Today's Boy Genius BlackBerry Pearl (8100) leak: the User Guide and a good long look at the trackball that gives the Pearl its name. From the guide it looks like it has built-in support for Push-to-Talk, which Cingular will most likely take advantage of when it releases the Pearl later on the year. The Boy Genius also confirmed to us that the Cingular version will have cosmetically differences from the T-Mobile release. Boy Genius also sent us a video of the Pearl's trackball -- a setting in the phone app enables the trackball to changes colors to a ringtone set and during a phonecall.
[Thanks to Jibi for deconstructing the Pearl .xml files]
Download - User Guide
Watch - Trackball video [MOV]
posted Sep 5th 2006 at 3:18PM
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Fyrestarrter @ Sep 5th 2006 6:43PM
Gee, I wonder HOW LONG it's going to take T-mobile to cripple MMS like they did on SK3? Other than that I am getting this thing NEXT week!
MacDork @ Sep 5th 2006 4:05PM
Wow. Anyone else excited about the Maps application?
CJ @ Sep 5th 2006 4:35PM
If you're any other than Sprint/Nextel or Verizon customer, you don't have GPS location-based services yet. So the maps app is no better or worse than Google Maps, which allows you to do all of that now on BB.
That said, I still want one so bad. It's about time I found something worth replacing my 7125 for.
Adam @ Apr 6th 2008 6:03PM
If you still have your old Blackberry 7125, I'd be interesting in purchasing it.
It's a bit of a rush. Feel free to phone (overseas): 972 54 672 0336
Thanks.
resource @ Sep 5th 2006 4:43PM
This is most ridiculous product leak ever.
Please just leak one to my house.
wheelsee @ Sep 5th 2006 5:22PM
wow...that was the most underwhelming video ever...
geno @ Sep 5th 2006 7:36PM
that video was so out of foucs!!!! but i digress...just spoke with my tmobile store in los angeles, and they have one reserved for me and stated that sales of the 8100 will commence on the 12th of September. So i suggest you contact your local tmobile store and "reserve" one as they will definitely be available for purchase on 9/12/06. And price tag is set for $399 supposedly. can't wait....
cingularrrrr @ Sep 5th 2006 9:40PM
when is this coming out for cingular? anyone know?
ScottK @ Sep 9th 2006 8:20PM
Cingular is comming out "Q4 2006" but since their monthly pricing is way more than t-mob I am switching. Not to mention I have gotten screwed on the whole AT&T Wireless conversion deal...
I thought the Pearl was going to be 199 w/2yr contract Whats up with the 399$ Geno?
Christen @ Sep 22nd 2006 3:30AM
Couple of things, and then some to note:
1) You can get the Blackberry Pearl free online. Wirelessbuys.com has it for $50 then there is a mail in rebate. I think this offer just ended, though.
2) Yes, switching to Tmobile will get you a cheaper monthly data rate but at much slower speeds. The 8100 sports a class 10 Edge chip, but tmobiles network is 2.5gs which leads to, at best, dial up speeds. Can't guarantee that Cingular's network will be alot faster in all areas but at least they have the capability.
3) I am skeptical to whether or not we'll see this device emerge on Cingular as early as Q4 2006 but I can only hope. I bought the Pearl from the above mentioned site but then cancelled as Cingular Data Plan for the blackberry is only $10 more a month and as also mentioned probably faster then Tmobs antiquated network.
Anyone know what the cosmetic differences will be on the Cingular version? I have a hard time believing that Blackberry would make significant changes. There is the Push To Talk rumor but that would be a soft key difference at that. And why can't it sport EVDO and EDGE or is that just too much chipset in such a small device.
Philip @ Dec 31st 2006 12:37PM
I tried to set up the 8100 for internet use via my computer...luckily I have two. it seems to be very sencitive. it worked on one, but didnt on the other, although I had identical settings. my server is t-mobile.so if you plan on using it as a modem be prepared for it to be dificult.
chanel @ May 31st 2007 12:16AM
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW TO DO A MASTER RESET , I CANT FIND IT ANY WHERE ON THE PHONE .. BLACKBERRY 8100 .... CAN ANYONE HELP ..