Bottom line is the existing Mobitex/CDPD blackberries WILL go away in the next 2-3 years. AT&T is already converting users now, Cingular/(old Bellsouth) is supposed to start converts in 2004.

The newer units although battery life is slightly less (depends on use really) give the following benefits

- faster app processor
- more memory
- wireless/over the network reconcile (no need to synch in the cradle). Synch'd email read/unread, folder moves, server deletes, folder name list
- Corporate over the air address lookup. No need to have the entire Global Address List synch'd to the device
- Some units have USB (62XX/72XX)
- Some units have color (72XX)
- WAP/WML/HTML browsing
- BES hosted web broswing (with Blackberry BES browser, allows Intranet use)
- Java based app and OS framework. You can develop Java apps to deploy for wireless data xfer or static apps
- GSM/GPRS, CDMA and iDen networks now supported.
- GSM/GPRS units support multiple bands; either dual band 900/1900 or tri band 900/1800/1900. (Asia/Europe units also support 900/1800). A quad band version is pending as well for the 62XX and 72XX family supporting 850, which is rural GSM/GPRS coverage overlay for upgrades to AMPS/Analog networks

New Blackberry support in the US
GSM/GPRS: Cingular, T-Mobile, ATTWS
CDMA: Verizon
iDen: Nextel



[This message has been edited by NickP 1K (edited 09-01-2003).]