```json
{
    "title": "My first week with the Blackberry Pearl 8100",
    "url": "https://performancezen.com/2008/05/03/my-first-week-with-the-blackberry-pearl-8100/",
    "datePublished": "2008-05-03",
    "dateModified": "2008-05-03",
    "language": "en-US",
    "description": "Last week a colleague, who had been forced by corporate policy to switch to a Verizon Treo, donated his Blackberry Pearl 8100 to me. It was a Cingular/ATT locked phone.…",
    "author": "spierzchala",
    "publisher": "Performance Zen"
}
```

# My first week with the Blackberry Pearl 8100

Last week a colleague, who had been forced by corporate policy to switch to a Verizon Treo, donated his [Blackberry Pearl 8100](http://www.blackberrypearl.com/) to me.
It *was* a Cingular/ATT locked phone. I unlocked it, stuck my T-Mobile card into it, and upgraded my plan to the unlimited data plan. I the MIS department at work add an Exchange redirect of my work mail to the Blackberry-provided email address (Blackberry Enterprise Services are evil), so that I could claim a real work usage for this. But there is also a personal email on it (and you will have to ask me for that one!).
[**Author Sidebar:** Two days later, I managed to lose my [T-Mobile Z3 Rizr](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorola_RIZR_Z3). Lose. Like can't find. Likely in the hands of another happy user who has figured out the GSM thing. I am an idiot.]
What is my main purpose for this thing? I previously had not had email on my mobiles. This restricted (prevented) my ability to use services like [Flickr](http://www.flickr.com/spierzchala), [BrightKite](http://brightkite.com/), [TwitPic](http://twitpic.com/) among others. Also, I can add services such as Google Maps and other mobile apps for the Blackberry. Still waiting for [Skype](http://skype.com/) for the non-wifi Blackberry.
My opinion thus far is positive. While there are obviously newer and *better* smartphones out there now, but the Pearl meets my needs for now. And the price (donation free!) was definitely within my budget. I am still adjusting to the 3/4 QWERTY keyboard, but it is not anymore difficult than MOTO's *intellitype* (yeah, I know it's a stretch) system.
Will keep you updated on my joy/frustration factor.