BlackBerry 8100 Ruby Pearl myFaves Phone (T-Mobile)
March 26th, 2008 - Posted in RIM BlackBerry
 The SureType keypad makes the BlackBerry Sunset 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 (black Pearl is pictured). |
Like the BlackBerry 7105t, the BlackBerry Sunset 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 modified QWERTY keyboard onto the handset's slim frame. Each button on the keyboard shares two letters and the unit automatically determines which letter you intend to type one based on what it believes you're trying to spell. This unique predictive text technology--known as SureType--makes the handset's diminutive size possible. SureType also learns the words you use most often, further enhancing your typing speed.
The BlackBerry Sunset Pearl sports a large 240 x 260 screen that supports more than 65,000 colors--plenty of real estate to view your e-mails, Web browser content, messaging sessions, and attachments. The venerable BlackBerry trackwheel, meanwhile, 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 that lets you take high-quality pictures wherever you roam. Other design details include a microSD memory card slot inside the device (behind the battery), a standard 2.5mm headset jack (the Sunset Pearl includes a headset), and 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 Sunset 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 Sunset Pearl's built-in Bluetooth capability. The phone also offers a vibrating alert, a speed dial, and a contacts list/address book that's limited only by the unit's 64 MB of internal memory. Sunset Pearl owners who want to create caller-specific ringers can choose from the phone's 32 polyphonic ringtones, making it easy to know who's calling without looking at the handset, or they can visit T-Mobile's t-zones mobile Web service to access even more ringtones. And thanks to the phone's speaker-independent voice dialing function, you can call contacts with the sound of your voice. No prior voice training is required; simply say a contact's name and the phone will dial the number.
The Sunset Pearl also offers a number of T-Mobile-specific features when combined with the right service plan, including myFaves support, which delivers unlimited any-network calling to your choice of five people, and quad-band worldwide support (850, 900, 1800, and 1900 MHz), which helps the phone function in every country where T-Mobile offers GPRS service.
Messaging, Internet, and Tools
While the BlackBerry Sunset 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). BlackBerry's push technology, meanwhile, makes it easier than ever to receive your e-mails. BlackBerry devices are designed to remain on and stay continuously connected to your wireless network. As a result, you don't have to retrieve your e-mails manually, but instead are discreetly notified by the Sunset Pearl each time a new e-mail arrives. The unit also offers built-in support for viewing e-mail attachments in 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 with the Sunset Pearl. Your calendar events are exchanged wirelessly and automatically so that your desktop calendar and BlackBerry handheld calendar are synchronized. In addition, your Outlook meeting requests, changes, and updates are designed to synchronize instantaneously with your desktop, making it a breeze to make meeting requests, invite new attendees, and more. And users without BlackBerry Enterprise Server aren't out of luck, as you can manually sync the Sunset Pearl with your desktop calendar and contacts via Bluetooth or USB using the included BlackBerry Desktop Software.
As with most smartphones, the Sunset Pearl lets you access the Internet from the palm of your hand, with an integrated Web browser, up-do-date stock quotes, news readers, weather reports, and more--all at fast speeds thanks to support for T-Mobile's EDGE high-speed data network. Instant and wireless messaging are also built into the Sunset Pearl, with support for AOL, Yahoo, and ICQ instant messaging as well as SMS text messaging. Plus, users can receive and forward MMS messages.
Imaging and Entertainment
The BlackBerry Sunset Pearl kicks the fun up a notch with the inclusion of a 1.3-megapixel camera that offers an LED flash and white balance controls. How about some music? The handheld's music player supports MP3, AAC, AAC+, and eAAC+ formats. And for those moments when you have some extra time on your hands, the handheld is compatible with game downloads and Java applications (available via the t-zones service).
Vital Statistics
The BlackBerry Sunset Pearl measures 2 by 4.2 by 0.57 inches (W x H x D), weighs 3.16 ounces, and features a lithium-ion battery that's rated for up to 3.5 hours of digital talk time and up to 360 hours of digital standby time. The phone also comes with a one-year warranty.
What's in the Box
BlackBerry Sunset Pearl smartphone, lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, stereo hands-free headset, USB cable, BlackBerry Desktop Software, user's manual.
Manufacturer: BlackBerry
