Orange pulling Bolds to fix software issues, AT&T smiles

If you're wondering why you don't have an AT&T-branded BlackBerry Bold in your hand at this very second, the answer might lie a couple thousand miles away where Orange has allegedly pulled all units off the shelves to hammer out some "software issues" that have plagued early devices in subscribers' hands. The whole situation leaves us to wonder whether carriers jumped the gun on validating early builds of the Bold's firmware in an effort to get it out into the market in a non-ridiculous amount of time, while AT&T may have chosen to play it safe with a longer, more excruciating battery of tests -- leading to RIM's swipe that the October 2 miss was all AT&T's fault. It's just a theory, and probably a pretty meaningless one since this Orange fiasco should apparently take a couple weeks to clear up at most, and we're still hearing occasional whispers out of the AT&T camp that they're still pushing for an October release over there. Chop chop, guys.

[Via Mobile Tech Addicts]

[iEye @ Oct 10th 2008 9:06AM]

I wonder why they cannot just allow users to continually update the software themselves, like the iPhone... ;-)

[frontpage @ Oct 10th 2008 9:19AM]

They can, but customers need to have the phone first. You can update a phone you don't already have. Most all of RIM's products the firmware can be upgraded by the customer or end user. Your fanboism for the iPhone is bleeding through. Get a band-aid stat.

[zephxiii @ Oct 10th 2008 10:18AM]

Maybe they would like to release a product that doesn't NEED a software update....

[Paul @ Oct 10th 2008 9:10AM]

I am actually impressed that ATT wouldn't shove a product out the door. Maybe someone there has brains!

[iEye @ Oct 10th 2008 9:15AM]

BrAiNs!...yum

[AlekZander @ Oct 10th 2008 9:20AM]

"Software issues that have plagued early devices?" Gosh, it's almost as if all the trolls who were bashing the iPhone 2.0 software just got their words shoved up their asses.

[Hugh @ Oct 10th 2008 9:29AM]

nothings perfect. Not even the Bold ;(

[uPnOrTh @ Nov 8th 2008 11:51AM]

Rogers Bold has no issues but Orange Bold has sw issues? Interesting...

[Canoo @ Oct 10th 2008 9:27AM]

What exactly have these issues been? I haven't heard too many complaints about the Rogers Bold?

[Sheynk @ Oct 10th 2008 9:44AM]

A friend of mine has a Rogers Bold. Fantastic device but it does sometimes crash when you try to load it up with 3rd party software.

No other problems to report though...

[arun @ Oct 10th 2008 10:57AM]

thats true. they have to introduce the facility so that iPhone can do its updates and software changes by itself, automatically. Try these sites given in the post "best upcoming tech blogs" at www.gettechy.com. i think they'll help

[Gav @ Oct 10th 2008 11:23AM]

My Orange Bold has been working just dandy, and I'm on the original firmware too, haven't seen any need to upgrade yet.

[cheswick @ Oct 10th 2008 12:36PM]

I have a Rogers Bold that crapped out and just kept restarting itself. I didn't install any foreign apps either. At least they replaced it for me no problems.

[goldcd @ Oct 10th 2008 5:30PM]

Can't speak for how it is now - but a few years back Orange had their own custom firmware on pretty much every phone they sold.
This was way back in the day when Orange was more expensive, but a pleasure to deal with and didn't stiff you with charges all over the place - but I digress.
Basically meant that every phone they sold was a little later to market, and if they still do the firmware thing (no idea if they do) a delay in their launch doesn't necessarily mean a problem with the core software.
Their firmware (no idea if it was just for them, or some weird GSM+ system, just allowed stuff like voicemails to leave a nice icon on your phone - rather than hounding you with texts and voicemail messages like the other operators.

[Chris Mitchell @ Oct 11th 2008 3:39AM]

It seems that it must be something to do with Orange UK's software, phones from Carphonewarehouse which are not Orange Branded seem to be fine, as are Vodafone, its frustrating as I'm on Orange and pretty much have to stay there but was looking forward to getting a Bold :(