If we mentioned the word BlackBerry, you’d probably think business phone, right? Well, maybe not so much anymore! The new BlackBerry Pearl 3G is breaking all the traditional moulds of Research In Motion’s devices, and if you fancy standing out from the crowd, then you need to meet this show stopper. The latest Pearl is putting the fun back into business, combining the best BlackBerry technology regulars know and love, with a few added extras to appeal to users outside of their normal box. But, has RIM’s risk paid off or will they be finding themselves back in the board room? Stayed tuned to find out…

The BlackBerry Pearl 3G has been given a makeover since we last encountered one of RIMs device, most noticeably in its size (and it didn’t even have to go on a diet – grrr!) It’s one of the smallest smartphones on the market at the moment – many of its predecessors could probably swallow it whole. Think less brick, more slick! In terms of design, it’s still very statement BlackBerry smart. The front boasts a sleek finish with a sturdy plastic backing on the rear and its curved edges make it that extra bit pocket friendly. The Pearl 3G also comes with a choice of five different colours, so it can fit into your lifestyle outside of the workplace! BlackBerry fans may have noticed the device doesn’t feature the classic QWERTY keyboard, but RIM are out to prove that change can be a good thing! While the Pearl 3G’s keypad is still QWERTY (calm down!!), it’s been condensed into 20 keys across three rows. We think it’s a great alternative and is really easy to pick up. RIM didn’t stop thinking when it came to design though. The Pearl 3G also features SureType technology, which cleverly learns the words you use the most, just to add to the user friendly factor! Moving onto the screen, which yes, is smaller than other BlackBerry’s due to the phone’s compact shell – 2.2 inches to be precise – but more than makes up for it in quality. The 360 x 400 pixel coloured display produces fantastically sharp pictures making it pleasant to use for whatever purpose you fancy.

The BlackBerry Pearl 3G definitely isn’t a mini-me of its fellow counterparts and is big when it comes to features. Infact, one of these puts it on top of the BlackBerry pile (to give you a clue, it’s in the name!) – 3G and Wi-Fi! It may surprise you, but RIM have only just incorporated these connections into their phones so unless you know someone with a Bold 9700, you’ll own the most technologically advanced member of the BlackBerry family. Though the Pearl 3G may not look like your average smartphone, it sure goes like one! Crammed into that tiny frame is a device full of top of the range goodies for you to enjoy. The phone is powered by a 624MHz processor and when you combine that with your 3G connections plus the latest BlackBerry software OS5, you’ve got yourself one speedy little device - you’ll even have some room left in your pocket! It also features 256 MB of flash memory, a microSD card that can hold a whopping 32GB of additional memory and GPS tracking.

The thing is, the BlackBerry Pearl 3G is more than just about ticking the boxes as far as smartphones are concerned. RIM are reaching out to users who think BlackBerry only means business, with the social networker in mind. The BlackBerry App store is growing rapidly meaning there’s never been a better time to get one if you’re all about keeping in touch, with the Pearl 3G also offering a huge range of features to meet the demands of that busy social life of yours! The handset has these very sneaky shortcut buttons on its sides, which take you directly to your camera or music player. OS5 has seen improvements on its media player too, making it super easy to navigate between your music and video options. The Pearl 3G comes with a 3.2MP camera with autofocus and LED flash, offering clear, colourful photos to remember your adventures by (you can decide if you want to be tagged in them though!). If you’re feeling really crazy, you can record video on your phone too. Of course, the Pearl 3G comes with BlackBerry Messenger and quick email access as standard, so even if you have to go back to business for a few minutes, it’s easy and quick to do so. Regardless of what you’re getting up to though, the Pearl 3G is designed to keep up. The battery offers 6 hours of gossip, we mean, talk time of course and a huge 30 hours worth of music playtime. Party on!

The BlackBerry Pearl 3G is certainly a people pleaser with its beauty and brains winning us over. Whether you’re looking for a phone for work or play, the Pearl 3G is great for people who want a device that can do just about anything, without the singing and dancing!