BlackBerry maker Research In Motion today unveiled the BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220 for T-Mobile, moving to increase its fast-growing share of the U.S. market with its first clamshell phone, the most popular format in North America.

RIM BlackBerry Pearl Flip (8220) More Photos View Specs

The Pearl Flip 8220 features a chrome-finished frame surrounding its smooth, luminescent face. It features a high-resolution display on the outside, so users can preview emails, text messages and phone calls without opening the phone. A larger display on the inside lets users browse webpages, watch videos and read email.

The Pearl Flip integrates a 2.0-megapixel camera with flash, zoom and video recording. An advanced media player can watch videos and play music. It offers an equalizer with 11 preset filters - including Lounge, Jazz and Hip Hop.

A large QWERTY keyboard that makes typing messages convenient. It supports up to 10 email accounts. Users can edit Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint files. It also features a speakerphone and Bluetooth 2.0 for use with handsfree headsets, stereo headsets, car kits and other Bluetooth peripherals. Built-in Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g) supports UMA (unlicensed mobile access) for voice calls over home Wi-Fi networks.

BlackBerry Maps provides for step-by-step driving directions. The HTML browser displays webpages in either "Column View" or "Page View" with settings for desktop-style HTML content and the mobile version of webpages. The browser also supports RTSP to watch online streaming video from sites like YouTube.

It features a microSD/SDHC memory card slot that supports up to 16GB of storage. The removable/rechargeable 900 mAh battery provides four hours of talk time and over 14 days of standby time.

"The popularity of BlackBerry smartphones has grown tremendously around the world and the introduction of this exciting new flip phone will help extend the reach of the BlackBerry platform even further," said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO, Research In Motion. "The BlackBerry Pearl Flip is a full-featured smartphone with a unique and friendly design and it is a natural choice for flip phone users who want to start doing more with their phone than just talk."

The BlackBerry Pearl Flip (8220) will be available from T-Mobile beginning this fall.

- BlackBerry Pearl Flip (8220) Specs

Post a comment and discuss this story with other readers.