Telstra announced today that they will be the exclusive launch partner for the upcoming Pearl 3G in Australia. The carrier will sport both the Royal Purple and Piano Black version of the device with the 20-key SureType keyboard. To help celebrate the launch, Telstra customers can also enter to win tickets to the BlackBerry launch even with "a mystery performing artist". We can expect that this is just the start of the Pearl 3G announcements and can expect it to pop up on loads of GSM carriers in the coming weeks. No official date or pricing from Telstra, but you can sign up to be notified from their web site. Check out the full press release after the jump.
Telstra is the exclusive Australian launch partner for the stunning new BlackBerry® PearlTM 3G , the smallest BlackBerry® smartphone yet, which is expected to arrive in Australia later this month.
The new BlackBerry Pearl 3G smartphone is as powerful as it is compact. It measures less than two inches wide and weighs only 93 grams, yet it packs support for high-speed 3G networks, Wi-Fi® (b/g/n) and GPS and features a powerful processor that drives a sharp, high-resolution display.
Telstra Executive Director Mobility Products, Ross Fielding, said the new BlackBerry Pearl 3G smartphone combines the best of the BlackBerry smartphone experience with social networking features and an elegant, highly-compact design.
"Telstra is pleased to be the launch partner for this slim and powerful smartphone which will be available exclusively for three months on Telstra's Next GTM network. Its eye-catching design and smart 20-key QWERTY keyboard with SureTypeTM software will win fans amongst people who like to keep in touch via email, text message, through Facebook® or via Twitter throughout the day," Mr. Fielding said.
"The BlackBerry Pearl 3G smartphone features the famous push-based BlackBerry® Email experience. It's light and compact and makes one-handed typing simple. We expect it to be a new ‘must have' fashion accessory as well as an attractive way for consumers to upgrade from a traditional phone to a smartphone.
"The experience will also include BlackBerry® Messenger, an exclusive instant messaging service which allows customers to create groups and share pictures, send voice notes and share calendars with other friends using BlackBerry Messenger."
The BlackBerry Pearl 3G smartphone will be available from Telstra in Royal Purple and Piano Black.
Telstra customers can pre-register their interest in the BlackBerry Pearl 3G smartphone by visiting Telstra BlackBerry Pearl. Customers who pre-register will be amongst the first to receive further information on the launch of the BlackBerry Pearl 3G.
To mark the introduction of the new BlackBerry Pearl 3G, BlackBerry will stage an exclusive concert event with a mystery performing artist. More information about how Telstra customers can win tickets to the BlackBerry BlockParty and an exciting search for the host competition can be found online at www.BlackBerryBlockParty.com.au.
The specifications for the new BlackBerry Pearl 3G smartphone can be found here
Pricing and availability
Pricing and availability will be announced closer to the launch date. The BlackBerry Pearl 3G will be available to both consumer and business customers.
The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited.
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