BlackBerry Pearl: Difference between revisions
→Problems: Added method of auto-locking where device password set |
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== Problems == |
== Problems == |
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* It does not have an automatic keylock. For example, it is possible to make inadvertent phone calls if speed dial numbers are defined. In a worse case example, it may dial 911 while locked with 3 gentle taps and nudges of the trackball. It is important for the user to lock the phone before pocketing or placing it in a case. The phone can be locked by pressing and holding the * button. The Pearl also contains a magnetic sensor, so if it is placed into a case with a magnetic latch, the phone detects this and turns off the screen to save power, and optionally, automatically locks the keypad. (Note: The emergency call can be disabled by the use of the 'mute' button on the top of the Pearl) |
* It does not have an automatic keylock. For example, it is possible to make inadvertent phone calls if speed dial numbers are defined. In a worse case example, it may dial 911 while locked with 3 gentle taps and nudges of the trackball. It is important for the user to lock the phone before pocketing or placing it in a case. The phone can be locked by pressing and holding the * button. The Pearl also contains a magnetic sensor, so if it is placed into a case with a magnetic latch, the phone detects this and turns off the screen to save power, and optionally, automatically locks the keypad. (Note: The emergency call can be disabled by the use of the 'mute' button on the top of the Pearl.) Alternatively, if a password for the device is set (Go to Options/Security Options/General Settings), the 'security timeout' option in that same menu can be set so that the device will automatically lock after the amount of time selected. |
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* The music/video player is extremely limited without the purchase of a [[MicroSD card|MicroSD]] card. |
* The music/video player is extremely limited without the purchase of a [[MicroSD card|MicroSD]] card. |
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* Some users of other BlackBerry devices have difficulty adjusting to the SureType text input system. |
* Some users of other BlackBerry devices have difficulty adjusting to the SureType text input system. |
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Revision as of 01:27, 3 February 2007
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| Compatible networks | EDGE, GSM 800, GSM 900, GSM 1800, GSM 1900 |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 107 x 51 x 15 mm |
| Weight | 90.7g |
| Memory | 64MB Internal, MicroSD slot |
| Display | 240x260 pixels, 65.536 Color TFT LCD |
The BlackBerry Pearl is a GSM cellular phone developed by Research In Motion, and the first Blackberry device with a camera and other multimedia features.
Specifications
The Pearl comes with the following standard features:
- 1.3 megapixel camera with flash, self portrait mirror, and 5x digital zoom
- Media player with support for MP3, AAC, AMR, polyphonic MIDI and WAV sound formats
- Media player with support for MPEG-4 and H.263 video formats
- Bluetooth 2.0
- Address book & Calendar
- Web browser
- BlackBerry Maps
- Push e-mail
- Voice Dialing
- Speakerphone
- SMS and MMS text messaging
- Instant messaging (on T-Mobile version only)
- Supports up to 2GB MicroSD (OS versions .51 and above)
Blackberry Pearl is aimed towards both business users and consumers. Its advertising campaign features several people including Mariska Hargitay and Douglas Coupland.
The BlackBerry Pearl provides Quad-Band network support on 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS and EDGE networks to allow for international roaming between North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. It does not support high speed 3G data capabilities such as UMTS or HSDPA.
Comparison with other BlackBerry devices
Most BlackBerry devices have a full keyboard. The Pearl uses a modified QWERTY layout on a 4 row 5 column keypad, with a predictive input algorithm known as SureType. Typing on a Pearl is different than the use of other non SureType BlackBerry devices.
The Pearl supports the full range of BlackBerry enterprise functionality.
Unlike most BlackBerries, the Pearl includes a music player and other multimedia features. It requires the purchase of a MicroSD memory card to support storage of multimedia files beyond the 64MB provided internally.
Most notably, the Pearl uses a white trackball smilar in appearance to a white pearl instead of the traditional BlackBerry scroll wheel. This facilitates horizontal scrolling and is the origin of the Pearl's name.
The Pearl is currently available with T-Mobile or Cingular service in the United States, Airtel in India, Rogers Wireless in Canada, and all networks in the UK.
Problems
- It does not have an automatic keylock. For example, it is possible to make inadvertent phone calls if speed dial numbers are defined. In a worse case example, it may dial 911 while locked with 3 gentle taps and nudges of the trackball. It is important for the user to lock the phone before pocketing or placing it in a case. The phone can be locked by pressing and holding the * button. The Pearl also contains a magnetic sensor, so if it is placed into a case with a magnetic latch, the phone detects this and turns off the screen to save power, and optionally, automatically locks the keypad. (Note: The emergency call can be disabled by the use of the 'mute' button on the top of the Pearl.) Alternatively, if a password for the device is set (Go to Options/Security Options/General Settings), the 'security timeout' option in that same menu can be set so that the device will automatically lock after the amount of time selected.
- The music/video player is extremely limited without the purchase of a MicroSD card.
- Some users of other BlackBerry devices have difficulty adjusting to the SureType text input system.
- Changes to some phone options and other software configuration changes frequently do not take unless the phone is rebooted by removing the battery.
- Addition of Google Mobile applications may cause your blackberry email service to fail. Removal of Google Mobile restored functionality to the email service.
Third-party applications for the BlackBerry Pearl
- Google makes a Gmail application with most of the features of the web-based version. It is available at http://mobile.google.com.
- Google makes a mapping application that works well on the Pearl. It is available at http://mobile.google.com.
- A large amount of third party software is available for the Pearl. A large selection of software can be found at http://www.handango.com/blackberry/, http://www.bplay.com, and other third party vendors.