[cp6169]

I got to play with an 8130 today, for the greater bit of 8 hours. I tried to explore every option on the device, but being preloaded with 4.3 I didnt know where to start. Oh, lets start there... So 4.3 comes preloaded, not too big of a deal however with just small improvements over 4.2. I wont touch base on those as they already have been discussed before.

You can stream you tube videos, which is pretty sweet and fast with the REV0 EVDO, not REVA compatible nor will ever be supposively. They think the Qualcomm Chipset wont allow REVA, I beg to differ.

The camera is 2mp as mentioned before, and takes great pictures. There is not a lag like on some other cameras between the time you hit the button and the actual pictures gets captured. The video is great as well, small recording sizes however they playback very well on the device, and on the pc.

The micro card slot will support an 8gb card, and supposively, get this, a 32gb card which will be released mid '08. No way, thats sick. The card slot is external, which is cool so you dont have to remove the battery.

The speaker phone as been enhanced so there are two speakers on the back below the door, not one. There is also a speaker hole at the back and top like the 88xx
series.

The suretype has been enhanced, so no longer are there mumbo jumbo at the bottom you will always see real words, and there are tons more words in the dictionary so its less likely to have trouble

As of right now there are no color leds for the ball, so no colorpearl apps. They "will" get that updated soon, if not before launch.

The keyboard seems like each key is seperated, even though they are not, and they are hard, not soft like they feel on the pearl I. Oh yeah, this is officially called the Pearl II.

The new 4.3 browser is sick also, I lke the zoom feature alot.

Yes this phone is advanced bluetooth. Yes the phone can be used as a bluetooth modem. Yes it has autonomous gps and network assisted, basically yes it has internal gps. The phone can use the gps on or off network.

They added extra voice enhancements, like bass and treble to your phone calls. Okay, but I would rather have bass treble controls in the media player.

The BB is purple/blue, actually called amethyst as Ive stated before. It is a great color for male or female actually.

I won a free one today, but they wont give it to me until launch, which will be November 23rd. There is a great launch party in different cities between Nov 5 and 15th, try to make one if you can. They are giving away tons of free pearls. They gave away 9 today, and we only have 60 people attend. Dont feel bad for those other people, they all got gifts from Samsung, Motorola, LG, Sanyo and HTC.

I wish I could show pics but its not really the device that wows you, its the insides. Sprint TV, unlimited with the data plan, on demand movies, yikes they play fast. Streaming radio and Sprint Music Store!

Any other questions I would be happy to answer them.

[Lavagirl]

Sweet review CP! Sounds awesome! :D

[cherrichiodo]

wow!! how exciting chris!! very nice!

so, where's the sd slot? does it have a door for when/if its not being used?

enhanced suretype? i always thought RIM should offer updates for suretype :D within the OS updates

[cp6169]

Oh btw, Curve, April 08, Sprint. Just a repeat of what the RIM rep said.

[cp6169]

The SD slot is on the left side of the phone above the side convenience key,a nd it has a nice little door that you can open with your nail.

Enhanced suretype meaning there are more words available and you will be less likely to make a mistake.

[Mp55]

~via BB (wap.pinstack.com)~
Mmmmm, sounds pretty dang cool. I'm jealous that its not announced for tmobile yet, or at least on a gsm network so I can unlock it. Bleh.

[BCoop8184]

Curve for Sprint in April '08?!?!? does that mean Vzw Curve sooner than that?!?!

[toymachinejg]

~via BB (wap.pinstack.com)~wow I can't wait until the 4.3 comes out for my curve

[cp6169]

Usually my RIM reps are pretty close with what they say. See here... http://blackberryforums.pinstack.com...june_07_a.html

[flash24]

Thanks for the review CP!

[I7oobie]

~via BB (wap.pinstack.com)~

So the purpleish color is more risilient to turning black I hope? Otherwise I'd take the white pearl, it shines through my grime!!!

[BCoop8184]

what do your RIM reps say about a curve for Vzw?

[kane]

~via BB (wap.pinstack.com)~i just want to know will these features be available on the 8830 in a OS update like youtube and sprint tv etc

[curve247]

so you wont give your 8130 away yet, but does that give the possibility of you giving it away later? or maybe someone buying it from you?

thanks for the info CP, you are by far the best source for sprint info here.

[cp6169]

Sorry my RIM reps work exclusively for Sprint, they are not allowed to communicate about other carries devices.

Oh I totally forgot, there will be a Red Pearl II around January. That willbe hot since Sprint is big on "Project Red".
-------

[cp6169]

so you wont give your 8130 away yet, but does that give the possibility of you giving it away later? or maybe someone buying it from you? thanks for the info CP, you are by far the best source for sprint info here.

January as an os upgrade is what they said today.

[cp6169]

so you wont give your 8130 away yet, but does that give the possibility of you giving it away later? or maybe someone buying it from you? thanks for the info CP, you are by far the best source for sprint info here.

I will be selling my 2 8830s and keeping the pearls, then getting the curve etc...

I always upgrade to the newest to keep me up to date on all devices.

Thanks for the kind words.

[cp6169]

I didnt include this cuz I thought it was obvious, but someone did ask so here goes... The 8130 will ship with 4.3 Desktop Manager.

[curve247]

CP if i didnt have a 8830 i would give you an offer. I guess there is always ebay. Cause im not sure i could go without having an extra BB just to play with. Once you have 8330 updates let me know. Cause if i dont buy the 8130, that is my next buy. Once again thanks for the expertise.

[justin.hylton]

~via BB (wap.pinstack.com)~

Nice review CP.
How small exactly was the video recording?

[Ems5000]

CP how do we find out when the launch party is in our area? Thanks

[BCoop8184]

well Vzw usually gets the CDMA BB's just before Sprint right? so if Sprint is getting the Curve in April then Vzw is probably getting it just before then, right? safe assumption?

[cp6169]

Yes I bet Verizon will be right there as well.

[kane]

the pearl is a hot device but the screen size is what kills it for me

[didomenico77]

Wow great info CP! You always do it!

I have jsut one question.

Can you elaborate more on the trackball supposedly having the LEDs before launch. Who told you this, and what exactly did they say?

I love the colorpearl App, and though its not a deciding factor, would be super bummed if it wasnt able to work with the launch device.

[harry3334]

damn nice review man

[cp6169]

Originally Posted by didomenico77 Wow great info CP! You always do it! I have jsut one question. Can you elaborate more on the trackball supposedly having the LEDs before launch. Who told you this, and what exactly did they say? I love the colorpearl App, and though its not a deciding factor, would be super bummed if it wasnt able to work with the launch device.

On the live model today I have the chance to download apps of my choice, to test them. I asked about colorball applications and the RIM rep said it is not supported. I asked does that mean that the current model doesnt have the ability to have colors, all he said was it will soon, but doesnt yet. He said the models he has are preproduction and he cant quite give us a definite on the final release devices.

[showtime]

I would love to win sometimes!

[didomenico77]

Originally Posted by cp6169 On the live model today I have the chance to download apps of my choice, to test them. I asked about colorball applications and the RIM rep said it is not supported. I asked does that mean that the current model doesnt have the ability to have colors, all he said was it will soon, but doesnt yet. He said the models he has are preproduction and he cant quite give us a definite on the final release devices.

Thanks a bunch CP I guess I'll just have to wait, and if the LEDs arent there when it launches, then I guess I won't get them.

[themasterusmc]

~via BB (wap.pinstack.com)~any dates 4 att n any changes on the ph if any