The BlackBerry Pearl Flip: Wi-Fi, no 3G, doc editor

Wed Sep 10, 2008 9:49AM EDT

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The long-rumored, now-official Pearl Flip—the first-ever BlackBerry flip phone—lacks 3G access, but it packs in features like Wi-Fi, a 2MP camera, and a full-on document editor. But how's the keypad?

Rumors about a BlackBerry flip phone have been making the rounds since May (when it was known as the Kickstart), but RIM finally made the handset official early Wednesday. It'll debut on T-Mobile sometime this fall—sorry, no pricing details yet.

The 3.9 by 1.9 by 0.7-inch Pearl Flip isn't the slimmest BlackBerry on the market—the original Pearl, for instance, is just 0.57 inches thick—but it still looks relatively compact. The Flip also has a color external screen and a 240 by 320-pixel internal display, and just beneath lies the SureType keypad, the same pseudo-QWERTY thumbboard as on the Pearl.

So, how does the Flip's keypad feel? I haven't had a chance to test it yet, but let's just say this: If you're OK with the predictive text-aided SureType keys on the Pearl (with each key sharing two letters), you'll probably be fine with the Pearl Flip's keypad. But if you're used to a standard RIM full-QWERTY keypad, prepare for a learning curve on the Flip.

The quad-band GSM Pearl Flip should work on most worldwide phone networks, but it won't do 3G—just EDGE. That should be just fine for checking e-mail and light Web browsing, but if you were hoping to pull down non mobile-enhanced Web pages or stream video, well … prepare for a long wait.

That said, the Pearl Flip comes with Wi-Fi, along with UMA support—which means the phone may well be compatible with T-Mobile's HotSpot @Home Wi-Fi voice calling service. I've got a call in to T-Mobile asking whether the Pearl Flip will, indeed, work with @Home—I'll update this post as soon as I hear back. Update: Yep, it works with @Home—which is now called "Unlimited HotSpot Calling Service," I'm told.

Another open question: GPS. The RIM press release notes that the Pearl Flip will let you connect to a GPS receiver via Bluetooth—and that leads me to the conclusion that the Flip won't do GPS on its own. Again, more on this once I get some clarification.

Those looking to edit and/or compose Office documents on the go will appreciate the bundled DataViz Documents to Go application, which lets you open and edit Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files. Also on board: a video/music player, as well as an "enhanced" HTML browser.

Other features: a 2MP camera (yes, including video recording), voice commands, and microSD memory expansion (up to 16GB).

Overall, looks good—but does the world really need a flip-open BlackBerry? I've heard comments both ways: Some say they couldn't imagine a non-candy bar BlackBerry, others only feel comfortable with a clamshell in their pockets. What's your take?

 

 

Comments on Post Office kicks off free, by-mail gadget recycling

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  • 1 Posted by hellomelover on Wed Mar 19, 2008 5:50AM EDT Report Abuse

    It is refreshing to see, that as consumer's ,we are finally being given service for money spent . Hopefully the trial run is a success and this will be used in all states. Remember when purchasing anything, from gasoline to grocery's, you were given service for the money you spent. I hope this works.

  • 3 Posted by pschneider42 on Wed Mar 26, 2008 7:54PM EDT Report Abuse

    This is a great idea ---I would like to see it expanded to all post offices as fast as possible ---capturing all the e-recycle stuff can only help the enviroment Thanks, Pete

  • 4 Posted by freddybz on Wed Mar 26, 2008 7:55PM EDT Report Abuse

    This is just another ritual of the new religion of the 21st century - environmentalism. I'm throwing any gadgets I don't need straight into the garbage (this what I pay the garbage company for).

  • 5 Posted by elle.marr on Wed Mar 26, 2008 7:58PM EDT Report Abuse

    It would be an even better article if they provided some information as to where these alleged 1500 post offices are so that we know which ones to take the old technology to. People aren't going to waste the time running all over town just to ask where to throw away their old cell phones.

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