Blackberry without BIS

[beserkowitz]

I'm thinking of buying a Curve to use with Virgin Mobile and downloading from gmail using IMAP using a regular data connection. Is this an option? What does the BIS allow one to do that a regular GPRS/EDGE Connection won't allow one to do?

Can one still use the other applications like the web browser and GPS system?

Does the usability of the phone justify the purchase?

 

[KaasP]

Not an expert, but from experience BIS is required for any form of data connectivity from a Blackberry. It would still function as a phone without, but no browsing. At least this was true for the 7290 I used to own.
I guess this is RIM's way of locking in annuity income.

 

[broken1]

Yup. You can't use the GPS even with out a BIS server. It says it's not available. You can't IMAP email, there's no settings. You can only set which email the BIS server pulls or IMAPS.

Basically, a blackberry is useless without a BIS server.

Sorry.

They are horribly limited devices though.

 

[kwmf]

I don't recall RIM ever claiming a BlackBerry to be anything other than a BlackBerry device

If one wants the products and services offered by BlackBerry I think it's reasonable the small fee charged make use of these services - especially when it includes unlimited browsing, gmail, google talk, google maps, facebook, calendar sync, multiple POP/IMAP account integration, GPS maps and so on.

If you don't want those, then the device is happy to function as a phone only for you.

 

[beserkowitz]

Many thanks everyone for the input. Now settle the flame war down to a negotiated settlement please ;-)

 

[broken1]

Many thanks everyone for the input. Now settle the flame war down to a negotiated settlement please ;-)

There is no flame war

We are all saying the same thing.

1) You can't use a blackberry as more than a phone, without BIS.
2) Blackberry never said you could, didn't market the device as such, and hence have secured themselves annuity income
3) Don't buy the blackberry unless you want to use a BIS server.


On a personal note, I don't think a blackberry is worthwhile unless you use a BES server. I had one for a short time, and it's email functionality isn't as good as my windows mobile 6 phone linked to an exchange server host. The bonus with a WM phone, is that you can link it to IMAP, pop3 and exchange server host, all at the same time, and all in seperate mailboxes. This added to the HTML email, and being able to view and edit attachements makes it a very powerfull email machine. TyTN II FTW!

 

[bwana]

There is no flame war

We are all saying the same thing.

1) You can't use a blackberry as more than a phone, without BIS.
2) Blackberry never said you could, didn't market the device as such, and hence have secured themselves annuity income
3) Don't buy the blackberry unless you want to use a BIS server.

I agree

On a personal note, I don't think a blackberry is worthwhile unless you use a BES server. I had one for a short time, and it's email functionality isn't as good as my windows mobile 6 phone linked to an exchange server host. The bonus with a WM phone, is that you can link it to IMAP, pop3 and exchange server host, all at the same time, and all in seperate mailboxes. This added to the HTML email, and being able to view and edit attachements makes it a very powerfull email machine. TyTN II FTW!

Now while I cant say anything about using it with an exchange server host you can obviously use it simultaneously with IMAP and POP3 with separate mailboxes. HTML mail is coming (but of course given the option I'll disable it). You can already view a whole host of attachments and the next upgrade will bring many new features including document editing.

If you buy a blackberry you get unlimited internet for r69 pm - not a bad deal. The o/p could just have it as a second device if he doesnt want to make the full switch to Vodacom. Thats what I did when I had the 7290 until I got the (smaller) pearl

 

[hexagon]

I'm not sure if this has been answered before, but I couldn't seem to find a concise answer:

What would stop one from using a Skype client (e.g. iSkoot) on the unlimited BB APN?

 

[bwana]

I'm not sure if this has been answered before, but I couldn't seem to find a concise answer:

What would stop one from using a Skype client (e.g. iSkoot) on the unlimited BB APN?

Nothing. Data is only used to update your contact lists.