I’ve been waiting for this day since the rumors of the BlackBerry Bold 9700 first started leaking and it’s finally here, but it looks like T-Mobile screwed up the website launch. The T-Mobile website has been updated to allow purchasing of the Bold 9700 but  they accidentally included a sample photo of the Curve 8900.

It doesn’t really matter since we already know what it looks like, but I just thought it was odd that they would screw up the launch of their first Bold and first 3G BlackBerry device. But hey…no one’s perfect.  At least it’s out!

The Bold 9700 will be available from T-Mobile for $199.99 ($250 instant discount) with a  new 2-year agreement on the Even More plan, or $449.99 (retail) without a contract on the Even More Plus plan.

More details for the Even More plan:

As a qualified Even More^SM customer, you have the option to pay for your phone in four interest-free installments. You make the first payment when you purchase your phone, then we charge the remaining payments to your monthly bill. It’s that easy.

More details for the Even More Plus plan:

As a qualified Even More Plus^SM customer, you have the option to pay for your phone in 20 interest-free installments. You make the first payment when you purchase your phone, then we charge the remaining payments to your monthly bill. It’s that easy.

The Bold 9700 should be available for purchase in T-Mobile retail stores tomorrow, November 16th. For more info visit the T-Mobile Bold 9700 page.

Who’s planning on picking one of these up? Let me know in the comments!

Earlier this morning I posted about T-Mobile Germany updating their site to include contract and pricing info for the BlackBerry Bold 9700. T-Mobile USA has yet to announce official pricing but here is the rumored pricing according to a PhoneArena tipster:

• $199.99 with a new 2 year agreement
• $449.99 with no contract, or an installment plan of 20 $22.50 monthly payments on the “Even More Plus Plan”

Still no official launch date but since T-Mobile stores already have dummy units and they just had a launch party last week, we should be seeing an official announcement or site update to include the Bold 9700 real soon. For now you can check out T-Mobile’s promo page at t-mobile9700.com.

Back in mid-October T-Mobile Germany listed the BlackBerry Bold 9700 as being available in November but no pricing info was available at the time. T-Mobile Germany has updated their site (translated) with pricing and contract info for the Bold 9700.

Pricing for the Bold 9700 with T-Mobile Germany starts at 159,95€ ($240.18) on a new “Relax 120″ plan, up to 499,95€ ($750.23) with no contract. Since T-Mobile USA already has dummy units in stores hopefully they will follow with a site update of their own.

For more info visit the T-Mobile Germany Bold 9700 page.

My buddy Thomas (@aka_thewarrior) and his buddy BES let me know that BlackBerry Bold 9700 dummy units are arriving at T-Mobile USA stores!

As a reminder, RIM announced that the Bold 9700 would be launching worldwide in November and T-Mobile is having a Go Bolder Event tomorrow so I’m sure we’ll be seeing an official announcement real soon. The Bold 9700 has already launched on a few carriers so it looks like the worldwide launch is right on schedule.

While you wait be sure to check out the Bold 9700 features and specifications to become familiar with this device if you haven’t already. Any T-Mobile customers excited about getting this awesome BlackBerry?

A few hours ago my area (Central Jersey) was hit with a network outage affecting voice and messaging services, so I sent a tweet to @Tmobile_USA about it. I soon found out that this outage was a nationwide issue and not just in my area, according to chatter on Twitter.

@Tmobile_USA sent out their own tweet vaguely addressing the issue but a T-Mobile Forums moderator posted a more detailed response:

We’re making good progress restoring voice and messaging service to affected customers.
At this time, approximately 5 percent of T-Mobile customers are experiencing service disruptions.

Issues began at approximately 5:30 p.m. Eastern time.  Our rapid response team is working continuously to fully resolve this disruption.

We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience that this has caused our customers.

My service seems to be restored but I’m getting reports that users are still being affected in other areas. Were you affected by T-Mobile’s network outage? If so let me know when and where in the comments!

UPDATE This contest has been extended till tomorrow night, November 1st at 11:59PM. *

The folks over at Carrier Unlock were nice enough to give me 5 BlackBerry unlock codes to give away as part of the BBRocks! birthday celebration.

Carrier Unlock offers BlackBerry unlocking services for the US and Canada with carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, Rogers, Fido and a bunch of others. Unlocking your BlackBerry allows you to use it on any compatible network. If you decide you can’t wait to see if you won a free unlock code you can get one for $6.99 by contacting Carrier Unlock at brsdiddy@gmail.com.

CONTEST: For a chance to win 1 of 5 BlackBerry unlock codes leave a comment on this post using a valid email address. Only leave one comment, duplicates will be ignored and will not increase your chances of winning. This contest will end at 12AM EST on Sunday, November 1st. Comments left after this time will not be considered. *

RIM, along with AT&T, Bell, Rogers and T-Mobile, have made the BlackBerry Bold 9700 official with an expected worldwide launch in November!

The BlackBerry Bold 9700 smartphone offers top-of-the-line performance, functionality and features with support for 3G HSDPA networks around the world, a next-generation (624 MHz) processor, 256 MB Flash memory, built-in GPS and Wi-Fi®, a 3.2MP camera and a sharp, dazzling display. Cutting edge engineering and premium finishes extend to the exterior of the handset as well, with a smoothly integrated touch-sensitive trackpad and a highly tactile, distinctive, fretted keyboard. The dark chrome frame and leatherette back add to the new smartphone’s sleek and elegant look, while the narrow profile, balanced weight and soft-touch sides allow it to feel incredibly comfortable in one hand.

“The BlackBerry Bold 9700 builds on the success of the original BlackBerry Bold with new, state-of-the-art features and a smaller, lighter and highly optimized design that looks, feels and performs great,” said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO, Research In Motion.

I don’t know about you but I can’t wait to get my hands on this awesome BlackBerry. For more info head over to blackberry.com/bold9700 or check out RIM’s press release after the jump.

CONTINUE READING »

The BlackBerry Bold 9700 has popped up on the T-Mobile Germany (translated) site and is being shown as coming in November.

So much is happening this week with all the unreleased devices (although the Storm2 is now official). Yesterday BlackBerry Operating Systems were leaked for the Bold 9700 and Storm2, the complete Bold 9700 User Guide was leaked, and now T-Mobile Germany has it up with features and accessories.

T-Mobile USA is already sending out invites for a launch party on November 5th, so maybe the November 11th launch date holds true? We’ll find out soon enough .

Thanks keine!

Vonage let me know that they have released a mobile calling application for BlackBerry devices.

“Our new mobile app is an important step in establishing Vonage as a software technology company that enables high-quality voice and messaging across any device in any location, providing great value over any broadband network,” said Marc Lefar, CEO of Vonage.

Features:

• Make low-cost international calls
  Call any landline or mobile phone worldwide at incredibly low rates. International calling is inexpensive with Vonage Mobile for the BlackBerry®.
• Works on cellular
  No matter where you are in the U.S., if you have cellular service, you can use Vonage Mobile for low-cost international calling. (Carrier roaming charges may apply when outside your calling area)
• Easy to install
  Click on “Free Download” on this page and enter your phone number when prompted. We’ll send you an SMS (text message) with a link to download Vonage Mobile. Just follow the simple steps on your device to install. We’ll even give you a credit to make your first international call. (Standard text messaging rates may apply)
• Simple calling process
  Making Vonage Mobile calls on a BlackBerry® is easy. When you dial an international number from the U.S., we’ll simply place the call with Vonage Mobile. And you’ll only use local minutes. (Carrier roaming charges may apply when outside your calling area)
• Pay as you go
  With Vonage Mobile you only pay for the calls you make†. Simply set up your refill amount and credit/debit card information and we’ll automatically refill your account when you’re running low. No worries.

For more info about the Vonage Mobile application visit vonagemobile.com or check out the press release after the jump.

CONTINUE READING »

According to some chatter on Twitter and Data Outage News, BlackBerry Internet Service appears to be either down or experiencing some serious lag time with delivering emails.

This happened almost two weeks ago with the same deal, except at that time we had a notice detailing info about the outage and that technicians were working on the issue. Today (so far) there is no notice.

You can easily find out whether or not this outage is affecting you by checking if you are receiving your emails or by trying to send one from your BlackBerry.

According to Audit and some of their comments this outage appears to be affecting T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon so far. I’m in Central New Jersey and I can confirm that my emails are coming in groups (instead of one-at-a-time) and I’m on T-Mobile.

Is this outage affecting you? Let me know what your carrier is and your general location in the comments!