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The candy-stick style phone incorporates a 1.3 megapixel digital camera, multimedia software with support for MP3 and ACC music files and MPEG4 and H.263 video standards.

There's an expandable MicroSD memory slot and 64MB of Flash memory is built-in to hold images, data and media files. The screen has a 240x260 resolution.

As a phone, the Pearl supports GSM, GPRS and high-speed EDGE networks. It connects to other devices such as car kits via Bluetooth 2.0, and the BlackBerry Desktop software also supports synchronisation over Bluetooth connections.

It of course supports the BlackBerry push-email service with a step by step guide on how to set up email accounts for both personal and corporate use. It also

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supports other BlackBerry services such as the BlackBerry Internet Service and BlackBerry Enterprise Server to allow IT admins to set usage policies over how for example the expansion slot is used.

To enhance email work, the Pearl has RIM's SureType QWERTY keypad as well as a trackball to make writing messages and navigating your inbox and web pages easy.

There's also BlackBerry Maps, where a user can obtain directions to locations, import maps from contacts lists or send them via email. However, this is limited to the US at present.

'The BlackBerry Pearl elegantly combines an incredibly small, stylish and full-featured smartphone with the gold standard in wireless email and the result is something special,' said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO, Research In Motion. 'Through the integration of hardware, software and service, we are able to deliver a mobile experience that stands apart in the industry. We are extremely excited to be launching this breakthrough handset and we look forward to rolling it out around the world with our carrier partners.'

The Pearl is expected to launch into Europe in October. Pricing has yet to be announced. For more information, visit the RIM website.