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Alltel Wireless releases new BlackBerry Pearl for holidays

Alltel Wireless joins the rush to launch new mobile devices for the holidays with the new BlackBerry Pearl 8130 Smartphone from Research In Motion Limited.

This sleek Smartphone lets users email, text message, schedule meetings, play music and surf the Internet via the device.

"This new BlackBerry Pearl 8130 blends multimedia functionality with the BlackBerry email platform to create a Smartphone that exceeds expectations," said Brian Ullem, director of device strategy for Alltel Wireless, Little Rock, AK.

Alltel Wireless operates a wireless network with more than 12 million customers.

The new Pearl offers GPS technology and access to mapping applications such as BlackBerry Maps and TeleNav GPS Navigator. It comes with a 2-megapixel camera, media player, Bluetooth stereo support and a multi-directional trackball for easy navigation.

This device has an externally accessible Secure Digital High-Capacity (SDHC) expandable memory card slot, RIM wireless modem, voice-activated dialing, a SureType keyboard with word completion capability and a built-in spellchecker.

The upgraded device's battery life is nine days standby time and 220 minutes talk time.

Alltel Wireless will be offering the BlackBerry Pearl 8130 for $249.99 with a $100 mail-in-rebate to those who sign up for a two-year service agreement. Existing customers on qualifying rate plans may be eligible as well. Users can purchase the device at retail stores nationwide and at Alltel's Web site at www.shopalltel.com.