Orange launched the pink Wi-Fi BlackBerry Pearl in Spain the other day, no doubt to the fanfare of many mujeres. Wi-Fi BlackBerrys might be old hat in Spain, considering they were the first to host them, but something tells me the novelty of coloured cases still hasn’t worn off. Pink has been a definite factor in pulling in the female demographic, but of course, it’s not all frivolous – the BlackBerry 8120 makes use of Orange’s UMA service, Único Empresas, for cheap calls over Wi-Fi. For more info, hit up Orange Spain.
Tag: BlackBerry-8120Page 2 of 5
Pink BlackBerry 8120 comes to Spain
0 Comments
You didn’t think I went all the way to Rogers HQ just for a pink BlackBerry, did you? The mysterious ninja that is RogersDude69 also let me put my paws on the recently released BlackBerry 8120, which is notable for its WiFi/UMA support and being the first BlackBerry to launch with OS 4.5.
First to WiFi. It should be noted that if you don’t have an active account (i.e., if you’re not using a post-paid SIM card) you cannot use the web browser. With an active SIM in the 8120, but the “Mobile Network” option turned off in your Connection Manager, the browser will connect sometimes, but it’s very spotty.
While the AT&T version of the BlackBerry 8120 has a separate icon for WiFi browsing, it gets a little bit trickier with the Rogers version. With no separate browser, you have to make sure your BlackBerry Browser is set to the WiFi Hotspot option. Unfortunately, browsing using the WiFi can be excruciatingly slow, and I could beat the 8120 to most pages using my EV-DO BlackBerry 8330. I highly recommend disabling JavaScripts in your browser options, which can make a noticeable difference. I’m not sure why exactly browsing is so slow, but I’m willing to be it has something to do with the 8120’s legacy-8700 processor.
We’re going to play around with the BlackBerry 8120 some more (specifically its UMA features), and let you know when we’ve found OS 4.5’s other idiosyncrasies.
We knew it was on the horizon, but Rogers and RIM today have finally made a joint announcement about the release of the BlackBerry Pearl 8120. Why should Rogers customers care? Well, how about snagging the first BlackBerry in Canada with UMA support allowing users to make unlimited VoIP calls via Roger’s Home Calling Zone. Of course, it will run you an extra $20 a month. Oh yeah, the device is also a steep $250 with a three-year plan. Oh Rogers, how you love to take our money.
You can learn more at: http://www.rogers.com/8120
UPDATE: The Rogers site is saying you can get this titanium beauty for as low as $150 with a mail-in rebate on a three year plan… Still, this over the upcoming BlackBerry Bold, even with UMA? No dice, Ted.
UPDATE to the UPDATE: It’s been pointed out by Aaron in the comments that the 8120’s Wi-Fi will only work for UMA and BIS email, so web browsing is a no go. Also, obsessed reader Mr. Mike reminded us to mention that the UMA 8120 will be the first BlackBerry released with OS 4.5. Thanks guys!
Check out the BlackBerry 8120’s features after the jump
Word has it Rogers will be shoving out the Wi-Fi Pearl sometime soon, doubling up on previous speculation. This would be pretty big news, as it would be a helluva great release valve for Canadian wireless data rates, and the first step towards their rumored UMA service.
UPDATE: A rep just told me that they’ll have the Wi-Fi Curve, and confirmed the coming UMA service in around a month’s time. Still no word on a Bold date, but likely a month or two after the US.
A new report on Electronista says that smartphone makers in the US are having a tough time keeping up with demand. According to Tavis McCourt, an analyst at Morgan Keenan, AT&T has had issues keeping the Pearl in stores since March, and won’t be stocking the 8120 for home users until the 24th. BlackBerrys aren’t the only phones MIA: Apple has been having supply problems and Palm’s Treo 755p is reported to have been missing from Sprint stores for over two weeks. Of course, a lack of supply is vastly better than a lack of demand, but hopefully RIM will be able to ramp up manufacturing.
Our buddies over at QuicklyBored just got wind that the Wi-Fi Pearl will be coming to Canadian customers this summer with an accompanying UMA (calls over Wi-Fi) service similar to T-Mobile’s Hotspot @Home. We had heard hopeful whispers of a Christmas release, but alas, no dice. Also, QB’s editor, Kyle, just picked up a BlackBerry 8330, and is looking to pimp it out. Any suggestions?
Hey, they actually did it. After being pushed back almost two months, the BlackBerry Pearl 8120 is now available through T-Mobile’s store. The phone’s equipped with Wi-Fi, a 2 megapixel camera and Bluetooth, as per usual. As with T-Mobile’s 8820, you’ll be able to use Hotspot @Home to make calls over your local Wi-Fi network. So far, it seems like it’s only available in a rather boring grey, so hopefully we’ll see some new colors come out soon. The 8820 got the color treatment, and a rare one at that, so fingers crossed… Failing that, you can always grab a skin and do the coloring yourself.
Fresh out of CTIA we have the announced release of T-Mobile’s Wi-Fi-enabled Pearl on April 15th. Yep, it’ll work with Hotspot @Home, so BlackBerry calls can cruise over your internet connection to save minutes, costing a scant $10/month. T-Mo kicked off the 8820 last week, and the Wi-Fi Curve came out back in the Fall, so they’re rocking the full Wi-Fi BlackBerry lineup now. No word on pricing, but if it’s anything like AT&T’s offering, you can expect it to be around $200 on a two-year contract. Nice way to kick off CTIA, let’s see what else we’ve got in store…
T-Mobile has finally announced the launch of the BlackBerry 8820, after a rather lengthy delay. The 8820 features both GPS and Wi-Fi capability, a rarity in BlackBerrys, and is available from T-Mobile’s store in a midnight blue finish. The colouring is also rare for an 8800-series, what with Verizon’s red 8830 being the only precedent. Now let’s see if T-Mobile can manage the same feat with the 8120.
eAccess has launched a new deal where you can get a BlackBerry Curve 8320 or Pearl 8120 for free after a mail-in rebate. The phones come bundled with The Sanford Guide to Antimicrobial Therapy and Tarascon Pocket Pharmacopoeia Deluxe from USBMIS. The books are well known in the medical industry: The Sanford Guide is a complete antimicrobial reference, while Tarascon Pocket offers detailed information on a number of drugs, including dosage information and much more.
