Blackberry Pearl (8100 and subsequent models)

The 8100 was RIM ‘s first consumer-oriented device, sporting a 2Mpixel camera and the SureType keyboard layout. It was originally available in either black or white, depending on the operator, and was immensely popular (although, truth be told, only in a few markets, and it took a while for to refresh the model).

Here’s a nice little icon for the 8100, if you’re so inclined:

Notes on the original 8100:

Pluses:

  • Able to send entire phonebook as Phonebook.vcf to a from preferences (nice).
  • Does OBEX transfer of camera images (even nicer, even if it can’t do a batch transfer).
  • storage mode (complete with option to encrypt contents of memory card, which turns it into a very nice “pendrive” for carrying documents around securely).

Minuses:

  • Battery won’t last more than 2 days (whereas older models lasted up to a week).
  • Won’t let you e-mail photos (only MMS them), which is kind of silly.
  • Does not support browsing through File Exchange.

Resources:

table(compact).

Date Link Notes
2010
Apr 26 BlackBerry Pearl 3G revealed: two keypad styles and 802.11n WiFi There goes SureType and all that made the Pearl excellent. Seriously now, it was better for me than a QWERTY keyboard, so I’m curious…
BlackBerry Pearl 3G video hands-on Speedy.
2007
Older RegHardware Review
Mobility Today A small gallery
BlackBerry Forums more photos, size comparisons with conventional phones.

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