BT said to be prepping a "BlackBerry-style" hybrid handset

by Darren Murph posted May 6th 2008 at 7:58PM

Britain's top fixed-line carrier is apparently aiming to get back in the handset game, as Times Online is reporting that said company will reveal a "BlackBerry-styled" device that does everything your typical smartphone can along with one extra inclusion. According to the writeup, the forthcoming device will "switch from BT's wireless Home Hub indoors to Vodafone's network on the move," and it's expected to be sold with a broadband package. Of course, those familiar with BT will recall that this isn't the outfit's first foray in the sector, but it's hoping the new handset will fare a good bit better than the poorly received BT Fusion. So, how's about a picture of this thing?

[Via Pocket-lint]

Update: The BT ToGo is official.

Filed under: Cellphones

Tags: blackberry, BT, europe, hybrid phone, HybridPhone, smartphone, uk

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

Christopher @ May 6th 2008 8:03PM

This has already been launched. I work for BT, it is called BT Broadband Anywhere and currently uses the HTC S620. It can connect to any BT FON point to makes calls and what not.

Good idea in principle but the software eats the batteries phone like a mofo.

Neutral

maff @ May 6th 2008 8:38PM

lol the battery has it's own phone?

Neutral

rob.kehr @ May 6th 2008 8:15PM

so is this kinda like....hotspot@home?

Neutral

Abuzar @ May 6th 2008 8:18PM

Yeah pretty much. If T-Mobile offered you Cable or DSL at home in addition to Hotspot@home then this would be the same.

Neutral

Christopher @ May 6th 2008 8:20PM

Thought I would add a bit more information.

The HTC uses a custom software build for the broadband talk which allows users to wirelessly connect to their propriety Home Hub and make calls over their internet connection. They can also activate their Home Hub as a FON network point allowing other BB Anywhere customers to hijack their connection to make calls and what not. The problem with the software is that it eats the battery of the phone within like a day of light use. Many users have stated that doing a factory reset gives the battery its advertised 6 days but you lose broadband talk (they are working on a fix).

This has been rolled out for weeks with BT approaching their Option 3 Broadband customers with deals starting at £5 per month for 40 minutes and 40 texts per month.

If anyone wants to know anything else just ask.

Neutral

ChrisG @ May 6th 2008 8:30PM

My cousin works at British Telecom, I'll try and see if this is true.

Neutral

fred @ May 6th 2008 8:33PM

Their logo looks like the MSN butterfly exploded.

Neutral

Salacious @ May 7th 2008 3:28AM

The BT Broadband Talk service is standard SIP (I can connect to mine on my Nokia N81). Except for autoconfiguring SIP on the S620 the BT software is just a skin to help simplify the smartphone use to normal folk. The service was launched back in March although it has only been a soft launch (to selected customers) and not advertised on their website

Neutral

roscoe @ May 7th 2008 4:32AM

I recently signed up for the new service and recieved my HTC 620, it seemed like a great phone and the service to get it out to me and set up was great, until I put the phone in my pocket and the screen broke even though there was no contact, banging, dropping or any valid reason for the breakage.
After a bit of research it seems it is a common fault with some of these phones, a phone call to BT had me being told I was wrong, it couldn't happen, I was transferred to 7 different departments and disconnected once, after over an hour on the phone I was allowed to make a complaint but it seems i am tied to an 18 month contract or I can pay for the defective phone.
BT strikes again.

Neutral