BG, was wondering if you knew when Engadget mobile was gonna post your video review... Ive been dying to see it.

It's up, and it's awesome.

(not allowed to post links yet, otherwise I would)

The link...

The Boy Genius Report: BlackBerry Pearl 8100 pics and videos! - Engadget Mobile

The voice command sure seems to sound like te moto interface ones.

Sweet......

So a question for you "veterans" at new phone releases.......

Is it better to buy in store or online? I am with Tmo now, but have been out of contract for 9 months. Where will I get the best deal? What are the pros and cons of each option (other than the obvious online purchase I will have to wait a few days for delivery).

And I want to thank everyone for your help....what a great forum!

Voice command works like the motorola/verizon ones which is awesome cuz that is the best voice command out there!

I wonder if that would ever make it into other BB's. It would be a nice thing to happen. In all honesty, from my own point of use, the camera thing is a thing of the past as looking st the usage of it in my prior phones and not having it on the 8700 did not ever faze me. However, the remaining feaures on the 8100 sure look like a wining formula. Lets hope at least the VC does make into the OS of other BB models (current and future) as I am sure this will be a big bonus for all the BB addicts.

I do believe RIM is smart enough to expand across the line so any upcoming devices that don't have a camera should atleast feature the basics of the 8100 (MP3 Player, Video, Expandable Memory, Voice Dialing, etc) What you guys think of the video review? And how the device works, responds?

Great job on the video review!

Nice Job in the Review Boy Genius! How does the mp3 player interface look? That's the only thing i missed. and also how does the camera function look.

Thanks

Great Review BG. By the way, for a "Boy" DEEP voice lol
Is this still slated for Sept 18th? I've heard the grumblings about FCC crap. Sept 28th? Or still the 18th?
Thanks

BG: First, the video review is simply fantastic; the quality is superb. With these sort of leaks of new devices, one gets used to the all-too-frequent fuzzy image. Here we get crisp, clear images that showcase the product nicely, and in video as a bonus!

Second, as to the device, I think that RIM has a huge winner on their hands. The device seems to have a very snappy and fast OS...am I wrong? It seems to the opposite of a device like the Q, with its slow and lagging response times. It seems like you've mastered the trackball, and can use it very proficiently.

Thanks again for all of the advance info...

Had to mask my indentity

videos were awesome! that sure wet my appetite for the pearl!

i would also like to know how the interface of the mp3 player works. can you add songs to playlists on the fly?

also-- i havent read much about if the device can record video- i'm pretty sure it can't, but any word on video recording capability?

one last thing-- can all audio be routed to a bluetooth headset? or just audio from voice calls?

Great review!

Thanks for your amazing work as always BG. I can't wait to hold an 8100 in my grubby little hands :D

TM

That is VoiceSignal (VoiceSignal Technologies - Voice and Speech Recognition Solutions) - a third-party voice command software that's used on most Verizon phones and some other carrier phones.

It's good but definitely not the best. I'm thrilled it's on the BB because it could have been worse but from the video doesn't look like you can do digit dial (i.e. say "Dial 555-121-1212". )

BG, can you confirm that this works flawlessly over BT headset? i.e. press button on BT headset, voice command prompts over BT headset and you respond with a command all through BT headset?

This is critical to me.

Have not tried over BT but I am guessing it will be no problem at all, and yes you can digit dial flawlessly...

I thought you sounded "deeper" than normal LOL...

Does the voice command work over a bluetooth connection for everything or just for dialing? [EDIT] OOOPS just read your post above... nevermind

rcg, can I preorder an 8100 ext battery and door and oem leather pouch with racheting belt clip? LOL

VoiceSignal 1st debuted on the PPC-PE Motorola MPx device then flourished on the other PPC-PE phones. This MPx prototype goes back to Early 2003 - I can guarantee no regular Motorola phones had NE-thing like this back then. Samsung has their own solution.

Mobilehavoc; I believe you can do Voice Dialing of phonebook entries & individual numbers - not sure if it'll work over BT but that would make this 8100 KING; and would prompt and IMMEDIATE 8700g Followup!

Following comments & question to Boy Genius;
> Love the "Enable Mass Storage Mode When Connected" feature. However, whats going on with Encryption Mode on the Media Card? Is this a user based feature or a BES based, or BOTH?! Cool either way, seems RIM is pushing the media envelope!

> Left & Right Side Convenience keys = Props!
> Vertical/Horizontal Sensitivities ?? as in lines to scroll (I think would be better) or ??? (I'm guessing the latter, could get tiring with endless scrolling).

EXCELLENT Video Review! Great way to usher in the "Black Pearl" ~!

PS. TrackBall scrolling; I Remember you going through the setup screens and having to scroll down to a second page (beyond what the screen displayed) in order to get to the NEXT on-screen button. I'm hoping that this implementation is changed where in if there is buttons for a particular feature to be selectable on screen or in the MENU; you could just scroll the ball sideways just to highlight them. This way one doesnt have to go down a HUGE screen to get what they need.

Any ideas for sideways scrolling?!

freakin sweeeeet!!!

Maybe I just missed something, but when BG exited out of the Setup and had to bring it back up, there was an option in the menu called BlackBerry Maps? Is that something new? I don't think I've ever seen that before.

thts for the built in bluetooth gps support...

BoyGenius:
Once again thanks for all of your info.

Overall, how satisfied are you with the 8100? It seems that you are very enthusiastic about it. You obviously are a tech-savvy person, and so if the 8100 can please you, that bodes well for the device in the general market.

Thanks in advance for any answer you can provide.

If you can deal with SureType it is the best BlackBerry so far...if you can't deal with SureType, then...its still pretty hot