Specs:
Display: 65K color color LCD, resolution: 240 x 260 pixels.
Battery: 900 mAh Lithium Ion rechargeable. Battery is user replaceable. Claimed talk time: 4 hours, claimed standby: up to 15 days. Battery model C-M2.
Performance: 312MHz XScale processor. 64 MB built-in flash ROM memory with ~17 megs free.
Size: 4.2” x 1.97” x 0.55”. Weight: 3.2 ounces.
Phone: GSM quad band world phone, 850/900/1800/1900MHz bands, locked to the carrier (you can use the phone anywhere in the world, but must use your carrier's SIM). EDGE for data. AT&T version supports PTT (Push to Talk).
Camera: 2.0MP camera with LED flash, can shoot still photos and video. Max photo resolution 1600 x 1200 pixels, with several smaller resolutions available. 5x digital zoom, full screen viewfinder. Can take video with audio at 240 x 180 and 176 x 144 with audio at ~15 fps (3GP format).
Audio: Built in speaker, mic and 3.5mm standard stereo headphone jack. Voice Recorder and Media player included for video/photo/music playback and ringtone management.
Networking: Integrated WiFi 802.11b/g and Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP stereo, headset/handsfree and serial port profiles. T-Mobile version supports UMA calling over WiFi (HotSpot @Home service).
Software: System software 4.3. BlackBerry push email client. BlackBerry IM client. VoiceSignal voice dialing software, media player. PIM apps include contacts, calendar, tasks and memo. Also Alarm clock, voice recorder, calculator, Password Keeper and BrickBreaker. TeleNav, XM Radio (requires subscription) and Music ID (requires subscription). BlackBerry Desktop software for PC included for syncing, software installation and media conversion. Mac users can download PocketMac for BlackBerry at no charge. T-Mobile version adds My Faves software, pre-installed IM Client, RepliGo (office document viewer), Asphalt 3 and Golden Tee Golf Mobile.
Expansion: 1 microSD card slot, supporting SDHC high capacity cards over 2 gigs.
In the Box: Phone, battery, charger, USB cable, stereo headset, slip case with belt clip, software CD and documentation.
Conclusion :
A nice update to the wildly popular Pearl that should extend the line's life another year. RIM fixed the niggles we had with the first version-- namely moving the microSD card slot out from under the battery, tweaking SureType prediction, enhancing the web browser and adding WiFi. We'd have loved a GPS inside but given the Pearl's very small size, there may well be a limit to how many features RIM can squeeze in. For those who aren't wed to full QWERTY keyboards and prefer a small, sexy device for serious messaging, the new Pearl is an excellent choice. It's fast, stable and easy to use. The multimedia features are growing up, and the once all-business BlackBerry can now ID songs, play XM Radio, act as in iPod stand-in and take quite good photos.
Pro: Great looks, incredibly light and quite small. Responsive and stable. The usual excellent push email is compelling if you're an email addict or messaging type. Bright and sharp display, excellent sound quality in call and for music playback through wired and Bluetooth stereo headphones. Has a standard 3.5mm headphone jack for music playback and the included headset is quite good too. Has WiFi, though the web browser isn't hugely faster when using WiFi (it probably helps XM Radio though). AT&T's BlackBerry Personal plan is reasonably priced at $35 for unlimited data and email.
Con: Battery life could be better. Media player doesn't handle higher quality encoded video easily. Still no 3G. SureType may be hard to adjust to if you've been a full-QWERTY keyboard phone user.
Price: $149 with 2 year contact after rebates from T-Mobile, $199 with 2 year contract after rebates from AT&T.
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