Question about Blackberries on Verizon

[DisgruntledVirus]

I would like to get a Curve/8830 World Edition/Bold/Thunder (when the latter two are released of course) to replace my Moto Q. I love the phone and OS, seems very logical and easy to use. I did have some questions about it though. To start off I want to maintain what I currently have feature wise with the new phone and stay at the same price or cheaper.

First question is I know you have to get the BB data plan, but I have been told by friends that it comes with unlimited data included for the $40/mo. Currently I have unlimited data for $45/mo. I have seen conflicting statements saying that with the BB data it would go up another $40 and be $85/mo for unlimited data+blackberry email, and other statements saying it would be the $40/mo for unlimited data+BB email. So for those of you who have a BB on Verizon what is the case?

Second question is with the GPS on all of these phones I have been told I have to us VZ Navigator software for $10/mo to be able to use the GPS. When I have played with the phones however, I have never used VZ Navigator and instead have used the built in app on the BB. I don't know if it is because it is a store display, or if I can use that IRL that way as well. I hate the VZ N software, and would rather use the BB app for it. Anybody know if I can just use the built in RIM software for GPS?

 

[minendo]

To use the GPS feature you have to subscribe to VZ Navigator. There is no way to unlock the GPS feature that I know of either and I have done quite a bit of research. Will you be using the blackberry to connect to a blackberry enterprise server? That will determine the cost of your plan.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Well I would like to connect to the BBES but AFAIK and understand it, I would have to spend an ADDITIONAL $40/mo for it on top of any data plan through VZW.

 

[minendo]

Originally posted by: DisgruntledVirus
Well I would like to connect to the BBES but AFAIK and understand it, I would have to spend an ADDITIONAL $40/mo for it on top of any data plan through VZW.

You would have to switch to a blackberry plan and those start out at $99.99 for 450 anytime minutes.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Originally posted by: minendo

Originally posted by: DisgruntledVirus
Well I would like to connect to the BBES but AFAIK and understand it, I would have to spend an ADDITIONAL $40/mo for it on top of any data plan through VZW.

You would have to switch to a blackberry plan and those start out at $99.99 for 450 anytime minutes.

Is this still through VZW, or is it along the lines of switching to another service provider like Sprint? As long as its still through VZW network that might work.

 

[minendo]

Originally posted by: DisgruntledVirus

Originally posted by: minendo

Originally posted by: DisgruntledVirus
Well I would like to connect to the BBES but AFAIK and understand it, I would have to spend an ADDITIONAL $40/mo for it on top of any data plan through VZW.

You would have to switch to a blackberry plan and those start out at $99.99 for 450 anytime minutes.

Is this still through VZW, or is it along the lines of switching to another service provider like Sprint? As long as its still through VZW network that might work.

It is still through Verizon Wireless. The $99.99 plan includes 450 anytime minutes. Plans then increase in cost as minutes go up. I think the unlimited plan is $149.99.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Originally posted by: minendo

Originally posted by: DisgruntledVirus

Originally posted by: minendo

Originally posted by: DisgruntledVirus
Well I would like to connect to the BBES but AFAIK and understand it, I would have to spend an ADDITIONAL $40/mo for it on top of any data plan through VZW.

You would have to switch to a blackberry plan and those start out at $99.99 for 450 anytime minutes.

Is this still through VZW, or is it along the lines of switching to another service provider like Sprint? As long as its still through VZW network that might work.

It is still through Verizon Wireless. The $99.99 plan includes 450 anytime minutes. Plans then increase in cost as minutes go up. I think the unlimited plan is $149.99.

I have a family share plan with 2 other lines and 750 minutes, but the other 2 lines (are my friends and they pay me for their portion) have a year left on their 2 lines. 450 minutes is enough for me, but not for all 3 of us. The other question is what about text messaging, is that included or is it in addition to it?

So the plan I need is:
Unlimited data
Unlimited texts
BBES
700+ minutes

So the way I understand it is it would be $110 or so for the 700 min+data+BBES then $30 for unlimited texts. Does that sound about right?

 

[Matilda]

i have a blackberry curve on verizon. a great alternative to VZ navigator is the downloadable google maps application; it runs off of tele atlas maps and has been every bit as good as a fully functioning gps. it's been my favorite feature since i got it, especially because it's free.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Originally posted by: Matilda
i have a blackberry curve on verizon. a great alternative to VZ navigator is the downloadable google maps application; it runs off of tele atlas maps and has been every bit as good as a fully functioning gps. it's been my favorite feature since i got it, especially because it's free.

So you CAN bypass VZ navigator then, and can use the Google maps app. Did you have to do anything to "crack" it or was it just download, install, and go?

 

[minendo]

Originally posted by: Matilda
i have a blackberry curve on verizon. a great alternative to VZ navigator is the downloadable google maps application; it runs off of tele atlas maps and has been every bit as good as a fully functioning gps. it's been my favorite feature since i got it, especially because it's free.

It is not the same as GPS as Google Maps estimates your location based on cellular service towers. It is only accurate to 1700 meters or so.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Originally posted by: minendo

Originally posted by: Matilda
i have a blackberry curve on verizon. a great alternative to VZ navigator is the downloadable google maps application; it runs off of tele atlas maps and has been every bit as good as a fully functioning gps. it's been my favorite feature since i got it, especially because it's free.

It is not the same as GPS as Google Maps estimates your location based on cellular service towers. It is only accurate to 1700 meters or so.

Do you know of any way around the $10/mo for VZN because TBH that is bs to have to pay for a service that COMES WITH the phone. Thats my biggest issue with VZW.

 

[minendo]

Originally posted by: DisgruntledVirus

Originally posted by: minendo

Originally posted by: Matilda
i have a blackberry curve on verizon. a great alternative to VZ navigator is the downloadable google maps application; it runs off of tele atlas maps and has been every bit as good as a fully functioning gps. it's been my favorite feature since i got it, especially because it's free.

It is not the same as GPS as Google Maps estimates your location based on cellular service towers. It is only accurate to 1700 meters or so.

Do you know of any way around the $10/mo for VZN because TBH that is bs to have to pay for a service that COMES WITH the phone. Thats my biggest issue with VZW.

As of right now, there is no way around it using just the phone. I have read that it is possible to use a bluetooth GPS receiver coupled with the phone, but I haven't tried it myself.

 

[DivideBYZero]

There are things in the works that mean you won't have to use VZN exclusively on Verizon in the near future. Buy with confidence.

 

[minendo]

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
There are things in the works that mean you won't have to use VZN exclusively on Verizon in the near future. Buy with confidence.

Is this insider information or just something that you have read pertaining to a class action lawsuit? I've read all the information out there regarding VZ Navigator and potential class action lawsuits, but I've yet to be convinced that VZW will unlock the GPS function on their line of BlackBerrys.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: minendo

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
There are things in the works that mean you won't have to use VZN exclusively on Verizon in the near future. Buy with confidence.

Is this insider information or just something that you have read pertaining to a class action lawsuit? I've read all the information out there regarding VZ Navigator and potential class action lawsuits, but I've yet to be convinced that VZW will unlock the GPS function on their line of BlackBerrys.

I don't know, man....I'm not psychic...

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero

Originally posted by: minendo

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
There are things in the works that mean you won't have to use VZN exclusively on Verizon in the near future. Buy with confidence.

Is this insider information or just something that you have read pertaining to a class action lawsuit? I've read all the information out there regarding VZ Navigator and potential class action lawsuits, but I've yet to be convinced that VZW will unlock the GPS function on their line of BlackBerrys.

I don't know, man....I'm not psychic...

How you stated it made it seem like you had insider type knowledge. Worst case I just do it how I do it now with pulling up google maps, but real GPS without paying for an included feature of the phone would be amazing.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: DisgruntledVirus

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero

Originally posted by: minendo

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
There are things in the works that mean you won't have to use VZN exclusively on Verizon in the near future. Buy with confidence.

Is this insider information or just something that you have read pertaining to a class action lawsuit? I've read all the information out there regarding VZ Navigator and potential class action lawsuits, but I've yet to be convinced that VZW will unlock the GPS function on their line of BlackBerrys.

I don't know, man....I'm not psychic...

How you stated it made it seem like you had insider type knowledge. Worst case I just do it how I do it now with pulling up google maps, but real GPS without paying for an included feature of the phone would be amazing.

It is better to know some of the questions than all of the answers.

 

[Ballatician]

Originally posted by: DisgruntledVirus

Originally posted by: minendo

Originally posted by: Matilda
i have a blackberry curve on verizon. a great alternative to VZ navigator is the downloadable google maps application; it runs off of tele atlas maps and has been every bit as good as a fully functioning gps. it's been my favorite feature since i got it, especially because it's free.

It is not the same as GPS as Google Maps estimates your location based on cellular service towers. It is only accurate to 1700 meters or so.

Do you know of any way around the $10/mo for VZN because TBH that is bs to have to pay for a service that COMES WITH the phone. Thats my biggest issue with VZW.

Mine too!

It seems with every phone they release there are the lucky few that somehow end up with unlocked versions unless people are just lying on mobile forums.

I can't believe they get away with that crap, you are paying for a phone which performs a service and yet they have crippled that functionality and are making you pay for it again. Granted most people pay subsidized prices for their phones but I would much rather pay a higher initial price to be able to use all the features my phone comes with. Argh

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Originally posted by: Ballatician

Originally posted by: DisgruntledVirus

Originally posted by: minendo

Originally posted by: Matilda
i have a blackberry curve on verizon. a great alternative to VZ navigator is the downloadable google maps application; it runs off of tele atlas maps and has been every bit as good as a fully functioning gps. it's been my favorite feature since i got it, especially because it's free.

It is not the same as GPS as Google Maps estimates your location based on cellular service towers. It is only accurate to 1700 meters or so.

Do you know of any way around the $10/mo for VZN because TBH that is bs to have to pay for a service that COMES WITH the phone. Thats my biggest issue with VZW.

Mine too!

It seems with every phone they release there are the lucky few that somehow end up with unlocked versions unless people are just lying on mobile forums.

I can't believe they get away with that crap, you are paying for a phone which performs a service and yet they have crippled that functionality and are making you pay for it again. Granted most people pay subsidized prices for their phones but I would much rather pay a higher initial price to be able to use all the features my phone comes with. Argh

Or option 2 is pay a monthly fee for it (like $5/mo for the GPS max). I would prefer the up front cost as well, but could live with a monthly fee deal. One OR the other, NOT both.

 

[Ballatician]

How about neither?

 

[minendo]

Originally posted by: DisgruntledVirus
Or option 2 is pay a monthly fee for it (like $5/mo for the GPS max). I would prefer the up front cost as well, but could live with a monthly fee deal. One OR the other, NOT both.

I disagree. I shouldn't have to pay monthly for a feature that was built into the phone. Being limited to VZ Navigator is a joke because you have to be on the Verizon Network (not extended) for the GPS feature to function properly. Once loaded you can leave the network, but if the connection is lost (ie phone call, message, etc) you can not reload it until you are back on the Verizon Network.

Verizon needs to unlock the feature and leave it at that. I wouldn't have a major issue using VZ Navigator if it wasn't a giant piece of crap, but there are much better options out there like google maps. Hell, the BlackBerry comes loaded with BlackBerry Maps and you can not even fully use that program because of Verizon's lock.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Originally posted by: minendo

Originally posted by: DisgruntledVirus
Or option 2 is pay a monthly fee for it (like $5/mo for the GPS max). I would prefer the up front cost as well, but could live with a monthly fee deal. One OR the other, NOT both.

I disagree. I shouldn't have to pay monthly for a feature that was built into the phone. Being limited to VZ Navigator is a joke because you have to be on the Verizon Network (not extended) for the GPS feature to function properly. Once loaded you can leave the network, but if the connection is lost (ie phone call, message, etc) you can not reload it until you are back on the Verizon Network.

Verizon needs to unlock the feature and leave it at that. I wouldn't have a major issue using VZ Navigator if it wasn't a giant piece of crap, but there are much better options out there like google maps. Hell, the BlackBerry comes loaded with BlackBerry Maps and you can not even fully use that program because of Verizon's lock.

What I meant by that is that instead of paying for the feature up front as part of the phone paying a monthly charge for it. Example would be say the BB Curve for $100 with GPS being paid monthly, or the Curve for $200 without a monthly fee. Me personally I would buy the $200 unlocked version because I hate any kind of monthly charges.

 

[minendo]

Originally posted by: DisgruntledVirus

Originally posted by: minendo

Originally posted by: DisgruntledVirus
Or option 2 is pay a monthly fee for it (like $5/mo for the GPS max). I would prefer the up front cost as well, but could live with a monthly fee deal. One OR the other, NOT both.

I disagree. I shouldn't have to pay monthly for a feature that was built into the phone. Being limited to VZ Navigator is a joke because you have to be on the Verizon Network (not extended) for the GPS feature to function properly. Once loaded you can leave the network, but if the connection is lost (ie phone call, message, etc) you can not reload it until you are back on the Verizon Network.

Verizon needs to unlock the feature and leave it at that. I wouldn't have a major issue using VZ Navigator if it wasn't a giant piece of crap, but there are much better options out there like google maps. Hell, the BlackBerry comes loaded with BlackBerry Maps and you can not even fully use that program because of Verizon's lock.

What I meant by that is that instead of paying for the feature up front as part of the phone paying a monthly charge for it. Example would be say the BB Curve for $100 with GPS being paid monthly, or the Curve for $200 without a monthly fee. Me personally I would buy the $200 unlocked version because I hate any kind of monthly charges.

Agreed. I already pay enough for my monthly service that I do not want to incur any additional fees. I would have paid an additional premium to have the feature unlocked at purchase, but I also did not pay much of a discounted rate for my phone.

 

[Matilda]

the curve, with free google maps (still has the legit tele atlas maps), has been good enough GPS substitute for me. maps are accurate, may not have my EXACT location, but i can read a map and take directions.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Originally posted by: Matilda
the curve, with free google maps (still has the legit tele atlas maps), has been good enough GPS substitute for me. maps are accurate, may not have my EXACT location, but i can read a map and take directions.

I just don't see a reason for me to have to settle for cell tower triangulation instead of the dedicated GPS unit that is built in. I have to do that because of stupid VZW locking it, which is a load of sh1t. I need to find a way around it which I wouldn't think would be too difficult. VZW doesn't disable any part of the actual GPS, they just use software/registry type locks instead AFAIK.

What about getting an unlocked phone, would that allow me to use the GPS with say google maps?