BlackBerry Pearl Flip hits Rogers with TalkSpot hook

Rogers today became the second North American carrier to pick up the BlackBerry Pearl Flip. The clamshell carries the same updated BlackBerry OS, two-megapixel camera and EDGE data of the stock Flip but takes advantage of its built-in Wi-Fi for Rogers' TalkSpot calling service, which like T-Mobile's HotSpot@Home bridges calls between GSM and Wi-Fi to save on calling time or to improve reception indoors. As always, the short-range wireless also serves as a faster alternative to EDGE for data.

The Rogers adaptation comes preloaded with Documents to Go software to edit and view Microsoft Office files and continues to support BlackBerry Maps for assisted GPS.

Shipments have already begun and should have the Pearl Flip appear in stores on Tuesday for a black version. A pink model is due in "coming weeks," Rogers says. Prices will be aggressive for the new BlackBerry and will see the phone cost just $50 on a three-year contract with both voice and data.

Filed under: mobile phones
Other story tags: BlackBerry, T-Mobile, Research in Motion, Rogers, HotSpot@Home, Pearl Flip, Talkspot