[NamelessPFG]

Well, it all started a few days ago. I was tasked with trying to sell three phones from one of my mom's friends who switched carriers (T-Mobile to Sprint, thus GSM to CDMA). Two of those phones were irrelevant dumbphones that probably won't sell.

The third...happened to be a BlackBerry Pearl 8120. Not what I expected at all. I was expecting nothing but dumbphones.

I familiarized myself with it, finding out that it's surprisingly capable without cell phone service thanks to Wi-Fi capability. E-mail is a bit of a problem, but very basic Web browsing and music streaming is fine. Then there's the camera and the PIM capabilities. Since I was offered a rather low price for it, I bought it on the spot, if to use for nothing more as a music player, digital camera, and PDA. Phone capabilities may come later, after it gets unlocked and we travel overseas, needing a PAYG SIM or something along those lines. (Yeah, would you believe that? Using a BlackBerry as everything BUT a phone!)

I also found out a big draw about the user experience. I was expecting not to like that SureType keyboard, smaller screen, and the BlackBerry interface in general, but then it set in...this thing was designed for effective one-handed use, something not exactly easy with devices built around multi-touch interfaces and so forth. Even the keyboard keys seem just right size-wise for one-handed use, and using the multi-tap, non-SureType mode is actually quite bearable, unlike a conventional phone numpad.

Even if it's a dated model from 2006 without 3G, support for OS versions beyond 4.5 (and subsequently lacking app support), and a high-res touchscreen in addition to the trackpad and keyboard on later models...I can still find a use for it, and thus I'm here, quietly researching the possibilities.

[sbx9900]

I still have the 8120. It is still functional, with UMA!!! I am keeping it for the time when i go on a trip overseas for which i would use a pay as you go plan....