I'll be first in line, but I'm kind of bummed they went back to the 7100 style keyboard. I know everyone will have their own opinion of this, but I think the 7130 keyboard was a major improvement. The keys are smaller, but at least I can hit them one at time. Good for big hands.

...exactly what i was thinkin...cant wait to get it in my hands

maybe this joystick is going to be like a new trackwheel. We will just have to wait, wondering what kind of processor will be in this one.

What support is this beast gonna have for video? If it supports as much as TCMP then I can throw my MDA out the window..lol. But I still love my MDA so far..i've only had it for 4 days but I've tweaked the living crap out of it.

Any idea when the phone will be available on TMobile?

Any idea when Cingular would release it?

Anyone have an idea when the 8100 will become available?

OMG its only been posted a hundred times in nov dec

Im guessing october on t-mo, and november on cingular.

Seems to me this is goign to be a EDGE, UMTS type device (Cingular and T-Mobile). No Verizon, Sprint or U.S. Cellular.

Looks like this device will be for EDGE, UMTS (Cingular or T-Mobile). No Verizon, Sprint or U.S. Cellular.

When is that Dawg? You didn't answer the other question:

Anyone have an idea when the 8100 will become available?

Yes he did... his answer was that it would be available Nov or Dec.

From what I have heard from TMO people is that it may actually come out in September. So its safe to say that for TMO sometime in the next couple of months....

hey...one question that was posted on Engadget...where is the scroll wheel? I don't see it on the pictures and if that thing in the middle of the phone isn't a trackball then they better have a good solution or they lost my sale.

the sidekick has that too....it is kind of like a touchpad mouse

the wheel is nice though. great for menus during calls and one handed use. lets wait and see. it might be better. be optimistic

I worry about my ability to move the joy stick while driving... I find the thumb works for me.

I wonder if RIM is using a ODM to design the phone particularly with all the new video, camera, audio, and joy stick devices

I would rather have the stick than the scroll wheel. It is a bit more ergonomic in my opinion. My thumb gets cramped from the bend that it needs to make to scroll. I may ditch my 8700 just for that reason alone if it works well. I have been looking at making the move to a Treo just for this reason but the 8100 should keep me with TMO and BB.

The other good thing about the stick as opposed to the scroll wheel, is that is can move in more than just two directions. That would be very helpful for editing text/email messages...

The 8100 will set right next to the sidekick 3 in the t-mobile display case.ouch!!!!!!!
Im sure the blackberry vets are unhappy with rim caving in on it"s morals when it comes to there devices.How can you say it hmmm they sold out to the all in one user.If your going to buy this device i would think twice.The palm treo 700p/700w and moto Q would be the better choice.Java java java

double post

I love the idea of having a camera in the BB. This can be a professional tool. In my place of employment we use cameras for documentation and troubleshooting. Now I can use a BB to take the picture and e-mail it right away. The camera is a double edged sword though. It is a split between functionality and security.

I do not feel that RIM "sold out." I believe they are simply adding another tool to the professional arsenal of the mobile professional. I am also a realist and I know that the camera will be used more for fun than for professional needs but it does open some new possibilities for those who do not want to abandon the superior mail system that BB provides.

Who said you could email the photos you take with the device? You cant attach anything to emails you create on the blackberry currently. would probably require a new BES version to support this.

its called version 4.2 of the handheld software, this can be done.

would the current V4.1 BES support this?

yes it would, this is controlled by the handheld, even if someone is not on a BES and using BIS they would still be able to attach a picture or any supported attachment to a email and send it.

You can take a photo and attach it right then and there from the 8100 to an email and send it over...no problems, works great. Even with BES 4.1 no update needed, also you can play .wav attachments in your emails...

The memory card is under the battery, right?

So, you have to pull out your battery, and remove your memory card from the thin metal slot. And then you have to wait forever for OS 4.2 to reload after you stick the battery back in and turn it on.

I think RIM expects consumer peoples to not have the patience to swap memory cards. And I hate handling the transflash / microSD card. It's incredibly tiny.

transflash isnt meant to be pulled in and out either they get erased very easly

See even when RIM includes a feature that a lot of people have been waiting for it STILL doesn't please everyone.....I know it's been said a lot on this forum and I'll say it again. No one phone is going to please everyone out there completely. I don't think any vender would hit that.

amen

BG, alot has been said about the phone quality of the 7130 and 8700. How does the 8100 phone quality compare? How does it compare to the Nokia E61?

So, does this phone have Wifi or not????
Can't seem to get a straight answer about that.

Kevin

NO, it doesn't. This place would REALLY be hopping about that if it did.
BlackBerry 8100 cameraphone! Stealth revealed! - Engadget

The day RIM releases a QWERTY BB with EDGE/UMTS and WiFi, I'll probably wet my pants.

I am excited about this new phone, I think it's a good move on RIM's part to have developed a "multimedia" Blackberry.

Having gone from a 7290 --> 7100 --> 8700, I loved the suretype thing, until I went back to the 8700, now I can't stand suretype. Albeit a night and day difference from your average flip cell phone, I MUCH prefer a QWERTY keyboard.

Company will most likely buy one for me to play with, but inevitably I will give it to some gadget freak here who's department won't buy them one.

Glad you Suretype fans are getting a new device, hope you are as happy for us QWERTY fans when we get a new toy.

Have fun boys!

i cant believe this phone is comming out next month september 18 on tmo for $199.

click ->the-blackberry-pearl-8100

yes sept 18th, the reason they put the media card under the battery is because how many times do you drop your treo and the SD card pops out? this way basically your card will never be lost by accident. It makes sense security-wise plus the fact media card/camera and any other new features can be disabled on a BES corporations have no need to worry.

I think it,s great that rim at last got smart adding these simple features that have been around for such a long time.My comment on them selling out.Yes they did!!!!!!!..They were the company that shouted out to all that there users did not need those features in one device.HMMMMM

Is Cingular still on target for Oct, Nov?

DAMN! Now I have to sell my 7130g, 3 weeks after I got it. September 18 is a great day, though. My birthday is the 17th. Guess what I'm asking for

doubt we'll see a 1-2 month exclusive period. look for Cingular to hit the week before Christmas, based on 90 days exclusivity (assuming there is one).

so if the 8100, or "pearl", is retailing for 199 i'm guessing that's with a new contract. any guesses how much it will be without a new contract, although i'm eligible for a "partial" discount?