RIM announces BlackBerry Pearl 8130 for CDMA networks

While it hardly comes as much of a surprise after leaks from both Sprint and Verizon, RIM has finally made its long-awaited CDMA-enabled Pearl 8130 (a.k.a. "Pearl 2") official, with it likely headed to the aforementioned carries sometime between now and Thanksgiving. As we had heard before, this one comes with built-in GPS (which Boy Genius speculates will be disabled on Verizon's offering), along with A2DP/AVRCP Bluetooth, a 2 megapixel camera (with video recording capability), and a standard 3.5mm audio jack. According to RIM, you can also expect an overhauled interface, complete with an updated browser and some improved multimedia features, including the ability to create and edit playlists. Still no word on a price, but we'd expect Sprint and Verizon to be doling out that info before too long.

[Via The Boy Genius Report]

[ttran97 @ Oct 1st 2007 4:21PM]

Why does GPS have to be disabled on Verizon??? Why???

[xman @ Oct 1st 2007 4:31PM]

Because Verizon wants to charge you for navigation services and any nick or dime they can get from you. You are talking about the company that would not let people use bluetooth to transfer photos, music, etc from the phone to whatever device. Just so you have to go thru their service and be charged for each one. For the life of me I don't understand why customers put up with this.

[uselessexpert @ Oct 1st 2007 6:17PM]

Because Verizon sucks!!!
Go with Sprint!

[ethana2 @ Oct 1st 2007 8:13PM]

Linux tablet PC + Skype + Clearwire.

Screw phones. They're redundant anyway-- and I don't know about you, but I would _much_ rather have a 256kbps VoIP line over wireless than a 48kbps rebranded wireless VoIP line.

I don't mind bulk. I /do/ mind horrible ToS and complete lack of flexibility.

[Homer J @ Oct 1st 2007 10:33PM]

If the iPhone hacking crew gets bored / stumped, maybe they could spend a little time getting GPS running on the VZW 8830 / 8130. WIth any luck, Sprint will issue an update with a file that contains the GPS drivers - one can only hope....

[xman @ Oct 1st 2007 4:34PM]

I really want this phone b/c I looking forward to the updated features from the Pearl 8100. However, I am upset you have to sign up for the BIS plan on Sprint for $40/mo and you still need a voice plan. I currently only pay $20/mo on T-mobile. So, they've pretty much priced me out of getting it.

[Sirocco @ Oct 1st 2007 4:43PM]

What does "CDMA-enabled" let me do, and why is it long awaited?

[BrettB @ Oct 1st 2007 5:16PM]

CDMA just refers to a different type of phone service. The version that has been out for a while works with TMobile and Cingular/ATT and uses a SIM card. The new version works with Verizon and Sprint technologies, ie CDMA.

[JediRiken @ Oct 1st 2007 4:49PM]

Well, I like this phone. Dont like Verizon and definetaly dont like AT&T service (by God, why did cingular had to be bought by the stupid AT&T network?) I have more DROPS than parking my truck underneath a tree full of doves and pigeons...

[Spooky @ Oct 1st 2007 5:09PM]

your such a douche, Cingular was part of AT&T for a very long time. All they did was change the name, the service is still the same. So whatever service you had before with Cingular is the same you will have with AT&T.

[jsprewell @ Oct 1st 2007 5:25PM]

actually cingular bought at&t wireless. then later changed the name. so like spooky said, your service has always been the same. it should have gotten better, not worse.

as far as this phone goes, i am definitely buying it when it comes out on verizon.

[Max @ Oct 1st 2007 5:37PM]

I thought the 8130 was confirmed for Sprint on November 4th?

Its nice to see Sprint finally getting some decent phones. I'll finally be able to utilize my SERO plan to its fullest.

[zargon @ Oct 1st 2007 5:57PM]

Actually...

Cingular bought AT&T wirless, SBC bought the AT&T name and then the new AT&T acquired Cingular.

I used to be on AT&T when they actually had good service. When Cingular officially took over, I went from great service to horse crap service. After about a month from the switch, I practically spent two weeks on the phone with tech support. Which claimed nothing had changed, that since I was still on AT&Ts plan, I was still with AT&T. Which I say to that, what a load of crap.

After the two weeks of trying to get a deal out of them to switch to Cingular and them not budging. Even doing nothing when I said my wife and I were thinking of dropping. I finally got out of them that they had been having a lot of complaints from AT&T customers having service issues, that they didn't know what was going on and basically weren't really working on that. At that point, with them not giving me any deals to switch over, I dropped Cingular like a bad habit and switch to Verizon. Which I can't complain about their service here in the Twin Cities, which is the most important part (and personally, the only reason to own a cell phone, anything beyond that is gravy), having great service.

Everyone has their horror stories and it can be as much the phone as the service. All I know is that Verizon has given me exceptional service every where I have gone, I rarely getting dropped calls, I couldn't be happier. I don't like everything they do, but then again, I doubt I would find a perfect wireless carrier. I am just glad to see more phones coming out for Verizon. Due to my recent promotion and the need for a smart phone, I am itching to get this new Blackberry.

[uselessexpert @ Oct 1st 2007 6:22PM]

Screw the Pearl...
Where's the Curve for CDMA networks?

[Steven @ Oct 1st 2007 6:31PM]

Verizon has a teaser:

What's Next for Verizon: http://products.vzw.com/index.aspx?id=rlp&site=next

[Paris @ Oct 1st 2007 7:20PM]

No mention of a european version?

[Ben @ Oct 1st 2007 7:54PM]

I have verizon and they do disable everything on the planet, but why do us CDMA users always have to get a GPS enabled phone instead of a Wifi , i would much rather have wifi because verizon will just disable the gps.

[Cary G @ Oct 1st 2007 8:01PM]

What about bluetooth and OBEX? Will VZW cripple that as well? One of the key features I need is the ability to synch the phone book with my car via bluetooth, and VZW has consistently prevented this by disabling OBEX. But VZW has the best coverage by far in my are, and EV-DO is so much faster than EDGE..... ahhh, can't win....

[Naveed @ Oct 1st 2007 9:22PM]

i beleive verizon allows obex now. My girls moto2 has obex it seems. I couldnt test it out with my old LG as i beleive obex is crippled. I hope someone can hack the GPS into working. I think i might give up on waiting for those new WM6 phones verizon should have dropped a while back, if these come out in the next week. BB was never an option until i found out sling will be making a player for it(still want WM6 though).

[HineyWipe @ Oct 2nd 2007 10:35AM]

Two Colors are Silver and Amethyst? WTF! Silver is so...mech. And amethyst??? That is like a translucent purple, yes? You wonder why people hate Verizon...lock out standard features and ugly colors.

[CDMA Enabled @ Oct 25th 2007 9:58PM]

Well I love the P2. I just got back from a Data Roadshow. I'm officially selling my HTC Mogul and my Palm Centro. P2 is the way to go, trust me I've seen the phone in action and have had a dummy(PIN) P2 to play with. Its great.

P.s. For the comment on the Power Vision Plan
I'm a Sprint employee so that = Sprint Employee prices. Oh the good life.

[Korynthe @ Dec 10th 2007 2:13PM]

While I like the additional features, I'm a bit peeved at the fact the 'pearl 1' lacked them .... mainly because I just got my pearl BB phone about 6 freakin weeks ago ....

*rages and rants*

any way to get my lagging and bug infested first edition replaced with a new 2?