T-Mobile and Research In Motion (RIM) today launched the BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220 smartphone, the first BlackBerry clamshell.

RIM BlackBerry Pearl Flip (8220) More Photos View Specs

The Pearl Flip has the features of the BlackBerry Pearl, but adds enhancements to the design. A keyboard allows easy typing and dialing. The flip design protects the internal screen. The external display previews calendar reminders, email, text messages and phone calls.

RIM's mobile email supports text messaging, picture messaging and web browsing. Built-in Wi-Fi offers multimedia capabilities for sharing pictures, check the news or access social networking sites, including Facebook and Flickr. It features T-Mobile's Unlimited HotSpot Calling service. It provides unlimited, nationwide calling over Wi-Fi connections.

The BlackBerry Pearl Flip has a 2.0-megapixel camera with digital zoom and video recording and playback, stereo Bluetooth support, and an external memory card slot.

"The BlackBerry Pearl Flip takes all the advanced features and refined usability that customers have come to expect from BlackBerry smartphones and makes them available in a friendly and innovative design," said Mark Guibert, Vice President of Research In Motion. "Customers are going to love using this phone."

The BlackBerry Pearl Flip is now available in retail stores online. Available at launch in black, the Pearl Flip is also planned to be available in red in the coming weeks.

- RIM BlackBerry Pearl Flip (8220) Specs

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