This major update to the popular 7105t brings the BlackBerry experience to a whole new level. The BlackBerry 8100 Pearl is not only thinner and lighter, it also sports a memory card slot, a music player, and voice dialing. Other features, such as Bluetooth 2.0, EDGE high-speed data, and the popular SureType keypad make this a complete mobile office solution. And of course, legendary BlackBerry push email as well as the fabulous T-Mobile myFaves calling program are fully supported on the BlackBerry 8100 Pearl.
The SureType keypad makes the BlackBerry 8100 Pearl's diminutive size possible.
Learn more about the handheld. You can also see it in 3D. |
Design
Like the BlackBerry 7105t, the BlackBerry 8100 Pearl is a departure from the form factor of previous BlackBerry devices. This BlackBerry handset is far more phone-like, and RIM's engineers have managed to fit a QWERTY keyboard onto the handset's slim frame. Each button on the keyboard shares two letters and the unit automatically determines which letter is the intended one based on what it predicts you are trying to spell. This unique predictive text technology, known as SureType, makes the BlackBerry 8100 Pearl's handset's diminutive size possible. SureType also learns the words you use most often, further enhancing your typing speed. The BlackBerry 8100 Pearl sports a large 240 x 260 screen that supports over 65,000 colors--plenty of real estate to view your emails, Web browser content, messaging sessions, and attachments. The venerable BlackBerry trackwheel has been replaced on this model with an innovative four-way trackball placed below the screen. On the rear of the handheld, you'll find a 1.3-megapixel camera lens, while the handheld's microSD memory card slot is located inside the device, behind the battery. There's also a standard 2.5mm headset jack that can be used with the included headset, as well as a mini-USB port for data connectivity.
Calling Features
All the calling capabilities folks have come to expect in a wireless phone are present in the BlackBerry 8100 Pearl. The handset's speakerphone makes it easy to use the device hands-free, or if you prefer, you can use a wireless headset via the phone's built-in Bluetooth capability. A vibrating alert, speed dial, and a contacts list/address book (limited only by the unit's 64 MB of internal memory) are also included. Any of the phone's 32 included polyphonic ringtones can be used to create caller-specific ringers, so you can know who's calling without having to look at the handset. More ringtones are available from T-Mobile's t-zones mobile Web service. A new feature, speaker independent voice dialing, allows you to call contacts with the sound of your voice. No prior voice training is required; you can just say a contact's name to call them.
This phone is fully compatible with T-Mobile's myFaves service, which allows you to call up to five of your most common contacts--on any network--without using any of your minutes. Learn more about myFaves.
Available only from T-Mobile, the myFaves experience emphasizes people first rather than technology. This unlimited calling feature enables people to concentrate on their conversations, thereby eliminating concerns over which network their friends or family use. myFaves empowers users to have five photos or icons on their myFaves-enabled device's home screen that illustrate the five people who they call the most. Then, with a simple click, the user has unlimited nationwide calling to that designated person--to any number in the U.S., even landlines. The myFaves phone interface also enables the user to access a straightforward communications menu in just one click for effortless text and multimedia messaging (additional messaging charges apply).
Messaging, Internet, and Tools
While the BlackBerry 8100 Pearl is a different kind of BlackBerry device, it still delivers the legendary BlackBerry email experience. With BlackBerry service plans from T-Mobile, you can receive emails instantaneously from up to 10 email accounts (personal and enterprise). And with BlackBerry push technology, you don't need to retrieve your email. BlackBerry devices are designed to remain on and continuously connected to the wireless network, allowing you to be discreetly notified as new email arrives. Support is also built-in for viewing email attachments (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, WordPerfect, and PDF formats).
If your company has a BlackBerry Enterprise Server installed, you can take advantage of the power of wireless calendar synchronization. Your calendar events are exchanged wirelessly and automatically so that your desktop calendar and BlackBerry handheld calendar are synchronized. All your Outlook meeting requests, changes, and updates are instantaneously synchronized with your desktop. Make meeting requests, invite new attendees, and more, all on your BlackBerry 8100 Pearl. Users without BlackBerry Enterprise Server support can manually sync with their desktop calendars and contacts via Bluetooth or USB using the included BlackBerry Desktop Software.
Use the BlackBerry 8100 handset's Web browser to access the Internet from the palm of your hand. Browse Web sites, get up-to-date stock quotes, read the latest news, check weather reports, and more--all at fast speeds, thanks to support for T-Mobile's EDGE high speed data network. Instant messaging and wireless messaging are also built into the BlackBerry 8100 Pearl. The handheld supports AOL, Yahoo, and ICQ instant messaging, as well as SMS text messaging. MMS messages can be received and forwarded.
The BlackBerry 8100 Pearl ships with a number of tools, including a calculator, a calendar, an alarm, and a to-do list.
Imaging and Entertainment
The BlackBerry 8100 Pearl really kicks the fun up a notch with the inclusion of a 1.3-megapixel camera that features an LED flash and white balance controls. How about some music? The handheld's music player supports playback of your tunes in MP3, AAC, AAC+, and eAAC+ formats. The handheld is also compatible with Java application and game downloads (available via the t-zones service).
Vital Statistics
The BlackBerry 8100 Pearl weighs 3.16 ounces and measures 4.2 x 2.00 x 0.57 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 3.5 hours of digital talk time and up to 360 hours of digital standby time. It runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies. The phone comes with a one-year limited warranty.
