“With nearly two thirds of UK mobile customers now using pay as you go , we are really pleased to be bringing one of the most popular email and multimedia devices to the masses as the first operator to offer BlackBerry on pay as you go in the UK . At Orange, we’ve always been known for innovation and great value, and with the launch of this service, we continue to lead the market – giving UK pay as you go customers the choice they deserve.” – (Press Release)

Anyways you can head over to Orange.co.uk and get more details…

T-Mobile will be launching three more colored BlacKBerry models on their network come October 15th. The three new colors include “Frost”, “Black Emerald”, and “Indigo”. The three new models are still the BlackBerry 8120 so they will be packing Wi-Fi, 2.0 megapixel camera and OS 4.5?

You should be able to get these hot new colors on or shortly after October 15th.

[Source: BGR]

The folks from OtterBox messaged me the other day and reminded me that I haven't posted a review yet for my BlackBerry Pearl 2 OtterBox case. This time instead of writing the review after a few days I decided to put the case threw a test for a month or so. Check out how the case performed…

If you remember we gave a few of these cases away and every single person we gave them to had positive things to say about them! Over the past three weeks I've been using the OtterBox case on my Pearl and I must say after a night on the town the case sure took a beating. The OtterBox cases are designed with three layers of protection:

• Layer 1: Thermal formed protective clear membrane to safeguard screen and keyboard against scratching as well as dust and dirt* (layer optional depending on the level of ruggedization desired).
• Layer 2: Hi-impact polycarbonate shell.
• Layer 3: Silicone skin absorbs bump and shock (silicone includes innovative retaining features to hold it in place).

Now because the case does make your BlackBerry a little bigger it does come with its own durable Plastic Holster with the magnet for standby mode and locking (just like the OEM ones). Check out our pictures of the OtterBox case a few drops and bumps.

 

You can purchase the OtterBox Defender Case for the BlackBerry Pearl 8110, 8120 and 8130 for only $49.95 USD. The case is available in either all Black or Black/Yellow combo. You can purchase the case at OtterBox. Also while shopping over at OtterBox don't forget to check out their Avon Breast Cancer Crusade cases designed for the Apple iPod Nano and iPhone.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5

Where did the OtterBox loose points? Although the OtterBox is designed to bring lots of protection we do find the case a little too bulky for everyday use. The price is around $50 dollars which some people may find high, however you will understand why once you see the case. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Rogers Wireless this morning announced the launch of the UMA (Wi-Fi) packing BlackBerry Pearl. The BlackBerry Pearl 8120 features UMA support for Rogers Home Calling Zone, a UMA based service which allows Rogers customers to make unlimited local calls while in their Wi-Fi area.

The Pearl 8120 features a 2.0 megapixel camera, external microSD memory card slot and of course the Pearl 2's newer design. The BlackBerry Pearl 8120 is available for $249.99 with three year contract and a $15 subscription to Rogers Home Calling Zone. One quick thing we should note Rogers says this model comes with Documents to Go on it… Skip over for the full press release.

UPDATE: Looks like the price has been changed to $149.99 with three year contract. A reader messaged me and said it looks like the Rogers 8120 might be the first BlackBerry to ship with OS 4.5 as well.

Rogers and RIM Launch the UMA-Enabled BlackBerry Pearl 8120 Smartphone

With Rogers Home Calling Zone, a wireless router and a high-speed Internet connection, customers can use the same phone inside and outside the home

TORONTO, ONTARIO and WATERLOO, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – June 4, 2008) – Rogers Wireless (TSX:RCI)(NYSE:RCI) and Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ:RIMM)(TSX:RIM) today introduced the new BlackBerry(R) Pearl(TM) 8120 smartphone to customers in Canada. The new smartphone supports Rogers Home Calling Zone, a UMA(i)-based service from Rogers that enables customers to make unlimited voice calls over a wireless Internet connection(ii). Rogers is the first carrier in Canada to offer UMA services with its new Rogers Home Calling Zone.

The new service leverages the dual-mode Wi-Fi(R) and cellular capabilities of the BlackBerry Pearl 8120 smartphone for both cellular and home calling. Rogers Home Calling Zone works by connecting calls through a voice optimized wireless router over a high-speed Internet connection when at home and can seamlessly switch to the cellular network when out of range – offering seamless mobility and the ultimate in convenience. Customers can use the BlackBerry Pearl 8120 smartphone inside and outside the home, making it easier to stay connected how and when they want, while effectively managing their phone costs.

"Rogers Wireless is proud to add the BlackBerry Pearl 8120 to our extensive lineup of BlackBerry phones, and especially to our innovative Home Calling Zone service, a Canadian first," said John Boynton, SVP and Chief Marketing Officer, Rogers Wireless. "With the UMA-enabled BlackBerry Pearl 8120, not only will our customers have the benefits of RIM's world-renowned push email solution, they can also experience the flexibility and convenience using their BlackBerry phone for both home and away, with Rogers Home Calling Zone."

"In addition to Wi-Fi connectivity for both voice and data, the BlackBerry Pearl 8120 smartphone offers rich multimedia features and the industry's leading mobile messaging capabilities in an amazingly compact and stylish design," said Mark Guibert, Vice President, Corporate Marketing at Research In Motion. "The Rogers Home Calling Zone service adds another valuable dimension to the customer experience and helps make the new BlackBerry Pearl 8120 an ideal phone for both personal and business use."

Available in an attractive titanium-coloured finish, the BlackBerry Pearl 8120 smartphone from Rogers features:

– An ultra-sleek design measuring 107mm x 50mm x 14mm and weighing approximately 91 grams

– Built-in Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g) with support for Rogers Home Calling Zone service

– 2 megapixel camera with 5x digital zoom, built-in flash and video recording capability

– Advanced media player perfect for pictures, music and videos, and support for High Speed USB 2.0 for quickly transferring files between a PC and the smartphone

– An externally accessible microSD/SDHC expandable memory slot for additional storage (8GB microSDHC cards are now available)

– Support for downloading music directly from the Rogers MusicStore

– The Rogers Do More portal enabling access to a variety of mobile applications for business and personal use

– Instant messaging with BlackBerry(R) Messenger, Google(R) Talk and Yahoo!(R) Messenger

– Support for the Facebook(R) for BlackBerry(R) Smartphones application, which enables fast, streamlined and optimized mobile access to the popular Facebook social utility

– DataViz(R) Documents to Go(R) allowing users to edit Word and PowerPoint files on the handset

– An enhanced visual interface that makes text and web pages more visually appealing

– Premium phone features including enhanced noise cancellation to offset background noise, a low-distortion speakerphone, and Bluetooth(R) (2.0) support for hands-free use with headsets, car kits, stereo headsets and other Bluetooth peripherals

– SureType(TM) keyboard system, including new word completion and spell check features

– BlackBerry(R) Desktop Manager software, which includes Roxio(R) Media Manager for BlackBerry(R), a powerful media manager application that allows users to easily manage media files on their computer and transfer them to the smartphone

– BlackBerry(R) Internet Service support that allows access to up to 10 supported personal and corporate email accounts, including most popular ISP email accounts

– BlackBerry(R) Enterprise Server support for enterprise deployments with advanced security and IT controls

The BlackBerry Pearl 8120 from Rogers Wireless also comes with a variety of in-box accessories including stereo headset, travel charger and 1GB microSD memory card.

Rogers Home Calling Zone

With Rogers Home Calling Zone, customers can use the BlackBerry Pearl 8120 to make unlimited voice calls, when in their home calling zone. For $15 per month customers can make unlimited local calls, or for $20 per month customers can make unlimited local and Canada-wide long distance calls. Calls seamlessly transfer between UMA and cellular networks, and calls originating over UMA do not count against a customer's monthly allotment of voice minutes.

Pricing & Availability

The BlackBerry Pearl 8120 retails for $249.99 with activation on any combination of 3 year voice plan and 3 year BlackBerry data plan from Rogers. Some conditions apply.

For more information on the BlackBerry Pearl 8120 smartphone, please visit www.blackberrypearl.com or www.rogers.com/8120. For more information on Rogers Home Calling Zone service, please visit www.rogers.com/homecallingzone.

Word has it Canada's Rogers Wireless is getting set to pick up one maybe two new Wi-Fi enabled BlackBerry smartphones. We know that RIM has been testing both models over the past five months or so. If Rogers picks up both these new BlackBerry smartphones they will go great with their new UMA service (Rogers Home Zone). 

Stay tuned for more details as they come in.