The next episode of the ubiquitous Pearl is now available in T-Mobile stores across the land, bringing the spec sheet in line with the features
Sprint,
Verizon, and
AT&T customers have been enjoying for a little while now -- a 2 megapixel camera, external microSD slot, and 3.5mm headphone jack, just to name a few. Unlike the 8130 for CDMA networks, the 8120 that T-Mobile and AT&T share adds a 802.11b/g radio, but the T-Mobile version packs yet a couple more tricks up its sleeve -- you know, the ones you'd probably expect of any modern T-Mobile phone with WiFi, namely support for myFaves and
HotSpot@Home. That last bit about the WiFi calling is where it gets really interesting. Put simply, the experience we had setting up, using, and making calls with the new Pearl linked up to our router was the best we've had so far with any HotSpot@Home device; it definitely seems like T-Mobile and RIM are learning a thing or two about how to make this a truly seamless and painless process. A "UMA" indicator on the display lets you know that calls are being routed over the service, but if you're not paying attention to it, you might never know it's happening -- it's just that good. Grab it starting today for a shade under $150 on contract, or if you'd prefer to keep your money firmly in your pocket, you can still live vicariously through our gallery here!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Havanahjoe @ Apr 14th 2008 1:45PM
So no GPS?
Wifiguy @ Apr 14th 2008 2:20PM
Okay Engadget, we need you guys to open this bad boy up and tell us what wifi chip is being used to give this Blackberry the seamless UMA voice experience. Atheros, Texas Instruments or Marvell. Okay!!!!
Dan @ Apr 14th 2008 3:39PM
no GPS on the non-8800 series w.o the xx10 designation. i.e. 8110, 8310 have GPS but no WiFi, 8120, 8320 have WiFi but no GPS, 8820 has both
Deelbeson @ Apr 15th 2008 6:41PM
How can you get a black one?
The one off of the T-Mobile site is gold?
bintmartin @ Apr 15th 2008 11:33AM
It is not gold - it is the Titanium color. I bought one yesterday. I love the WiFi Hotspot@home. Saves me bookoo bucks.
Duke Rothy @ Apr 15th 2008 6:53PM
So it's not 3G and no gps. what is t-mo doing ?
dweechin @ Apr 14th 2008 8:31PM
@Duke:
It's not T-Mobile, it's RIM. None of the 8XXX series BB's have 3G support - for ANY network. Besides, T-Mobile doesn't exactly have a full 3G network deployment yet anyway. Although, I just got this phone today and I must say the WiFi radio makes me not even care about the lack of 3G. I love this thing! The HotSpot at home is F**Kin' sweet! I was skeptical at first, but the clarity is amazing. I'm pleasantly surprised at how well TMO has pulled this off.
dweechin @ Apr 14th 2008 8:31PM
Actually, I take that back -
By technicality, Verizon and Sprint's BlackBerry devices have 3G, but that's of an EVDO flavor. What I meant was all of the GSM BB 8XXX series devices do not have 3G support (yes, even the European BB 8XXX's are without it).
Albert Wu @ Apr 16th 2008 12:49AM
I actually just went and bought this yesterday. After a day of using it, I have no complaints. It transitions from GSM/EDGE to basement lab wifi without a hitch, and the mp3 player works great once you figure out the controls (mute for play/pause, 6/4 for fwd/rev). This is basically everything I ever wanted from my original pearl, and it has succeeded in replacing both my ipod touch (which i never really got used to to begin with) and my pearl 8100.
the new browser is nice, too. it chokes on some pages still, but that's due to the BIS server preprocessing. all the stuff that worked with my old BB (google sync, facebook, etc) works with the new pearl 8120, and on top of that, RIM finally fixed bluetooth tethering with macs. it doesn't require power cycling the phone anymore and runs a lot faster and more reliably (i used to have problems connecting even after a power cycle on the 8100).
battery life seems weaker, but still enough to last through a day or two of heavy use (gsm/bt/wifi on, medium use of the mp3 player, low RF signal areas).
hotspot_jimmy @ Apr 16th 2008 10:06PM
Another cool thing is that it has a video camera on it. I havent gotten to play around with it to much but it does require you to have a micro sd card but it is compatible up to a 4gb which is leaps and bounds over the original 8100
cooperspeed1981 @ Apr 20th 2008 12:22AM
I am fully aware of what this device can and can't do and there aren't too many things this device can't do. How many companies in the US of A has the ability to make "Wi-Fi or VoIP" calls? I have been in this industry for some time and I don't know of any but 1, that's right, 1 and it's T-Mobile. It started with a few mobile phones and then came the BB Curve 8320, and then the 8120 Pearl. The seemless transfer of EDGE to UMA is something that amazes me and not many will understand unless they have personally experienced it. I use Verizon DSL and their router not the D-Link or Lynksys router and the only difference is that you have to search for your Wi-Fi network manually from the device. IMHO, this is the wave of the future... cell towers as we know be it GSM, CDMA, HSDPA have limits to how many users may be on a single cell tower where Wi-Fi can give you twice that if not more on 1 router. I mean, think about all the HOTSPOT locations in public places like Starbucks, Hotels, Barnes and Nobles just to name a few have at least 20+ users without any problems. this will allow users to access the network with less busy signals, dropped calls, and not to mention clearity.
For those of you who are speaking purely on speculation no wireless company in the US has 3G perfected, no one, not even ATT who launched UMTS in 2003(I believe) and what have they done with that? They're logo is "Raising the Bar!" the only bar they are rasing is the price. At this point ATT is not doing a thing to improve their network. Just like when they launched PTT, it was a kick ass idea but what have they done with it? NOTHING same thing with their 3G which is extremely flawed and unreliable. I don't care what people say about TMO but they have the much covetted JD Power and Associates, they are the ONLY wireless company who was on that list of the companies with the best customer service, 6yrs I might add. What's my point? TMO will not launch anything without knowing it is solid and near perfection which from expereince UMA has achieved. Who cares about 3G when Wi-Fi will provide faster speeds and much more reliable wireless service and experience.
The Curve 8320 and the Pearl 8120 doesn't have GPS but would any of you guys rather have a built in GPS instead of UMA? I know I wouldn't. I would much rather have UMA w/o GPS because most of you know that you can always purchase an external GPS devices provided by Telenav http://www.telenav.com/ and Mapquest Navigator https://mapquestdtc.telmap.com/shopping.htm?carrierCode=ATT&deviceCode=BB8700C. I don't know how much you guys know about Blackberry/RIM but RIM made this device to our specs. Not the the other way around. If there are anyone who is on the market of switching to TMO please feel free to e-mail me so I can put you in touch with a rep from TMO who would better assist any of you with questions you guys may have. https://mapquestdtc.telmap.com/shopping.htm?carrierCode=ATT&deviceCode=BB8700C
Thanks for your time and my BB PIN is 245506d9 and anyone is more than welcome to contact me with any other questions. Thanks.
Wireless Specialist @ Apr 21st 2008 1:12PM
The Blackberry 8820 has both WiFi (with UMA on T-Mobile USA) and GPS. No compromise on this device, unlike the 8320 and 8120. It also has a larger battery (1400 mAH vs. 1100 mAH).
djjt @ May 1st 2008 2:16AM
Thank you for all of that info, cooperspeed. i switched to t-mobile about 4 months ago, because my verizon wireless bill was over $200/month for the 8830, the limited data plan, and an aircard.
now with t-mobile, i can get the 1000 anytime minutes, unlimited texting, my new pearl 8120 with wifi, hot spot @ home, and i bought a gps puck for $29 on ebay that has been ROCKIN. lights up in less than 20 seconds every time. i can't understand why people are cryin about the gps when the puck is a third the size of the pearl, weightless in your pocket, rests perfectly on top of the dash board... AND you can use it with ANY phone or even with your laptop, because it's a bluetooth connection.
people, t-mobile is global for a reason. americans do NOT have the best products or the best solutions any more. don't resist the winds of change -- embrace them. or be left in the dust.
Mr Maze @ May 2nd 2008 11:22PM
This makes me want to bail on my Veri$on contract even more...
Stephen @ May 24th 2008 5:59PM
The UMA service sounds excellent, but let's face it! People buy a cellular phone for 'being out with their phones in the boonies,' not for calling at home.
If T-Mobile's towers had UMA instead of 'merely cellular/gprs,' then they might have something. UMA does work for the occasional hot spot and, of course, at home.
However, I live in an RV. Full time. I expect my wireless service to work, where I am, all the time. The technology needs to improve drastically, either that or the satellite phone/data service providers--you know, the ones like Iridium and GlobalStar?--are going to wise up, lower the cost of their phones, increase data transmission capability drastically, and leave the cellular carriers in the dust!
Kirsten @ May 25th 2008 5:39PM
I really don't know much about technology, but I've had this phone for about a year and a half now (I bought it like only a month after it came out) and it is seriously the BEST phone I've ever had :) My only complaint is that the back seems a bit fragile and will come off if you're not careful and don't keep it in a case regularly. Also the shiny casing gets a bit smudgy at times. I don't think I could ever get tired of this thing though. I'd probably end up using it for the next five years if I don't have to switch to another company or it doesn't fall apart first ^_^ Although I wouldn't mind having it in another color if it reduces the smudge factor. I got the classic black one.
TareX @ May 28th 2008 5:16AM
Great form factor, excellent build. Love the qwerty. But no 3G? Sorry, but no thanks.
(Also BB browser is terrible, and I already have Opera Mini on my E65. If I'll upgrade it will be to an Opera Mobile 9.5 capable phone...)