The Boy Genius Report: Cingular 8100 launch presentation!
by Ryan Block 
posted Nov 16th 2006 at 11:28AM
It would appear that after a brief hiatus of his column here at Engadget due to launching his new site, Boy Genius Report.com, we now get some dirt on a phone some Cingular customers have been seriously anticipating. The Boy Genius sent us a full hi-res shot of the Cingular branded BlackBerry 8100 (see above!), along with a couple slides from an internal Cingular / RIM presentation (after the break). You won't have to be waiting much longer as the release date has been moved up from November 28th, to Tuesday, November 21st. It's nice to know the same notable T-Mobile features are still onboard; Cingy did add Push-to-Talk though, and changed the color theme on the device (for the worse if we might add). But at the end of the day it will remain almost the same as the Pearl you love, or hate -- or hate to love. Now if only RIM would get the 8800 out the door. But we're sure The Boy Genius will have that soon enough, whether Cingy likes it or not. (Figure: not.) Click on for the PowerPoint.
Be sure to check out the The Boy Genius Report for more from The Boy Genius.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Rob @ Nov 16th 2006 11:39AM
I want one now!
johnny Won @ Nov 16th 2006 11:44AM
wireless on/off does that mean 802.11?????
also, the presentation slides are ugly as sin
Fetcho @ Nov 16th 2006 11:53AM
it says its push to talk, but doesnt list a button for it...
theburn16 @ Nov 16th 2006 12:00PM
johnny Won: no, it simply means whether or not you're able to use the phone part of the device
Sean @ Nov 16th 2006 11:57AM
Response to #2 Johnny Won:
Wireless On/Off is a feature that's been included in many smartphones for some time now. It basically shuts off the "radio" or transmitter/receiver if you will, so that you can use the other functions of your smartphone while on a flight.
fyrestarrter @ Nov 16th 2006 12:10PM
The Push To Talk Button is the LEFT Convenience Key. The original firmware for Pearl has that button as a DUAL button. Voice Activated & you can also set it up to perform another function as well. Same button, TWO uses.
Tony @ Nov 16th 2006 12:38PM
samsung blackjack or 8100??
Steve Weinstock @ Nov 16th 2006 12:45PM
#7...GREAT question. I'm sitting here today thinking that same thing. When day is done, guess it's a personal preference thing.
Sunil @ Nov 16th 2006 12:53PM
Price?
Eric @ Nov 16th 2006 1:10PM
any info about whether or not Verizon will get a version of the Pearl soon? thanks.
jojo @ Nov 16th 2006 1:17PM
Does it have the Zen theme thats on the tmobile? it lists 5 icons along the bottom and in my opinion is the best theme ive used especially on the smaller berrys.
Im guessing if it had it they would show it. Its so cluttered the way they show it
jojo @ Nov 16th 2006 1:19PM
Also Did they put a mesh grill on the back so the speaker doesnt sound muffled?
Its so stupid how the tmobile pearls speaker is blocked. Sounds like ass
David @ Nov 16th 2006 1:22PM
Did RIM ever fix the problem with the ringer getting turned off by the slightest movement of the pearl rollerball?
crashoverride @ Nov 16th 2006 1:26PM
I must give props to the Boy Genius for getting us the detailed information! Will the PTT set this apart?
I think the PTT option on this may appeal to business and personal users alike. I know that I have six lines for my family and I wouldn't mind plunking down a little cash for the family plan for PTT. I know Cingy's PTT isn't true 'walkie\talkie, but IDEN/Nextel is going away soon anyway, 3G ought to help it speed up soon for Cingy. Still, if the Pearl and the upcoming 8800 have PTT, it might prove to be Cingy's smartest move all-around.
Whether Cingular knows it or not, I think the Pearl and other consumer-focused blakcberrys to come, are the phones that business people, celebs and everyday users want in the 21st Century. They are fairly reliable, simple, versitle, stylish and compact. It's a shame for Cingy that TMO seems to get its universal appeal a little better. Still, I'll be buying 2 of these and retiring my reliable 8700, 7130c or E62 and adding another BB service to my account...the 8800 ought not to be too far behind!
What do others think? Is the PTT a plus or a minus?
CJ @ Nov 16th 2006 2:48PM
I think PTT acceptance will depend on pricing. If they can get unlimited PTT onto any plan for a flat rate, it should take off, especially considering that Pearl will have it.
Duncan Hunter @ Nov 17th 2006 11:11AM
Awesome, DHunter needs a new Blackberry
Eric @ Nov 17th 2006 11:35AM
Just ordered mine yesterday. Cingular can suck an egg for those ludicrous data plan prices. T-Mobile, here I come!
Shaun @ Nov 17th 2006 2:05PM
Two shades of grey?!%
Dammit cingular. What'd you have to go do that for.
jds @ Nov 17th 2006 3:37PM
The Zen theme is from BlackBerry, not T-Mobile. I went to BlackBerry's website to get it; for free. The default web page is where to go for it. There are a few themes and several ringtones/notifications you can download.
I've not had any problems with the trackball/ringer problem listed by David (post #13) and I've had my Pearl for about a month. I assume it was fixed previous to that timeframe.
Chris @ Nov 17th 2006 4:16PM
Not a lot of comments on the web browsing ability. Wonder if it's as slow as my current Cingy BB. Anyone seen that new device on Cingy's website just under the new BlackJack? Some Cingular exclusive?
Creon @ Nov 17th 2006 4:48PM
#11 and #19 I think he was referring to the "Horizon" theme or whatever is the T-Mobile default. That's a T-Mob-specific theme, AFAIK. Yeah, Cingy's is just dead dull comparatively.
Ron @ Nov 17th 2006 7:14PM
Cool--what's the price?
Steve @ Nov 17th 2006 10:46PM
I was about 5 seconds away from buying a blackjack. Then the dealer mentioned $40/month for data! That is unreal. I had the T-Mobile Pearl for a couple days before I realized their network sucks down here. I'll probably get the cingular pearl when it comes out and pocket the $10 / month and pray for the day that Cingular can get their heads out of their asses and charge a number which will promote mass adoption of 3G.
Steve @ Nov 17th 2006 11:16PM
Oh yeah... too bad the pearl is NOT 3G. Browsing can be painfully slow, whether tethered, using Opera Mini, or BB browser.
Chris @ Nov 20th 2006 9:55PM
I've been waiting for this phone to be released by Cingular for weeks as most of you guys have. And when I read this, I got excited about the possibility of it coming out tomorrow. But I just got off the phone with Cingular and they said it will be released on February 10th.
I'm crossing my fingers.
Sher @ Nov 21st 2006 9:06AM
What is the web site that you can download the Zen theme for the BlackBerry Pearl for free?
Matt @ Dec 25th 2006 12:23AM
Sher, the url is mobile dot blackberry dot com