Alltel adds the BlackBerry Pearl

Alltel BlackBerry Pearl 8130

(Credit: Alltel)

Alltel said today it will release its own version of the RIM BlackBerry Pearl 8130 in time for the holiday shopping season. The carrier didn't say exactly when the smartphone would go on sale, but you can register for more information on Alltel's Web site. The price will be $149 with a two-year contract.

Alltel's Pearl will offer the full slate of smartphones features including a Web browser, e-mail, text messaging, instant messaging, integrated GPS and mapping, a 2-megapixel camera, a media player, stereo Bluetooth, a 3.5-millimeter headset jack, speaker independent voice dialing, 64MB of internal memory and a MicroSD card slot. Alltel chose an amethyst color for its Pearl, but like the other 8130s, it features the navigation trackball and the familiar compact design with the SureType keyboard. Sprint and Verizon Wireless are also landing the Pearl. We'll have a review of the Verizon version next week, and we'll rate the Sprint and Alltel models as soon as we can get them. In the meantime, see our review of the T-Mobile Pearl for original assessment of the Pearl family.

[cant_get_enough_tech]

Verizon's Pearl

Why doesn't anybody mention that Verizon Wireless has just announced the Pearl? Or the FlipShot, but that just came out. I will cut some slack. As a tried-and-true Verizon customer, I cannot believe that Verizon hasn't received much coverage by CNET until the amazingly high-end phones come out. What if you just want a simple phone? Most likely not reviewed.

[cant_get_enough_tech]

Verizon's Pearl

Why doesn't anybody mention that Verizon Wireless has just announced the Pearl? Or the FlipShot, but that just came out. I will cut some slack. As a tried-and-true Verizon customer, I cannot believe that Verizon hasn't received much coverage by CNET until the amazingly high-end phones come out. What if you just want a simple phone? Most likely not reviewed.