Cell-Phone - BlackBerry 8100 Pearl myFaves Phone (T-Mobile)
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Binding: Wireless Phone Brand: BlackBerry Color: Black Feature: 1.3 mega pixel camera to capture those special moments Label: T-Mobile Manufacturer: T-Mobile Model: 8100 Publisher: T-Mobile Studio: T-Mobile Variation Description: Black
Features
1.3 mega pixel camera to capture those special moments MP3 player lets you listen to your favorite music on the go Menu and escape keys on the front of the device for easier access Bluetooth technology lets you experience hands free and wire free features Package Contents: phone,AC adapter,software CD,headset,USB cable,sim- card,get started poster,reference guide
This major update to the popular 7105t brings the BlackBerry experience to a whole new level. The BlackBerry 8100 Pearl is not only thinner and lighter, it also sports a memory card slot, a music player, and voice dialing. Other features, such as Bluetooth 2.0, EDGE high-speed data, and the popular SureType keypad make this a complete mobile office solution. And of course, legendary BlackBerry push email is fully supported on the BlackBerry 8100 Pearl.
The SureType keypad makes the BlackBerry 8100 Pearl's diminutive size possible.
Learn more about the handheld. You can also see it in 3D.
A 1.3-megapixel camera is housed in the back.
Design Like the BlackBerry 7105t, the BlackBerry 8100 Pearl is a departure from the form factor of previous BlackBerry devices. This BlackBerry handset is far more phone-like, and RIM's engineers have managed to fit a QWERTY keyboard onto the handset's slim frame. Each button on the keyboard shares two letters and the unit automatically determines which letter is the intended one based on what it predicts you are trying to spell. This unique predictive text technology, known as SureType, makes the BlackBerry 8100 Pearl's handset's diminutive size possible. SureType also learns the words you use most often, further enhancing your typing speed.
The BlackBerry 8100 Pearl sports a large 240 x 260 screen that supports over 65,000 colors-- plenty of real estate to view your e-mails, Web browser content, messaging sessions, and attachments. The venerable BlackBerry trackwheel has been replaced on this model with an innovative four-way trackball placed below the screen. On the rear of the handheld, you'll find a 1.3-megapixel camera and a self portrait mirror. The handheld's microSD memory card slot is located inside the device, behind the battery. There's also a standard 2.5mm headset jack that can be used with the included headset, as well as a mini-USB port for data connectivity.
Calling Features All the calling capabilities folks have come to expect in a wireless phone are present in the BlackBerry 8100 Pearl. The handset's speakerphone makes it easy to use the device hands-free, or if you prefer, you can use a wireless headset via the BlackBerry 8100 handheld's built-in Bluetooth capability. A vibrating alert, speed dial, and a contacts list/address book (limited only by the unit's 64 MB of internal memory) are also included. Any of the phone's 32 included polyphonic ringtones can be used to create caller-specific ringers, so you can know who's calling without having to look at the handset. More ringtones are available from T-Mobile's t-zones mobile Web service. A new feature, speaker independent voice dialing, allows you to call contacts with the sound of your voice. No prior voice training is required; you can just say a contact's name to call them.
Messaging, Internet, and Tools While the BlackBerry 8100 Pearl is a different kind of BlackBerry device, it still delivers the legendary BlackBerry e-mail experience. With BlackBerry service plans from T-Mobile, you can receive e-mails instantaneously from up to 10 e-mail accounts (personal and enterprise). With BlackBerry push technology, you don't need to retrieve your e-mail. BlackBerry devices are designed to remain on and continuously connected to the wireless network, allowing you to be discreetly notified as new e-mail arrives. Support is also built-in for viewing e-mail attachments (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, WordPerfect, and PDF formats).
If your company has a BlackBerry Enterprise Server installed, you can take advantage of the power of wireless calendar synchronization. Your calendar events are exchanged wirelessly and automatically so that your desktop calendar and BlackBerry handheld calendar are synchronized. All your Outlook meeting requests, changes, and updates are instantaneously synchronized instantaneously with your desktop. Make meeting requests, invite new attendees, and more, all on your BlackBerry 8100 Pearl. Users without BlackBerry Enterprise Server support can manually sync with their desktop calendars and contacts via Bluetooth or USB using the included BlackBerry Desktop Software.
Use the BlackBerry 8100 handset's Web browser to access the Internet from the palm of your hand. Browse Web sites, get up-to-date stock quotes, read the latest news, check weather reports, and more--all at fast speeds, thanks to support for T-Mobile's EDGE high speed data network. Instant messaging and wireless messaging are also built into the BlackBerry 8100 Pearl. The handheld supports AOL, Yahoo, and ICQ instant messaging, as well as SMS text messaging. MMS messages can be received and forwarded.
The BlackBerry 8100 Pearl ships with a number of tools, including a calculator, a calendar, an alarm, and a to-do list.
Imaging and Entertainment The BlackBerry 8100 Pearl really kicks the fun up a notch with the inclusion of a 1.3-megapixel camera that features an LED flash and white balance controls. How about some music? The handheld's music player supports playback of your tunes in MP3, AAC, AAC+, and eAAC+ formats. The handheld is also compatible with Java application and game downloads (available via the t-zones service).
Vital Statistics The BlackBerry 8100 Pearl weighs 3.16 ounces and measures 4.2 by 2.00 by 0.57 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 3.5 hours of digital talk time and up to 360 hours of digital standby time. It runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies. The phone comes with a one-year limited warranty.
Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating: Summary: Great phone Comment: I switched from Samsung SPH-i700 Windows Mobile based phone to this one, and I was a little nervous because I was so used to all the features of Windows Mobile (calendar, tasks, etc.) with a full virtual keyboard and handwriting recognition. Once I used the Pearl for a few days, I couldn't be happier! I switched from Verizon to T-Mobile, and haven't noticed any difference in service either. Now I have owned Pearl for over 3 months, and have traveled to some very remote areas in California, but haven't had any trouble whatsoever. I even used the NAVTEQ GPS service with the phone (using a Holux puck), which was fine too.
I like the BlackBerry Desktop Manager a lot better than ActiveSync to sync up my phone with my Outlook data. Also I can do it wirelessly via Bluetooth which is very convenient. I plug in my phone in the breakfast area and my main computer is about 40 feet away with 3 walls and two large areas in between, but it connects every single time without a problem.
My only big complain with the Pearl is that I can't snooze my appointment reminders for longer times. Only three options are 5 mins, 10 mins., and Dismiss. With my Samsung I could snooze my reminders for days if needed, which was quite convenient. For example, I would setup a reminder for my wife's birthday a week before the event. When I saw the reminder, I would snooze it for a week (actual event day). This would give me enough time to shop for a present, and I would get reminded on the day of the event also. I really miss that functionality.
Another minor complain is that the battery cover is very flimsy. This is however not a problem for me because I use the phone with a belt clip that keeps the cover in place.
While I am at it another complain is that the headphone jack is a non-standard one. I have to use an adapter in order to use my regular headphones. I would like RIM to improve this in the next version of the product.
While you probably won't find a "perfect" multi-purpose phone ever, this one comes pretty close.
Customer Rating: Summary: I love my Blackberry Comment: I love this phone. I've had the Pearl for almost 1 year now and its a great phone. I have to admit my previous phone was basic and no-frills so I went from one extreme to the other. I love getting my email, synchronizing my calendar on my computer with my phone, picking ringtones from my favorite songs and going online. I can't tell you how having this phone filled my down time while waiting at the doctor's office. I'm always on CNN.com keeping abreast of what's happening in the world. I do wish it had a full QWERTY keyboard and could play videos. Those are the 2 big negatives, but overall a great choice!! Customer Rating: Summary: Fantastic Smartphone Comment: I love this phone I've had it for a long time. I love that I can do anything as far as microsoft office is concerned and I can check email in a second. the typing took a little getting used to but I got the hang of it within a week. The camera takes great pictures but I wish that it had a video camera. For people that think it'll scratch easily do what I did. Order a full body laminated shield and wait for it to come in the mail before you take your blackberry out of the box. When I first got the phone I put it on and it still looks brand new!!! The interface is sluggish sometimes but only for a moment. The features and options are amazing! of course being connected to everything can be good or bad. I get notified everytime I get a non-spam email. for example, it'll tell me when I have a new facebook or myspace message plus it notifies me of email from my 3 different emails. Other phones can do this too of course, but this phone makes the notification set up very easy. And the notifications are instant, not like the t-mobile wing or dash can't remember which one, that checks email every 30 minutes. I want to be notified now! lol I love the phone and you will too. It's not just a stupid trendy piece of hardware it actually works well I get great service everywhere no dropped calls inside basements etc. I also wanted to add that I've had two pearls. The first one didn't have anything go wrong with it, my contract was up so I renewed it and got the full discount on a new one. So I gave my first pearl to my sis and have the sparkling new one. Couldn't be happier with the phone, it kills everything else I've ever had. Build quality is A+ and so is the call quality, features, and everything else about it. Just get one you'll be addicted in no time! Customer Rating: Summary: White Screen 2 days after warranty ends - no support from RIM or T-Mobile Comment: I bought the Pearl last September, turned it on and registered it on October 10, 2006. The phone worked great - good, clear sound,nice graphics, great e-mail. The phone worked fine until May, when I had a problem. T-Mobile replaced that phone witha refurb. Fine - it worked, but I felt somewhat short changed, especially since I found the solution to the problem and the phone was actually working fine when the replacement arrived. Oh, well.
The phone worked great all summer...until 12 OCT when I was on a flight to Atlanta. Screen went white. I pulled the battery out, put it back in and turned the phone back on, only to still have the white screen. I called T-Mobile the next day (OCT 13) and was on hold for most of my lunch hour and then had to go back to work. The little advice TMO did give me was exactly what I had already done. I even downloaded the updated device software... no change. The white screen did become sparodic over the week I was in Atlanta and I spent about 3 hours on the phone with TMO.
This problem has been ongoing since the 12th of October, occuring periodically. I did a complete wipe of the phone and installed new software again (new laptop - figuered it couldn;t hurt to try again). Phone was fine for a week, but now it's doing it again.
I called Blackberry customer support and after talking with them, the rep said he was declaring the phone a paperweight and transfered me to TMO. Short story on that call was that TMO says the warranty expired on 10 OCT and the phone crapped out on 12 OCT, so they will not do anything for me except sell me a new phone at retail. I told the rep that I had just talked with Blackberry and I understood the phone would be replaced. I called blackberry again (so much for lunch...) and talked with another new customer service rep. He said the case file shows the matter was closed, but that since I was calling back the matter probably wasn't solved. I told him he was correct and that TMO had declined to replace the phone. He told me that since the phone (replacement) was originally sold on 15 DEC, it was still under warranty and would be replaced. He put me on hold and called TMO. When everyone was on the line, they told me the warranty actually expired on Sept something (date I bought the phone from Amazon) and that my only options was to buy a new phone directly from Blackberry (or TMO). BB rep transfered me back to BB customer care rep who told me the price of a new Pearl... it was in the $250 neighborhood. I told him I would think about it.
My main contention is that any company who has a customer with problem that renders a product useless right after the warranty expires would honor the warranty, if for no other reason that to encourage customer loyalty and it's the right thing to do. AT&T replaced a phone for me several years ago that died 31 days after the warranty expired. I had to talk with customer service manager as the reps were authorized to only extend the warranty replacement period 30 days after the time frame.
The phone is great, T-Mobile and RIM/Blackberry customer support sucks.
I'd much rather be writing a solid review for TMO and RIM telling you that they went beyond the letter of the warranty and replaced the phone, but that didn't happen. Of course, now I stil have 11 months left on my TMO contract and no desire to spend $250 for another phone, while I'm also paying $70/month for phone and BB service.
I'm very disappointed, but I have decided that next ime I buy a new phone, I will spring for the phone replacement insurance. Customer Rating: Summary: nice phone but flimsy Comment: The phone has very good voice quality, a great screen, stable software, and of course the instant blackberry push email. However, the construction quality leaves something to be desired. After using it for a year, the silver sides make squeaky sounds, the battery cover is warped, and the "pearl" has collected lint like a regular mouse ball and don't work all that well anymore. Finally, the keys are only glued onto a rubber film, and three of them have also turned flaky. Buy this phone for its prettiness, just don't expect it to last through the 2-yr contract.
