Any Blackberry fans out there? If so then RIM has rolled out another device that many loyal Blackberry fans will want to get their hands on. Do you want a hint as to what it is before you jump in? Well, ok. This is what you’ll get when you combine the best of the old Blackberry with the best of the newest one. You still don’t know? Well then you better finish what you started.
RIM introduced the Blackberry 8100 Pearl in November 2006 which was a break away from the previous style that we’ve been used to. It was much smaller and thinner than any of it’s predecessors, making it feel more like an actual phone in your hands. This was accomplished by replacing the QWERTY keypad with a condensed keypad and SureType capability. The side-mounted scroll wheel from the previous devices was replaced with a pearl-like trackball underneath the screen for navigating. The Pearl was also the first Blackberry to include a camera and video recorder as well as allowing for extra storage using a microSD card.
Many loved the slimmer and sleeker design of the Blackberry Pearl, but there were some that still preferred the QWERTY keypad for typing. Well RIM heard their cries and released the Blackberry 8800c on February 20th exclusively through Cingular or The New AT&T, whichever you prefer. (I don’t even think they know who they are at this point anyway.)The 8800c still keeps the thin and sleek look of the Pearl, but it’s a bit wider to bring back the QWERTY keypad for those who couldn’t get the hang of or just didn’t like SureType.
The features of the 8800c are almost identical to the Pearl, with a few exceptions. The camera and video recorder were removed from the device. (It’s rumored that T-Mobile will carry a version of the 8800 that does have the camera and video recorder.) The phone still utilizes a microSD card for expanded storage. So you’re able to load up your favorite pictures, music, and videos and view or play them on the device. It also comes with built-in GPS that works great with a mapping application like Blackberry Maps.
The new Blackberry 8800c is an excellent phone that makes internet and emailing quick and easy. Although I have become used to the SureType of the Pearl, I miss the convenience and accuracy of the QWERTY keypad. Cingular is selling the phone at a retail price of $500. You'll get it for $350 and a $50 mail-in rebate with two years of service agreement. The only reason I haven’t picked one up yet is because there is talk of an upgraded 8800 with Wi-Fi capability that is making its way to the market in the near future. Hopefully they bring the camera and video recorder back on this version. Until then, I’ll just hold on to my Pearl.
RIM introduced the Blackberry 8100 Pearl in November 2006 which was a break away from the previous style that we’ve been used to. It was much smaller and thinner than any of it’s predecessors, making it feel more like an actual phone in your hands. This was accomplished by replacing the QWERTY keypad with a condensed keypad and SureType capability. The side-mounted scroll wheel from the previous devices was replaced with a pearl-like trackball underneath the screen for navigating. The Pearl was also the first Blackberry to include a camera and video recorder as well as allowing for extra storage using a microSD card. Many loved the slimmer and sleeker design of the Blackberry Pearl, but there were some that still preferred the QWERTY keypad for typing. Well RIM heard their cries and released the Blackberry 8800c on February 20th exclusively through Cingular or The New AT&T, whichever you prefer. (I don’t even think they know who they are at this point anyway.)The 8800c still keeps the thin and sleek look of the Pearl, but it’s a bit wider to bring back the QWERTY keypad for those who couldn’t get the hang of or just didn’t like SureType.The features of the 8800c are almost identical to the Pearl, with a few exceptions. The camera and video recorder were removed from the device. (It’s rumored that T-Mobile will carry a version of the 8800 that does have the camera and video recorder.) The phone still utilizes a microSD card for expanded storage. So you’re able to load up your favorite pictures, music, and videos and view or play them on the device. It also comes with built-in GPS that works great with a mapping application like Blackberry Maps.
The new Blackberry 8800c is an excellent phone that makes internet and emailing quick and easy. Although I have become used to the SureType of the Pearl, I miss the convenience and accuracy of the QWERTY keypad. Cingular is selling the phone at a retail price of $500. You'll get it for $350 and a $50 mail-in rebate with two years of service agreement. The only reason I haven’t picked one up yet is because there is talk of an upgraded 8800 with Wi-Fi capability that is making its way to the market in the near future. Hopefully they bring the camera and video recorder back on this version. Until then, I’ll just hold on to my Pearl.
