RIM BlackBerry 8100 Smartphone

My first BlackBerry blew. My second BlackBerry was a significant improvement, but certainly not without warts. Now, after a few weeks using my new BlackBerry Pearl 8100, I can safely say that the folks at RIM are starting to get it... and about time. I still wouldn't characterize this device as faultless, but it's a major improvement over previous models.

From a features perspective, first generation BlackBerry phones offered pretty much the same stuff that's available today: a cell phone, of course, plus wireless email and calendar, and a host of supporting applications, most of which were (and still are) simply along for the ride. Early on, however, the biggest damning factor was that all that cool functionality was bundled in a hard-to-use form factor that was more frustrating than it was worth. Subsequent product development has resulted in increasingly better ergonomics and now, after five years or so, the folks at RIM have honed their product down to a sleek, intuitive package that truly offers consumers the ability to be wirelessly (and painlessly) connected. Bravo.

Caveat Emptor:
It's a bit difficult to tell from the print ads, but a Pearl 8100 is startlingly small - it's almost identical in size to those ubiquitous Motorola Razr phones. I compared the Pearl to my wife's Razr, and my device is about 1/4" longer, but width, depth, and weight are comparable to her folded-up cell phone. Stuffing a keyboard, screen, navigation device, and assorted other controls onto a package that size represents not only a triumph of technology, but also an ergonomic challenge. And therein lies the rub.

For this sort of convenience, you're going to pay a price, simply because, as a human being, you're way bigger than the things that make the BlackBerry run -- things like electrons and stuff. The RIM product engineers have tried hard to bridge this gap by providing multi-function keys, a backlit, light-sensing LCD screen, and other thoughtful touches, but still... at the end of the day, you gotta be okay with small if you're going to use this device.

That's why I would strongly encourage anyone considering this device to try it for a while - ideally for a day or two - before buying it. I don't doubt that some people will simply find the Pearl unacceptably teeny. Assuming you've gotten over the inevitable ergonomic hurdle, however, you'll enjoy this device. In each of its critical features, the BlackBerry Pearl represents a step forward from earlier devices.

Phone:
For me, the phone features are a critical component - if it doesn't work as a phone, I really don't care what other whiz-bang features might be available. In this respect, the Pearl gets mostly high marks.

Sound quality on the Pearl is improved and on par with most cell phones. Reception is clearer than on my previous model. The integrated speaker phone works reasonably well, although it's non-intuitively invoked by pressing the "period" key - a fact which for some reason I always forget. I'd prefer a dedicated key for speaker phone.

The phone has several dialing features, including voice calling, speed dial, and something called "push to talk", which is available at an additional fee for Cingular customers, and which (I think) is kind of like the walkie-talkie capability that used to be featured from Nortel. Me, I just use the address book to select the person I want to call. Sometimes I even use the numeric keypad to dial the number. Call me old-fashioned.

The address book interface is somewhat streamlined from earlier versions, and you now have the ability to collect all sorts of information beyond name, address, and phone. I've plugged in photos of my family members, for example, so when they call me their pic pops up on the screen. Silly, really, but kind of nice, too.

Another cool feature is the integration of the address book with a new maps application. Now your address book entries include a "directions to" link that hooks you directly to the RIM mapping application, where you can bring up a MapQuest-type set of driving directions and route maps.

Email:
As with previous BlackBerry devices, this capability is what sells products - the ability to wirelessly pick up and respond to your emails. Messages are handled in substantially the same fashion as before, but the Pearl has features which make using email a bit easier than before.

I like the Pearl's backlit screen - it's sharp and bright, making the device more usable even in natural outdoor light. Colors are more vibrant than in previous models, and the entire display just seems to be much easier to see and use.

The Pearl's keyboard is likely to be the make-or-break feature for most users. The 8100 model uses RIM's "SureType" predictive text technology, which supports a much smaller 20 button keyboard. Keys are arranged in QWERTY fashion, but most do multiple duty - for example, the E and R (as well as the number 1) are all invoked by a single key. The SureType technology figures out which one you want by context, and it's surprisingly effective - similar to, but a huge improvement over the old-fashioned "predictive text" found on some cell phones. It takes a bit of getting used to, but I find it just as effective as a full-on QWERTY keyboard, and I appreciate the smaller overall footprint enabled by the use of multi-function keys.

However, the keyboard is the feature that you really need to try for yourself. I am not a "two thumbs" BlackBerry user - rather, I tend to stab furiously with one index finger, until my hand gets tired, at which point I switch to the other index finger. The Pearl's keys are just big enough to manage via my method, but I don't know that they'd be as accommodating of two male-sized thumbs. Again, give it a good test before you decide for yourself.

Finally, the eponymous pearl itself - the new, improved navigation tool that replaces BlackBerry's previous scrolling wheel technology. I'm sold. I never much liked the scrolling wheel, and although I wish the pearl-like track ball offered a bit more positive resistance during navigation, for the most part I think it's a big improvement in ergonomics. I have some concerns about durability - the little pearly ball just feels a bit flimsy - but time will tell on that.

Other features:
As noted above, a significant addition to the cast of supporting characters is BlackBerry's "Maps" application. It's a nice, elegant package that allows you to easily view a map of any address in your address book, or to type in and view any other address.

Oh, I nearly forgot. The Pearl 8100 includes a camera. I have always wondered why people want a camera on their phone - now that I have one, I still wonder. All I can say is that it's pretty easy to operate, it offers a digital 5x zoom (with predictably grainy, low-res output), and a flash, which my wife and daughter thought was pretty cool. I just don't get the camera thing. Sorry.

In a similar vein, the Pearl has an integrated media player which supports audio and video. I don't know how many files it will hold - according to the RIM website you can add expandable memory to support loading entertainment files. I don't think this capability means you'll be tossing out your iPod anytime soon, but I guess it's a nice thing for some users.

Other applications include the traditional things like notepad, calculator, a web browser, and alarm. New apps include the aforementioned mapping and media things, as well as a chat client and instant messenger application - all of these no doubt have appeal for some potential users.

One last pat on the back: like most such devices, after a few minutes of no activity, BlackBerry phones go into hibernation mode to conserve battery power. On earlier BlackBerry devices, every time that happened you would have to go through an annoying sequence of confirming that, yep, sure enough, the device was locked, and yep, you really did want to un-lock it, and yep, you were ready and willing to re-enter your password so that you could continue to use the device. Although the hibernation still occurs, the RIM folks have managed to distill the sequence down to simply re-entering the password, and not responding to a bunch of redundant and aggravating other messages. Once again, a small, but welcome improvement.

Summary:
From a strict functionality standpoint, the Pearl doesn't bring any huge new bells or whistles. Its allure lies in a wealth of small improvements - the pearl navigation device, of course, but any number of smaller, behind-the-scenes features that combine to create a simpler, more elegant user experience.

The Pearl's size is either a winner or a deal-breaker, depending on your personal preferences. If its small form factor doesn't make you crazy, you will likely feel, as I do, that this is the best BlackBerry yet.