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BlackBerry Pearl for Verizon/Sprint and 83xx for T-Mobile on May 7 (phone Arena)

So you going to upgrade from your 8703? I need to upgrade my 7130 but would really like a full keyboard.

Hopefully it won't be silver, like the new 8830 that is being released.

I wonder how much it will be to buy out of contract on Sprint. I just switched over to the Motorola Q and I hate it! I can't wait to switch back to BlackBerry. Just not sure if I'll go the 8703 route or 8100.

Depends on what you want. If your not interested in multimedia and want a no nonsense business phone then get the 8703. If you want the features of the Q without having to deal with crappy Win mobile, then get the Pearl

I had the 8700 previously with Cingular and loved it. The keyboard was by far the best and easiest to type on. I use mine mainly for phone, email (personal and corporate), and calendar. I am intrigued by the size of the Pearl and the trackball, but not 100% certain on the suretype keyboard. I've played around with it some, and it's difficult (not nearly as easy as typing on the 8700). But i'm fairly nimble and adaptable with these things. I might be able to get used to the Suretype keyboard enough to use it for emails. What have your experiences been?

Some BB love for Verizon and Sprint???

hahahah

I came to the 8703e from a 7130 (suretype). The full keyboard is nice, but I must say after some time with suretype you can type pretty darn fast. The Pearls smaller form factor for me and camera is pulling me in that direction, while the bigger screen and full keyboard pulls me the other way. (and the silver pics of the 8830 aren't helping) All in all it is good to have choices instead of being stuck with only one option.

I would go with the 8830 once it hits Verizon (buy an unlocked version if possible), but I hate the keyboard on it. I think it's harder to type on the 8800 keyboard than it is on the Pearl.

Hopefully, the memory leak issue will be resolved before Sprint receives their batch of Pearls.

What's the memory leak issue?

Hopefully the Sprint and verizon pearl's have somewhat 'bumped' specs compared to the older GSM models. GPS support (like the Sprint 8700) would be nice.

Take a look over at the 8100 forum. The Pearl suffers from a memory leak where it doesn't release system memory after it's been used and the result is a loss of data, like emails, messages, and phone logs. I had a Pearl for awhile and suffered the issue out of the box. Not a huge thing, but an annoyance nonetheless.

I agree 100%, GPS would be nice, indeed. I wonder if the Pearl's too small to house a GPS receiver? Only time will tell, I guess, but here's to hoping!

I started off with a 7130e and I loved it, went with the 8703e and like it as well, just a little wider than what i'm used to. I'll wait to see what the reviews are like for this version of the Pearl before I decide. I know it will be black though since it's with Sprint and they're BB's are or have been black.

If that article is true...

1 month and counting!

so, does thsi mean Nextel might get a new BB since sprint is? i think thier network is close to the same...

Probably not. iden is a dead market. I imagine the only reason Sprint is even keeping it is for their existing customers.
Think about it, if it CDMA is a big customer base in the US and it is still treated by RIM as a second class citizen. Why on earth would they even bother with the dying iden system.

Not necessary, the new 8800 series for Verizon will be silver. Verizon's previous BB have always been black. I for one hate silver phones and if the Pearl is silver as well, then I will not get it.

What will Sprint do to replace the dc radio feature? it is to big and too many rely on it as a means of communication to get rid of, I don't think q chat is up yet and if nxtl does not release a bb they will lose many loyal customers to cing and vrzn. iden is only mostly dead but they cannot replace it or get rid of it. I Think
also look at boost mobile, they have grown much larger...

Please correct me if i am wrong.

I'm a current VZ customer and looking at my first BB. I'm on month to month now.

I like the pearl but am concerned about two things. First, pricing. VZ tends to be more expensive to purchase equipment. I know that going through T-mobile would probably be comparable but if you look at on-line discounters like wirefly, amazon and letstalk, you can get a pearl for nothing on T-mobile or ATT. I doubt Verizon will offer discounts.

Second, thier plans are more expensive.

Coverage is a non-issue as all three have good coverage.

Finally, GPS would be nice but I really doubt that the Pearl's screen is big enough to do turn-by-turn effectively. You can pick a stand alone pretty cheap.

Actually Sprint isn't pushing Boost as much because that customer base is now taking too much of the Iden network up and causing issues for their postpay consumers.

[quote=winste]

Coverage is a non-issue as all three have good coverage.
QUOTE]

If coverage is not an issue from any of the networks offering the Pearl I would certainly go with T-Mobile. I have to use VZW because they have the best coverage in the areas I use my phone. And yes you are right they are more expensive.

I have never understood why someone would go with a network for a cheaper plan, cheaper phone, or better phone selection when once they get their "Deal" their compromised network coverage makes it a crap shoot when using these better priced minutes or phone.(trust me I have done the network shuffle more times then I would like to admit) You might have the coolest, newest phone but if your dropping calls or not getting a strong enough signal for maximum data transfer, whats the purpose?

So what are you saying will occur

Back on topic

Any new news on the Pearl release?????????????

Does anyone else find it odd that Gizmodo has reported VZW release of 8830, but no mention of the Pearl? It just seems odd that there hasn't been more "leaks"/"rumors" surronding the VZW pearl. I hope I am wrong, but I would anticipate more buzz then there is regarding a VZW pearl release less then a month away. I dont think the 5/7 date is going to happen.

PLEASE someone prove me wrong.....and I don't mean "I talked to a reps girlfriend at a mall kiosk,,,,yadda yadda yadda"

I'm confused as to why people choose VZW over Sprint?

Other than people having problems with Sprint's customer service sucking.

Verizon has a great reputation and has been consistently ranked #2 for customer service (vs Sprint at #4 or #5). Verizon has the best upgrade plan for existing customers and through their excellent marketing has built up the impression in their customers that nothing else could possibly work as well for them. Their prices are premium and their terms and conditions are draconian. (IE 5gb cap on unlimited data, no UL SMS)

Sprint has an excellent network (just as good as vzw for voice, better for data) with great prices. They are forced to compete based on price by their awful reputation and horrid customer service. Sprint has always been a technology leader but has consistently failed to execute when it has attempted to fix its pathetic marketing and terrible CS issues.

(I am a 7 year Sprint customer, former Sprint employee and former VZW employee but I think I gave a relatively objective summery)

I would say a good majority of data users are corporate and Government accounts. I think they choses Verizon based on name and rep only. Thats how Verizon gets away with charging so much for data, business will pay. Kinda the same way Microsoft gets away with charging over $400 for MS Office, business will pay it. As more and more non business data users emerge Verizon will be forced to change it ways or lose to cheaper, and better, carriers like Sprint.

[quote=ArgonNJ]... I think they choses Verizon based on name and rep only.....QUOTE]

Not true. I would gladly switch carriers if I received the same network coverage from another carrier. In my neck of the woods (northwest of Los Angeles) Verizon is the only network that works consistantly. Cingy, Tmobile, and Sprint have significant holes (especially around where I live). This reason alone keeps me with VZW. Those of you that have battled the insainly frustrating scenario of trying to have business calls while driving to and from work while knowing a deadspot is coming up on your commute can relate. Playing the hurry up and call before the next deadspot game is not for me.

Not to mention, for me it seems like alot of people I call are on the VZW network which helps with "In Network" free minutes.

I think it all depends on where you live.

Good answer, very objective.

Click to read:

New BlackBerrys imminent for T-Mobile, Verizon, and Sprint? - Engadget Mobile

This Time It’s Not A Hoax: Verizon To Get BlackBerry Pearl In May | RIMarkable | The official, unofficial BlackBerry Weblog

BlackBerryCool » Verizon to get CDMA Pearl by May, 8300 on T-Mo news

Research in Motion: Expecting Buy Interest Today On Bullish Note - Seeking Alpha

Interesting, I didn't notice this the first time I read through the RIMarkable story, but the picture of the Pear is mostly silver, not unlike the VZW-branded pictures of the 8830 floating around.

Looks like that bottom piece under the keyboard can be customized by the carrier. It where they put their name. On tmobile is all black, on AT&T its black on the sides and silver under the number keys. I think the all black panel looks the best, though.

I agree the all black looks the best. BUT I would gladly take the silver if VZW gets it out by the rumored date.

Black or silver not a big deal in my mind if vzw does really get the 81xx...

Call me a skeptic...

That date is too close for no leaks.

I really am hoping for it to come out though. I will buy it same day.

Regards,
dolo

I've heard nothing about a 8100 series for Sprint coming up before fall. All I keep hearing about is the 8803 coming to Sprint in May.

Could be. Even though the CDMA Pearl may be announced on May 7, Sprint might not release it to their users till fall.

It might be because I am trying to hard to "read between the lines" and that I am a VZW customer, but I get the feel that Verizon will get the 81XX before Sprint?