The BlackBerry Pearl: 8100 gets a name
What was once known as the BlackBerry Stealth, then as the BlackBerry 8100, is now known as the BlackBerry Pearl. That's right, RIM's first cameraphone with media capabilities and external storage is coming to T-Mobile on September 18th. We know you want, nay, need the details, so here you go: it's got a 65k color 240 x 260 display, microSD slot, 64MB internal flash, EDGE data, and will retail for $199 at launch. Seriously, that's not bad at all! What, still don't believe us? Well, not that we've ever led you (too) astray in the past, but click on if you want the full NDA'd press release. What, we can't help it if RIM's peeps can't keep a secret.So, ever want to see what an embargoed press release looks like? (Sorry, ours didn't come with images!) Here's what RIM and/or T-Mobile sent to some people -- not us though. Enjoy!
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS UNDER EMBARGO UNTIL SEPTEMBER 18, 2006.
BlackBerry Pearl from T-Mobile USA – The Best Way to Ring in the Holiday Season
This holiday season, treat that special someone to the BlackBerry® Pearl™ – a cool new BlackBerry that's as perfect for a night on the town as it is for a day in the office.
The BlackBerry Pearl is a very cool, incredibly small, easy-to-use smartphone. It comes complete with digital camera, multimedia capabilities and expandable memory. And it, of course, offers the full BlackBerry experience – including email, phone, web browser, text messaging, organizer applications and much more. This year, give your loved one the gift of freedom – with the BlackBerry Pearl they can do all the things they "have to do" and more of the things they "want to do."
Why is the BlackBerry Pearl the ultimate gift for the holidays?
· It's one sweet phone. It delivers premium phone features including Voice Activated Dialing (VAD), polyphonic, mp3 and MIDI ring tones, speakerphone, smart dialing, conference calling, speed dial, call forwarding and Bluetooth® support for hands-free use with headsets and car kits.
· It delivers the popular and proven BlackBerry experience users have come to know and love.
· It is incredibly sleek and exceptionally powerful – small enough to take anywhere and powerful enough to handle all of your communication and information needs. It's the ultimate combination of brains and beauty.
· It is incredibly easy-to-navigate with a new and intuitive trackball navigation system.
· It is the first BlackBerry to offer a camera with built-in flash and zoom – share pictures with your friends and family right away via email or MMS.
· It features a large, ultra-bright next generation 240x260 color display that brings more than 65,000 colors to life. Its built-in light sensing technology automatically adjusts screen and keyboard lighting for indoor, outdoor and dark environments to browse the web, view attachments, pictures and video files.
· It features a convenient media player – enjoy all the power of BlackBerry and listen to your favorite songs while browsing the web or reading an email.
· It supports a MicroSD card allowing for lots of storage space for pictures, audio and video files, along with 64 MB of internal memory.
· It is optimized for performance and operates on T-Mobile's high-speed EDGE network. It delivers an exceptionally fast performance experience for web browsing and other applications.
· It features RIM's popular SureType™ keyboard technology that makes typing amazingly quick and easy on such a small handset.
- It's easy to stay on top of important personal and work communications with the ability to access up to ten personal or work email accounts including Yahoo! and Microsoft® Exchange.
The BlackBerry Pearl from T-Mobile USA will be available at T-Mobile retail stores, select authorized dealers, online at www.t-mobile.com/blackberry , or by calling 1-800-T-MOBILE for $199.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
nyc @ Aug 9th 2006 3:21PM
Does anyone know the resolution on the camera? If it's 1 megapixel or above I'll get one
-_- @ Aug 9th 2006 3:23PM
SAY NO TO CRACK(BERRIES)!!
Donald @ Aug 9th 2006 3:30PM
If that's $199 out the door, RIM are either bloody insane or bloody geniuses. Though my heart of hearts is telling me it's a 2yr price.
Brenden @ Aug 9th 2006 3:32PM
I hope the camera resolution is 1.3MP or higher.
nofx @ Aug 9th 2006 3:35PM
amen!
William @ Aug 9th 2006 3:38PM
$199 sounds pretty sweet. I wonder what the "already been a customer of T-Mobile's for four years and won't qualify for new activation" price will be.
Dave Zatz @ Aug 9th 2006 3:41PM
No scroll wheel?!
CJ @ Aug 9th 2006 3:55PM
It does haave a scroll wheel like traditional BB's. And the multifunction button on the other side
CJ @ Aug 9th 2006 4:01PM
I take that back...It does not have a side scrollwheel. It has a rollerball in the center that functions like the old side scroller.
I'd need to feel one to see if I'd like it...
PK @ Aug 9th 2006 5:05PM
Assuming this thing will be available for Cingular fairly soon as well?
Max @ Aug 9th 2006 5:07PM
Now, I wonder if T-Mo or Cingular is going to roll out a more consumer-friendly price structure to match. I thought about getting a Crackberry for personal use, but I quickly gave up when I added up the monthly costs..
scott @ Aug 9th 2006 5:37PM
max,
$29 for bis data (if you have a voice plan) is pretty fair imho and shitload better than the old price of $45 for data. where cingular can adjust its pricing, however, is in the ungodly high tethering package. currently it costs $75 per month, and with the 8700, 7130, and most likely this device offering tethering capabilities, they're shooting themselves in the foot by not offering this option at a more realistic price.
Bill @ Aug 9th 2006 6:02PM
Can you use this as an EDGE modem when you connect this to your laptop via USB???
Yasir Faheem @ Aug 9th 2006 11:31PM
What is better 8100 or the 8700g that tmobile has out now?
Weegee @ Aug 10th 2006 3:44AM
I've been needing a reason to get rid of my RAZR.
P.S. skeet skeet
Dave @ Aug 10th 2006 6:19AM
I just got one of these, what do people want to know about it?
Coasterjob @ Aug 10th 2006 7:54AM
T-mo by far has the best BIS pricing at $19.99 add on to your voice plan. Last time I checked, Cingy's was $45 add on,
My contract is up on 8/31, maybe I'll hold out for this to drop...
Woohoo
Tino @ Aug 10th 2006 11:04AM
The hell with that!! Verizon wireless should be coming out with the blackberrys with the camera and all!! Got is verizonwireless slow or what when it comes to bringing out the latest phones?
ed @ Jun 5th 2007 2:21PM
I agree that V is so slow introducing phones - and the options aren't as good as other carriers'. But their service/coverage is still the best, so it's a painful compromise.
ScottK @ Aug 10th 2006 11:28AM
Anyone got the dimensions?
me @ Aug 10th 2006 2:25PM
#17 are you stupid? Verizon has the Samsung a930, the Samsung a990, the LG "Chocolate" and the Motorola Q. WHAT THE FCUK MORE DO YOU WANT?
Now if V-Cast didn't blow and Verizon had simultaneous voice and data possibilities (like Cingular's 3g network) i'd be all up in a 2-year contract with the V.
David Lopez @ Aug 10th 2006 3:08PM
Does any one know if this is a quad band phone?
stanley @ Aug 10th 2006 3:42PM
on the pic is looks 4 inches long and a little bit thicker than the 7105t. tmobile plans are where its at. cheapest of the lot. currently got a Q and can't wait to cancel my contract. paying 140 per month for what tmobile will give me for 70. wack! looking forward to this pearl even though sure type sucks compared to having a full querty. words like "grr" and "her", "she"/"age", "yet"/"try" and about six others no matter what you do in memory, it still funks up. no matter though, i'll suck it up for the edge, camera, and blackberry reliability. Q is great but the calendar and the email isn't as seemless and organized as on the blackberry platforms.
stanley @ Aug 10th 2006 4:27PM
8700 vs 8100? tough. all depends in the end about whether you want the full querty, side scroll(awesome) and a bigger screen or the sure type, the new trackball at the center and the extra new media functions. 8700 is clean and works great but i think this new 8100 is a can't miss. blackberry reliability, a new sleek black with silver sides and clean aesthetic(much better that those dual tones and even the dark blue/black 8700) with some of treo's function. Can't wait!
David Adler @ Aug 10th 2006 6:13PM
To Little To Late RIM
ARmobile @ Aug 11th 2006 2:06AM
its nice, but the double button keyboard would be annoying.. seeing a camera on it leads one question, will blackberry continue to be a government crack peace, considering if that is the future of blackberry, since no camera phones are aloud in court, or government buildings. the 8700 has the full keyboard and no camera. could there be a phone after the 8100 such as the 8800 with all of the goods from both..
nofx @ Aug 12th 2006 8:58AM
@22/stanley, no its not thicker than its 7105t. 8100/pearl is even slimmer than the razr.
http://www.blackberryforums.com/general-8100-series-discussion/43605-exclusive-new-pics-8100-a.html#post295472
stanley @ Aug 13th 2006 6:53PM
That's what i meant to say but sheesh. NOFX, good lookin out with the side by side pics. didn't know it was that thin. Thinner than a razor and basically the same length of closed razr? sweeet. This thing is winning points left and right. September 18th baby!!!
ryan @ Aug 14th 2006 1:46PM
does it have a full media player i.e. real player or equivalent, to watch video as well, or does it just have an mp3 player/ only the ability to play music files?
Bernie @ Aug 16th 2006 11:47AM
RIMM has no clue what can of worms they have opened with this device. They have always said that the "Berry is a business device", "we will never use external memory" yada yada yada. They are losing this battle and GOOD is still gaining ground on them. I would bet my last buck that if RIMM wants to compete with the Nokia and Motorola with this device they are in for a rude awakening.
James Jordan @ Aug 16th 2006 11:03PM
Does anyone know if Blackberry is coming out with a new release for Nextel and when?
Josh @ Aug 17th 2006 6:03PM
No new Nextel until Sprint's PTT is up and running over the EVDO network. Likely late 2007 or 2008. You're stuck with the 7520 and 7100i. Definetely tools, not toys.
Jodie @ Aug 18th 2006 6:15PM
Anyone know if something like this is coming out for verizon? Someone mentioned a new blackberry coming out soon (for verizon) and I was wondering if it was something like this?
jb @ Aug 27th 2006 11:34AM
I was told about the Pearl by a Verizon employee that indicates its coming, I hope so Or I may jump carriers for the 1st time in 20 years
ry @ Aug 29th 2006 1:02PM
For the guy on #30 and the guy on #31. Sprint Nextel is launching a "hybrid" phone in October that will use the CDMA network and the iDEN netwek for the push to talk walkie talkie service. The handset with be a Mototola with Blackberry, Sanyo, and Samsung devices coming in the near future. The voice side will work only on the Sprint digital coverage area, so will not have roaming much like the Nextel network is now. The handset is a ic502 Racer by Motorola.
berky @ Sep 3rd 2006 4:17PM
first thing its coming with a 1.3 meg camera, second think of a razr closed and a lil thicker and thats the size of it. its multi media will let you view video clips but not streaming video that i know of. the pearl is exclusive to tmobile but that doesnt mean bb wont come out with other options following for other companies but your going to wait a few months for that to happen. i really wish it had a scrolling wheel and full quwerty keyboard but if you want a smaller phone something has to give. this will be my next phone, im using the 7100 and 8700 right now.
SD Card @ Sep 10th 2006 10:02AM
RIM has definately delivered with a superb device - now it’s up to the marketing...
kt @ Sep 12th 2006 2:26PM
Does anyone know where I can buy just the phone without a contract? I have tmobile but am not eligible for an upgrade right now. I just want to buy the phone but can't find a place to buy it.
Greg @ Sep 27th 2006 11:17PM
This phoen is shitty. The buttons come unglued and yeah. I am on my thrid one! Also, note to self that it came out on the 18th!
Igloo Princess @ Dec 5th 2006 1:25AM
How fast is the browser on the Pearl? Is it just as fast as the 8700c? Does is really run on the Edge Network or is it a slower device.
-Snow Queen
Bhavik Parekh @ Jan 21st 2007 9:07PM
Does any1 know how much external memory can be added to the pearl..Does it support the newer 2gb MicroSD cards..or is 1 gb the max you can have ??
Linda @ Jan 28th 2007 9:51PM
I have had my Pearl for a couple of weeks now. I read the review of a coworker and he raved about it. (it seems most of my team in California have BB Pearl now) I had just upgraded to a razr and was agast that T-Mobile had Motorola adapt the sync capabilities out of the phone software, according to a Moto tech that I talked to. After 2 hours on the phone with T-Mob, they shipped me out my Blackberry.
The phone is the same thickness as the Razr and 1/3 inch longer. IT is FAST. I support Yahoo! Go, I have been very successful on getting it working on my device quite nicely.
The 1.3 megapixel camera takes great photos, email and SMS are easy, even with the double lettered buttons.There is a slight learning curve coming into this as your first RIM device, but I am loving it! It does run on EDGE!
The MP3 player is wonderful. I only have a 1GB microSD, but it is enough for traveling. Audio quality is super.
All in all, its a wonderful phone and I have no regrets about my purchase. The nly improvement I could think of would be Widgets for it!
damo666 @ Mar 3rd 2007 11:58AM
hey guys and girls stop knocking the bb pearl!!! It's the nuts. Theres nothing I ant do on it to run my businesses and to keep me entertained at any other time.
I have a number of website I run to sell stuff, This tools means that I can actually go on hilliday with out my laptop and still run the busines. This tool is so great that if I were in say auz, say at sydny harbour bridge and I wanted to go to the nearest mcdonalds. All I have to do to get verbal directions from point to point is tap into my pearl the word mcdonalds, I then get either a sat view or map view with directions step by step.
Again I think this tool is the nuts.
The only thing I havent found yet is a patch to watch streaming videos straight from the web. But i'm sure i'll be able to very soon...
The tool of the decade in my opinion
!!!!
Harry @ Mar 4th 2007 1:16PM
I went to a T-Mobile store yesterday. It's next to the supermarket I shop at. Wanted to check out the Perl. Had never seen one up close. At my t-mobile store a lot of the phones are activated and useable, so you can try them out.
I dont think I'd ever be happy with one. I have hands as big as Dr. J. And my eyes are probably as bad as Mr. Magoo. I was having a helluva time reading what key did what. And I prefer the larger keys on my HTC Wizard device.
But for a person who is going to be basically READING email and who will only need to do short five word responses , the Perl would probably be okay.
Also the thing LOOKS cool, but they use so much plastic on the device - this is definately not a device for a heavy duty user like some guy driving an earth mover.
Again - all just one person's opinion. YMMV
Ms V @ Mar 8th 2007 12:29PM
I still just want to know where I can buy one without a contract..I'm a T'moblr and they won't even let me upgrade right now...so this is still AMERICA right? I want a new phone!!! Help!!!
Sqgurl01 @ Apr 4th 2007 10:13AM
I have T-Mobile and I also needed a phone without a contract. I bought a BB Pearl 8100 for around $280 with out a contract on EBAY, it was well worth the extra money.
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russell @ May 14th 2007 8:55PM
hey #44, if worst comes to worst, you can always cancel and then open a new account. If anything, you can go to the store and tell them that's what you want to do and they might be able to figure somthing out. But like I said before, May cost some extra money, but just do early cancelation. GL!
john @ Oct 22nd 2007 9:56PM
does anybody how much this blackberry pearl costs????
john @ Oct 22nd 2007 9:59PM
does anybody know how much this costs????