[shajufx]

Oh Anil, that sounds too simple. Means its as equal as pairing a bluetooth device ! I have never used the wi-fi feature on any gadgets, so didnt have any clue. Now I am searching for the security risks on using a wi-fi modem. I have heard in the past that your neighbour also can tap your wi-fi modem signals, no idea how its possible in the present, advanced settings. Anyway, thanks for the info, I will upgrade my airtel modem soon !

[mohit]

Read up on setting WEP/WPA security for your router or modem. The BB should work with either of them switched on.

[Raja]

Research in Motion to sell unlocked Blackberry in India

Good news for smartphone customers in the Indian market.
Research in Motion has announced that they are now going to sell unlocked Blackberry smartphones in the Indian market.
Till now they have been offering these smartphones locked in partnership with mobile service providers.
RIM vice president (India) Frenny Bawa spoke about their plans: “We recognize the need for an India-specific business plan as it is one of the fastest growing markets. Blackberry is perceived as a niche brand in India as it is not widely available. While the enterprise segment may have been our genesis, we now want to focus on the consumer segment which represents a large opportunity.”
RIM has gone into a collaboration with Redington India for their distribution network in the Indian market.
Bawa said: “Till now, the distribution and sales in India was handled through telecom operators. Redington will set up a retail trade channel across the country and sell unlocked Blackberry handsets. One of the key barriers to growth in India was the lack of a nationwide distribution channel. We have a retail distribution model in Western Europe and Latin America which is quite successful.”

Source:
Research in Motion to sell unlocked Blackberry in India

[mohit]

For the BB users. Try and see if you can get the Bolt browser beta from boltbrowser.com

The referral code is CrackBerry. Pretty nifty. Its a java browser based on webkit and renders sites very fast.

Edit: It sure is a beta - couldn't save the post after I edited it.

[quickdraw]

I am yet to install the bolt beta. Its really nice to see that the Storm and the Curve 8900 (Javelin) got launched here. But the prices still are about 3000 ish more then the prices abroad. Which is still better then before when we had differences running into 5 digits!

Blackberries are targeted at net savy users in USA and same should be done here as well. I am sure if the bring down the unlimited plan to 500 rupees or offer any kind of subsidies on the handsets they would have a surefire winner on their hands. Considering BB's are a de'facto standard for someone to be in touch 24/7 worldwide.

[Sahil]

Originally Posted by Raja

Research in Motion to sell unlocked Blackberry in India

Good news for smartphone customers in the Indian market.
Research in Motion has announced that they are now going to sell unlocked Blackberry smartphones in the Indian market.
Till now they have been offering these smartphones locked in partnership with mobile service providers.
RIM vice president (India) Frenny Bawa spoke about their plans: “We recognize the need for an India-specific business plan as it is one of the fastest growing markets. Blackberry is perceived as a niche brand in India as it is not widely available. While the enterprise segment may have been our genesis, we now want to focus on the consumer segment which represents a large opportunity.”
RIM has gone into a collaboration with Redington India for their distribution network in the Indian market.
Bawa said: “Till now, the distribution and sales in India was handled through telecom operators. Redington will set up a retail trade channel across the country and sell unlocked Blackberry handsets. One of the key barriers to growth in India was the lack of a nationwide distribution channel. We have a retail distribution model in Western Europe and Latin America which is quite successful.”

Source:
Research in Motion to sell unlocked Blackberry in India

Finally we will be able to see smaller gap between grey market and official BB phones. Nokia almost killed the grey market with their pricing, hope blackberry does the same so the phones are more affordable.
Setting up just a distribution might not be enough, they need good service centers in each metro at least.

[mohit]

Originally Posted by quickdraw

I am yet to install the bolt beta. Its really nice to see that the Storm and the Curve 8900 (Javelin) got launched here. But the prices still are about 3000 ish more then the prices abroad. Which is still better then before when we had differences running into 5 digits!

Blackberries are targeted at net savy users in USA and same should be done here as well. I am sure if the bring down the unlimited plan to 500 rupees or offer any kind of subsidies on the handsets they would have a surefire winner on their hands. Considering BB's are a de'facto standard for someone to be in touch 24/7 worldwide.

If wishes were horses! I pay $20 for 500 MB of data. US is little better but there too you are looking at this much at least for unlimited data.

[quickdraw]

Yes but 500 seems a lot better then the 900 I am paying now. In any case did anyone get the desi Javelin or Curve 8900 yet? I am planning on getting my hands on it. Its the only BB I havent used yet. Selling my Storm in the classifieds section in case anyone is interested.

[shajufx]

Hey bro, are you a dealer of BB sets ? The number of ads that are in the classified section doesnt give the picture of an excessive BB user, but a clean reseller impression. Whatever it is, if you have some special deals for members here, that would be greatly appreciated. People are sick and tired of buying locked handsets for a higher cost from the authorised outlets. I wanted to upgrade to storm from pearl, but the loss in exchange made me rethink again. I am holding myself back now.

[nishantgandhi]

I have a basic question - Can a BB handset be used akin to a normal handset i.e.
1. On a GPRS plan (not BB Plan)
2. Occasional pulling of emailing (not 24x7 push email)

My usage of email is sporadic as I don't want to be available 24x7 for official work. Right now, I am using Nokia E51 with a GPRS plan on which I pull emails as and when needed.

I just want to know whether the same usage can be applied on a BB handset as well, or does it necessarily require a BB plan?

Also, will I be able to use BB Messenger and other IM applications (YM, GTalk etc) on a basic GPRS plan as effectively as on a BB plan?

[shajufx]

A BB handset will show its real talent only when you are subscribed to a BB plan. Otherwise its only the name that you carry around, not the functions. GPRS, Mobile Office and none of such plans will function on a BB handset without any of the BB plans activated. That is my experience, if anyone has a different user-experience, please share and elighten us. A BB handset with wi-fi will be the only exception that can be used for browsing, none of the messengers will function through wi-fi too.

[nishantgandhi]

Originally Posted by shajufx

A BB handset will show its real talent only when you are subscribed to a BB plan.

Agreed, its made for push email over high speed EDGE network so obviously it will work best under those conditions

Originally Posted by shajufx

Otherwise its only the name that you carry around, not the functions. GPRS, Mobile Office and none of such plans will function on a BB handset without any of the BB plans activated.

Thats my doubt and I cannot digest that GPRS and MO wont work AT ALL on a BB handset. Thats why I put up this query. I am really keen to know why BB plan is a necessity for making even simpler things like GPRS/MO related functions. AFAIK, they will work, but on a use-as-per-need basis vs the 'unlimited, always on' BB plan

Originally Posted by shajufx

A BB handset with wi-fi will be the only exception that can be used for browsing, none of the messengers will function through wi-fi too.

I have read quite the opposite on CrackBerry and other forums. In fact, BB site itself mentions that you can use WiFi to send/recieve emails, make calls under the UMA protocol and also use the messager functions.

Can someone please clarify??

[Jaggu]

Originally Posted by nishantgandhi

I have a basic question - Can a BB handset be used akin to a normal handset i.e.
1. On a GPRS plan (not BB Plan)
2. Occasional pulling of emailing (not 24x7 push email)
----
Also, will I be able to use BB Messenger and other IM applications (YM, GTalk etc) on a basic GPRS plan as effectively as on a BB plan?

1) Yes
2) You will need 3rd part app like logicmail for email and opera for browsing

IM app havent tried yet, but i guess since its 3rd party it should work, built in BB messenger highly unlikely to work.

But as commented above, without BB connection dont put your money into BB. Instead i suggest something from Nokia's new series of business phone, trust me they are really good.

[quickdraw]

You can use MO and other GPRS APN on a BB.

But like said before it wont be the same, you can sync emails over WiFi and also do some browsing etc. I will always suggest a BB over anything else but if you are not going to be on BIS plan then the other handsets with wifi seem promising as well. Also I've replied to your PM

[shajufx]

Originally Posted by nishantgandhi

Thats my doubt and I cannot digest that GPRS and MO wont work AT ALL on a BB handset. Thats why I put up this query. I am really keen to know why BB plan is a necessity for making even simpler things like GPRS/MO related functions. AFAIK, they will work, but on a use-as-per-need basis vs the 'unlimited, always on' BB plan

As I said above, none of the GPRS, MO, EDGE functions will work on a BB handset without any of the BB plans activated. I tried it myself and contacted the support for all of those services but was clarified many times that BB plan is the basic for anything. But someone who has a BB plan do not need MO or GPRS or any such things too. A BB handset will display 'GSM' when its used as a normal phone, it changes to 'EDGE' when any BB plan is activated and shows 'GPRS' when its at a non-EDGE area while still being in any BB plan.

Originally Posted by Jaggu

1) Yes
2) You will need 3rd part app like logicmail for email and opera for browsing
IM app havent tried yet, but i guess since its 3rd party it should work, built in BB messenger highly unlikely to work.

GPRS do not work on a BB handset as a standalone service like the Rs.99/- monthly plans on the other mobiles. I have tried it in vein. And the 3rd party software like Opera etc. are not supported even with a BB plan. Email softwares, IM apps etc. none of them are officially supported out of any BB plan, I have no idea if anyone can use them by cracking some code in the handset or doing some other short cuts. If there is a solution, I will be the first one to use it with excess joy and happiness. Even if someone can guide on how to use normal Yahoo Messenger on a wi-fi, I will be experiencing Joy ! I have googled too much, asked too many questions to lots of friends and collegues (BB addicts for many years) all over the world, none could help so far.

Originally Posted by quickdraw

You can use MO and other GPRS APN on a BB.

Please tell us how you can do that without a BB plan. It will be a method useful for many. I dont like to pay Rs.899/- a month if you can enlighten on how to use atleast GPRS on a BB handset.