We've known it's been coming and today RIM has made it official by formally introducing the BlackBerry Pearl 8130. The 8130 is the CDMA-version of the BlackBerry Pearl "2" and is going to be a greatly welcomed device addition to those with CDMA Carriers.
The BlackBerry Pearl 8130 features built-in GPS and support for high-speed EV-DO networks, in addition to a host of improvements over the standard BlackBerry Pearl 8100. The 8130 will feature a NEW web browser, and get this.... VIDEO RECORDING! RIM says it will be coming to CDMA carriers in North America come November. As for everybody's favorite topic of color - it's going to be available in Silver and Amethyst.
For More Details and All the Specs, Visit www.BlackBerryPearl8130.com and Read the Press Release After the Jump!
PRESS RELEASE
RIM Introduces First CDMA-enabled BlackBerry Pearl
The small, smart and stylish BlackBerry Pearl 8130 smartphone features powerful communications, rich multimedia, built-in GPS and support for high-speed EV-DO networks
WATERLOO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Oct. 1, 2007) -
Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ:RIMM)(TSX:RIM) today introduced the BlackBerry(R) Pearl(TM) 8130, the first BlackBerry Pearl smartphone to run on CDMA networks. The new model stays true to the highly acclaimed style and compact design of the BlackBerry Pearl and comes packed with new features including communications enhancements, a striking new software interface, rich multimedia capabilities, built-in GPS and support for high-speed EV-DO networks.
"With its unique blend of functionality and design, the BlackBerry Pearl smartphone has been turning heads and winning praise from business users and consumers alike," said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO at Research In Motion. "The new BlackBerry Pearl 8130 builds on all the great features and aesthetic design that people love about the BlackBerry Pearl and offers an exceptional new choice for CDMA customers that are looking to upgrade their mobile phone."
The BlackBerry Pearl 8130 includes all of the features that have made BlackBerry(R) smartphones popular among mobile users, including unrivaled email and messaging (SMS, IM, MMS(i)), web browsing, organizer and more. The new smartphone also expands on its communications and multimedia features and presents the entire offering with a striking new software interface.
ULTRA-SLEEK & STYLISH DESIGN
The BlackBerry Pearl 8130 features a sleek, compact design measuring just 4.2" x 1.97" x .55" and weighing only 3.38 oz. It provides an intuitive user experience through its trackball navigation system and RIM's popular SureType(TM) keyboard system. SureType - which allows a narrower handset design while maintaining easy phone dialing and message typing - has been enhanced to allow word completion, easier editing misspelled words and a built-in spell checker.
ENHANCED SOFTWARE INTERFACE
The BlackBerry Pearl 8130 features an updated visual interface and integrates a new font rendering technology that displays characters beautifully, with enhanced legibility at even the smallest point sizes. The new technology is evident throughout the visual interface, complementing the new look of the BlackBerry(R) email client, calendar, address book, task list, memo pad and web browser, while also enhancing other applications.
The BlackBerry(R) Browser is further improved with a new "Page View" option that displays a full web page on the screen along with a magnifying glass that allows the user to quickly and accurately point and zoom in on a specific area of the web page. Users can also press and hold the trackball to toggle between the "Column View" (which presents the web page in a continuous column for easy reading and scrolling on the go) and the "Page View." The new BlackBerry Browser also provides quicker access to Bookmarks and History, and supports the 3GPP RTSP Streaming protocol via EV-DO, so users can view streaming video from sites like m.youtube.com.
RICH MULTIMEDIA FEATURES
The BlackBerry Pearl 8130 comes with a 2 megapixel camera with 5x digital zoom and enhanced flash. The new camera also supports video capture in two resolutions: 240x180 or 176x144 for sharing via MMS.
The media player now allows users to create and edit playlists right on the handset. Alternatively, users can manage their media files from their PC with the Roxio(R) Media Manager for BlackBerry(R), which is included with the BlackBerry(R) Desktop Manager software. The Roxio software was developed with Sonic(R) and is based on the award-winning Roxio Easy Media Creator(R) 9, making it easy for users to search for media files on their computer, view and organize them, create MP3 music files from CDs, add audio tags, album art, create playlists and convert files for optimal playback.
Roxio Photosuite(R) 9 LE is also included - this comprehensive tool makes it easy to edit pictures and create photo albums. Pictures can also be cropped, rotated and straightened, redeye can be removed, and brightness, contrast and saturation levels can all be changed.
The BlackBerry Pearl 8130 supports the Bluetooth(R) stereo audio profile (A2DP/AVRCP), and comes with a 3.5 mm stereo headset jack so users can plug in their preferred headphones or speakers. The handset also provides the convenience of an externally accessible microSD/SDHC memory card slot for additional storage of music, videos and pictures.
BUILT-IN GPS AND NAVIGATION
The BlackBerry Pearl 8130 includes built-in GPS to provide out-of-the-box support for location-based applications and services(i). BlackBerry(R) Maps, which can conveniently guide users to their destination, now includes a local search capability that allows users to find local businesses, such as banks, hotels and restaurants, within a short driving distance. The local search feature in BlackBerry Maps was developed with support from Google(TM).
ADVANCED PHONE FEATURES
The BlackBerry Pearl 8130 offers many convenient phone features including Speaker Independent Voice Recognition (SIVR) for Voice Activated Dialing (VAD), Bluetooth(R) 2.0 support for hands-free use with headsets, car kits and Bluetooth peripherals, quad-band operation for international roaming(ii), dedicated 'send', 'end', and 'mute' keys, smart dialing, speed dialing, conference calling, call forwarding, a low-distortion speakerphone for hands-free conversations and support for polyphonic, mp3 and MIDI ring tones.
The smartphone also includes new features that enhance phone audio quality including enhanced background noise, wind and echo cancellation for better performance in loud environments like airports, restaurants or busy downtown streets. An 'enhance call audio' feature also allows the user to boost the phone audio's bass or treble while on a call.
ACCESSORIES
The BlackBerry Pearl 8130 also comes with a variety of accessories, including a stereo headset, travel charger, carrying pouch and USB cable. Additional accessories for BlackBerry handsets, including premium leather holsters and totes, an automotive charger, and Bluetooth headsets are available through retail outlets or online at www.shopblackberry.com (Editor's Note: for better selection try shopcrackberry.com).
The BlackBerry Pearl 8130 is supported on BlackBerry(R) Internet Service, giving users access to up to 10 supported business or personal email accounts (including most popular ISP email accounts), as well as BlackBerry(R) Enterprise Server, enabling advanced security and IT administration within IBM(R) Lotus(R) Domino(R), Microsoft(R) Exchange and Novell(R) GroupWise(R) environments.
The BlackBerry Pearl 8130 will be available in two colors - silver and amethyst - from CDMA carriers in North America beginning in November 2007.
For more information, visit www.blackberrypearl8130.com
(i) Check with carrier for supported services.
(ii) Check with carrier for roaming services.
About Research In Motion (RIM)
Research In Motion is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative wireless solutions for the worldwide mobile communications market. Through the development of integrated hardware, software and services that support multiple wireless network standards, RIM provides platforms and solutions for seamless access to time-sensitive information including email, phone, SMS messaging, Internet and intranet-based applications. RIM technology also enables a broad array of third party developers and manufacturers to enhance their products and services with wireless connectivity to data. RIM's portfolio of award-winning products, services and embedded technologies are used by thousands of organizations around the world and include the BlackBerry(R) wireless platform, the RIM Wireless Handheld(TM) product line, software development tools, radio-modems and software/hardware licensing agreements. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM operates offices in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. RIM is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market (NASDAQ:RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX:RIM). For more information, visit www.rim.com or www.blackberry.com.
