BlackBerry Forums member Andrew Palmer writes this morning that Verizon Wireless sent him a reworked, second-hand 8703e, or "Field Replacement Unit" (FRU) BlackBerry 8703e8703e, to replace his 8703e that melted down after just 60 days use. Yet the Verizon replacement arrived -- "and this I find alarming -- with the previous owner's private data STILL ON IT."

Ooh, that doesn't sound good.

Here's the personal data the replacement unit contained:

• Two active -- and quite accessible -- email accounts.
• All the emails of those accounts
• All her personal contacts
• All her calendar events for October and November, 2006
• All her logged calls
• All other data, unwiped.
  

Here's what Andrew did when he discovered this mess:

• First, I made a full backup of the previous owner's 8703e data.
• Wiped clean the phone, reinstalled BB OS so I could get it working and use it. (Still not fully data enabled, even after 2 hours with Tech Support.)
• Contacted Verizon Tech. and notified them they irresponsibly sent me the previous owner's private data, told them her name, and told them I intended to contact her and inform her about Verizon's carelessness.
• Took the full back up and emailed it to the previous owner (on her yahoo account) and notifed her of how Verizon had compromised her privacy. I included some plain text examples, to authenticate her private information about which I wrote. I also strongly encouraged her to contact Verizon and drop the hammer on them (hell, contact an attorney).
  

Kudos to you, 'drew. You done the right thing.

The BlackBerry Technical Knowledge Center has just posted a Getting Started Guide for the BlackBerry 8703e.

The 28-page page document starts out with the familiar" navigation instructions, key set data, Shortcuts for Phone, Message list, browser and Calendar; pointers on how to Navigate screens as well as Typing and Editing.

Wait, there's more: helpful info on Fields, Menus, Programs, Status Indicators and Wireless Network coverage.

I think you really want to see the BlackBerry 8703e feature diagram. The one with the arrows and stuff.

Well...

I know you Hub readers often find this useful.

IP-based managed service provider Cbeyond and BlackBerry-maker Research In Motion have announced that the Cbeyond Mobile service is now available for the BlackBerry 8703e.

Obligatory press release happy talk from BlackBerry partner:

"Our customers asked for additional handset options and we delivered with the addition of the BlackBerry 8703e handset, which enhances our BeyondMobile service and strengthens our mobile offering," said Brent Cobb, vice president of product management and general manager of mobile for Cbeyond. "The BlackBerry 8703e delivers premium quality voice and data services and gives our small business customers access to the same handset devices offered to larger enterprises."

Obligatory press release happy talk from RIM/BlackBerry exec:

"BlackBerry is the leading wireless platform for businesses of all sizes, allowing mobile professionals to stay connected, responsive and productive on the go," said Mark Guibert, vice president, corporate marketing, Research In Motion. "We are very pleased to be working with Cbeyond to offer the powerful new BlackBerry 8703e."

I've been noticing multiple complaints about a "data connection refused" bug on the Verizon BlackBerry 8703e.

As reported on threads such as help please! data connection refused the issue seems to be a Verizon EV-DO provisioning bug.

Some posters on other threads report that the solution is merely one of dialing *22889 from your Verizon handheld. That number automatically triggers an over-the-air download of the latest firmware to your BlackBerry.

Not every user reports success with this approach, however.

Consensus seems to be that you can't be sure the problem has been fixed until you call Verizon support at 1-800-922-0204.

• Bluetooth
• Color Screen
• Contacts / Phonebook Entries
• Downloadable Ring Tones
• Downloadable Wallpapers
• Games
• GPS-Enabled (911)
• Hearing Aid Compatible
• Messaging
• Multi-Language
• Multimedia
• Phone as Modem Capable
• QWERTY keyboard
• Ringers
• Web

With the BlackBerry 8703e now available on Verizon and due for release on SprintNextel October 1, there's lots of love for the BlackBerry 8703e in an ever-expanding Howard Forums thread entitled The "Get My 8703" Thread.

The thread was started by HoFo-er retroinspired, who wrote in his thread-opener that he is "freakin' stoked" to activate his new device. He follows that up with a post on what he thinks so far.

But for the most complete assessment on this thread, you'll want to check with HoFo'er sparky12.

"It seems to me that the screen is even better than to the 7130," he writes. "I'm not sure if it is but it looks to be a little sharper. I happen to also like the auto contrast function as it makes it a lot oeasier to view in different lighting situations. The 7130 was not good in this respect. I like the tactile feedback of the keys much better than the 7130 and really enjoy having the full size keyboard again.

Then sparky12 writes that he is also a big fan of the extra programmable convenience key. Makes life a little simpler. The device is also a little shorter, though it is wider.

"I like the feel of it a little more than the 7130. I did have the extended battery on the 7130 which added a lot of weight too," he writes.

"Obviously there are a lot of similarities between the two but the 8703 just seems so much more 'BlackBerry' than the 7130."

Just in time, considering that the Verizon BlackBerry 8703e is now available and the T-Mobile flavor of same is on tap for an October 1 launch.

As to RIM's BlackBerry Accessories store, the BlackBerry 8703e section makes its debut with an assortment of Bluetooth headsets, holsters, battery chargers, cables, tote bags- even a Smart Card reader.

All of these-including several models of many of these categories, are up on this newly created area.

Here's some grabs that will show you what's listed, and for how much.

Plenty of Bluetooth headsets. I see more and more people wearing 'em these days. Some love 'em, some don't.

"Ya gotta know how to hol(ster) 'em..."

More holsters in more colors. "Lambskin?" I like lamb on my plate, not on my hip.

Exru Tan: does it have anything to do with "excrutiating?"

Now, we're in to the 8703e tote bags. Inside family joke: if my sister ever gets a BlackBerry, I'll forward this screencap to her. Back when I was a geek-in-training reading weather maps, she was lovin' her tote bags. I always used to tell her "the weather is more important than the tote bag." Finally when a hurricane hit her house many years later, she started to believe me.

OK, back to our gallery:

A BlackBerry 8703e rechargable battery. We could all use an extra one of these. Power to the peeps, man.

Since BlackBerry batteries tend to have a life span roughly equal to that of a mayfly, chargers are de rigeur.

K, one more:

Cable, clip, Smart Card Reader, even a BlackBerry 8703e User Guide.

But why spend $17.99 for an UG if a- you already get one with your device, and b-they are available for free as a PDF?

SprintNextel and BlackBerry-maker Research In Motion say that Sprint will be selling the BlackBerry 8703e beginning October 1.

The device, which has EV-DO support as well as Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) compatibility and integration, will be offered for $349.99 with a- you guessed it- two-year sub.

Online, the BlackBerry 8703e will be offered at the Sprint Business Store. The link is for future reference; the 8703e is not up there yet.

I know when I say "device simulator," some of you will think that I am pointing to a resource for developers.

But no, not in this case. As they release the BlackBerry 8703e, Verizon Wireless has just posted a simulator that shows you key steps in setting up and using your 8703e. What's more, the simulator actually is configured so that you can use it to try out various features just with the touch of a button.

I've been fiddling with the simulator- it's fun!

Just this morning, Verizon Wireless and BlackBerry-maker Research In Motion formally announced the BlackBerry 8703e.

The BlackBerry 8703e will be available from Verizon Wireless for $349.99 with a new two-year customer agreement beginning on Sunday, September 17 online and through Verizon Wireless business sales channels on Monday, September 18.

It will be available though Verizon Wireless Communications Stores in October.

Specs after the break:

• Size (L xWxD)-4.3 x 2.7 x 0.77 inches
• Weight-Approximately 4.7 oz /135g (with battery)
• Keyboard- Backlit 35-key QWERTY keyboard, dedicated Send, End, Convenience, Power and Mute keys
• Trackwheel-Thumb-operated trackwheel
• Phone-Integrated earpiece and microphone, hands-free headset, built-in speakerphone, Bluetooth-enabled Rated for Hearing Aids
• Notification-Tone, vibrate, on-screen or LED indicator.User configurable notification options
• Bluetooth Hands-free and Serial Port Profile supported
• User Interface-Intuitive menus and simplified navigation

We are just getting started!

BlackBerry Messenger, too.

("I hear it now-a BBHub story that isn't about the Pearl-yay!!")

Robb of RIMarkable reports that one of his readers has been offered a pre-release option for the Verizon BlackBerry 8703e. The options started becoming available yesterday.

That reader happens to work for the U.S. House of Representatives.

Can't say BlackBerry and Verizon don't know where the power lies. But then again, I'd expect lots of corporate users to get their 8703e options this week as well.

You?

Next couple of weeks. Maybe sooner. But it wouldn't make sense to announce the device on the same day the Pearl goes on sale, now would it?

An officially unavailable, but unofficially downloadable Verizon BlackBerry 8703e Tips and Tricks document not only has, well, tips and tricks, but it offers an illustration of the 8703e's features.

One of those with arrows that point to the features. Like you see in the Quick Start Guides, which I betcha are coming so very very soon for this model.

A model BTW that may very well be announced, like, tomorrow.

Download link to the Tips and Tricks is below this post.

But, wait, wait.. don't you want to see some of the Tips and Tricks too?

Always lookin' out for ya...