BlackBerry 8800 to be announced next month?
By Chris Ziegler 
posted January 24th 2007 1:16PM
posted January 24th 2007 1:16PM
Never mind announcements, we want RIM's Pearlescent (sorry, we can't help ourselves) 8800 series in our grubby paws. Alas, we'll take what we can get, and rumors are brewing that we might see a formal announcement at 3GSM next month in Barcelona. We're a little bummed that the latest gossip has this thing shipping without a camera -- not to mention the knowledge that a 3G version is in the works -- but if this thing drops post haste on Cingular and/or T-Mobile after the announcement, we know a few folks that should be game.
If it has a camera, I'll get it right away. If not, I'll have to think about it as it's not different enough from my 8700 to warrant dropping the money.
Likewise, if it had a camera and the data packages were more affordable.
According to rumors, the second model of the full QWERTY keyboard BlackBerry Pearl -- supposedly the 8900 -- will have a camera plus WiFi. The 8900 is supposed to be released a few months after the 8800.
These are rumors, but it's logical to assume that if the BlackBerry Pearl 8100 has a camera, a QWERTY keyboard version with a camera also will be offered.
What I'm bummed about is the 8100 doesn't include video recording capability. I've been told that's because of chipset integration issues and the fear by RIM that it would reduce battery life, thereby upsetting users who buy the Pearl in large part because of its e-mail feature.
Not being able to listen to music on a Pearl because of a dead battery could be irritating. But not being able to receive e-mail is a much more important consideration.
Personally, I think users would quickly understand the correlation between battery life and video recording.
Perhaps video recording ability will be added to the 8900.
Please give me the dimensions of the new
Blackberry Pearl 8800...
thanks..