Buy a Smartphone and Get Cash

Years ago, only basic cell phones qualify for cashback/rebate offers to help lessen the pain of 1 or 2 year contract. The limited smartphones offerings back then almost always sell for full price at premium. The times have changed my friend. We are now in a very competitive pricing war amongst the best of breeds in smartphones. Hard to believe even Palm has gotten off its high horse and begin to offer rebates.

Amazon.com has the following offers where you'll receive cashback for getting a cool smartphone, up to $100!

BlackBerry 8100 Sapphire Pearl myFaves Phone (T-Mobile) -$100 Cashback
Motorola Q Phone (Sprint) -$100 Cashback
BlackBerry 8310 Curve Titanium Smartphone (AT&T) -$75 Cashback
BlackBerry 8310 Curve Red Smartphone (AT&T) -$75 Cashback
T-Mobile Dash myFaves Smartphone (T-Mobile) -$50 Cashback
Nokia 5300 XpressMusic myFaves Black Phone (T-Mobile) -$50
Nokia 5300 XpressMusic myFaves Lilac Phone (T-Mobile) -$50
palm Treo 680 Smartphone (AT&T) -$25
palm Treo 680 Crimson Smartphone (AT&T) -$25

T-Mobile Unlimited Email Plan - $9.99

The cost of smartphones have definitely come down in the recent months. I remember three years ago when I first go into it, a relatively cumbersome smartphone would cost you $500 with no incentives or rebates. These days, you can pick up a nice smartphone as low as $0. I was able to pickup my AT&T 8525 via Amazon.com at for $79.99(MSRP $599).

The data plans, however, have always been expensive. Most plans have always been around $29 to $45 depending on the carrier. I remember complaining about the lack of wifi and high cost of mobile data plans which can keep the growth of mobile market behind. Lately, I noticed a trend in reducing the cost of data plans. TMobile has always been the leader in cheaper data plans. I remember my BlackBerry 7100 utilized a $19 unlimited data/email plan. Then, came the AT&T’s iPhone Data Plan at $19.99. Somehow, I found out about a similar AT&T data plan known as the Media Max 200, which is also $19 for my 8525 as well. I believe Sprint is one of the carriers lowering the cost of their EVDO plan as well.

I ran across this Blackberry Pearl offer as I was checking out the T-Mobile lineup this afternoon. In this promotion, they are offering $9.99 Unlimited email plan to new Blackberry Pearl customers signing up with a voice plan. I think its aggressive and I applaud Tmobile’s attempt to attract more customers in the consumer smartphone sector. Although I personally would need the data part of it for websurfing.

WiFi BlackBerry Before Year End?

Rumor has it that BlackBerry will introduce a phone with integrated WiFi before 2007 ends... Click HERE for Article. Its about time, as I have called it out a numerous of times about how most of the "smartphones" out there aren't smart due to the lack of integrated WiFi.

New BlackBerry 8800 - Yawn!

Apparently, BlackBerry released a new model called 8800 exclusively for Cingular. This is a slight improvement over the 8700. It now features the trackball, multimedia and expansion memory slot. Nothing exciting here. Its like a larger version of the Pearl, minus the camera.

BlackBerry Pearl now on Cingular Website

As reported yesterday, the BlackBerry Pearl is now officially on the Cingular Website. For $199 (2yr contract and a $50 rebate later), you can have the most consumer oriented BlackBerry with email, camera, music, video and GPS capabilities. This marks the 12th smartphone in Cingular's lineup making them the carrier with the most smartphones in its shed. I have also updated the Smartphones & Handhelds Roundup list for your reference.

Cingular BlackBerry Pearl Avail Friday 12/1

Its about 7:47AM East Coast time, I turned my TV on and flipped to CNBC... suddenly I saw a note scrolled across the bottom of the screen "CINGULAR TO SELL BLACKBERRY PEARL STARTING FRIDAY". Is this true? Looks like the words have been out approximately 4 to 6 hours. Cingular will offer exclusive GPS and Push-to-Talk features to their version of the Pearl. No sign of the Pearl on Cingular's website at the time of writing.

Cingular PR on Yahoo
Mobile Tracker Article
MobileBurn Article