BlackBerry Pearl 8110 with GPS reaches AT&T

AT&T today became the first American provider to pick up the BlackBerry Pearl 8110, RIM's first version of its narrow phone design to supply built-in GPS navigation on a GSM network. Like the 8130 for CDMA networks, the 8110 provides live position updates in real time; in AT&T's version, the new Pearl is targeted at the TeleNav-based AT&T Navigator service and uses the feature to supply driving directions without permanent map downloads. The upgraded handset is also the first from AT&T to run a custom Yellow Pages app for finding and using contact information.

Its hardware otherwise shares much in common with the 8120 already in use at the provider. While Wi-Fi is absent, the 8110 has the same 2-megapixel camera, full-size headphone jack, and easily used microSDHC card slot for its storage. AT&T offers the phone in both red and titanium gray editions and sells them both today for $150 when signed to a two-year plan and a rebate; a contract-free version sells for $350. The phone qualifies for the carrier's unlimited smartphone data plan.