RIM BlackBerry Pearl 3Ghas always been a successful handset. Its candybar format appeals to those without a lot of pocket space, and to those who don't really want the bells and whistles of a large screen with a touch interface. Its support for push email with up to ten email addresses, and the good Instant Messaging service, are further draws.
But RIM has to keep reinventing the Pearl to maintain its popularity. The new Pearl 3G retains a lot of the good features of its predecessor, brings the specifications bang up to date, and makes a few changes along the way.
The original Pearl handset got its name from a tiny pearlescent trackball that sat under the screen. This is gone, replaced with an optical touchpad that we've seen in other BlackBerry handsets. It is small and looks as though it might be inefficient to use, but in fact it is responsive and we found it very effective.
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<script type="text/javascript" src="http://ad-emea.doubleclick.net/adj/N5249.136561.ITREVIEWS.CO.UK/B4566494.4;abr=!ie;sz=300x250;ord=95344?"> </script> In previous Pearl handsets RIM has used a quirky keypad layout with two QWERTY characters sharing a key. That system remains in the US version of this handset, but the UK's one has gone mainstream. The keypad is a standard candybar style, albeit with the keys in a sort of wave configuration. The SureType predictive text system is still here, though. Anyone who has used any kind of predictive text before, SureType or T9, will find it easy to get along with.
The screen has undergone a massive upscaling in terms of resolution and now offers 360 x 400 pixels. At 2.3 inches across diagonal corners it is way too small for comfortable Web browsing, but it delivers plenty of detail for email reading and is generally pin-sharp.
This is a 3G handset as its name implies. There is GPS, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, with the latter supporting b, g and n connections. 802.11n is a rarity in any kind of phone, and it should provide for ultra-fast wireless working.
There is a 3.5mm headset connector on the upper left edge of the casing. This isn't the ideal location as far as comfort in the pocket is concerned, but the connector couldn't be fitted onto the curved top or bottom edges of this handset ergonomically. The top edge houses media playback controls and a speaker mute button.
The 3.2-megapixel camera has a photo light. RIM has never excelled on the camera front, but the one here works well enough to produce photos we'd be happy to share temporarily, though not ones we'd want to keep for posterity.
The handset's built-in software bundle includes Twitter and Facebook clients and Poynt, a location-aware search service. The App World application store is here too, so you can choose from a growing array of third party applications to augment the Pearl 3G's ‘out of the box' functions.
But RIM has to keep reinventing the Pearl to maintain its popularity. The new Pearl 3G retains a lot of the good features of its predecessor, brings the specifications bang up to date, and makes a few changes along the way.
The original Pearl handset got its name from a tiny pearlescent trackball that sat under the screen. This is gone, replaced with an optical touchpad that we've seen in other BlackBerry handsets. It is small and looks as though it might be inefficient to use, but in fact it is responsive and we found it very effective.
Get the latest Dell Coupons and other computer coupons at CheapStingyBargains.com.
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://ad-emea.doubleclick.net/adj/N5249.136561.ITREVIEWS.CO.UK/B4566494.4;abr=!ie;sz=300x250;ord=95344?"> </script> In previous Pearl handsets RIM has used a quirky keypad layout with two QWERTY characters sharing a key. That system remains in the US version of this handset, but the UK's one has gone mainstream. The keypad is a standard candybar style, albeit with the keys in a sort of wave configuration. The SureType predictive text system is still here, though. Anyone who has used any kind of predictive text before, SureType or T9, will find it easy to get along with.
The screen has undergone a massive upscaling in terms of resolution and now offers 360 x 400 pixels. At 2.3 inches across diagonal corners it is way too small for comfortable Web browsing, but it delivers plenty of detail for email reading and is generally pin-sharp.
This is a 3G handset as its name implies. There is GPS, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, with the latter supporting b, g and n connections. 802.11n is a rarity in any kind of phone, and it should provide for ultra-fast wireless working.
There is a 3.5mm headset connector on the upper left edge of the casing. This isn't the ideal location as far as comfort in the pocket is concerned, but the connector couldn't be fitted onto the curved top or bottom edges of this handset ergonomically. The top edge houses media playback controls and a speaker mute button.
The 3.2-megapixel camera has a photo light. RIM has never excelled on the camera front, but the one here works well enough to produce photos we'd be happy to share temporarily, though not ones we'd want to keep for posterity.
The handset's built-in software bundle includes Twitter and Facebook clients and Poynt, a location-aware search service. The App World application store is here too, so you can choose from a growing array of third party applications to augment the Pearl 3G's ‘out of the box' functions.
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