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Hi all, I'm looking for some basic Blackberry advice - I've been hunting around for the last couple of hours and now I'm completely lost.
Basically I am on a standard personal plan tariff with Vodafone (originally an N93) and on seeing some cheap prices for 8800s picked up a cheap Vodafone one off ebay (might be my first mistake although seller seems fine). These are used at work and I've been wanting to get more familiar with them for a while just in terms of general use so I don't look like a twat having to hunt through options when a user asks a question.
So the 8800 arrived today and is up and running with my sim card, now originally I planned on just using the desktop redirector as I wasn't too bothered about e-mail services. This is where the problems start...the 8800 seems to be missing a lot of options, there's no sign of the browser and for e-mail I have the option of enterprise activation or none at all. Normally at work the Enterprise activation would sort all that out, I'm guessint that's why I'm missing options here?
I've looked at the BIS part and set up an account there but it's not seeing the 8800 which I'm guessing is because I don't have a Blackberry data plan? I had assumed the 8800 would be fully functional without the Blackberry data service but it's looking more like it's crippled?
From a Vodafone point of view, it looks like I can't enable the Blackberry data for a personal price plan, only business? I can't seem to add it as an extra on my online Vodafone site but then again the main site will allow you to buy a Blackberry. Is it simply a case of having the Blackberry service enabled and then just paying for whatever data it uses?
Thoughts and advice much appreciated, the reason I'm posting here is that I've noticed there are a few knowledgeable BB people. I have read through some other forums but many of them are primarily US based and it's more difficult to find Vodafone information.
edit: Just noticed that if I add a Blackberry on the Vodafone shop there's a 15 pound(!) tariff automatically added that only includes 6MB data.
John
[ This Message was edited by: johnmcl7 on 2008-01-10 03:28 ]
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Posted: 2008-01-10 04:00:49
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@ John,
* Browser is either named "Browser or BlackBerry Browser (old name).
If you don't see it on the full application Home Screen (depending on ur theme in use).
Then click the Menu key (dots key, left of trackball) and select Show ALL). You'll notice some NEW icons (that were missing before) and they're transparent ... highlighting any of THESE ones and clicking the menu key again and selected HIDE (to UNCHECK it will make it present when You UNCHECK SHOW ALL , for later/ after a soft reset it'll be present. I have a few screenshots in another thread (Official BB Thread) which may help
* Enterprise Action (either in the Setup Wizard - useful to learn quick tips but AVOID this; or in Options> Advanced OPtions > Enterprise Activation) is ONLY for Corporate Email usuage. If you want to use Gmail, Yahoo Mail (or Yahoo GO 2/3 Beta), Hotmail (no email WITHOUT paid service for Microsoft, or FREE via Windows Live Messenger for BlackBerry - it DOES exist), or any other personal email then I suggestion going to your providers site ( Vodafone BIS: BlackBerry Internet Service); they may have a data plan for this & internet browsing as a pkg).
BIS is located here ...
http://mobileemail.vodafone.net/
should work even though your in Scotland.
*Desktop Redirector will also setup your personal email, corporate will NOT be live if you set this up this way. SO personal emails using the BBDM (desktop manager) application - is useful ... usually a wizard will inquire quick walkthrough on this. HOWEVER you MUST have a BB data plan to use even personal email if you want email away from your desktop PC.
More in a moment
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[ This Message was edited by: Prom1 on 2008-01-10 04:15 ]
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Posted: 2008-01-10 05:10:56
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[quote=John]edit: Just noticed that if I add a Blackberry on the Vodafone shop there's a 15 pound(!) tariff automatically added that only includes 6MB data.[/quote]
DUDE that really SUCKS. They've just ratified 3 of our providers here in Canada (HOME of RIM the maker of the BB & BIS & BES services) .... we also pay $15CAN dollars but (2) of the providers you get UNLIMITED personal email on 10 email address, internet browsing - but NOT tethering to laptop as a modem (its EDGE only too slow) - and instant messenging.
6MB is WAY too low if you're going to use the BUILT in browser ... EXTREME caution. 10 sites like BBForums or a corporate site will eat that plan in half EASILY! So first & foremost INSTALL the Opera Mini Browser 4 FIRST! IMMEDIATELY and do NOT goto the BIS site directly on your BB its NOT exempt for BIS email setup.
You ARE correct that viewing emails on a BB WITHOUT a data plan is cripple just like a PPC would .... it'll be more like a Palm/PPC PDA of yesteryear back in the days of old .... desktop sync for incoming/outgoing emails only.
Check other data plans .... if your NOT locked into a contract AND your BB is UNLOCKED then you can goto another provider with better tariffs' I still don't understand that word - seems like taxes to me.
I would advise against Ebay shopping for BB's unless you know MORE about them. But looks like your ok.
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Posted: 2008-01-10 05:22:07
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Thanks for the reply, the browser icon is definitely not hidden as I've tried doing a show all but there's no sign of it. I realise a corporate activation is not what I need (I do these quite frequently at work) but it's not giving me any other option which I'm fairly sure it should. I've read that the browser can be missing if the Blackberry isn't registered and is missing the service books which is the case for me, I already signed up for Vodafone's BIS but as the Blackberry has no BB data plan there's nothing happening.
I guess the main aspect I've misunderstood is that I thought without a Blackberry data plan I could still use all normal data services apart from BIS/BES which is not the case, as far as I can tell any data use of the device needs a Blackberry data plan.
As for the choice of carrier, I knew Vodafone would be bad for this (their data is poor) but the problem is Vodafone have by far the best coverage up in the north of Scotland. The unit itself seems fine and the seller is helpful so I don't think there's any issue there.
Need to find what I'm doing wrong with the desktop redirector, the reconciliation option is entirely greyed out so I've perhaps done something wrong there. If I can't have data then so be it, main reason for the Blackberry is just to get familiar with it in general which I can do.
Edit: Ok, no desktop redirector without BES, I thought it could do a basic sync similar to Activesync does with a WM device but seems not.
John
[ This Message was edited by: johnmcl7 on 2008-01-10 18:29 ]
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Posted: 2008-01-10 15:34:12
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There is this big thing about Vodafone 6mb Data TAriff, but i know various people who are on more than that, you just have to get on the phone and speak to them. If you are in a position where you can barter a little with them then this will only increase your possibilities.
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Posted: 2008-01-11 10:35:01
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