So i got one: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=5858028402

Question once i get it is: CAN i just put the pin in at tmob.com or do i have to have it unlocked somehow and if so, how?

Yes and yes.

http://www.gsmphonesource.com/reunforatcib.html

$45 to get it unlocked.

Once it is unlocked you login to your t-mobile account and change the current pin to the new one. That is all there is to it.

The screen at tmob.com looks like this:

Change Handheld
Change the handheld currently used with your BlackBerry e-mail service.
Handheld PIN:
ESN/IMEI:

I guess if I just enter the handheld's IMEI it is going to come back as locked rather than tmob taking over the locked device?

I know that tmob DID unlock my 7730 just by my asking, but then I DID buy it from them direct...

No; T-mobile can't determine whether or not the handheld is locked, you'll find that out as soon as you put the sim in it. Before you change the handheld in t-mobiles website you'll need to find a cingular sim card (hint: go to a cingular store and ask for a prepaid sim, usuall around $10), put that in, unlock it, and then put the t-mobile sim in and change the settings on the website.

You can check whether the 8700 is locked buy either putting in a "foreign" (ie non cingular) sim, or by going to the options menu, selecting "sim card" and holding the ALT key while typing MEPD.

anyone more worried
 

anyone more worried today that BB might have to shutdown the service.

anyone know anything about their "workaround"

The workaround is already built into most handhelds running recent versions of OS4.

But I seriously still doubt they will be shutdown. NTP knows RIM has a workaround and it really isn't in their best interests for RIM to enable that. With the network running on the workaround NTB has absolutely nothing to claim.

It is a weird world where an invalid patent is granted, a party is declared guilty, and then the patents are declare invalid... The USPTO really screwed up and is costing the taxpayer millions.

without question
 

without QUESTION The impact on the economy would be BILLIONS is either lost revenue, or lost REVENUE or lost productivity or people simply going CRAZY!

Do you know anything about the nature of the workaround scottc?

Yes I do, but sadly I can't reveal anything about it (yet).

There is some information here: http://rimblackberryntp.blogspot.com/

But keep in mind that a decent amount of what is posted there is incorrect.

I am very, very, very pleased to announce that my 8700c is up and running very nicely on tmobile!!!

THANK YOU (again) SCOTT for all the advice and help.

In the end it was just like buttah! ^ ^

No need to shout...i think scott and all of us can hear you :td:

I couldn't. :p

Unfortunately, since I am illiterate and cannot read, this joke is lost on me.

Sweeeet.

Wow. :eek: If I sign up for a family plan is that per Blackberry or will one $45/mo charge cover me and mrs. gleff?

That is PER device. PLUS the voice service... All adds up real fast...