RIM launches BlackBerry Pearl 8130

States-side announcement for Pearl 2

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1 October 2007 17:59 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

Research in Motion has launched the BlackBerry Pearl 8130 in the States.

It's the company's first version of the consumer-focussed slimmer smartphone for CDMA phone networks and supports 3G internet access over EV-DO.

In addition, users get "real" GPS with BlackBerry Maps, music functionality comes in via a 3.5mm headphone jack, A2DP Bluetooth, an external microSDHC slot and Roxio's music ripping and transfer software to load songs onto the phone.

Other tweaks include a now standard 2-megapixel camera that's video capable, an updated visual interface, improved noise cancellation on the microphone, full page view mode in the browser, SureType word completion, and an upgrade to the BlackBerry e-mail client.

The 96 gram handset will be offered in either amethyst (which is black, not purple) or silver and is due to launch in November with an estimated price of $200 on a 2-year contract.

Carriers have not been confirmed and no other territory launches were announced.