Verizon announces BlackBerry Pearl 8130, new BlackBerry plans
Oh the sweet smell of victory! Verizon Wireless has officially announced the first American-bound CDMA BlackBerry Pearl. The Verizon BlackBerry 8130 is no secret horse, having been rumored and revealed time and time again. Even so, it’s nice to see our CDMA-loving friends get a bit of SureType love. The Verizon Pearl sports Ev-DO, GPS (which happens to be locked to Verizon’s proprietary VZ Navigator), a new browser, 3.5 mm headphone jack, and an external microSD slot that provides support for cards up to 8GB in capacity. Not too shabby. The handset will be available online and in physical stores on November 8th for a somewhat shockingly high price of $249.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate. On the flip side, Verizon is bringing its BlackBerry BIS plans in line with Sprint’s recent price drop, offering unlimited data for $29.99 a month. Not too bad.
Thanks, to everyone that sent this in!
On Nov 1, 2007 @ 2:24 pm, Matt B Said:
What’s a blackbery plan?
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On Nov 1, 2007 @ 2:25 pm, Joshua Karp Said:
Fixed…thanks, Matt!
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On Nov 1, 2007 @ 2:40 pm, Dtest5477 Said:
well i think the silver looks good in that ad.
glad to see them dropping the rates, good trend going around.
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On Nov 1, 2007 @ 2:53 pm, M.E. Said:
Does Verizon’s “unlimited data” plan include text messaging?
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On Nov 1, 2007 @ 3:05 pm, RU Said:
Great looks like Verizon beat Sprint to the Punch. When Sprint going to get its act togethere? any word on when Sprint will have it for sale?
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On Nov 1, 2007 @ 3:16 pm, Jack Said:
Joshua,
Your pricing is wrong. It is $299.00 with a $100 online discount = $199.99. Not a bad price. If you have any discounts you should be able to get it for $99.99. You guys are such AT&T fanboys.
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On Nov 1, 2007 @ 3:30 pm, JJLO Said:
@ RU
Sprint announced availability later this month. Posted on BGR yesterday plans and phone.
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On Nov 1, 2007 @ 3:37 pm, rosegold Said:
does the vzw bis unlimited plan include texts too ?
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On Nov 1, 2007 @ 3:39 pm, ghyde Said:
Yeah, yeah… the Pearl’s nice… now where is my Curve World Edition?!
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On Nov 1, 2007 @ 4:31 pm, Terry S Said:
On Verizon’s website it lists the final price as $149.99 with 2 yrs agreement, rebates, etc. $250 it is not.
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On Nov 1, 2007 @ 4:38 pm, Tommy Said:
What about tethering? $15 for the ability to tether?
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On Nov 1, 2007 @ 5:07 pm, Jonathon Said:
Tethering is still $15, just hung up with a CSR that actually knew all the plans
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On Nov 1, 2007 @ 5:12 pm, James Said:
these are shipping already…. just got my shipment confirmation and the site no longer says 11/8
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On Nov 1, 2007 @ 5:53 pm, Craig S Said:
I just called VZW because I’m not eligible for a promotion price phone (1 every 2 yrs), and the retail rate is $419.
Could someone from BGR please confirm this? I think most of us who’ve been jonesing for the Pearl are already VZW customers.
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On Nov 1, 2007 @ 6:00 pm, papa Said:
A day late, a dollar short. Everybody had the PEARL for years and we are supposed to rejoice that VZW just rolled it out. Pleeease!
Got tired w/ VZW. I already opened a second account w/ att; got the curve w/ gps (unlocked gps at that too)…and could not be happier! att service is as good as vzw, I use both and have not noticed any difference. I will move all my other phones to att and keep just one modem card w/ vzw because of their evdo network. I want good devices on a decent network and this locking down features is ludicrous…I don’t see how VZW customers can stand it…i guess there are a lot of idiots in this world…I refuse to be one of them. BTW, that is why VZW has the best EBITDA margin in the business (for any business that is)..over 40%…they are huuuge! They say, they spend a lot on capex which is a bunch of b/s. These are obcene margins. Good for VZW if they are able to get away with that!!!
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On Nov 1, 2007 @ 6:33 pm, rorr Said:
I’m on the verizon site now - the price is showing as $299 with a $100 online discount =$199.
Verizon turned off the GSP but it doesn’t look like they are offering VZ Navigator. What’s up with that?
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On Nov 1, 2007 @ 6:36 pm, rorr Said:
oops there’ s also a $50 mail in rebate = $149.
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On Nov 1, 2007 @ 6:50 pm, Nate Said:
@craig
It’s actually $319.00 retail. I ordered it this afternoon, retail.
That’s one hell of a price, non-contract, for a phone of this caliber.
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On Nov 1, 2007 @ 7:03 pm, Jason Levy Said:
any word on when they are getting the curve???
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On Nov 1, 2007 @ 7:06 pm, Craig Said:
@Nate….
One hell of a price too high? Or too low?
Just curious on your thoughts.
Craig
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On Nov 1, 2007 @ 7:07 pm, Jeff B. Said:
Yea, yea everybody else has it so this should be like $99.99 since they’ve even locked down the GPS to that VZW Navi crap. So woop-dee-do Verizon but you’re waaaaaaaay too late in the game…let’s hope they don’t turn out like SPRINT in the next year or so…
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On Nov 1, 2007 @ 7:18 pm, mistergadgett Said:
Did you get the $50 mail-in rebate in addition to that $319.99 full retail, no contract price?
- go go gadgett pearl 2!
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On Nov 1, 2007 @ 7:33 pm, Nate Said:
@Craig
To me, it’s an excellent price. I’ve paid way more, for way less than I’m getting with this phone.
I was expecting retail pricing to be much higher. 319 is low enough, that I’d be kicking myself for taking the upgrade discounts.
I couldn’t be happier. My contract is up in January, and I won’t feel the urge to extend my contract because of this.
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On Nov 1, 2007 @ 7:34 pm, Omie Said:
Ill be getting my Pearls tomorrow
The Curve should hit Verizon Q1 08
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On Nov 1, 2007 @ 7:56 pm, Galvatron Said:
An how do hyou vzw fanboys stan this high rates an prices and locked down hardware? All the cdma carriers gtta go. GSM 4 ever w00t!
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