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Sprint's BlackBerry Tour to sprout WiFi next year
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Sprint Nextel said it will release an updated version of the BlackBerry Tour next year that will include WiFi, a move that reflects the carrier's recent decision to require its smartphone suppliers to add WiFi into their devices for the carrier.
"Sprint is embracing WiFi in all its major devices going forward," said Jeff Clemow, the carrier's director of business product marketing.
Sprint is launching the BlackBerry Tour smartphone Sunday for $199.99. The device features support for both CDMA and GSM networks. Verizon Wireless also is offering the device Sunday, for the same price.
A major complaint among Tour reviewers is that the device does not support WiFi connections--a conspicuous situation considering many of RIM's devices for GSM carriers, such as the BlackBerry Bold for AT&T Mobility, do feature WiFi functions. To rectify the situation, Sprint's Clemow said the carrier will offer a version of the BlackBerry Tour starting next year that will include WiFi. He declined to provide a launch date for the device, other than to say that it will launch sometime after the first of the year.
The news could hamper Sprint's Tour sales this year if customers decide to wait until next year for the WiFi version of the device.
Clemow said Sprint decided to launch the current version of the Tour without WiFi so as not to fall behind the curve. "Speed to market ... outweighed the desire to wait for WiFi," he said.
Verizon Wireless declined to discuss its plans for the WiFi-capable Tour. "In terms of the BlackBerry Tour, I won't speak to that specific device but we are certainly working with RIM to be able to offer WiFi on future BlackBerry smartphones," said Verizon Wireless spokeswoman Brenda Boyd Raney, adding that the carrier currently offers a range of smartphones that include WiFi functions.
The action highlights Sprint's decision to embrace WiFi, despite the carrier's relatively weak position in the WiFi market. Sprint rivals AT&T and T-Mobile USA each have extensive WiFi efforts. Indeed, AT&T recently paid $275 million for WiFi service provider Wayport.
"It is now a requirement for all our PDA equipment suppliers to include WiFi," Clemow said, pointing to the new Palm Pre, which sports WiFi, as evidence of the carrier's new position. "Several quarters ago we made a conscious decision to require all of our PDA suppliers to support WiFi."
However, Clemow said the carrier has not set a specific date for its suppliers for the inclusion of WiFi.
With WiFi down, perhaps the next step for Sprint is to require WiMAX in its gadgets? Clemow declined to comment on the topic, saying only that the carrier continues to evaluate its WiMAX options. Sprint's partner Clearwire is building a mobile WiMAX network in markets throughout the United States, and Sprint is selling the service under the "Sprint 4G" moniker.
For more:
- see this article announcing the Tour
Related Articles:
Analyst: RIM to face pressure amid Palm, Apple launches
RIM planning new version of BlackBerry Storm
RIM Launches BlackBerry App World
Best-selling consumer smartphones in the U.S. in the first quarter of 2009
Comments
Posted by Robert O | July 9, 2009 - 7:12pm
I like Sprint and I love my Blackberry (currently the Curve 8900 on T-Mo). I have a Sprint 3G Mobile Broadband card and I haven't yet found an area where I don't get some level of connectivity. T-Mo on the other hand has many areas where the phone just cannot be used due to a lack of network signal. I am anxiously awaiting the launch of the Tour as I will likely switch over to Sprint for my voice and data needs beyond broadband access. WiFi would be nice this time around, but for me it isn't a deal breaker. I just dislike how carriers offer a new product then make it better a few months later and don't give recent buyers an option to upgrade in a cost-effective way.
Posted by Anonymous | July 9, 2009 - 8:02pm
Sprint's 3G network is so available most places it doesn't really matter that the Tour isn't WiFi on the first edition.
Posted by Twiggster | July 9, 2009 - 9:19pm
I have been anxiously awaiting the release of the 9630 Tour, as it is my first move to a smart phone, but have been thoroughly disappointed by the lack of wifi on the phone. Maybe I should wait. I agree with Robert - If the carriers allowed you to upgrade the phones, I might be more inclined to make the initial investment. It appears that the carriers are knowingly ripping you off.
Posted by Blackberry lover | July 9, 2009 - 10:47pm
need the blackberry to have Wi-fi when traveling to Asia; China, Korea, Japan etc..
anyone knw if wi-fi is available there?
Posted by Anonymous | July 10, 2009 - 12:43am
There are plenty of wifi connections in Big cities in China. Hotels, cafes etc.
Posted by Sheeraz | July 10, 2009 - 10:06am
Well if you are a premier Customer with Sprint you get to upgrade every year at the full discount compared to getting $75 off of Retail.
Requirements:
Individual Plan
Base MRC of $69.99 or higher (BASE MRC not total after add ons) Which is good anyways because the lowest bundle plan for an individual is $69.99 that includes Blackberry BIS Service.
Family Plan
Base MRC of $99.99 or higher and you must be the primary line to get the upgrade every year.
Have Sprint for $10 years or longer in your name regardless of the plan you are on.
If you switch to one of these plans it can take the system up to 6 months to reflect your premier status and your payments must be on time. You will get a Welcome Kit in the mail once you become a Premier Customer. Also you can check online once you log into your online Sprint Account. You will see Sprint Premier Customer link if you are one.
**Also you do not get charged an upgrade fee with Sprint Premier Customer Status (Family Plans only Primary line is considered Premier and does not get charged upgrade fee)
So my point is most people who buy this phone will qualify to upgrade every year as long as there payments are on time. So next July they can upgrade if they buy the Tour now, and they will get new customer pricing.
Done.|
Posted by Anonymous | July 10, 2009 - 3:23pm
I don;t get this. Wifi in the phones, yet they want to launch 3G femto.. what's going on here...
Posted by Anonymous | July 10, 2009 - 7:20pm
I was hoping BlackBerry would come with a new model for Sprint and as a result I can't wait to get my hands on the Tour. I don't care much for WiFi. As a Sprint customer I would much rather pay for internet service which, speaking from personal experience, is more reliable and faster than WiFi and I just don't see the big deal people make for the lack of it.
Posted by Nathan Ton | July 12, 2009 - 10:50am
The reason why people make such a big deal out of WIFI is because my 1 year old ZUNE has Wifi it’s a standard feature on all new smart phones. The Palm Pre has WiFi and the Tour that just got released doesn’t? I know for me I use my wireless network at home and being able to access Wifi would be a very convenient feature even with 3G which I think is not that special I would compare 3G to 56K lets be honest the web experiences is crap I think Wifi is the icing on the cake. I currently own a 8830 and have no desire to upgrade for WHAT? ummmmmmm Nothing I'll stick with 8830 and waiting a YEAR for wifi is the biggest joke I’ve heard. What I'm going to do is if Palm fixes its Palm Pre battery issue VS blackberry Wifi whichever one comes 1st is the phone I’ll seriously consider.
Posted by Anonymous | July 16, 2009 - 9:01pm
I think the lack of onboard memory will be a bigger problem for the Tour. Maybe they will fix that next year, too. Why release a new phone with less memory than its prdecessor????
Posted by Anonymous | July 17, 2009 - 10:39am
i want a new blackberry which one should i get? tour off ebay or a blackberry 8900 or weight to buy a my touch pleasse help my 3 choices are
1.tour
2.8900
3.my touch 3g idk which please help i have tmobile so i could get the tour unlocked please help
Posted by Anonymous | July 18, 2009 - 9:18pm
yes, no Wifi plus the lack of on-board memory is a drawback. You can put in a 16GB card but load programs on it.
Posted by Anonymous | July 18, 2009 - 9:20pm
I meant to say you can't load programs on the card.
Posted by Anonymous | July 18, 2009 - 9:23pm
so if I am a Premier customer and buy the Tour today what would I pay to upgrade to the WiFi version next year?
Posted by Holly | July 19, 2009 - 10:12am
Sprint new 4G mobile internet wifi is coming out in Atlanta, in less than a month, this will change the market place! Hi speed internet 24/7 from your mobile device or with a card for your laptop and Xohm for the home!
Posted by Anonymous | September 12, 2009 - 2:58pm
I love my World Blackberry and got it thru the Sprint Relay Store. I plan to buy the new Blackberry Tour with Wifi in 2010. I hope it true about the Wifi on sprint blackberry. it will be great to use it on in flights/gogo internet. I travel around the world and hate carry my heavy laptop.
Posted by Anonymous | October 10, 2009 - 6:35pm
What's the benefit of Wifi on the phone? I can get on the internet now with my 8330. I want to upgrade to the Tour but what exactly is waiting for the wifi going to be able to allow me to do that the current doesnt?
Posted by gerald | November 21, 2009 - 9:33am
I have the curve 8330 and I can't use it in my house I will be glade when the tour come out with wifi
Posted by gerald | November 21, 2009 - 9:38am
I have the curve 8330 and I can't use it in my house I will be glade when the tour come out with wifi
Posted by ebbie | November 27, 2009 - 3:06pm
I brought the tour to upgrade from the curve and I don't n use it. It sucks as hell battery pulls fast,trackball sucks,I am very disappointed .I been using my curve as of late due to that I hope we get better phones this is ridiculous. Even tmobile bold is wayyyyy better smh .
Posted by Anonymous | January 9, 2010 - 5:24am
Blackberry tour needs some work but it has alot of steps in the right direction. The speaker is better, the browser improved, and the OS is improved. Now if they can get the damn processor to catch up and throw some memory, wifi, *flash*, and javascript on it then we'll be good! Until then Ill just have to enjoy the tour i have... i got it because my curve (the orignal curve model lol) died! oh well!
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