Wether the Pearl will do good in Holland remains to be seen. It's not the most userfriendly BlackBerry device with it's strange keypad layout. And what's more: RIM announced the first GPS enabled BlackBerry last week at 3GSM. Chances are that some or most consumers who are thinking about buying a new BlackBerry will wait for the 8800.
The 'Pearl' press release continues:
The BlackBerry Pearl offers advanced wireless functionality, including support for phone, email, text messaging, web-browsing, organiser and many other applications, allowing KPN customers to carry just one multifunctional handset for all their communication needs. The BlackBerry Pearl is a quad-band smartphone that comes complete with a 1.3 megapixel digital camera, multimedia capabilities and expandable memory slot. The BlackBerry Pearl delivers an exceptional user experience, leveraging the combined power of KPN's network and the BlackBerry platform.
"The BlackBerry Pearl will attract customers looking for a small and stylish smartphone that provides fast access to email and other applications. KPN's ongoing strategic partnership with RIM means that we are able to meet our customers' changing needs, offering them the latest in cutting wireless technology, in a sleek and elegantly designed handset. We believe our customers will see the BlackBerry Pearl as the ultimate life tool," said Eelco Blok, Board member at KPN.
"We are delighted to be working with KPN to offer the ever popular and proven BlackBerry platform, together with new multimedia features, to their range of business and individual clients. BlackBerry Pearl offers users optimum professional and personal functionality in an elegantly designed handset," said Charmaine Eggberry, Vice President and Managing Director, EMEA at RIM.
Weighing approximately 89 grams, the BlackBerry Pearl offers a highly intuitive user interface and fast, easy trackball navigation. It includes the latest version of RIM's SureType(tm) keyboard technology, which makes typing messages and dialling numbers quick and easy.
The large, ultra-bright, high resolution (240x260) display features light sensing technology that automatically adjusts screen and keyboard brightness for optimal viewing in outdoor, indoor and dark environments. The BlackBerry Pearl also includes premium phone functionality with the convenience of smart dialling, conference calling, speed dialling and call forwarding, along with Bluetooth® support for hands-free use with wireless headsets and car kits.
The BlackBerry Pearl will be available for free in combination with a two year data and voice subscription.
A BlackBerry® Internet Service subscription is available at KPN for EUR20 per month.
BlackBerry® Enterprise Server data plans are available at KPN for EUR35 per month.
For individuals and smaller businesses, BlackBerry Internet Service allows users to access up to ten supported corporate and personal email accounts (including most popular ISP email accounts) from a single device, without the need for server software. Designed for corporate customers, BlackBerry® Enterprise Server tightly integrates with Microsoft® Exchange, IBM Lotus® Domino® and Novell® GroupWise® and works with existing enterprise systems to enable secure, push-based wireless access to email and other corporate data.
