhone 5? A full-on acquisition of Clearwire (plus a shift to LTE-Advanced)? More details on that elusive LightSquared arrangement? A merger with AT&T&T to create the largest telecommunications provider this side of Pluto? We’ll be there to find out, but for now, hypotheses are being accepted in comments below.
If you happen to be lucky enough to have one of the yet to be released BlackBerry Curve 9350 or Curve 9370 you will be happy to know that Sprint has released a brand new official OS. 7.0.0.261 is available for download, and while we are unsure of what it fixes, or any issues that it may contain, it is yours to install. As usual, be sure to proceed with caution while installing this OS and be sure to jump in the forums and let us know how it goes for you.
Now that RIM has made the new BlackBerry Curve lineup official carriers are starting to weigh in. The first in the US is Sprint which has confirmed the BlackBerry Curve 9350 for a September 9th (Friday) launch. The 9350 will be selling for $79.99 with a new line or eligible upgrade and two-year service agreement, after a $50 mail-in rebate via reward card. It will be available from all Sprint sales channels, including Sprint Stores, Business Sales, Telesales (1-800-SPRINT1) and web sales (www.sprint.com).
There is also a nice discount for Sprint Business customers who may qualify to get the 9350 for $49.99 on a business account with a new line or eligible upgrade and new one- or two-year service agreement, after a $50 mail-in rebate via reward card.
Not really feeling Sprints pricing of $250 for the new BlackBerry Bold 9930? Well, Walmart is always willing to cut you a break. As it stands right now, Walmart is taking pre-orders for the device at $199 for new customers and $219.99 for 2-year contract renewels. So either way, no matter which route you take — you’re saving money.
Looks as though the BlackBerry Bold 9930 isn’t the only new BlackBerry 7 device that will be going for cheap on Walmart. They’ve now added the BlackBerry Torch 9850 to the line up and, a new 2-year contract will get you the device for the low cost of $99. That is of course, $50 off the Sprint cost of $150 though a contract renewel only drops the price to $142. Either way, once again you’re saving money and that’s always a good thing.
Sprint on Monday announced that it will launch Research In Motion’s latest CDMA smartphones — the BlackBerry Bold 9930 and the BlackBerry Torch 9850 — on Sunday, August 21st. In line with BGR’s exclusive report from earlier this month, Sprint will offer the Bold 9930 for $249.99 on contract and the Torch 9850 will cost $149.99 on contract after a $50 mail-in rebate. The Bold 9930 is RIM’s brand new touch-and-type flagship smartphone, which launched on rival carrier Verizon Wireless this morning at the same $250 price point. The Torch 9850 is an affordable full touchscreen smartphone that picks up where RIM’s Storm lineup left off. Both smartphones feature Research In Motion’s latest BlackBerry 7 OS and are part of the largest global launch in RIM’s storied history.
We know it’s coming. That’s been confirmed. Nevertheless, before it officially drops it’s always cool to see leaked pictures. The BlackBerry Bold 9930 is pictured above with Sprint branding and it is scheduled to launch on August 21st with a price tag of $249.99 with a two-year contract and after mail-in rebate (who came up with mail-in rebates?).
Are you excited for the BlackBerry Bold 9930 to drop for Sprint? Tell us in the comments after this break..
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