BlackberryCool is reporting that AT&T will lock the GPS functionality of the upcoming BB 8820, allowing it to work only with TeleNav Navigator:
Apparently - and remember, this is coming from someone inside AT&T - the carrier didn’t want to launch a device that would seem superior (or be competitive) to the iPhone. RIM was apparently livid over the decision (and with good reason), but AT&T basically said “do it or we won’t buy the 8820 or any future devices from you” and RIM backed down. Our AT&T informant also said that this was a call made by top RIM/AT&T brass.
A rumor has already been circulating that AT&T will lock the WiFi functionality of the 8820 unless you subscribe to an EVDO data plan. This is indeed a dark day for quite a few stakeholders in the U.S. wireless industry. So when’s that FCC spectrum auction?
