O2 today announced plans to launch the new BlackBerry® Pearl™ from Research In Motion, a stylish and sleek smartphone that delivers all the high quality functionality of a BlackBerry and includes a camera, multimedia features and memory expansion, in a remarkably small handset. To mark the launch of the BlackBerry Pearl, O2 will also introduce two innovative BlackBerry tariffs, offering BlackBerry Internet Solution™ customers the choice of unlimited data for BlackBerry, and for the first time, a Pay As You Use tariff for BlackBerry. The BlackBerry Pearl from O2 provides the perfect balance of performance, design and functionality for users who prefer traditional phone-style designs. The BlackBerry Pearl from O2 features a 1.3 MP camera with built-in flash and zoom, giving users Picture CallerID support, the ability to send images via MMS or BlackBerry email* and seamless integration with the BlackBerry Desktop Manager software to transfer images to and from their handsets. Customers can also store additional images, ringtones, audio and video files via the Micro-SD expansion memory support, making it a very versatile handset. The BlackBerry Pearl from O2 features BlackBerry functionality including wireless push-based email, phone, SMS, web browsing, intranet access capability, organiser and instant messaging, making it ideal for the busy mobile professional who wants the functionality of a high-end phone. The handset also enables users to enjoy their favourite MP3 music and MPEG4 videos using the built in media player and a stereo headset . The traditional candy-bar design handset weighs approximately 89g and measures just 107 mm x 50 mm x 14.5 mm, making it one of the smallest, lightest smartphones on the market. It incorporates a large, ultra-bright hi-res (240 x 260) colour LCD screen that provides ample workspace for viewing email, web pages, applications and other information. The user experience is as easy as ever with the new trackball navigation and context sensitive menus. Speaker-Independent Voice Activated Dialling makes calling as simple as speaking who you want to call. New Tariffs for BlackBerry devices For those choosing the BlackBerry Pearl, or any other BlackBerry supported device from O2, there will be new BlackBerry Internet Solution™ tariffs to choose from 2nd October 2006. When coupled with existing O2 post pay voice tariffs the new tariffs provide BlackBerry customers with the choice and flexibility to suit their individual needs. The Pay As You Use tariff is an ideal entry level package for lighter data users, providing a great BlackBerry experience with no monthly subscription for O2 voice customers. The Unlimited option is perfect for customers that want to use high levels of BlackBerry data but at a fixed price. With no servers or extra technology needed, BlackBerry Internet Solution users can send and receive email from multiple email accounts without worrying about cost or extra infrastructure. In addition to email, BIackBerry Internet Solution also provides full Internet browsing and Yahoo!® Instant Messaging. The BlackBerry Pearl will also be available from O2 with the BlackBerry® Enterprise Solution. This service already offers unlimited BlackBerry data for a set monthly amount. Pay As You Use tariff Specifically designed for customers who want the benefits of BlackBerry but without the commitment of paying a monthly subscription, the new Pay As You Use package builds on existing O2 voice tariffs and is available to customers on all recently launched post pay consumer voice tariffs and on business voice tariffs – Mobex and Best for Business (excluding Best For Business Pay As You Use). Customers can send and receive emails, browse the web and use Yahoo! Instant Messaging through the BlackBerry Internet Solution at a price of £2.30 (ex VAT) per MB. Unlimited O2’s post pay tariff for BlackBerry Internet Solution is available to all business customers on Best for Business, Best for Business Unlimited, Mobex and all of the O2’s recently launched consumer tariffs. The package allows for unlimited BlackBerry Internet data** including sending and receiving emails and costs from £8.51 (ex VAT) per month depending on the contract. The Unlimited BlackBerry tariff can also be taken as a stand alone contract without a voice subscription. Phil Ledward, Head of Business Data Marketing, O2 said; “With the launch of the BlackBerry Pearl, we felt that it was important to introduce new tariffs to support the device and extend the technology to a wider audience base. The popularity of BlackBerry from O2 has shown that consumers today want e-mail and data functionalities combined on their handheld, but they do not want to compromise on style. To complement our selection of compelling BlackBerry devices, such as the BlackBerry Pearl, we now offer flexible, customer-friendly tariffs which cater for the casual e-mailer up to the complete mobile office worker. Whether our customers want Pay As You Use flexibility or unlimited data access, we can offer a tariff tailored to the individual’s needs.” Available from 2nd October from all O2 UK channels, the BlackBerry Pearl will be on sale at a range of prices, depending on business tariff and length of contract. The device will also be available from all direct and indirect business channels as well as other leading distributors. Key Features of the BlackBerry Pearl from O2 · First BlackBerry handheld with a camera (1.3 MP camera with built-in flash and zoom) · First BlackBerry handheld with expansion memory support (micro-SD) · Customers with BlackBerry® Enterprise Server 4.1.2 or higher) can use the built-in IT management tools to remotely control the use of the camera and expansion memory. · Fast web browsing, application performance and attachment viewing · Comprehensive phone features with intuitive call management capabilities such as smart dialling, conference calling, speed dial and call forwarding · Intelligent auto-sensing technology that automatically adjusts the screen, keyboard and trackball lighting to provide an optimised view in outdoor, indoor and dark environments · A powerful 312 MHz Intel® XScale® cellular processor with 64 MB flash memory, providing the ability to store and run enterprise, personal productivity and game applications · Bluetooth® support and built-in speakerphone for hands-free operation · Quad-band network support for international connectivity · Easy-to-use SureType™ keyboard technology that combines phone and QWERTY keyboard layouts with intuitive software for quick and accurate dialling and typing · Super slim 900 mAh Thin battery * Only available to BlackBerry Enterprise Solution customers with version 4.1.2 or later server software, or customers using the most recent enhancements of the BlackBerry Internet Solution ** Fair usage limit of 75MB a month applies The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited. RIM, Research In Motion and BlackBerry are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and may be pending or registered in other countries. All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. RIM assumes no liability and makes no representation, warranty or guarantee in relation to third party products or services.
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