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BlackBerry Pearl Unveiled for T-Mobile |
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BlackBerry Pearl Unveiled for T-Mobile
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Thu Sep 07, 2006 7:05 am
T-Mobile and Research In Motion (RIM) today unveiled the BlackBerry Pearl, available beginning Tuesday, September 12.
As the sleekest BlackBerry yet, the Pearl measures a mere 4.2" x 1.97" x 0.57" and weighing just 3.1 ounces. The BlackBerry wireless email solution continues to support for both personal and corporate email accounts, allowing consumers to stay connected to family, friends and work. Web browsing is fast thanks to T-Mobile's fast EDGE network. And integrated multimedia features offer a 1.3-megapixel digital camera, multimedia capabilities and an expandable memory slot for the first time.
The BlackBerry Pearl delivers easy-to-use phone features including Speaker Independent Voice Recognition for Voice Activated Dialing (VAD), support for polyphonic, MP3 and MIDI ringtones, and intuitive call management features such as smart dialing, conference calling, speed dialing and call forwarding. It also features a speakerphone and Bluetooth 2.0 for use with hands-free headsets, car kits and other Bluetooth peripherals such as a GPS receiver. BlackBerry Desktop Software synchronization via Bluetooth is also supported.
With a helpful Setup Wizard, the unique "push-based" BlackBerry service gives users synchronized access to both personal and corporate email accounts with attachment viewing and the ability to manage multiple accounts while on the go. The BlackBerry Pearl also comes with a newly enhanced version of RIM's SureType QWERTY keypad technology that makes typing messages and dialing phone numbers quick and easy. The handset is supported on BlackBerry Internet Service as well as BlackBerry Enterprise Server, with a new set of IT policy controls on the latter to allow IT departments to administer camera and expansion memory settings on corporate handsets.
Images appear incredibly vivid and crisp on the BlackBerry Pearl's large, ultra-bright, high resolution (240 x 260 px) display. Built-in light sensing technology automatically adjusts the screen and keypad brightness for optimum viewing of emails and attachments, pictures, web pages, business applications and games in indoor, outdoor and dark environments. The BlackBerry Pearl also introduces an intuitive user interface with a responsive trackball that makes vertical and lateral scrolling fast and easy. Dedicated 'menu' and 'escape' keys on either side of the trackball along with context sensitive menus make navigation instinctive, smooth, and true to the BlackBerry experience.
Featuring a 1.3-megapixel camera with built-in flash and 5x digital zoom, users can snap a picture and instantly share it with friends and family by email, MMS or BlackBerry Messenger. Photos can also be set as caller ID images, and can be easily transferred between the handset and a computer using the included USB cable.
BlackBerry Maps delivers maps and step-by-step driving directions quickly and conveniently. BlackBerry Maps works together with other BlackBerry applications, enabling users to send maps via email and launch maps from other applications including contacts in their address book. BlackBerry Maps is currently available in North America only.
The BlackBerry Pearl comes with a media player and stereo headset jack so users can enjoy their favorite music and videos on the go. Music and video clips are delivered with rich sound and vivid color. MP3 and ACC music files and MPEG4 and H.263 video files are supported.
The new BlackBerry Pearl from T-Mobile USA includes:
- BlackBerry Internet Service - allows access to up to 10 personal and corporate email accounts, including most popular ISP email accounts
- Popular instant messaging clients: AOL, Yahoo!, MSN, and ICQ
- 1.3-megapixel camera with 3 zoom levels (up to 5X) and built-in flash
- Multimedia player with stereo headset jack for MP3 and AAC music files, as well as MPEG4 and H.263 video formats
- High performance HTML browser for visiting web sites while on the go
- A newly enhanced version of RIM's popular SureType keyboard technology that makes typing email quick and easy
- An intuitive user interface with an easy-to-use trackball, dedicated 'menu' and 'escape' keys, and context-sensitive menus that make navigation feel instinctive and fast
Intuitive call management features such as smart dialing, conference calling, speed dialing, and call forwarding
- First-rate phone features with Speaker Independent Voice Recognition (SIVR) for Voice Activated Dialing (VAD), dedicated 'send', 'end', and 'mute' keys, speakerphone, and Bluetooth support for hands-free use with headsets, car kits and Bluetooth peripherals
- Quad-band GSM/GPRS and EDGE network support for international roaming
- BlackBerry Maps - a new application which adds mapping and location based services to the BlackBerry Pearl, also working together with other BlackBerry applications to enable users to send maps via email and launch maps from other applications
- Support for polyphonic, MP3 and MIDI ringtones
- A large, ultra-bright 240 x 260 px color display that brings images to life
- An innovative light-sensing technology that automatically optimizes the screen, trackball and keyboard lighting for indoor, outdoor and dark environments
- 64.0 MB built-in flash memory, expandable via MicroSD expansion slot
- BlackBerry Enterprise Server support - integrates with Microsoft Exchange, IBM Lotus Domino and Novell GroupWise environments and features a new set of IT policy controls for IT departments to administer camera and expansion memory settings
- RIM BlackBerry Pearl Specs
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| 1. Posted by The Chemist |
Fri Sep 08, 2006 1:52 am |
Lend me your ears and ill sing you a song.
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| 2. Posted by Tigress |
Fri Sep 08, 2006 2:42 am |
And to think that this device is exclusive to T-Mobile until November 30th....
I got my training on it today and the phone is SWEET! The trackball is great - You can really navigate easily with this device.
To top it off, you can customize your homescreen to the normal BB with all the icons, the main ones at the bottome, list view!
The quality for video is great - It comes with an imbedded video and I felt like I was watching TV on it!
Like the 8700 it supports different icons for your different email addresses so that you can keep track easily.
All in all it's a WONDERFUL device - However it just has me worried that the device will drop from being a business user phone with mostly tech savvy people owning and calling us, to a PDA like the others with people who have no idea how to use or operate the darn thing and call in contantly.
It happened to the MDA, I shudder to think about the volume of calls we'll get now...
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| 3. Posted by steve0092 |
Fri Sep 08, 2006 11:21 pm |
this phone looks pretty crazy. i would say this is the bst 1 so far i h8 how bb r so big all the time and they look ugly but i like this 1
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| 4. Posted by Stevenps |
Thu Sep 14, 2006 8:00 pm |
T-Mobile and Research In Motion (RIM) today unveiled the BlackBerry Pearl, available beginning Tuesday, September 12.
A The BlackBerry wireless email solution continues to support for both personal and corporate email accounts, allowing consumers to stay connected to family, friends and work. Web browsing is fast thanks to T-Mobile's fast EDGE network..
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The new BlackBerry Pearl from T-Mobile USA includes:
- BlackBerry Internet Service - allows access to up to 10 personal and corporate email accounts, including most popular ISP email accounts
- Popular instant messaging clients: AOL, Yahoo!, MSN, and ICQ
-- Quad-band GSM/GPRS and EDGE network support for international roaming
- BlackBerry Maps - a new application which adds mapping and location based services to the BlackBerry Pearl, also working together with other BlackBerry applications to enable users to send maps via email and launch maps from other applications
- RIM BlackBerry Pearl Specs
I have a few questions
First I am currently a T-mobile customer with a family plan including 3-lines with 1000 minutes. I use the Moto 330 phone.
I would like to upgrade to the new BlackBerry Pearl 8100. On Tmo website I cannot find any thing that suggests that the 8100 can be used on the EDGE network. Does this new phone/PDA in fact have EDGE capability? Also would additional cost would I incur if I sign up for this network? Finally how can I find out if the EDGE network is available in my area? Thank you
Steve Swickard
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| 5. Posted by Tigress |
Fri Sep 15, 2006 2:07 pm |
It does offer EDGE, actually 99% of our new phones do. Since it is basically an upgrade of the existing data network, there is no additional cost save the Blackberry feature you would need in order to get email and web browsing. As for finding out where, Cust service or Tech support can tell you. If you don't want to go that route, if I can have your Zip Code I can tell you Sunday after I get back from work.
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| 6. Posted by Stevenps |
Fri Sep 15, 2006 2:37 pm |
It does offer EDGE, actually 99% of our new phones do. Since it is basically an upgrade of the existing data network, there is no additional cost save the Blackberry feature you would need in order to get email and web browsing. As for finding out where, Cust service or Tech support can tell you. If you don't want to go that route, if I can have your Zip Code I can tell you Sunday after I get back from work.
Thank you for you answer this helps a lot.
My zip is 80925 if you get a chance to check. Thanks and have a great weekend
Steve Swickard
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| 7. Posted by corpnet |
Wed Sep 27, 2006 11:40 pm |
I bought one about a week ago and I love it. My one question is, does it support a2dp or avrcp so I can use bluetooth headphones to listen to music? This would make my satisfaction with my new phone complete if I can do this.
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| 8. Posted by corpnet |
Wed Sep 27, 2006 11:41 pm |
FYI I live in NY and the edge network is always available.
James
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| 9. Posted by jbrzeski |
Fri Sep 29, 2006 11:46 pm |
Tigress states that T-mobile has an exclusive through November 30. Does anyone have an idea when Sprint will get the device? Their cust svc says "Coming Soon" but with no dates. I love the Pearl but T-mobile's internet is much slower than Sprint's.
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| 10. Posted by steve0092 |
Sat Sep 30, 2006 1:24 pm |
in 2007 t-mobile is geting a faster internet thing cuz they just won the aution and the tower should b up in a lot of place by mid 2007
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| 11. Posted by jbrzeski |
Sat Sep 30, 2006 1:30 pm |
But when in 2007 and will the new service help me with my 2006-vintage Pearl? 2007 is a long time to wait. It seems sprint will have the Pearl before T-mobile builds a faster network. Thoughts?
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| 12. Posted by DCameron |
Tue Oct 03, 2006 11:22 am |
I just posted a review about my troubles with the blackberry pearl. I am a first time Blackberry user and I think I chose the wrong model to start with.
I will post my review here so you can see the issues I already had.
I have had it since Last Wednesday.
Although the trackball feature is really cool, I have already had problems with it.
The biggest issue is that somehow the audio gets turned off and no way to turn it back without having to pull the battery out for about 15 secs then replacing it. This has happened 3 times already to me.
My customer service had no idea WHAT caused it to turn off. You couldnt hear the phone ring nor be able to give a voice command. It was weird and frustrating especially when you are driving.
I have had a motorola before which you used your own voice for each entry and then the phone would recognize the number and dial. The blackberry has their own digitized voice (sucks) and has issues recognizing my husbands work number since its a Japanese firm.
Also in transferring over the phone book from the old phone, it didnt all get there. Many numbers came up as "no number" when you asked the voice command to dial it. It worked ok manually selecting it.
So the work around there was to delete the entry and start all over again with a new entry.
MP3's. OK I did not get the upgraded memory yet, but when I tried to add ONE MP3, it told me that it was too large. It was 3.3mg. Supposedly I have 64mg memory. So go figure this out.
I think the learning curve on this for a first time blackberry user is pretty high. I can build my own PC, but I have trouble figuring out the simplest things on this!
The default for the screen to stay lit is 30 secs. Well when learning this thing and setting things up you sure need more than 30 secs at times to read the built in instructions!!!. I had to call Customer service to figure out how to increase the time. Again it was not in the instructions that came with the phone.
Maybe its in the CD disk that came with it........but shouldnt this be an easier phone to set up?
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| 13. Posted by BarracksSi |
Sun Oct 08, 2006 12:40 pm |
Consider me subscribed -- I'm considering this phone with a switch to T-Mobile...
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| 14. Posted by doctadre183 |
Mon Oct 09, 2006 7:08 pm |
i heard really bad things about this phone. trust i suggest not get it
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| 15. Posted by BarracksSi |
Mon Oct 09, 2006 9:08 pm |
Well, too late -- I got one earlier today.
Haven't had much of a chance to mess with it, so I'll post up another review later if I remember to do so.
Never had a Blackberry phone before, either. We'll see how it goes; I can always return it, too.
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| 16. Posted by BarracksSi |
Wed Oct 11, 2006 1:34 am |
It's SMALL. Neat, but almost too small for my fingers. At least typing with my fingernails works well. I'm also getting used to seeing a QWERTY-style keyboard on a phone for the first time; years of standard numeric pads have my mind geared differently. Honestly, though, I've disliked typing with numeric pads, and I'm happy to have QWERTY on a phone.
For now, I'm assuming that some of the settings are just in different places than I'm used to seeing. Their locations could make more sense, though.
The current version of PocketMac appears to support it, or at least close enough to transfer all of my Address Book contacts, iCal calendars, and Stickies files. I don't use Entourage or some of the other organizer apps that it lists in its options, and I haven't bothered to sync it with OSX Mail. All I want now is a Mac-like theme so I can see some familiar icons (a friend has her BlackBerry with a Mac theme, and it's almost like home.. lol).
The Breakout/Arkanoid-style game sucks. Control is crap. I can't play it for more than a level or two before being annoyed -- I often quit it before losing a single ball.
Its user interface can use some help, IMO. It seems a lot more complex than it should be.
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| 17. Posted by macberry |
Mon Oct 16, 2006 2:32 am |
I got my Pearl on Friday and I've had a very different experience with PocketMac (ver 4). Installed the software on both my Powerbook (non-Intel, of course) and iMac (also non-Intel). When I connect my old Blackberry 7100t via USB, the software recognizes the phone (model and serial number) and easily synchronizes contacts and calendars. But when I swap in my new Pearl on the USB -- after all, the goal here is to transfer my entire address book from the old Blackberry to the new one -- the software has no clue that a phone has been attached. Model number and serial number remain blank.  
So far, no luck with either T-Mobile customer service or Blackberry tech support. Neither one has a clue what's the matter. I've tried closing the software and reopening it. I have uninstalled it and reinstalled it. I've power cycled the phone several times.
PocketMac claims the Pearl is supported in PMv4, but that's not my experience so far. Does anyone have experience tweaking this for compatibility?
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| 18. Posted by BarracksSi |
Mon Oct 16, 2006 10:42 am |
No experience in tweaking it for me --
I should have reported that it synced properly "just enough" to get everything moved over, which was once or twice. Since then, it hasn't been so rosy. Sometimes the Pearl will know that it's connected, most of the time it doesn't, and the last couple tries had the Pearl apparently disconnect on its own before PocketMac was finished.
Fortunately for me, I don't have to add many contacts or calendar items while away from the computer. If someone were making much more thorough use of their Pearl, though, this would certainly be a problem.
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| 19. Posted by guest |
Wed Nov 15, 2006 1:14 pm |
Hi..I am just wondering if it is necessary to sing up for the data plan with TMobile in order to use this phone for voice calls and mms??.. I know I know why get a blackberry if you're not going to get the data plan but just wondering..if anyone knows please post
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| 20. Posted by BarracksSi |
Wed Nov 15, 2006 1:18 pm |
I'm not signed up for T-Mobile's data plan. I did sign up for text messages and unlimited Blackberry, though.
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| 21. Posted by guest |
Wed Nov 15, 2006 4:00 pm |
I see..I currently have a voice plan with TMobile(contract expired so its month to month) I would like to purchase this phone but I don't want to extend the contract or sign up for any additional services...so can I just swap the SIM from my current phone into the Pearl and be able to make calls, send txt msgs, voicemail, etc. I've never had a blackberry..not sure if you have to have some special service activated just to use the phone (on the website it says it requires you to get the data plan)..the phone looks sweet..if you can answer my question please do, so that I can either buy it or stop looking at the pics and specs everyday 
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| 22. Posted by BarracksSi |
Wed Nov 15, 2006 7:16 pm |
I'd ask T-Mobile themselves, and even talk to several different reps in more than one call.
Getting a Blackberry without using the Blackberry functions, though, is pretty much overkill. I'm learning how much this little bugger can do.
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