It’s been more than a year and a half since my BlackBerry’s pearl conked out and I’ve already weathered through 3 phones. I had the unit sent back to RIM last year as this is apparently the only solution to servicing the unit. I was warned that it would take at least 6 months. It’s been much more than that. Not that I’m really complaining. I think it’s owed to the fact that I easily found a replacement unit. Nonetheless I’d like to get your insights on the matter: how long did it take to service your BlackBerry? Do tell …read more

The new BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220 was unveiled recently. Other than being the first BlackBerry to sport a clamshell design, the new 8220 Flip still pretty much has the same features of previous Pearl models including the SureType QWERTY hybrid. This move was, in my opinion, an aesthetic preserver as the new Flip phone would look fugly if it were wider (full QWERTY). The 8220 comes with a 2.0MP camera and connectivity options has included WiFi onto the roster, so it does make a better impression on the original BlackBerry Pearl.
Why a flip design? More importantly, why only now? Because …read more

Aaron Brazell reports some battery anomalies after installing the FaceBook application for his BlackBerry. Since then, I haven’t had the guts to install the application to my Pearl, especially since I’m currently in transit from a trip. Scary. The application allegedly messes around with the charging cycles. After deleting the app, his phone’s battery status rose from 10% to 15%.
Have any of you Berry users experienced similar impediments with the FaceBook application?

I’ve been rather disappointed with the trackball of the BlackBerry Pearl the past few days. I assumed that having a trackball mechanism would make the Pearl immune to the failings of joysticks getting stuck or getting less sensitive as wear and tear progresses.
As it turns out, the same can happen to the Pearl, and not only does pressing down become a problem, the discoloration of the white “Pearl” ball becomes apparent also. I’ve had mine for about seven months already and the pearly whites are showing dirty earth grays.
There’s a thread on the BlackBerry forums that describes the process on …read more