RIM Considering Selling Its Hardware Production Arm, Post BlackBerry 10 Launch

RIM CEO Thorsten Heins

Research In Motion is considering selling its hardware production arm after the launch of BlackBerry 10, as one of a number of potential actions. RIM CEO Thorsten Heins said that a strategic review could lead towards the sale, or potentially offering licenses for its software to other manufacturers, opening the door to non-RIM BlackBerry devices in the future.

In an interview with Die Welt, Heins confirmed the company was mulling over various courses of action it could take. When asked about licensing its software in a similar manner to how Microsoft licenses out its Windows Phone OS, Heins said that such a thing could only take place after their own products are released. “Before you license the software, you must show that the platform has a large potential,” said Heins, who also claimed the delay for BlackBerry 10 was due to the company building a platform “that is future-proof for the next ten years.” He also suggested that BlackBerry 10 could be used in devices other than smartphones, such as in cars and other vehicular systems.

The perception that BlackBerry was a tool for business was also attacked by Heins, referring to large consumer markets in Indonesia, South Africa, and the UK. While BlackBerry 10 will be launching globally, Heins will be looking at the less developed mobile markets for growth, as opposed to the US and Europe, which the company hopes will more than recoup the 1 million users that left the BlackBerry platform between the second and third quarters, leaving it currently at 79 million.

RIM’s most recent financial results saw revenues fall 5 percent to $2.7 billion, and an adjusted net loss of $114 million. The launch of BlackBerry 10 will see the company increase its marketing spending, and expects to still have an operating loss by the time the fourth quarter results are released.

Source: Electronista

RIM Receives Approval from Visa for Mobile Payment Solution

RIM has been one of the companies on the forefront of bringing NFC (Near Field Communication) technology to mobile devices. BlackBerry users with certain model devices including the Bold 9900 and other BlackBerry devices running OS 7 and 7.1 have NFC built-in to the phone. Upcoming BlackBerry 10 devices will have NFC capabilities as well, and this is great news for RIM and BlackBerry users looking to use their device to make mobile payments in the future through Visa. Visa has approved RIM for a mobile payment solution using NFC on BlackBerry devices.

The press release is below with details.

Press Release

WATERLOO, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – January 16, 2013) – Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ: RIMM)(TSX: RIM) today announced that its Secure Element Manager (SEM) solution for NFC (Near Field Communication) mobile payments has been approved by Visa. RIM’s SEM is the backend solution for carriers that can securely manage credentials on SIM (subscriber identity module) cards installed in all types of NFC-capable mobile devices.

“The approval from Visa of RIM’s SEM solution is an important step in that it will enable carriers to support Visa issuing banks and financial institutions,” said Frank Maduri, Senior Director, NFC Services and TSM Product Management at RIM. “We now offer carriers a robust solution with around-the-clock global support that works on any NFC-capable device, and meets the stringent technology and usability guidelines for Visa.”

“RIM’s success in gaining Visa’s formal approval as secure element manager is a crucial step in expanding RIM’s role as a key security partner for mobile payment solutions around the globe,” said Andy Castonguay, Principal Analyst, at Informa Telecoms & Media. “RIM’s secure network operations center provides a unique combination of global geographic reach, and has established trusted relationships with hundreds of carriers around the world with an unparalleled reputation for security, which sets RIM apart as an SEM partner in the growing mobile payments space.”

Today’s announcement from RIM builds on the recent deployment of mobile payments in Canada by EnStream, a joint venture of Bell, Rogers and TELUS, which uses RIM’s SEM solution.

Why 2013 Is RIM’s BlackBerry Year

The iPhone isn’t that great and the Android OS is woefully insecure. Come Jan. 30, if mobile users take a hard look at their devices and then look at the new BlackBerry 10, RIM could be in for a windfall.

CIO – As we look ahead to 2013, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the new year provides an unprecedented opportunity for Research in Motion to make a huge comeback.

This is largely because the market is dominated by two platforms: Android, which is seen as an unsecure malware magnet, and iOS, which comes from a firm that has never learned to spell “IT.” In fact, Apple’s biggest failures were Lisa and the Apple Server, both created on Steve Jobs’ watch (Lisa was even his product, initially) and both targeted at the IT market.

While phones and tablets are largely a consumer play, they are increasingly being used for business. Even in a BYOD world, IT still has a great deal of say about the hardware connected to its networks and services. As we start 2013, and as RIM brings out its next-generation products, the company will stand alone as the only mobile solutions provider focused on IT first and the needs of users later.

RIM will still need corporate and consumer users, but given the threats the company faces, this differentiator could drive the back into market. Let’s look at a few other reasons why.

Apple’s Flaws: Siri, iCloud Disappoint

Siri represents an Emperor’s New Clothes issue that is cropping up around the iProducts. Siri, a voice command application that Apple has heavily marketed, really doesn’t work well. During Steve Jobs’ tenure, the company was able to create this image that, if a user had problems with the offering, then it was uniquely the user’s issue, but Tim Cook hasn’t been able to contain the customers talking among themselves and discovering that their problems are in fact common.

Apple’s success is partially due to the fact that users have largely ignored the problems with their products, while Apple has been incredibly effective in making those products seem trivial. However, MobileMe was terrible , and iCloud is marginally better. Both were critical to strong integration with Microsoft Exchange—which is a typical user requirement when tied to phone use for work.

If Apple users start looking at the faults in their devices—particularly in areas such as mail integration, where RIM is strong—the stage is set for a strong backlash favoring RIM.

Android’s Flaws: Security, Poor Mail Support

Google recently pulled Exchange support from its mail platform as a free offering. Android lives in the world of free, and even though Google Play is second only to the Apple App Store in terms of the number of apps, app developers have long complained that they can’t make money from a customer base that will accept only free stuff. Into this tension Google now pushes Exchange support—for a fee.

On top of this, the device market is highly fragmented, which makes the operating system hard to secure and explains why Android is a malware magnet. A few months ago, for example, McAfee attacked an Android phone, causing it to cycle until it overheated and failed catastrophically. The mere idea that a phone might catch fire in a plane or office, should it be widely believed, would crater Android sales.

RIM, like Apple and Microsoft, operates in a way that promotes apps that people buy and focuses on making products secure. As a result, BlackBerry devices are likely to be favored by those abandoning Android.

Enter BlackBerry 10 to Save the Day?

I’ve had some time to talk to RIM about its upcoming platform, and it appears to address each one of these shortcomings with a vengeance. BlackBerry 10 is based on an OS that is used to operate machinery. RIM started with a business oriented core and then addressed consumer needs—as opposed to the more common approach of putting a business façade over a device that was targeted first at consumers.

If the market spits up Apple and Android devices for their inability to meet business user needs, RIM stands alone—or will, on Jan. 30, 2013 and the days that follow the BlackBerry 10 launch—as the company ready to embrace them. This is an unprecedented opportunity. As a result, 2013 could be an amazing year for RIM.

Rob Enderle is president and principal analyst of the Enderle Group. Previously, he was the Senior Research Fellow for Forrester Research and the Giga Information Group. Prior to that he worked for IBM and held positions in Internal Audit, Competitive Analysis, Marketing, Finance and Security. Currently, Enderle writes on emerging technology, security and Linux for a variety of publications and appears on national news TV shows that include CNBC, FOX, Bloomberg and NPR.

Source: CIO.com

QNX Announces New In-Car Speech Recognition Framework with AT&T’s Watson

The QNX car platform has done some great things and so many great features have been built using the QNX car platform. Now another amazing feature to add is the new in-car speech recognition framework that will now recognize a speakers intent for voice commands.

The framework allows applications to access AT&T Watson which provides a more natural understanding of spoken commands. This means users can do things like create calendar appointments, dictate email, give voice navigation instructions or even perform internet searches.

Press Release Below:

QNX Announces New In-Car Speech Recognition Framework to Understand a Speaker’s Intent

New intent framework to bring power of AT&T Watson(SM) speech recognition engine to wider variety of in-car systems and applications

OTTAWA, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – January 07, 2013) – QNX Software Systems Limited, a global leader in software platforms for in-car electronics, has announced a powerful new framework that will allow speech recognition systems in cars to understand a speaker’s intent. The framework extracts meaning from the driver’s spoken words, enabling in-car systems to create calendar appointments, dictate email or text messages, set complex navigation destinations, and even perform general Internet searches.

The framework, which is a component of the QNX CARTM application platform, allows in-car applications to access AT&T Watson(SM) speech recognition technology. AT&T Watson(SM) is AT&T’s pioneering speech services platform, which enables the development of next-generation technologies that go beyond speech to power more advanced natural language understanding and automatic speech recognition, among other capabilities. The multimodal and multilingual speech engine runs on a cloud-based server to provide extremely high-quality recognition with low latency.

Determination of the intent behind the driver’s speech starts on the server, where the AT&T Watson speech engine begins to analyze words and fits them to known patterns. The results are then handed from the cloud to the car, where the in-vehicle intent engine from QNX Software Systems performs the remainder of the speech analysis to determine how to act.

“Sharing the workload across client and server offers automotive manufacturers and end-users the best of both worlds,” said Andy Gryc, automotive product marketing manager, QNX Software Systems. “The server-side analysis, provided by AT&T Watson, is optimized for complex scenarios, such as a navigation application in which the driver may verbalize destinations in hundreds of different ways. The QNX client-side analysis grants car makers greater flexibility, enabling them to adapt the AT&T Watson results for a variety of in-car applications, regional aspects, or personal tastes.”

“For many of us, the most natural way to communicate is with our voice. By working with QNX and opening access to our rich set of speech technologies developed at our labs, we’re making it possible for more people to use the power of their voice to stay safely connected in their vehicles,” said Mazin Gilbert, assistant vice president of technical research, AT&T Labs. “Delivering this type of next-generation virtual assistant applications for the connected car is especially important as we look at how technology can help drivers keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.”

The intent system from QNX Software Systems is dynamically pluggable, which allows the recognized vocabulary to change depending on what applications are active, and to support new apps that are downloaded to the car.

“Enabling natural, intuitive, user experiences is fundamental to our vision of the connected vehicle, and providing our automotive customers with the tools to create those experiences is fundamental to our product strategy,” said Linda Campbell, director of strategic alliances, QNX Software Systems. “By providing a framework that enables our customers to take greater advantage of AT&T’s phenomenal speech engine, the new intent system should help accelerate the adoption of speech recognition across a broad range of vehicles.”

The QNX CAR application platform from QNX Software Systems is a comprehensive, pre-integrated software stack designed to help automotive companies reduce the time and effort of building highly sophisticated and connected infotainment systems.

QNX Software Systems has licensed its software technology for millions of in-vehicle systems worldwide, including digital instrument clusters, hands-free systems, multimedia head units, connectivity modules, and 3D navigation systems.

Developed at AT&T Labs, AT&T Watson(SM)has been powering advanced speech services in the marketplace for years. The technology reflects more than one million hours of research and development in speech technologies that has led to more than 600 U.S. patents and patent applications.

RIM’s Secure Element Manager Solution to Power NFC mobile payments in Canada

RIM has been developing a system designed to securely manage credentials on SIM cards that will work on all types of various mobile devices to bring NFC payment capabilities to consumers.

EnStream LP, the joint venture between Bell Mobility Inc., Rogers Wireless Partnership and TELUS Communications Company announced today that RIM’s Secure Element Manager Solution is to be used to power NFC mobile payments in Canada.

“Working with EnStream, we’re delivering a service that will enable speed, security and convenience in mobile, contactless payment. RIM’s SEM solution will help deliver mobile payments and other NFC services to all carriers across all handset platforms that support NFC technology in Canada.” According to Andrew MacLeod, Managing Director for Canada at RIM.

Press Release

RIM’s Secure Element Manager Solution to Power NFC Mobile Payments in Canada

WATERLOO, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – Oct. 22, 2012) – Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ:RIMM)(TSX:RIM) today announced that it has been selected by EnStream LP, a joint venture of Bell Mobility Inc., Rogers Wireless Partnership and TELUS Communications Company, to provide its Secure Element Manager (SEM) solution to manage credentials on wireless handsets in Canada that support Near Field Communication (NFC) services. NFC is the technology that can make secure, convenient and contactless mobile payments a reality for Canadian wireless handset users.

RIM’s SEM solution is designed to securely manage credentials on SIM (subscriber identity module) cards installed in all types of mobile devices, including BlackBerry® smartphones, Android™ devices, and Windows phones. “We selected RIM for their long-standing relationships with mobile operators and financial institutions, and their track record of operating a secure network for connected services,” said Almis Ledas, Chief Operating Officer of EnStream. “By adopting the secure GSMA Global Platform standard and using SEM infrastructure hosted and operated by RIM, consumers and financial institutions can have full confidence in financial credentials enabled through EnStream.”

“More than 1 in 4 smartphones shipped worldwide in 2013 is expected to include NFC technology,” said senior practice director Jeff Orr of market intelligence firm ABI Research. “With an additional 5 million NFC-enabled smartphones shipping to Canada next year and upwards of 65 million over the next 5 years, consumers will increasingly turn to mobile payments instead of a separate debit or credit card.”

“RIM is very pleased to play a key role in this Canadian mobile payments solution,” said Andrew MacLeod, Managing Director for Canada at RIM. “Working with EnStream, we’re delivering a service that will enable speed, security and convenience in mobile, contactless payment. RIM’s SEM solution will help deliver mobile payments and other NFC services to all carriers across all handset platforms that support NFC technology in Canada.”

Through the infrastructure that RIM’s SEM solution provides, financial institutions in Canada will have a single gateway allowing them to support any customer with an NFC-enabled smartphone that wants to enable a “mobile wallet” application. RIM’s SEM solution provides the infrastructure that will securely manage information credentials for NFC payments, which can be used by any financial institution, carrier, or smartphone.

“For banks and for Canadian consumers, RIM’s SEM solution is designed to make payment with your smartphone both seamless and secure. Whether you’re filling your gas tank, picking up a coffee, or buying groceries, making a purchase will be as simple as tapping your smartphone,” added MacLeod.

RIM has been recognized as a leader in providing mobile payments for some time with BlackBerry smartphones becoming one of the first smartphones to be certified for SIM-secure NFC payments using MasterCard PayPass®, and are also approved for use with Visa® payWave. More recently, RIM announced the ability to use NFC-enabled BlackBerry smartphones to replace access badges for buildings with secure entry requirements.

Currently, a range of BlackBerry® 7 smartphones, including the BlackBerry® Bold™ series and select BlackBerry® Curve™ smartphones, are NFC-enabled.

About Research In Motion

Research In Motion (RIM), a global leader in wireless innovation, revolutionized the mobile industry with the introduction of the BlackBerry® solution in 1999. Today, BlackBerry products and services are used by millions of customers around the world to stay connected to the people and content that matter most throughout their day. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM operates offices in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America. RIM is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market (NASDAQ:RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX:RIM). For more information, visit www.rim.com or www.blackberry.com.

Forward-looking statements in this news release are made pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When used herein, words such as “expect”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “may”, “will”, “should”, “intend,” “believe”, and similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by RIM in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that RIM believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Many factors could cause RIM’s actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including those described in the “Risk Factors” section of RIM’s Annual Information Form, which is included in its Annual Report on Form 40-F (copies of which filings may be obtained at www.sedar.com or www.sec.gov). These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on RIM’s forward-looking statements. RIM has no intention and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited. RIM, Research In Motion and BlackBerry are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and may be pending or registered in other countries. All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. RIM assumes no obligations or liability and makes no representation, warranty, endorsement or guarantee in relation to any aspect of any third party products or services.

How to Get Pulse News Reader on the BlackBerry PlayBook

Pulse news reader is a great news feed application that has been available on Android devices and in Apple’s App Store. It is not available on any BlackBerry device, though I could definitely see it running nicely on a BlackBerry 10 device.

Pulse is by far one of my favorite news feed applications and it is one of the most unique in it’s layout. I figured that there would be a Pulse application available for the PlayBook by now but that sadly is like a lot of other great apps that could be and should be on the PlayBook but aren’t.

If you know how to sideload Android apps onto your PlayBook, either by using your computer or doing it the way I prefer which is by using LocalBar2 on my PlayBook and my Bold. With LocalBar2 you can download the .bar files on your PlayBook and use your BlackBerry or Android device as a proxy server to install the apps directly to your PlayBook with no need for a computer or wires of any kind. Visit Yohanes Nugroho’s LocalBar2 site Here. Also note (I assume that LocalBar2 will work on most OS versions on the PlayBook, as I am currently running Beta OS v2.1.0.840 and it works just fine).

Here’s the .bar file for Pulse News Reader for BlackBerry PlayBook.

Besides doing that as many already know Pulse recently released a Pulse news reader website. The site is http://pulse.me and it is a great looking site and works beautifully.

I have found that the new Pulse website actually works very well on the BlackBerry PlayBook’s default browser and I have been using it lately, though of course there are little annoyances’. Like when scrolling at times articles you touch will move to saved articles.

So if you are a fan of Pulse and you would like to be able to view Pulse news on your PlayBook these are two simple suggestions.

Malicious Malware Email Campaign Targeting BlackBerry

Websense ThreatSeeker Network intercepted a malware campaign targeting BlackBerry customers, I have read it is targeting BlackBerry business customers (I’m assuming BES customers?) and I have read regular users have been receiving these emails too. So I’m not sure if there is a specific target here.

The fake email states the users has successfully created a Blackberry ID. The messages then goes on to say “To enjoy the full benefits of your BlackBerry ID, please follow the instructions in the attached file.” That entices’ the user to open the attached file which of course has the malware attached.

The malicious email is a copy and paste of a legitimate email from RIM regarding your BlackBerry ID, just with the attachment including the malware though there is no malicious or compromised URL in it. 17/36 AV engines identify the malware in VirusTotal, Here.

According to ThreatScope analysis, which is a part of the Websense CSI service, running the attachment drops other executable files and modifies the system registry to automatically start these malware programs when the system starts.

RIM Awarded Patent for BlackBerry 10 Keyboard

RIM has been awarded the patent for the “handheld electronic device with text disambiguation.” This is the BlackBerry 10 keyboard that has been shown off by RIM since BlackBerry World 2012. We have already seen an iOS version for jailbroken iPhones but it looks like we won’t be seeing this technology on any other devices, which I think is really beneficial for RIM.

This is how RIM describes this keyboard:

A handheld electronic device includes a reduced QWERTY keyboard and is enabled with disambiguation software. The device provides output in the form of a default output and a number of variants. The output is based largely upon the frequency, i.e., the likelihood that a user intended a particular output, but various features of the device provide additional variants that are not based solely on frequency and rather are provided by various logic structures resident on the device. The device enables editing during text entry and also provides a learning function that allows the disambiguation function to adapt to provide a customized experience for the user. The disambiguation function can be selectively disabled and an alternate keystroke interpretation system provided. Additionally, the device can facilitate the selection of variants by displaying a graphic of a special key of the keypad that enables a user to progressively select variants generally without changing the position of the user’s hands on the device.

Source via: USPTO and Engadget

BlackBerry OS 7 and 7.1 Approved for Use by Australian and New Zealand Governments

RIM has gotten approval for BlackBerry OS 7 and 7.1 to be used in the Australian and New Zealand Governments. Below is the Press Release.

Press Release

Sydney, Australia – In conjunction with the release today of the BlackBerry® 7.1 Operating System in the Australian market, Research In Motion (RIM) announced that BlackBerry® smartphones running the BlackBerry® 7.0 and 7.1 Operating Systems (BlackBerry 7) have been successfully evaluated and approved for Government use by the Defence Signals Directorate (DSD) of the Australian Government. The certification from the DSD affirms that the BlackBerry 7 Operating System meets the Australian and New Zealand Government’s strict security standards for a wide range of the Governments’ information classifications, representing the majority of day-to-day operational communications.

BlackBerry 7.0 and 7.1 Operating Systems, when used in accordance with Government guidance, can be used to secure information with a classification of up to and including PROTECTED for the Australian Government and up to and including RESTRICTED for the New Zealand Government.

“With the DSD approval of BlackBerry 7, Research In Motion continues to lead the industry when it comes to meeting the security certification requirements of governments around the world,” said Scott Deacon, Manager, Security Certifications, Research In Motion.

Tim Dillon, Associate Vice President Asia Pacific End User & Mobility Research, IDC Asia/Pacific, said, “As organisations continue to embrace mobility across all facets of their operations, the security risk escalates considerably. In today’s environment, mobile security is more than just device management. Organisations need an integrated capability that spans device, network, applications and data.”

BlackBerry 7 powers the new generation of BlackBerry smartphones and includes significant performance enhancements as well as many new features and functionality including Liquid Graphics™ technology, fast BlackBerry browsing and NFC technology. BlackBerry 7 continues to set the standard for information protection, with support for ECC (Elliptical Curve Cryptography), AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) and the ability to protect enterprise data transmitted between a BlackBerry smartphone and internal systems.

To find out more about BlackBerry security certifications, please visit
www.blackberry.com/go/security

For more information about the BlackBerry 7 Operating System, please visit
http://au.blackberry.com/services/blackberry7/

My Experience with T-Mobile SLOW SLOW Data Speeds!

These are some of my tests I have been running to see how my T-Mobile data speeds have been, mostly while my phone is running on EDGE (Enhanced Data-rates for GSM Evolution) or 2G. No one at T-Mobile seems to have any idea as to why my speeds are so slowing because even running on EDGE or 2G I should average just above 100 kbps. There are many factors as to why my speeds are at times relatively fast like when I am home, I have a security system that runs off of the T-Mobile Network and that boosts my signal and speeds while in my house and not connected to WiFi. As you can see there are different locations and only a few of them I really see a nice average data speed, the rest are almost laughable data speeds, definitely not the speeds I want to see for the money I pay.

So far I have talked to 5 T-Mobile techs on the phone and I went into a T-Mobile store as well and they told me in the store to buy a new phone? It’s not my phone, because I am not an idiot an they can’t tell me something like that just to make me spend more money. I am using an unlocked Torch 9800 so I am using EDGE basically all the time unless I am connected to a Wifi network, which is ok for me, the thing is that I popped my SIM card into my Wife’s Bold 9780 on T-Mobile with 3G coverage and I still had these horrible speeds. So if anyone from T-Mobile reads this and thinks they can help please let me know, or if anyone else out there might have a suggestion please let me know but I have tried about everything and to me it looks like they have my data speeds throttled for some reason even though I have unlimited data plan and this has continued through almost two billing cycles. Look at my speeds below and compare, let me know if you feel my pain with T-Mobile or any other carrier that might just be brushing you off their shoulders like I feel they have done to me.

Note:
Gist Speed Test (Global Internet Speed Test)
6/1/2011:
Work

1) 10:00- 31 kbps
2) 11:30- 43 kbps
3) 2:00- 5 kbps (didn’t even finish test)

Home

1) 6:05- 71 kbps
2) 10:05- 141 kbps
3) 10:20- 179 kbps

6/2/2011:
Work

1) 9:04- 14 kbps
2) 12:51- 32 kbps (Done after a battery pull cause phone got locked up data speed was too slow)
3) 2:17- 23 kbps (Walking from outside to inside office)
4) 4:30- 25 kbps (Done after a battery pull cause phone got locked up, data speed too slow)

Michaels

5) 5:42- 24 kbps

Home

6) 7:11- 209 kbps
7) 7:31- 233 kbps (While on the phone with T-Mobile Inside)
8) 7:45- 69 kbps (While on the phone with T-Mobile Outside)

6/3/2011:
Work

1) 8:15- 27 kbps
2) 10:47- 29 kbps
3) 12:14- 20 kbps (Done after a battery pull cause phone got locked up, data speed too slow)
4) 1:33- 19 kbps

985 South Friendship Rd.

1) 7:36- 81 kbps

85 South

2) 7:55- 108 kbps

Gwinnett

3) 8:15- 36 kbps
4) 9:13- 94 kbps

Decatuer

5) 8:45- 20 kbps

6/5/2011:
McEver (Waffle House)

1) 10:22- 190 kbps

Spout Springs (Target)

2)10:57- 138 kbps

85 South (Exit 99)

3) 12:01- 41 kbps

Johnson Ferry Rd.

4) 12:55- 69 kbps

6/6/2011:
Work

1) 11:40- 31 kbps
12:22- Battery Pull
2) 12:55- 41 kbps
3:45- Battery Pull

Stevie B’s

3) 8:05- 39 kbps

6/7/2011:
Hwy 20 (Dunkin’ Donuts)

1) 7:26- 63/54 kbps

Work

2) 2:23- 127 kbps
3) 3:18- 36 kbps

6/8/2011:
Work

1) 9:02- 20 kbps
2) 2:06- 47 kbps
3) 2:58- 37 kbps (Twitter for Blackberry working for first time)
4) 4:52- 18 kbps (Everything is functional for First time since 5/23/2011)

6/9/2011:
Work

1) 11:21- 16 kbps

6/13/2011:
Buford Dam Rd. (Shadburn Ferry Intersection)

1) 7:17- 133 kbps

Work

2) 9:33- 41 kbps

Michaels

3) 5:22- 29 kbps

Hwy 20 (Exiting 985)

4) 7:28- 86 kbps

6/14/2011:
Work

1) 8:20- 55 kbps
Aesthetic Dermatology (Sanders Rd. Cumming, Ga.)- 2) 5:38- 215 kbps
3) 5:40- 226 kbps

6/18/2011:
Spout Springs Rd. (Ross)

1) 11:24- 16 kbps

Buford (Bona Allen Mansion)

2) 5:27- 218 kbps

6/24/2011:
Mundy Mill Rd. (Arby’s)

1) 8:11- 247 kbps

6/28/2011:
Work

1) 11:45- 28 kbps
2) 2:32- 21 Kbps
3) 4:25- 27 Kbps

6/29/2011:
Work

1) 12:38- 35 Kbps
2) 4:28- 21 Kbps

6/30/2011:
Work

1) 8:24- 41 Kbps

7/1/2011:
Work

1) 8:26- 32 Kbps
2) 12:15- 56 Kbps
3) 1:51- 95 Kbps (this test had to be a fluk)
4) 1:53- 31 Kbps

7/3/2011:
Atlanta Hwy. (Just Past Hall Middle)

1) 12:07- 46 Kbps

Mundy Mill (Walmart)

2) 12:53- 190 Kbps

7/4/2011:
Venture Rd. Buford, Ga. Mall of Ga.
(Babies R Us’)

1) 1:02- 78 Kbps

7/5/2011:
Work

1) 8:25- 29 Kbps

7/6/2011:
Spout Springs (Chick-fil-A)

1) 8:25- 125 Kbps

7/7/2011:
Work

1) 8:24- 21 Kbps

Update:
I have still not had any of my issues resolved with T-Mobile as of today, I spoke with another Blackberry Specialist that works for T-Mobile, making this my sixth time calling them. I spoke with him on Friday July 2, and he took all my information and wrote up a slip to give to an engineer to have them check out my specific network connection which took about 45 minutes to complete. He stated that it could take up to 72 hours to determine what is the exact problem and stated that I should not call back and that he would call me either Friday evening or Tuesday at some point. Well Friday passed, Tuesday passed, and now Wednesday has passed and I have yet to hear anything from anyone with T-Mobile. I will probably have to call them for the seventh time now and this time I might have to tell them to drop my service line, what’s the point in paying money for data that’s slower than my Mother’s DSL line she’s had since DSL became available, at least that’s how it seems, I mean I can’t even run a simple Twitter application on my Blackberry that’s how slow my data speeds are. Hopefully I will hear something today and I will post any results I get from T-Mobile and maybe they will fix my problem, or really it’s their problem.

Second Update:
Well today is Tuesday July, 12th and I have not heard back from T-Mobile on any kind of resolution to my data problems. I called T-Mobile on Friday July, 8th and spoke with another representative in the technical support department. He stated that he did not know why the rep that I spoke with on the previous Friday would tell me it would take 72 hrs. and that they really had no idea how long it would take the engineers to discover the problem. He checked the status of my complaint and the engineers’ slip we had sent out last Friday. Ended up he said that the engineers had to send my case to the ‘higher-ups’ is the way it was described to me and that it would take a little longer to find the root of the problem.

Doesn’t this just seem like too much of a hassle, it has been almost 2 months now that I have had these problems with my T-Mobile data connection. You would think they could just reset my network connection completely and reconnect me as if I were a new customer and I had just started using their network. Anyways they are supposed to give me a call back today and give me a status of my complaint, I hope they actaully give me a call today, we will see.