[Ticman]

Mark and Allen,

Thanks for the 8130 pictures.

Hope you get to give us updates on usage of the phone and other features.

Mike

[jsntrenkler]

allen2003 --- That new samsung looks great too ... Is it just me or is the Pearls screen a lot brighter than the 8830?

[Girion]

I'm just glad the keys are blue like the 8830, thats the really the only thing I can't stand about my World phone. The blue is so hard to read...but I'm getting the Pearl from Vzw regardless.

[Froad'r]

Find anything out about the gps and whether you can use any other software than the vz nav?

[dwp1975]

Originally Posted by Girion

I'm just glad the keys are blue like the 8830, thats the really the only thing I can't stand about my World phone. The blue is so hard to read...but I'm getting the Pearl from Vzw regardless.

Amen! I absolutely HATE that blue backlighting on my 8830. I want that 8130, but I have a 8100 for fun and typing on it isn't as enjoyable as on a qwerty keyboard.

[Mark_Venture]

Originally Posted by dwp1975

....I want that 8130, but I have a 8100 for fun and typing on it isn't as enjoyable as on a qwerty keyboard.

I'll agee with you, but the Suretype on the 8130 seems to be better than on my T-Mo 8100

[jhnptrlimo]

Does it separate the sms messages from the email as in the Zen theme? Also, does it have different profiles on whether it is in a holster or out?

[Mark_Venture]

Originally Posted by jhnptrlimo

Does it separate the sms messages from the email as in the Zen theme? Also, does it have different profiles on whether it is in a holster or out?

IN/out of hoster options in profiles.. Yes... that has been there in all previous models, and I hope they NEVER take it away...

as for separate SMS message icon... In the Messages app.. Menu Button -> Options -> General Options...

SMS and Email Inboxes...
choices are Theme Controlled, Combined or Separated...

[obeythelaw]

can those with their pearls comment on the quality of the sound. I like my phones to come in LOUD and clear. Same goes for speakerphone too. Do you have to turn volume to its max to hear the other person?

[jhnptrlimo]

wow..all sounds great! That seals my deal! Thanks for the reply...and quick one at that!!!

Originally Posted by Mark_Venture

IN/out of hoster options in profiles.. Yes... that has been there in all previous models, and I hope they NEVER take it away...

as for separate SMS message icon... In the Messages app.. Menu Button -> Options -> General Options...

SMS and Email Inboxes...
choices are Theme Controlled, Combined or Separated...

[genearch]

Originally Posted by obeythelaw

can those with their pearls comment on the quality of the sound. I like my phones to come in LOUD and clear. Same goes for speakerphone too. Do you have to turn volume to its max to hear the other person?

So far so good on the sound, though I never found it an issue.

I just picked up mine at a local VZW store in the mall. They received theirs on Wed and said most stores should have as well.

I didn't realize I was due for an upgrade but I was and the phone was $240. I tried a couple of stores and was told my one that no sales allowed until the 8th, another said they expect them at the end of the month.

Still getting used to the keyboard. I have found that if you just type and don't pay attention to the words, it gets them 99% correct.

FWIW: It does not include a case, but rather a "sleeve". I popped into a T-Mobile store and picked one up.

The only thing I need to get used to is the lack of button on top like the 8830 to turn the screen brightness up. I do like the auto dim feature, but for now have set the 8130 to full bright.

[allen2oo3]

Originally Posted by jsntrenkler

allen2003 --- That new samsung looks great too ... Is it just me or is the Pearls screen a lot brighter than the 8830?

both screens are bright. it just happened that when i took the picture the 8830 hadn't been touched for a few seconds so the brightness went down one step.

[obeythelaw]

Anyone know why I can't placed an upgrade order online? I keep getting the following message: "Your request failed and cannot be completed online. Please contact Customer Service for additional information."

EDIT: I was finally able to complete my order but had to change my plan first. Doesn't matter, it will actually save me a few bucks a month for "downgrading" my plan and adding the $29.99 BB BIS plan. I also had a $100 gift card that I used, so the total was $250. I'm assuming I won't get the $50 mail in rebate, though. Also, did anyone else have their order say 2-5 business days? I hope it doesn't take that long.

[Mark_Venture]

VZNav is now available!!!

Use the link on the blackberry browser's home page.. If it still says "coming soon" just REFESH

NOTE: I've downloaded and installed it.. but i have NOT subscribed to it... Installing it does not change BB Map's ability to use/not use the 8130's built in GPS... Its still not a choice in BB map's

[Hanwei]

Originally Posted by Mark_Venture

VZNav is now available!!!

Use the link on the blackberry browser's home page.. If it still says "coming soon" just REFESH

NOTE: I've downloaded and installed it.. but i have NOT subscribed to it... Installing it does not change BB Map's ability to use/not use the 8130's built in GPS... Its still not a choice in BB map's

This is painful. VERY painful to read about you playing with your pearl while I have to wait until Monday to even get mine!!!

[Hanwei]

Originally Posted by obeythelaw

Anyone know why I can't placed an upgrade order online? I keep getting the following message: "Your request failed and cannot be completed online. Please contact Customer Service for additional information."

EDIT: I was finally able to complete my order but had to change my plan first. Doesn't matter, it will actually save me a few bucks a month for "downgrading" my plan and adding the $29.99 BB BIS plan. I also had a $100 gift card that I used, so the total was $250. I'm assuming I won't get the $50 mail in rebate, though. Also, did anyone else have their order say 2-5 business days? I hope it doesn't take that long.

I ordered mine on Thursday the 1st... that night it was shipped out... the email said I would receive it in 2-5 business days. I tracked it on FedEx and it says it will be delivered on Monday... so... 2 business days.

[Mark_Venture]

Originally Posted by Hanwei

This is painful. VERY painful to read about you playing with your pearl while I have to wait until Monday to even get mine!!!

It will be worth the wait...

While this Verizon Pearl 8130 is a marked improvement over the GSM 8100, its not leaps and bounds....

1. Better Camera (2.0Mp vs 1.3)
2. Rim 4.3 OS
2a. Spell Check
2b. one or two new features on Brower
2c. Voice Notes recorder
2d. Video Recorder (appears to require MicroSD card)
3. Slightly better/more accurate SureType (not sure if this is separate or part of the 4.3 OS)
4. MicroSD/MicroSDHC support for up to 8gig (where as GSM 8100 supports up to 2gig)
5. MicroSD slot on outside rather than under battery (but I still don't trust hot swapping)

Battery life, screen quality, and other features/functions I see with my 8130 is on par with my GSM 8100.

I just wish the 8130 had the shortcut key to toggle between suretype and multitap like the 8100 has... instead you have to use the MENU to switch :(

[obeythelaw]

I don't want to sound stupid, but when it comes to the BB OS. In the Pearl, I'm assuming its the latest OS. But when RIM releases a new OS, can you just download it? I've read in some of the other threads that apparently you can. How often do releases come out?

[NJBlackBerry]

RIM writes all the code, and the carriers test and release it. "Sprint" code for a particular device will work perfectly on a Verizon device. There is no real schedule. Some carriers (particularly overseas carriers) release them very frequently. Some US based carriers take a long time to release new versions. There's no way to predict it. Each device has specific code, so 8130 code will not work on an 8100. Some older GSM devices shared code, but those days are over.

[Stelvio]

How does the silver color look in person? I'd really much rather black.

Silver looks too teenage girlish for me; that it would be a perfect background color to stick little plastic gems all over it and have it play Oops I Did It Again for a ringtone.

Why can't Verizon offer more than one color. We had to wait a year and then they only offer one color. Blackberry.com list 8 colors for the 8100.

Stelvio