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richard371 · 09-07-2006, 11:52 AM

too bad. Hope it's not worse then the 8700.

ndub33 · 09-07-2006, 12:49 PM

Do you have link to the article? Thx!

nickbee · 09-07-2006, 01:02 PM

RIM BlackBerry Pearl Reviews. Smartphones Reviews by CNET.

machiavell1 · 09-07-2006, 06:25 PM

"We tested the quad-band (GSM 850/900/1800/1900; EDGE) RIM BlackBerry Pearl in San Francisco using T-Mobile service, and call quality wasn't quite up to snuff. On our end, callers sounded a bit muffled, while our friends said though they could hear us clearly, our voice sounded a bit digitized. We could still carry on a conversation, but it just wasn't the same crystal-clear quality we've experienced with other BlackBerrys, such as the BlackBerry 7130c. Activating the speakerphone didn't help matters either. There was an echo on both ends of the conversation, though volume was adequate. On the upside, we had no problems pairing the Pearl with the Logitech Mobile Traveller Bluetooth headset"

That's not what the other reviews, such as Walt Mossberg's seem to suggest. hmm... perhaps BG could clear up...

Maybe Cnet just had a poor handset or bad reception.

thought · 09-07-2006, 09:43 PM

The other reviews have been very complimentary, and this is the only one I know of that mentions any problem with call quality.

So this can most likely be taken as an anomoly.

The CNET reviewer, Bonnie Cha, has been criticized on other sites before for not being the greatest technology expert, as well.

Boy Genius · 09-07-2006, 10:34 PM

I think people are gonna be disappointed with the device, I really do, I keep going back and forth with a love hate reaction to it and there are definitey some major issues like build quality, the mute button on top isnt flush its submerged, the speaker is horrible for playing music, the OS is very slow at times getting stuck on simple tasks, the vibrate is ridiculously low, etc. Its a great concept but the more I use it the more I put it down...

Seattle18 · 09-07-2006, 10:41 PM

My main concern is ths lack of trackwheel. I have come to 100% rely upon it! That's the entire basis for my new-found love of one-handed operations. Trackball on the front of the device - no thanks...

CarBob · 09-07-2006, 11:10 PM

I can't believe what I'm reading. Is this the same 'Boy Genius' that has been practically drooling everytime you mentioned the BB Pearl.
What has happened?
CarBob

Boy Genius · 09-08-2006, 12:12 AM

The wow factor has subsided. Thats what happened, like I told engadget once you get over the new features theres really no substance, the trade off isnt worth it, we will all wait and see I am betting there are a huge # of returns on this thing, wait till everyone has the constant java errors I have, and the stupid flaws that are in the device. RIM spent 3 years on this? Are you kidding me? It took them 3 years to add a camera and mp3 player? Think about that statement

kimgl · 09-08-2006, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boygenius

The wow factor has subsided. Thats what happened, like I told engadget once you get over the new features theres really no substance, the trade off isnt worth it, we will all wait and see I am betting there are a huge # of returns on this thing, wait till everyone has the constant java errors I have, and the stupid flaws that are in the device. RIM spent 3 years on this? Are you kidding me? It took them 3 years to add a camera and mp3 player? Think about that statement

Boy Genius, would you say then many of the flaws you are experiencing could be addressed with an updated OS, or are you feeling the issues are more design/feature set related?

chad5 · 09-08-2006, 12:44 AM

Depressed. But I'm still gonna get one to see if I can dig it! Hopefully my millage will vary.

If not ,I'm kick'in it back to the Tmob! Get out of here sucka!

Got love the 30 day trial. if they build sub par they gets sub par back!

Boy Genius · 09-08-2006, 01:43 AM

Its a mixture of both, while the java errors and slugishness could be addressed, the vibrate, speaker volume and other build quality type things couldn't, honestly I don't see how they are releasing this product like this, RIM is known for such stable solid devices, if I had to pick one device to use in an emergency it would be a blackberry, but certainly not an 8100...dont mean to rain on everyones parade just have kept goin back and forth and thought it would be helpful to voice my opinions after months of use now, not a couple days or a week like the other reviews.

chad5 · 09-08-2006, 01:55 AM

Nah, your not raining on anyone's parade. We are all big boy and girls here. No worries, you're just telling it like it is based on your experience. And for the record give me someone's experience over their oppioinon any day of the week!

Thatxxx8217;s the most anyone could ever ask for. You're right it will be interesting to see how she fares in the real marketplace. I'm sure everyone here will be glad to post once they got her hand and if they do happen to return. My problem being that is going to be my first bb I might not know the difference!

ceebz · 09-08-2006, 02:40 AM

BG, you say the speakerphone sucks. What about the earpiece? Is it comparable to the 8700/7130 in terms of volume and clarity?

flash24 · 09-08-2006, 04:23 AM

i'm just hoping it's better than the 8700g.. but don't get me wrong 8700g is ok... it's not really that bad.

Boy Genius · 09-08-2006, 08:59 AM

No, speakerphone is fine, the actual speaker for mp3 playback, and audio like notifications, UFO, Sonar, you know all the good ones, speakerphone on 8700 I think is great, same with playback volume, loud as all hell

kpjimmy · 09-08-2006, 09:15 AM

How does it compare to a 7100g? I like the speakerphone there and the bluetooth feature too. If it's similar, I will seriously get one and bite the bullet and go for a contract.

ceebz · 09-08-2006, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boygenius

No, speakerphone is fine, the actual speaker for mp3 playback, and audio like notifications, UFO, Sonar, you know all the good ones, speakerphone on 8700 I think is great, same with playback volume, loud as all hell

Ah, so the 8100 actually uses a speaker seperate from the speakerphone for notifications, unlike the 8700/7130. Strange.

So to conclude, your biggest gripes with the device is; poor notification volume, weak vibrate, unstable OS and build quality.

When you talk about build quality, is it the materials, or actual quality control issues? Sorry for the interrogation, I'm just wondering if I really want to replace my 8700 with the 8100.

tritone900 · 09-08-2006, 09:59 AM

I know the size and weight are considerably less than a 7105 or 7130. Seems that part of tradeoff in going small is that some of the sound features like the speakerphone quality and playing music through the speaker are compromised. But this doesn't explain the build quality, slow software, etc.

I am bummed that after the "honeymoon period" that the 8100 isn't quite as sweet as I thought it might be. I'll need to try it for myself, although I do trust BG's reviews on his extended use of it.

richard371 · 09-08-2006, 10:09 AM

I played with it at the tmo store yesterday and I thought the build quility was pretty good. I only played with it for about 30 min so that's not the best test. I will pick one up for 30 days as I have nothing to loose. If it sucks I will return it and stick with my 8700.

BlackBerry Forums Support Community

CNET review says the phone quality stinks.