Not Getting a Blackberry Pearl

After being given seven whole days to evaluate the Blackberry Pearl, I've decided…not to get one. Why? It likely has much to do with the fact I'm a long-time user of Blackberrys with a QWERTY keypad. As much as the Pearl's SureType keypad is supposed to be inuitive, I found it frustrating. Rather than jump on the Pearl bandwagon, I'm going to wait for the 8800 to come out later this year. While it's not as sexy as the Pearl, it's what I know and like. As for the Pearl, it's got a lot going for it. The small size, great screen and functionality is impressive, and I easily understand why carriers have been having trouble keeping it on the shelves. It's just not for me.

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sternthinker

Hi Mark. A more charitable explanation for RIM's choice of that unquestionably annoying keyboard is that RIM is targetting 1st time buyers, who have been using an “ordinary” cell phone — and therefore don't have previous BB keyboarding experience. If this is hypoithsis is borne out, RIM will have trained an emerging, younger customer cohort to becooe comfrotable with RIM's new, proprietary keyboard. Now that's a significant switching cost, IMO. I think RIM chose the right keyboard for the Pearl.
Anonymous

I agree, the boss just got a Pearl as 3 of us int he office have 7290's and I played with his for a couple of hours and just could'nt get the typing down as easy. I'll wait for the 8800!
Rob Hyndman

There's no question that they're targeting first time BB users, but they've been quite open about that.
As to first time cel users, um, no. I now know several long time BB users who are now on it. (Psst – it's smaller.)
And the BB has always been a damnable brick.
Dudes – lose the holster (and the man purse). It looks about as badass as bermuda shorts and black socks, and no, the chicks don't dig it.