Comments on: BlackBerry Pearl 8100 Smartphone http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/04/06/blackberry_pearl_8100_smartphone/ Gadget reviews and news by Julie Strietelmeier and friends since 1997 Sun, 22 Nov 2009 01:10:23 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: A Week with the BlackBerry Storm Smartphone Day 7 — The Gadgeteer http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/04/06/blackberry_pearl_8100_smartphone/comment-page-1/#comment-29432 A Week with the BlackBerry Storm Smartphone Day 7 — The Gadgeteer Thu, 15 Jan 2009 03:51:31 +0000 #comment-29432 [...] finally got a chance to play with the email client today. I remember how lightening fast the BlackBerry Pearl was at grabbing mail, and was anxious to see how the Storm [...] [...] finally got a chance to play with the email client today. I remember how lightening fast the BlackBerry Pearl was at grabbing mail, and was anxious to see how the Storm [...]

]]> By: collette http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/04/06/blackberry_pearl_8100_smartphone/comment-page-1/#comment-23854 collette Thu, 06 Sep 2007 15:53:01 +0000 #comment-23854 In regards to deleting the emails off of your phone...press and hold down the #/aA(caps) key, using your pearl button scroll down highlight the desired emails and then press the back key scroll down to delete then confirm deletion. This was found out by accident. was not in the manual. will delete as many of them as you want at one time. Good luck!!! Collette In regards to deleting the emails off of your phone…press and hold down the #/aA(caps) key, using your pearl button scroll down highlight the desired emails and then press the back key scroll down to delete then confirm deletion. This was found out by accident. was not in the manual. will delete as many of them as you want at one time.
Good luck!!!
Collette

]]> By: fondoo http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/04/06/blackberry_pearl_8100_smartphone/comment-page-1/#comment-23853 fondoo Fri, 17 Aug 2007 20:13:02 +0000 #comment-23853 i've been debating between the pearl and the curve. i finally gave up on my 700p and decided to move to blackberry. i decided to pick up the curve(8300) and i'm so happy now. i'm glad i didnt pick up the pearl, cuz i need the full qwerty keyboard. has anyone here experience dust under the screen?? i’ve been debating between the pearl and the curve. i finally gave up on my 700p and decided to move to blackberry. i decided to pick up the curve(8300) and i’m so happy now. i’m glad i didnt pick up the pearl, cuz i need the full qwerty keyboard. has anyone here experience dust under the screen??

]]> By: TVHeidi http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/04/06/blackberry_pearl_8100_smartphone/comment-page-1/#comment-23852 TVHeidi Sun, 05 Aug 2007 08:25:56 +0000 #comment-23852 I actually CAN use Cingular/AT&T's MEdia net service on my Blackberry Pearl. I like the phone, but didn't like being constantly alerted to personal email when I'm on the go. It's intrusive, so I canceled the service and just went with the $9.99 text/browser service. Works fine. The only annoying problem is I can't get my phone to drop the "data connection refused" message at the top of the screen. I actually CAN use Cingular/AT&T’s MEdia net service on my Blackberry Pearl. I like the phone, but didn’t like being constantly alerted to personal email when I’m on the go. It’s intrusive, so I canceled the service and just went with the $9.99 text/browser service. Works fine.

The only annoying problem is I can’t get my phone to drop the “data connection refused” message at the top of the screen.

]]> By: Masterchief http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/04/06/blackberry_pearl_8100_smartphone/comment-page-1/#comment-23851 Masterchief Tue, 15 May 2007 12:36:22 +0000 #comment-23851 Yep Julie is absolutely correct. If you have Cingular, you will need to add one of the blackberry BIS or BES (if your business has an enterprise server) data plans to access the internet and e-mail etc... The PDA plans, smartphone plans, or media.net plans will not work. Great review Julie. The pearl is a sweet little machine. :) Yep Julie is absolutely correct. If you have Cingular, you will need to add one of the blackberry BIS or BES (if your business has an enterprise server) data plans to access the internet and e-mail etc… The PDA plans, smartphone plans, or media.net plans will not work.

Great review Julie. The pearl is a sweet little machine. :)

]]> By: Julie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/04/06/blackberry_pearl_8100_smartphone/comment-page-1/#comment-23850 Julie Tue, 15 May 2007 11:49:46 +0000 #comment-23850 thomasmcclr: If you want a Blackberry device you need the special Blackberry data package. My unlimited media net plan through Cingular did not work with the Pearl. It did not allow email or web surfing. thomasmcclr:

If you want a Blackberry device you need the special Blackberry data package. My unlimited media net plan through Cingular did not work with the Pearl. It did not allow email or web surfing.

]]> By: thomasmcclr http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/04/06/blackberry_pearl_8100_smartphone/comment-page-1/#comment-23849 thomasmcclr Tue, 15 May 2007 00:07:30 +0000 #comment-23849 What actual capabilities will I have and not have with only the $8.95 Media Package from cingular? Will I still have internet? This is my first Blackberry of course or I probably wouldn't be asking. Thanks Tom What actual capabilities will I have and not have with only the $8.95 Media Package from cingular? Will I still have internet?

This is my first Blackberry of course or I probably wouldn’t be asking.

Thanks
Tom

]]> By: Julie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/04/06/blackberry_pearl_8100_smartphone/comment-page-1/#comment-23848 Julie Thu, 12 Apr 2007 18:01:23 +0000 #comment-23848 douhollee: I can't switch to T-mobile as the coverage here for that carrier is very sparse. I still haven't turned off my BIS service yet ;) douhollee:

I can’t switch to T-mobile as the coverage here for that carrier is very sparse. I still haven’t turned off my BIS service yet ;)

]]> By: douhollee http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/04/06/blackberry_pearl_8100_smartphone/comment-page-1/#comment-23847 douhollee Thu, 12 Apr 2007 17:52:49 +0000 #comment-23847 It seems everyone has fixed your email problems. (How to scroll select, and don't forget about the gmail client :)) To your problem about the price: Go to t-mobile, it is only 20 bucks a month for the unlimited plan. It seems that your browser is unusually slow. I am not sure if you have two because of cingular, or what. But you should only have one (not including opera mini if you decide to use that) My browser loads just fine. (No match for 3G, but still not too bad at all.) Other than that, you've got to love this phone. With a great forum like pinstack, you'll have all the help you could ever need. SD cards allow you to put all your media files on your phone. (There are plenty of converters that can change your files to .avi or .mp3 if you need.) And the third party apps are AMAZING! There are free/relatively cheap things for anything you could ever need. Do yourself a favor and keep the pearl :) (and get tmobile :P) It seems everyone has fixed your email problems. (How to scroll select, and don’t forget about the gmail client :) )

To your problem about the price: Go to t-mobile, it is only 20 bucks a month for the unlimited plan.

It seems that your browser is unusually slow. I am not sure if you have two because of cingular, or what. But you should only have one (not including opera mini if you decide to use that) My browser loads just fine. (No match for 3G, but still not too bad at all.)

Other than that, you’ve got to love this phone. With a great forum like pinstack, you’ll have all the help you could ever need. SD cards allow you to put all your media files on your phone. (There are plenty of converters that can change your files to .avi or .mp3 if you need.) And the third party apps are AMAZING! There are free/relatively cheap things for anything you could ever need. Do yourself a favor and keep the pearl :) (and get tmobile :P )

]]> By: TheDreamer http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/04/06/blackberry_pearl_8100_smartphone/comment-page-1/#comment-23846 TheDreamer Tue, 10 Apr 2007 20:53:50 +0000 #comment-23846 I used to have a 7100t, I miss having GSM. I had also gotten somewhat proficient with suretype....did a lot of mobile blogging when I moved. But, I couldn't get a local GSM number after the move, so I had to look at CDMA...and went with the 8703e (and Sprint)....though I'm considering going back to GSM, and I can port my number.... CDMA at my home and in the office is kind of spotty, while I had 5 bars GSM at work and I recall it being pretty good at home. But, between home and work...I would lose calls on GSM, but see 5 bars on CDMA.... Battery life is quite different....don't know if its GSM vs CDMA or the device....but I could get almost 3 days with the 7100t, but some days I'm pushing it with the 8703e...and the 8703e's battery is 20% more capacity (and it'll work in the 7100t, though the 7100t's battery won't work in the 8703e). But, now I have a 3rd party high capacity battery...and the 8703e is more usable. The only thing that isn't covered under portability rules is keeping my blackberry email address :sad: I used to have a 7100t, I miss having GSM. I had also gotten somewhat proficient with suretype….did a lot of mobile blogging when I moved.

But, I couldn’t get a local GSM number after the move, so I had to look at CDMA…and went with the 8703e (and Sprint)….though I’m considering going back to GSM, and I can port my number…. CDMA at my home and in the office is kind of spotty, while I had 5 bars GSM at work and I recall it being pretty good at home. But, between home and work…I would lose calls on GSM, but see 5 bars on CDMA….

Battery life is quite different….don’t know if its GSM vs CDMA or the device….but I could get almost 3 days with the 7100t, but some days I’m pushing it with the 8703e…and the 8703e’s battery is 20% more capacity (and it’ll work in the 7100t, though the 7100t’s battery won’t work in the 8703e).

But, now I have a 3rd party high capacity battery…and the 8703e is more usable.

The only thing that isn’t covered under portability rules is keeping my blackberry email address :sad:

]]> By: DocGo http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/04/06/blackberry_pearl_8100_smartphone/comment-page-1/#comment-23845 DocGo Mon, 09 Apr 2007 22:34:05 +0000 #comment-23845 I have flip-flopped between my BB 8100 and my Treo 680. Nothing beats the BB in terms of email and battery life as well as software stability. For the same amount of usage (daily emails, PIM, etc), I can get 3-4 days on my BB compared to 14-18hrs on my treo in between battery charge. The only thing that really the BB lack (at least for me), is the microsoft office integration (like Documents to Go). Yes, there is a program called "EOffice" for the BB but it is primitive. For ebook reading, Mobipocket has a BB version that also makes use of memory card storage for the books, so I am very happy with that. There are also a few drug database programs for the BB (LexiDrugs, Pepid, Tarascon Pharmacopeia) that I find useful...as you can guess by now, I am a physician. I do hope that there will be more medical and productivity applications for the BB in the future, since I really love this device. Once the BB 8300 comes out in Canada (camera, full keyboard, expansion card, ?GPS, ?Wifi), then I will switch my BB 8100 (Pearl) to the 8300. In the meantime, I will use my Treo as a backup phone. BTW, in Canada (via Rogers), the data plan for BB is not too different in pricing compared to data for my Treo...it is expensive to have one or the other...so I picked BB for the reasons I stated above. I have flip-flopped between my BB 8100 and my Treo 680. Nothing beats the BB in terms of email and battery life as well as software stability. For the same amount of usage (daily emails, PIM, etc), I can get 3-4 days on my BB compared to 14-18hrs on my treo in between battery charge. The only thing that really the BB lack (at least for me), is the microsoft office integration (like Documents to Go). Yes, there is a program called “EOffice” for the BB but it is primitive.
For ebook reading, Mobipocket has a BB version that also makes use of memory card storage for the books, so I am very happy with that. There are also a few drug database programs for the BB (LexiDrugs, Pepid, Tarascon Pharmacopeia) that I find useful…as you can guess by now, I am a physician.
I do hope that there will be more medical and productivity applications for the BB in the future, since I really love this device. Once the BB 8300 comes out in Canada (camera, full keyboard, expansion card, ?GPS, ?Wifi), then I will switch my BB 8100 (Pearl) to the 8300. In the meantime, I will use my Treo as a backup phone.

BTW, in Canada (via Rogers), the data plan for BB is not too different in pricing compared to data for my Treo…it is expensive to have one or the other…so I picked BB for the reasons I stated above.

]]> By: Eddie_Lopez http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/04/06/blackberry_pearl_8100_smartphone/comment-page-1/#comment-23844 Eddie_Lopez Mon, 09 Apr 2007 20:10:40 +0000 #comment-23844 Ah yes, that is a better solution (the alt key to multi-select). But do look into the BIS filtering, that might reduce some of the need to delete large swaths of emails if you know you don't want to read them on your handset. I'm going to upgrade with the 8300 makes it's debut. I'm not really a fan of sure-type. I find it works pretty well if your a great speller and typist. But when I misspell a word or fat finger it, it goes from a one letter mix up to a complete redo for the whole word as sure type doesn't know *what* to do with an idiot like me. And then if you're in the middle of a long one and you get an "are" when you mean "see" (the same key combos) and you don't catch it, it's really can screw up the whole meaning. I have on a number of occasions went back to look at my sent SMS and find a completely different word than I wanted. Frustrating! Ah yes, that is a better solution (the alt key to multi-select). But do look into the BIS filtering, that might reduce some of the need to delete large swaths of emails if you know you don’t want to read them on your handset.

I’m going to upgrade with the 8300 makes it’s debut. I’m not really a fan of sure-type. I find it works pretty well if your a great speller and typist. But when I misspell a word or fat finger it, it goes from a one letter mix up to a complete redo for the whole word as sure type doesn’t know *what* to do with an idiot like me.

And then if you’re in the middle of a long one and you get an “are” when you mean “see” (the same key combos) and you don’t catch it, it’s really can screw up the whole meaning. I have on a number of occasions went back to look at my sent SMS and find a completely different word than I wanted. Frustrating!

]]> By: Julie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/04/06/blackberry_pearl_8100_smartphone/comment-page-1/#comment-23843 Julie Mon, 09 Apr 2007 19:06:17 +0000 #comment-23843 The tips for deleting email are seriously making me consider using the Pearl and keeping the BIS data plan... Darn you guys! ;) The tips for deleting email are seriously making me consider using the Pearl and keeping the BIS data plan… Darn you guys! ;)

]]> By: shen97 http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/04/06/blackberry_pearl_8100_smartphone/comment-page-1/#comment-23842 shen97 Mon, 09 Apr 2007 18:47:58 +0000 #comment-23842 I've got the 7130e BB (with suretype) and you can select multiple messages by hitting the # key (which doubles as the CAP button) then scroll down the messages that you want to save or delete or whatever. I would assume it would also work on the pearl. Not being able to view HTML emails is a bummer, and possibly will not fully realize in the near future since mobile web browser would be limited to WAP sites. I’ve got the 7130e BB (with suretype) and you can select multiple messages by hitting the # key (which doubles as the CAP button) then scroll down the messages that you want to save or delete or whatever. I would assume it would also work on the pearl. Not being able to view HTML emails is a bummer, and possibly will not fully realize in the near future since mobile web browser would be limited to WAP sites.

]]> By: Julie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/04/06/blackberry_pearl_8100_smartphone/comment-page-1/#comment-23841 Julie Mon, 09 Apr 2007 14:33:51 +0000 #comment-23841 Eddie_Lopez: Great tips! The BlackBerry is a great device. I'm even considering trying the 8800 now :) Eddie_Lopez:

Great tips! The BlackBerry is a great device. I’m even considering trying the 8800 now :)

]]> By: Eddie_Lopez http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/04/06/blackberry_pearl_8100_smartphone/comment-page-1/#comment-23840 Eddie_Lopez Mon, 09 Apr 2007 13:54:33 +0000 #comment-23840 You should be able to set up a filter or two in your BIS webpage (on cingular: <a href="https://bis.na.blackberry.com/html?brand=mycingular">https://bis.na.blackberry.com/html?brand=mycingular</a>) to trim down some of the email your getting. ...but I agree, the multiple delete would be nice. There is a "delete prior" option if you'd like- In your message box, you can select either an individual message, or you can select a whole day (by selecting the row showing the date). If you select the date and hit the menu button you will see "Delete Prior" and "Mark prior as open" that applies to all messages older than that date. If you're worried about losing an item, you can save what you want (in the saved folder)...so when you select "Delete Prior" you will also be prompted if you want to keep the saved messages. You should be able to set up a filter or two in your BIS webpage (on cingular: https://bis.na.blackberry.com/html?brand=mycingular) to trim down some of the email your getting.

…but I agree, the multiple delete would be nice.

There is a “delete prior” option if you’d like- In your message box, you can select either an individual message, or you can select a whole day (by selecting the row showing the date). If you select the date and hit the menu button you will see “Delete Prior” and “Mark prior as open” that applies to all messages older than that date.

If you’re worried about losing an item, you can save what you want (in the saved folder)…so when you select “Delete Prior” you will also be prompted if you want to keep the saved messages.

]]> By: Julie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/04/06/blackberry_pearl_8100_smartphone/comment-page-1/#comment-23839 Julie Sat, 07 Apr 2007 22:21:08 +0000 #comment-23839 Dripps: It's the additional $35 a month on top of my regular monthly Cingular bill that keeps me from sticking with the Pearl. Dripps:

It’s the additional $35 a month on top of my regular monthly Cingular bill that keeps me from sticking with the Pearl.

]]> By: Dripps http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/04/06/blackberry_pearl_8100_smartphone/comment-page-1/#comment-23838 Dripps Sat, 07 Apr 2007 15:55:02 +0000 #comment-23838 I have the blackberry Pearl through t-mobile and the cost of their blackberry plan add-on was what sold me. It only costs about $20 per month to have full internet access (unlimited) and the nifty email features. Since having these conveniences is not a necessity for me I didn't mind spending only $20 for them. I am hooked on my Pearl and since getting used to the scroll ball I feel awkward when I go back to using any other phone. Also the type system with the Pearl (two letters on many keys) is so easy once you learn to ignore what it's typing until you're done with the word. It guesses the word correctly 95% of the time. I just force myself not to look and keep typing. I found a tutorial on how to set up the phone with my MacBook Pro via bluetooth and connect to the internet with it when wifi access is not available. It works GREAT and doesn't seem that slow. Definately usable. What a nice feature. I don't even take my phone out of my purse (connects via bluetooth to my car also without a hitch). I click on a little phone icon on my task bar on top of the screen of the macbook pro and it tells me it's connecting.....then connected...and voila....use internet for email, chatting or browsing as I need! Have used this while driving and it's a great thing!! Anyway, not sure how you can give it up (yes, I used to have the Treo but couldn't justify the verizon cost for internet access). I have the blackberry Pearl through t-mobile and the cost of their blackberry plan add-on was what sold me. It only costs about $20 per month to have full internet access (unlimited) and the nifty email features. Since having these conveniences is not a necessity for me I didn’t mind spending only $20 for them. I am hooked on my Pearl and since getting used to the scroll ball I feel awkward when I go back to using any other phone. Also the type system with the Pearl (two letters on many keys) is so easy once you learn to ignore what it’s typing until you’re done with the word. It guesses the word correctly 95% of the time. I just force myself not to look and keep typing.
I found a tutorial on how to set up the phone with my MacBook Pro via bluetooth and connect to the internet with it when wifi access is not available. It works GREAT and doesn’t seem that slow. Definately usable. What a nice feature. I don’t even take my phone out of my purse (connects via bluetooth to my car also without a hitch). I click on a little phone icon on my task bar on top of the screen of the macbook pro and it tells me it’s connecting…..then connected…and voila….use internet for email, chatting or browsing as I need! Have used this while driving and it’s a great thing!!
Anyway, not sure how you can give it up (yes, I used to have the Treo but couldn’t justify the verizon cost for internet access).

]]> By: NX1 http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/04/06/blackberry_pearl_8100_smartphone/comment-page-1/#comment-23837 NX1 Sat, 07 Apr 2007 03:20:22 +0000 #comment-23837 Thanks for the review. I'm actually thinking about getting a blackberry phone in the near future. Just for the email ability. As I check my email constantly throughout the day on my computer. Thanks for the review. I’m actually thinking about getting a blackberry phone in the near future. Just for the email ability. As I check my email constantly throughout the day on my computer.

]]> By: Julie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/04/06/blackberry_pearl_8100_smartphone/comment-page-1/#comment-23836 Julie Fri, 06 Apr 2007 22:54:01 +0000 #comment-23836 Post your comments on the BlackBerry Pearl 8100 Smartphone review. <a href="http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/review/blackberry_pearl_8100_smartphone">http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/review/blackberry_pearl_8100_smartphone</a> Just click the POST REPLY button on this page. Post your comments on the BlackBerry Pearl 8100 Smartphone review.

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