The Everyday Smart Phone

The Blackberry Pearl was Research-in-Motion's attempt to build a product that had all the functionality and features that were attracting consumers into buying their business-oriented phones, but added features people had come to expect from ordinary consumer-oriented phones. The result is one of the best smart phones aimed at consumers to appear on the market, a highly competitive and affordable phone that can fit almost everyone's needs.


Specifications
3G wireless
Wireless E-mail, MMS, and SMS
GPS navigation
Bluetooth v. 2.0
microSD slot with 64 MB built-in
2.0 MP camera with video
SureType hybrid QWERTY keyboard


Design

The Blackberry Pearl feels light, but not insubstantial; it's easy to handle, without being as clunky as the 7000 series of Blackberry phones. Overall the aim was to create a phone that resembled a phone consumers had become accustomed to using while at the same time adding smartphone features. The keyboard is an amalgamation of a full QWERTY keyboard and a T9-style input system. However, some might find the keys too small and hard to use. The main navigation button is a small trackball that takes some time to get used to as it doesn't provide much tactile feedback and can feel quite slippery. Overall though, the Pearl is one easy to use phone that can easily be adapted to by most users.

The small screen doesn't hamper e-mail viewing or websurfing; in fact, the screen appears almost deceptively small.

The updated 8130 model places the SD card slot on the side instead of behind the battery, allowing easy use of hot-swappable memory for music, movies, and other media. Independent volume controls, a mini headphone jack, and a mini-USB port finish off a complete set of inputs without adding too much clutter.

Software

The keyboard necessitates use of RIM's SureType software, a predictive software similar to T9. The vocabulary is large, adding words is easy, and it can lead to blazing fast messaging speeds. However, it does share many flaws with traditional T9 systems. When using unfamiliar words, pronouns, or humorous quips, the system completely fails and repeating tapping is necessary to input words. While clumsy and somewhat flawed, most users will find text entry easy and quick.

A great addition is bluetooth GPS built into the phone, without having to add an additional GPS chip. The navigation is simple and easy to use, although like most smart phones, can be difficult to use while on the go.

Other software includes your typical smartphone features: blackberry's great push e-mail, and adding POP3 e-mail accounts is easy to do. The web browser is fast due to great software and a 3G connection. Other little add ons include games, a calendar and datebook, calculator, address/phone book, and other typical phone features.

Camera Capabilities

The second-generation 8130 model upgrades the camera to 2.0 Megapixels with the ability to take video as well. The camera's performance is resolutely average, although on a phone of this size and within this range typically don't impress in the first place. It's a nice extra feature to have and it was nice to see an upgrade from RIM.

Performance and Battery Life

In day to day use, I found myself charging my phone approximately every 24 hours, although I tend to do at least 3 hours of talking a day which includes use of a bluetooth headset. Otherwise, most other uses involve surfing the web for information, using the GPS system, and watching media while killing time. Overall the battery life performed excellently for a phone of this caliber.

Reception and Clarity

Lest we not forget, these phones are ultimately used for voice communication. Upgrading to this phone from a typical LG phone handed out for free by Verizon, I found the clarity, volume, and reception of this phone to be stellar. Seeing as how many buyers of this phone won't be moving from another smart phone but rather upgrading from a standard cell phone, the call quality is exceptional.

Final Word

For those that can't tolerate the lack of a full QWERTY keyboard, look elsewhere. However, for those looking for their first smartphone that is simply packed with every feature you could ask for, the Pearl is for you.