T-Mobile Launches WiFi-laden BlackBerry Pearl 8120

[Mobile Mike]

From Engadget.com

by Chris Ziegler, posted Apr 14th 2008 at 12:02PM (ET)

The next episode of the ubiquitous Pearl is now available in T-Mobile stores across the land, bringing the spec sheet in line with the features Sprint, Verizon, and AT&T customers have been enjoying for a little while now -- a 2 megapixel camera, external microSD slot, and 3.5mm headphone jack, just to name a few. Unlike the 8130 for CDMA networks, the 8120 that T-Mobile and AT&T share adds a 802.11b/g radio, but the T-Mobile version packs yet a couple more tricks up its sleeve -- you know, the ones you'd probably expect of any modern T-Mobile phone with WiFi, namely support for myFaves and HotSpot@Home. That last bit about the WiFi calling is where it gets really interesting. Put simply, the experience we had setting up, using, and making calls with the new Pearl linked up to our router was the best we've had so far with any HotSpot@Home device; it definitely seems like T-Mobile and RIM are learning a thing or two about how to make this a truly seamless and painless process. A "UMA" indicator on the display lets you know that calls are being routed over the service, but if you're not paying attention to it, you might never know it's happening -- it's just that good. Grab it starting today for a shade under $150 on contract.

[tmobileman]

I agree this is the best hotspot @home device to date, the technology is constantly evolving and I am excited for the next rollout of devices...perhaps Motorola will jump on board soon and put a device out that is capable

[zoom1978]

I have one question on wifi of this phone. If I am not taking hotspot @home plan , I understand I can't make call using my home wireless. My question is without taking hotspot @home plan can I use my home wireless for internet browsing and Instant messaging on Gtalk!.

Please reply.
Thanks
Sanjay

[clock3687]

Originally Posted by zoom1978

I have one question on wifi of this phone. If I am not taking hotspot @home plan , I understand I can't make call using my home wireless. My question is without taking hotspot @home plan can I use my home wireless for internet browsing and Instant messaging on Gtalk!.

Please reply.
Thanks
Sanjay

If your not going to be using the H@H feature, then I believe you can use the internet by using the Wifi browser of your blackberry. You may need the BB data plan to make the internet work though.

[tmobileman]

you don't have to subscribe o H@H to make calls through the wifi network in your home, if you don't subscribe for the unlimited calling for 9.99 you are still making calls on your home wifi network, you're just using your plan minutes to make the call, the wifi data connection is an embedded feature on the device so you do not have to have a data plan to use get online using wifi, you just have to set up the browser to go wifi only...not gprs