BlackBerry hits a home run with Pearl

Cool Tools By Keith Shaw, Network World
October 09, 2006 12:07 AM ET

The scoop: BlackBerry Pearl (model 8100), with T-Mobile service, by Research in Motion, about $200 (after rebates and two-year agreement).

What it is: The latest wireless e-mail device from RIM, the BlackBerry Pearl is compact, shiny and full of features you didn't expect. This isn't your CEO's BlackBerry, lthough the CEO might want one after trying it out. In addition to the standard wireless e-mail features, the Pearl includes a 1.3-megapixel digital camera, music player application and quad-band phone support, which lets users connect worldwide via T-Mobile's GSM/GPRS networks.

The device lets users combine as many as 10 personal and work e-mail addresses, and includes a Web browser and Bluetooth 2.0 support for hands-free headsets. The 3.1-ounce BlackBerry Pearl offers as much as 3.5 hours of talk time and as many as 15 days of standby time.

Why it's cool: The addition of the digital camera and music player brings this into the world of converged devices. The camera was good enough for photos, but I prefer the resolution on my LG Chocolate phone.

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Sending picture messages, however, was much easier because of the SureType keypad on the Pearl. For IT groups concerned about the camera phone, RIM says an IT policy can let administrators disable the camera via the BlackBerry Enterprise Server (Version 4.1 SP2). This policy, as well as others, can be applied to individuals, groups or across the entire BlackBerry deployment, the company says.

I also was impressed by the size of the Pearl; it was much smaller than a standard BlackBerry.

The SureType keypad includes two letters on each key, which puts the device between the full qwerty-style keypad (one key for each letter) on regular BlackBerry devices and the standard three letters on each key of a cell phone. Still, the SureType software excels. If you don't look at the screen when typing a note, the system selects the correct word by the time you finish typing - it's very accurate and amazing to watch. Typing nonwords, such as e-mail addresses and acronyms, wasn't as smooth.

Another difference is the lack of the scroll wheel navigation on the right side of the device. Instead, there's a trackball in the center that lets you navigate between menu items with your thumb.

Some caveats: If you are switching from a regular BlackBerry to this one, the trackball navigation may bother you. In addition, the keys are closer together, causing typing difficulties for those with big fingers (or fat thumbs). The navigation and keys are designed for one-handed typing and navigation, so people accustomed to the two-thumb typing on an older BlackBerry may not enjoy this method of typing (on longer messages I reverted to two-handed typing). One other minor quibble - the keyboard lock is awkward. You have to go to the menu to lock it, then press a two-button combination to unlock the keypad. Before I figured this out, I inadvertently made several phone calls to my brother while the device was stored in my pocket or bag.

Grade: 4 stars (out of five).

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