Cingular 8525, BlackJack now for sale

Hey you -- yeah, you. Cingular 8525, you know the one, right? Ok, and the BlackJack? The i607? Right, those two hype HSDPA WinMo handsets are now officially for sale, $400 and $200, respectively, after two year contract (with unlimited data) and rebates. Just save some for the kids, ok? They're tired of getting coal in their stockings because of your sick device addiction.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

[pcmike @ Nov 16th 2006 1:33AM]

ORDERED!

[Bryan @ Nov 16th 2006 1:33AM]

I hope by this weekend the Blackjack will be MIIINEE!!!!!

[A-ron @ Nov 16th 2006 2:25AM]

Seeing all these new WinMo handsets just amazes me. Mostly because WinMo is horrific. Unstable, slow, inexplicably clumsy in ways that should be instinctual (networking, for example), et al. Palm and Symbian are so much more robust and stable, I can't help but think that Windoze ubiquity is the only explanation. That people don't know to expect any better.

Am I alone in this opinion?

[Rollins @ Nov 16th 2006 2:48AM]

Symbian may be more stable, but the Palm OS as of late is anything but. WM5 is rather stable and provides a platform for developers that they don't need to hack endlessly to apply to their devices, as with the Palm OS. The version of OS5 that's on recent Treos is a hacked-up, poorly-coded, limping mess.

Plus, especially in America, consumers recognize the Windows brand. I know we don't exactly hold Microsoft in high esteem around these parts, but the average consumer trusts the company that makes what they use every day. Symbian has not effectively made a name for itself in the United States yet, where WM has.

Calling WM5 horrific is a bit of an exaggeration, though, I must say.

[Paul @ Nov 16th 2006 6:41AM]

Windows Mobile is the most flexible mobile phone operating system I'd want to use. Sure, a Linux phone could do more, but the integration with my home systems just isn't there.
Symbian is ok, I used to have a Nokia 6600 that I had running Opera, OggPlayer, etc., and I loved it. I've also used/set customers up with some SE P900s, and UIQ was rather nice there as well. But then I got my first Windows Mobile phone, the buggy and ill-fated HP 6315 from T-Mobile. Despite all of it's quirks and stupid, stupid failings, I loved it. I could do more and do it better than even the P900.
When I switched to Verizon, they didn't have the XV6700 yet, so I used a Treo 650 until they had come in. I disliked Palm before that, but after using the Treo... I loathe them with a hatred normally reserved for Microsoft.
But the XV6700 was bliss. Multi-tasking? Whodda thunk? A wide user base that was into hacking the software and enabling features even MS forgot was there? Schweet!
Networking not good with Windows Mobile? I've never had a problem. Wifi? Cool. EVDO? Cool. Bluetooth? Cool. Outlook Integration Natively? Cool.
I would have HTC's babies...

[Maverik869 @ Nov 16th 2006 8:13AM]

Wait a minute... i thought 8525 suppose to have b/g wireless card not b only(like it says on cingulars website) ????

[xman @ Nov 16th 2006 9:39AM]

sorry cingular, i won't switch and buy this phone for $400 since you require a 2 year contract that also requires unlimited data purchase at another $40/mo for the 2 years. If you are going to force me into long-term contracts for phone and data service, then give me the phone for about $100, or better yet free. But if I pay that much for the phone, it better be unlocked and no contract. This way I cant leave after dealing with crappy customer service reps who know you don't want to throw away $200 to drop the service.

[Sam @ Nov 16th 2006 2:11PM]

My 8525 is on the way :)

xman,
They don't require a data plan to buy the 8525. The unlimited plan is just required to get the $50 rebate. And you don't have to buy the more expensive plan either; I'll be using mine with the cheaper MediaMax plan. The guys over at howardforums have already confirmed that it works with all data plans. The reps my try to upsell you; don't let them. Or better yet, order it online and don't deal with the reps.

[Grilk @ Nov 16th 2006 9:52AM]

Included Features

* Cingular Exclusive - Ultra fast 3G UMTS/HSDPA Pocket PC
* Single integrated device for simultaneous voice, data, and email
* Microsoft Windows� Mobile 5.0 Pocket PC with Messaging & Security Pack
* Microsoft Direct Push Technology - Email, calendar, contacts & tasks
* Go global with Tri-band UMTS/HSDPA and Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE
* Good Mobile Messaging, ActiveSync, Xpress Mail, & BlackBerry Connect capable
* Music, MP3 and video support - Windows Media Player 10 Mobile
* Sliding QWERTY keyboard with trackwheel for easy navigation
* Microsoft Office� Mobile - Access Word, Excel, PowerPoint files
* Bluetooth 2.0 wireless connectivity for multiple active Bluetooth accessories
* 2.0 mega pixel camera with video and flash
* Tethers to your laptop as a high-speed modem
* Push-To-Talk capable (requires software upgrade in 2007)
* Multimedia, text and instant messaging
* Integrated Wi-Fi (802.11 b.g) and infrared connectivity
* Voice command and voice dialing



Snatched stright off site, looks like g is there.

[pmow @ Nov 16th 2006 9:58AM]

[drool] My kids know Engadget = The Grinch

[patrik @ Nov 16th 2006 11:17AM]

So long Treo 680, you took too long to materialize...hello Blackjack!

[Scott @ Nov 16th 2006 3:49PM]

Went to two of the retail stores. 8525 was not in stock (even though the news release the other day said "in stores November 16th"). Ordered through Cingular Premier so I guess I have a little more waiting to do ...

[scvx302 @ Nov 16th 2006 7:27PM]

FINALLY! After about five stores, I was able to locate one. I picked it up and here it is in my hand. Sucks about the data plan though.

[Jacob @ Nov 16th 2006 8:42PM]

"They're tired of getting coal in their stockings because of your sick device addiction."

"you are a sick man!!! The sickest SCUM ON THE GODDAMN PLANET!!!! UNTIL YOU BREAK THIS ADDICTION, WE'RE GOING TO BREAK YOU DOWN!! DO YOU HEAR ME GADGETBOY!!!!!!????"

[Alex @ Nov 16th 2006 9:29PM]

Is it possible to use the smartphone data plan with the blackjack or are you stuck with the PDA data plan?

[Matt T. @ Nov 16th 2006 9:54PM]

BTW, If I upgrade,Will I still get the deal for a 2 year contract?

[Matt T. @ Nov 16th 2006 9:54PM]

I am waiting and waiting for the Treo 750 which is MIA....still.

If that doesn't release,I'll get a Blackjack

[The Don and Mike Show @ Nov 16th 2006 11:40PM]

Picked my 8525 today from Towson, Maryland. They received 3 at about 2 PM. Because my wife works for Marriott I got a discount they took $300.00 of the retail price of $600.00 so today I paid $300.00 BUT I still get the $50.00 rebate bringing my price down to $250.00 AND the discount included the $26.00 start up fee being waived. I am all kinds of happy..............

[Jonathan @ Dec 18th 2006 2:30PM]

Hello "The Don and Mike Show". You wrote in your post that you got a discount on the 8525 because your wife works at the Marriott. Well, I am shopping for a 8525 and I work at the Ritz (owned by Marriott). So I was wondering if you could tell me how to go about getting the $200 discount you got. Thanks in advance for your help!

[Jake @ Nov 17th 2006 7:39PM]

is there another site to purchase the 8525 from other then cingular's where it would...well be cheaper

[josenyc @ Nov 18th 2006 10:17PM]

I got mine on Thursday from Cingular in Washington Hts's NYC. The phone is very nice and the calls are sharp. First issue is the lack of support for any Adobe Flash. I also couldn't get AIM to install and of course the MSN that comes with it works just fine. Second issue is that the 3G U isn't coming up on the device in my apartment, though it works fine at my job in the South Bronx and then there it's only 20-40 kbps. I called Cingular to troubleshoot and they said I would receive help within 72 hours. The 3G is suppose to work through out the NY metro area.

[Juice @ Nov 20th 2006 4:23PM]

Check this review.

http://www.qwertybar.com/blackjack

[Joe @ Dec 1st 2006 3:14AM]

i hope the 8525 turns out better than the 8125 dog. i have one; actually, it's my second one. after unlocking the phone, it has the following issues: the backlight rarely powers down therefore draining the battery; the wifi loses my WEP key and wants me to renter all 26 alphanumeric entries; the device freezes up and requires a reboot way too often; adding a memory card doesn't improve the "low memory" problem as the unit doesn't let you predetermine where most things are stored; the weak TI processor is too light to do WinMo 5.0; unless you are a genuine geek and know how to tweak the registry, this phone is not for you. come to think of it, this phone may not be for anyone.

the 8525 has twice the speed, but will it cure the other issues? htc has virtually no tech support and cingular treats you like an orphan if you are an old ATT customer. they never have a problem taking your money.

if everything, or at least most things, worked on these htc phones, they would be ideal for the power user.