AT&T Debuts BlackBerry Pearl 8120

The new smartphone combines voice, messaging and Web browsing with Wi-Fi access.

Terry Sweeney, Contributing Editor

March 14, 2008

2 Min Read
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AT&T's newest handset, the BlackBerry Pearl 8120, combines business-grade and multimedia functions with built-in WI-Fi access.

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In rolling out the latest BlackBerry smartphone for its wireless network, AT&T on Friday said it has combined business-grade communication and multimedia functionality, with built-in Wi-Fi access as a kicker.

The BlackBerry Pearl 8120 features the usual e-mail and messaging capabilities, including a SureType keyboard enhanced with word completion, built-in spell-checker, and user-customized dictionary. The new smartphone can also handle simultaneous voice and data access when connected to a Wi-Fi network, AT&T said. The new Pearl can connect to Wi-Fi 802.11b/g networks.

The phone's display has 240-by-260 pixel resolution that supports more than 65,000 colors. The phone is also equipped with a 2-megapixel camera with video recorder, media player, 3.5-mm stereo headset jack, and an externally accessible MicroSD/SDHC memory slot for additional storage. It's built with Bluetooth 2.0 support to work with headsets, car kits, stereo headsets, and other Bluetooth accessories, the carrier said.

AT&T also touted the globetrotting features of the new Pearl handset. The smartphone can keep users who are abroad connected with wireless e-mail, Internet access, and other mobile applications in more than 145 countries, AT&T claimed. Users can make or receive voice calls in more than 200 countries.

The Pearl 8120 is available now for $200 with a two-year contract, unlimited data plan, and $40 voice plan, AT&T said. Customers who want personal e-mail access and Web browsing will pay an additional $30 a month for the BlackBerry Personal Unlimited, with a qualified voice contract. Unlimited corporate e-mail and data access via BlackBerry Enterprise Server are available for as low as $45 a month when a qualified voice plan is also chosen. Customers who travel overseas will need the BlackBerry International Unlimited data plan, starting at $65 a month with a qualified voice plan.

The new phone also supports AT&T Mobile Music subscription services and AT&T unlimited Push to Talk for an additional $10 a month.

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About the Author

Terry Sweeney

Contributing Editor

Terry Sweeney is a Los Angeles-based writer and editor who has covered technology, networking, and security for more than 20 years. He was part of the team that started Dark Reading and has been a contributor to The Washington Post, Crain's New York Business, Red Herring, Network World, InformationWeek and Mobile Sports Report.

In addition to information security, Sweeney has written extensively about cloud computing, wireless technologies, storage networking, and analytics. After watching successive waves of technological advancement, he still prefers to chronicle the actual application of these breakthroughs by businesses and public sector organizations.

Sweeney is also the founder and chief jarhead of Paragon Jams, which specializes in small-batch jams and preserves for adults.

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