The BlackBerry Pearl 8130 is the CDMA version of the sleek, sexy Pearl that launched BlackBerry smartphones into the consumer market. While retaining all of BlackBerry’s core business capabilities, it incorporates many noteworthy consumer oriented functions and appeals to a wide audience.

Standout Features

• Ev-DO data network
• Camera and video recorder
• GPS

Features

A BlackBerry wouldn’t be a BlackBerry without an outstanding suite of communication options. The Pearl 8130 offers one-click access to up to ten push email accounts, both corporate and personal. It provides access to all popular instant messaging applications and supports text (SMS) and multimedia (MMS) messaging. It also features the BlackBerry Messenger Service which gives immediate text messaging capability to other BlackBerry users throughout the world without using your carrier’s plan allowance.

An address book, calendar, and task list are included on the Pearl 8130. They can easily be synchronized with Microsoft Outlook or many other Personal Information Manager (PIM) programs by USB cable or wirelessly using Bluetooth. Fully compatible with MS Exchange and similar platforms, enterprise users can sync these and other selected corporate data remotely and securely with the hundreds of parameters that can be set by IT administrators.

SureType is a two-letter-per-key variation on the full QWERTY keyboard. It takes some getting used to but generally works well. Programming decides which of the two letters is intended by the context in which it is being used. It does a remarkable job of getting it right when given a fair chance.

Surfing the web on a mobile device can be frustrating because of download speeds. Access to the Ev-DO network makes for a notably quicker experience. The Pearl 8130 also has a browser that is notably better than earlier versions.

The Pearl 8130 adds built-in GPS to the package. It can be paired with the carriers navigation service for on-screen and audible turn-by-turn directions. It can also be used with other GPS subscriptions services such as TeleNav.

The Pearl 8130 has a 2.0 megapixel, 5x zoom camera with flash. Picture quality is high compared to most cell phone cameras. It also has video recording capability. The quality is adequate but not impressive. Still and video images are displayed well on the bright 2.25-inch, 260x240 resolution screen.

Summary of Reviews from Across the Internet

The Pearl 8130 has a good music player which support most popular audio file formats. Using the BlackBerry MediaNet program, tunes can be synchronized with iTunes. It has a jack for a standard 3.5mm wired headphone, an upgrade from prior models. It also provides support for Bluetooth stereo headphones.

Talk time for the Pearl 8130 is rated at 220 minutes and standby time is an estimated 216 hours.

Design
The slim, compact design and contemporary look of the Pearl is what distinguishes it from more traditional BlackBerries. It slips easily into pocket or purse and is at home at work or play.

Summary

At only 2-inches wide and weighing in at 3.4 ounces it could be confused with a basic cell phone, but the Pearl 8130 is a real smartphone and a good one at that. It’s amazing that so many quality features can be packed so tight.