Just when we were starting to think that Verizon took all the fun out of Alltel, here is some live photos of an Alltel branded BlackBerry Tour. We are not sure when this device will be launching on Alltel, but most likely we will see it close to their parent company Verizon’s launch on July 12th. Unfotunantly we don’t have any other details at this time.

[via CrackBerry]

It’s been floating around in Canada for a while now, but looks like the United States is about to get their hands on the CDMA Pearl Flip. Alltel has announced that they will releasing the BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 sometime “Early May” which means it could come as early as next week! Pricing is expected to be around $79.99 with two year term with a voice and data plan. With the Alltel getting purchased by Verizon does this mean they will also see the Pearl Flip? Stay tuned. Anyway for details on the Alltel 8230 release keep an eye on Alltel.com.

Press Release:

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–With wireless customers craving both style and functionality, Alltel Wireless announced today that the BlackBerry® Pearl™ Flip 8230 smartphone from Research In Motion (RIM) will be available in retail stores and online at alltel.com beginning in early May. This stylish and compact smartphone puts customers in control of how, when and where they communicate and joins Alltel’s impressive spring line-up of phones that make perfect gifts for moms, dads and recent grads.

The clamshell design of the BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 smartphone allows users to discreetly screen calls and preview messages on the high-resolution external display or utilize the large internal display to respond to calls or messages, view maps and web pages, and play games. With a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels, the internal LCD displays videos and pictures in crisp detail and contrast.

“Alltel is committed to offering customers stylish and innovative phones, and the BlackBerry Pearl Flip gives customers the best of both worlds – a small, stylish smartphone rich in multimedia coupled with the industry’s leading mobile email and messaging capabilities,” said Angela Rittgers, director of product management for Alltel Wireless. “As Alltel expands its handset lineup and showcases hot phones for spring, we know that the BlackBerry Pearl Flip will be a favorite with customers across the 22 states that we continue to service.”

Featuring a large SureType® QWERTY keyboard, an intuitive user interface with trackball navigation, built-in GPS with BlackBerry® Maps preloaded and support for locations based applications and services, and a 2 MP camera able to record video*, the BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 smartphone is packed with powerful features, yet sleek enough to slip easily into a purse or pocket. It also features full HTML browsing, a rich media player with the ability to sync music from iTunes® or Windows Media Player**, an expandable memory card slot (microSD/SDHC up to 16GB) and stereo Bluetooth® support. Customers can activate the smartphone on BlackBerry® Internet Service as well as BlackBerry® Enterprise Server.

In addition to the BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 smartphone, Alltel customers can choose from a wide-range of additional phones that make perfect gifts for any occasion, including Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and upcoming graduations. Alltel is also offering the recently announced Motorola Evoke, great for social networking; the BlackBerry® Curve™ 8330, one of the most popular smartphones available today; the BlackBerry® Pearl™ 8130 smartphone, an impressive handset that combines multimedia and communications features in a compact design; the Motorola Hint QA30, a stylish, compact device with a slide-out keyboard; and the LG Rhythm™, allowing customers to bring their music with them, right on their handset.

Alltel Wireless is offering the BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 smartphone for $79.99, after a $70 mail-in rebate, at Alltel retail stores and online at shopalltel.com. This discounted price is available to new and existing eligible customers who sign-up for a two-year service agreement on a qualifying Smart Choice Pack. Smart Choice Packs start as low as $69.99 per month and include unlimited data, email and Web access. Alltel has also announced that the BlackBerry Curve 8330 smartphone is now available for $49.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate, and the BlackBerry Pearl 8130 smartphone is free after $100 mail-in rebate.

Alltel Wireless continues to serve 2.2 million customers and operate in the 91 Cellular Market Areas (CMAs) that Verizon is required to divest. Alltel Wireless continues to be an industry-leader, providing choice and flexibility with its exclusive “My Circle” feature, providing unlimited calling to and from any 5, 15, or 25 numbers on any network. Alltel Wireless was also the first to offer Anytime Plan Changes, giving customers the flexibility to change their calling plans at any time without extending their contract.

For more information on the BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 smartphone, visit alltel.com or blackberry.com/blackberrypearl.

* Video recording requires a microSD card, which may be sold separately.

** Using BlackBerry® Media Sync. Certain music files may not be supported, including files that contain digital rights management technologies.

The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited.

[Source]

Motorola has always been a favorite for me in the Bluetooth selection. I've been testing the mid-range Motorola H680 Bluetooth headset for just over a month now. This headset features a tiny little body with a unique magnetic charging dock. Click on over to see what I think of this headset.

Motorola says the H680 is about half the length of a tube of lipstick and is a stylish, petite and lightweight headset. How does it pair up to other headsets?

SIZE: Starting off myself I find the smaller the headset the better. I'm not a big fan of bigger headsets such as the Jawbone.

BUTTONS: The H680 only has three buttons (answer, volume up/down) and a on/off switch. All the buttons are a good size and you don't get confused by too many buttons.

SOUND: Even though the H680 doesn't feature "enhanced noise cancellation" it sounds pretty good. Most people couldn't tell I was on a headset when I was in my car.

FIT: This headset has a plastic band that wraps behind your ear and remains secure. I don't notice any issues with the headset falling off, which is good.

CHARGER: The H680 doesn't have a charger port build into the earpeice itself instead the kit includes a magnetic charging dock with a micro USB wall charger.

PAIRING: Pairing this headset was simple if you follow the directions. You simply hold the answer key and turn the headset on.

PRICING: This headset is a great value costing around $79.99 CAD/USD.

OTHER DETAILS:

Dimensions: 41 mm x18 mm x 12 mm
Weight: 12 grams
Battery Talk Time: up to 8 hours (approx.)
Standby Time: Over 8 days (approx.)

OVERALL: I'm pleased with this little headset. It's a great size and sounds fine for my use. If I was in more of a noisy area it might not be perfect but it certainly gets by in my books. The price is possibly the best part of this headset. I would recommend this headset to anyone looking for a great basic headset.

RATING: Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Motorola H680 Website

Looks like Alltel is finally going to join the game and launch the Curve 8330. Alltel announced this morning that they will launch the BlackBerry Curve 8330 in all stores starting May 1, 2008. Alltel's Curve will go for $229.99 after $100 mail-in rebate with contract.

For details head over to shopalltel.com/curve or visit your nearest Alltel store on May 1st.

[Source]