This is just so much better than a regular flip phone, and with all the sales that were going on, I had to get it. Its practically been keeping me in touch with everyone and everything. The only thing i can complain about is that some of the silver parts on the phone chip easily.

Sleek and Sex would be the two words that come to mind when describing the Pearl. I would consider this the first TRUE prosumer device from our Canadian friends at RIM. The Pearl was the first to utilize the trackball versus Blackberry's scroll wheel. Why the trackball versus the scroll wheel:

1. The only way to make the bb skinny was to remove the scroll wheel. This allowed RIM to reduce the form factor significantly (and thus the pearl/8100, 8800, and 8300 were born)
2. Menu navigation. The trackball allowed a user directional movement rather than L/R (U/D with alt button) reducing the amount of scrolling needed to get to the desired icon.

Another huge improvement with this phone is suretype. With two keys on each button, suretype predicts what your typing to make sure you're saying what you want. I was initially hesitant to use suretype because of the 7100, on which suretype was horrendous. But oh how things have changed. Granted, when I want to write the work f**k, it still sometimes comes out as duck, but I can live with that (it's probably for the better).

Some nice features of the Pearl:

- microSD card slot
- camera w/flash
- nice form factor
- dedicated mute button
- two soft keys
- speakerphone
- push to talk (via Cingular network)
- XM Radio (via Cingular network)

My only complaints:

- Body of the Pearl feels somewhat loose after three months of use. It needs a phone condom or something. Then again, I've thrown it around A LOT
- My trackball doesn't click anymore (but my RIM rep is going to fix that problem ;))
- Software can be a bit slow to react, this is a function of the trackball and changes with the OS.

I always carry two devices and the Pearl will be one of them for a VERY LONG TIME. The qwerty keyboard, small form factor, and the fact that it's a bb means that I'll be able to get my email, quickly send texts, update twitter, and do everything else I need...all while it can hide in my pocket without eating up all of my pocket real estate.

RIM has really created a winner with the Pearl.

I love, love, love this phone. Not just because it can keep my schedule, make phone calls and take pics, but mainly because of the awesome GPS feature. Ever get lost going somewhere because well... your friends don't exactly give the best directions. Never again will you have to call a friend irrate after walking around for 20 minutes looking for a restaurant that happens to be no where near the address they gave you or ask a stranger who probably will give you the wrong directions.

I use it as a PDA by synching with Outlook, and it works great. Haven't even had a chance to really get in and customize it, or use the EDGE wireless internet. Google & Google maps are the obvious killer apps, though there are many other cool applications. At $199 or less, it's one of the best phones out there at the price point.

As slim as a RAZR, but with oh so much more. I was never a fan of previous Blackberries because of their size. In addition to being hit with a shrink ray, the new "Pearl" trackball makes the UI easier to maneuver than before. Did I mention EDGE support so web content loads faster as well? This thing rocks.

The design of the Blackberry Pearl is beautiful, usability is easy, graphics are great, there are tons of features and cool functions, it's light, and slim. (via digital life)

The Pearl is the first well-constructed Blackberry ever made. By that, I mean it is both sturdy and aesthetically pleasing. The chrome back is iPod-like giving it the sturdy feel my 7100g lacks and it is slim, making it easy to slip in a jacket/jeans pocket. With EDGE (Cingular) or other high-speed network, the Pearl's browser is actually usable. My fears of Blackberry's abandonment of the side-mounted jog wheel in deference to a trackball were unfounded -- the trackball is infinitely superior and allows much more rapid navigation of the Blackberry interface. The 1.3MP camera (with flash!), MP3 player and memory expansion complete the package. Not just the phone you need to get the job done, it's the phone you WANT to make the job fun.