RIM introduces BlackBerry Pearl 3G

The Pearl 3G (BlackBerry 9105) is the first BlackBerry to support Wi-Fi 802.11n (aka Wireless-N) in addition to the usual 802.11b/g. This is added to an impressive specification similar to the Bold 9700:

• 624MHz processor with 256MB RAM
• 360×400 pixel display (238 pixels per inch)
• Optical trackpad
• 3.2-megapixel autofocus camera with flash
• Assisted GPS with mapping software & geotagging
• microSDHC memory expansion upto 32GB
• BlackBerry OS 5.0
• Tri-band 3G with HSPA & Quad-band GSM with GPRS/EDGE
• Removable 1,150mAh battery with up to 5.5 hours talktime on 3G

The phone measures 108x50x13.3mm and weighs 93g, with the key difference being the removal of the QWERTY keyboard and the inclusion of the traditional, 14-key, numeric keypad with text entered using T9 predictive text.

The 9100, destined for release in the USA, uses the SureType keypad, which has 20 keys as part of a ‘condensed QWERTY keyboard’ that allows you to press one key for more than one letter – with a dictionary working out possible words automatically.

The SureType keyboard has been controversion since its original introduction on the first Pearl, but it also has many loyal fans who prefer the smaller handset the design allows.

The Pearl 3G is due for release at the start of May.

More info: BlackBerry Pearl 3G