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- Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 25 reviews Back to product review
- My rating: 0 stars
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3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
2.5 stars
"RIM BLACKBERRY 8820 AT&T WI-FI ,GPS"
Pros: nice looking,works well,gps,wi-fi capable,loaded with features
Cons: wi-fi issues on at&t service,
Summary: While RIM is once again on the cutting edge of technology with the Blackberry 8820 AT&T doesn't seem to agree with their marketing strategy.In my particular case I recieved the 8820 by FedEx and charged the unit.After Using the setup wizard and setting my own preferences throughout the various menu options, I tested the wi-fi function and it worked great!!
Next came the GPS function.With the proliferation of street navigation units on the market I was somewhat disappointed at being limited to the Telenav service option offered by AT&T.I decided there had to be a better option than paying a subscription fee every month to use the GPS function in addition to being charged download fees everytime the map updated on a route.
I downloaded Blackberry Maps and it functioned very well.I still get billed for downloading every map on my route but at least I'm not getting double billed.
Then came the shocker after connecting the 8820 to my laptop to download Blackberry Maps using the program disc from AT&T I found the Wi-Fi function suddenly inoperable.Apparently there is a conflict(?)
with the AT&T software and the 8820 wi-fi function.(AT&T supplies internet access through their GSM network for a fee per kilobyte)
The only fix I have found is to install whatever extras you desire on the 8820 then enable the password security function.Next, repeatedly enter the wrong password until the unit shuts down,resets and goes through an erase function which takes about 45 minutes.When completed the Blackberry Maps add-on was still in place,the Wi-Fi worked and the GPS functioned, and will until I have a need to use the AT&T software again,after which the whole password violation sequence will have to be repeated to get the Wi-Fi function restored.
Tech support at AT&T and RIM claimed to have no clue as to the cause for the wi-fi failure.AT&T also claimed only Telenav will work with the GPS.
All this being said the 8820 is a very impressive unit.Even when out of cell coverage areas or out of the country. information can still be sent and recieved at any internet cafe or wi-fi hotspot.Mine was going back for a refund today until I discovered the fix.If the unit had performed as advertised without all the trouble,if customer service had done their job I would have given the unit a higher rating. The bottom line is the unit functions under the limitations of the service provider not as it is advertised.It took 4 very frustrating days to crack this problem.
- 1 reply to this review
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hi there,
I'd like to know that do you have to pay for internet service (which is somewhere $35.00) in order to be able to access the WiFi on the blackberry.
Where to buy
RIM BlackBerry 8820 (AT&T):
$99.99 - $279.99
| store | price | in stock? | rating |
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$99.99 | Yes |
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$279.99 | Yes |
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$279.99 | Yes |
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Amazon.com Marketplace
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$199.99 | Yes |
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