Flipping for the New BlackBerry Pearl

Because the Flip does Wi-Fi, it can take advantage of T Mobile's HotSpot@Home service that routes your calls over the Internet via Wi-Fi instead of using your minutes on T-Mobile's cellular network. Think of it as VoIP for your cell phone. The service costs only $9.99 in addition to your regular monthly calling plan and offers unlimited domestic calling via Wi-Fi. This service also solves any problem you might have finding a usable cell-phone signal inside your home. As an added benefit, voice quality when using Wi-Fi to make calls is terrific.

The only feature I questioned was the keypad. The Flip uses the Pearl's two-letters-per-key system. When you first use the phone it takes time to type in information. But the phone's predictive spelling software does a great job of learning how and what you type, so that after a few days of use, it begins to know what words you want to use. I'm now able to fly when sending messages.

I have my corporate BlackBerry mail on the Flip as well as my Google mail. Originally, I tried both the internal BlackBerry system to set up my Google mail account as well as Google's own downloadable applet made especially for BlackBerries. It's not even a contest. Go with the Google app; it's terrific.

And while I'm mentioning applets, I'd like to give a thumbs-up for TheStreet.com's BlackBerry application, which makes accessing our Web site a breeze.

The BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220 sells for $149.99 on T-Mobile's Web site. That's with a two-year service contract of your choice. And don't forget the additional $10-per-month Wi-Fi service, it might make you forget your old-fashioned, wired home-phone service.

If you're in the market for a new smartphone, you may want to take a long, hard look at the BlackBerry Pearl Flip. The tiny phone may just be the perfect fit, both literally and figuratively.

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