T-Mobile just sent us an evaluation Blackberry 8220 to test and review. While I’m just getting started on using this and won’t be ready for a full review until a couple more weeks - I wanted to post some of my initial thoughts on where this device fits (and where it doesn’t). You may know that prior to the iPhone I was a diehard Blackberry user. Ultimately I gave up the Blackberry in May 2008 due to these 10 reasons. I’m always open to taking a fresh look at the latest devices and the Blackberry 8220 was intriguing to me because it’s the first flip phone from Blackberry and I also think it fills a different niche than every single prior Blackberry I owned.

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The first flip phone from Blackberry, the 8220, is up for sale on the T-Mobile web site. Aside from the flip form factor and 2 MP camera, this phone is notable for offering Wi-Fi and access to T-Mobile’s Hotspot at Home. This innovative service allows you to make calls over the Internet without any extra fee (it uses your regular plan minutes). T-Mobile also offers unlimited add-ons for $10 that allow you to use unlimited Internet calling from any Wi-Fi hotspot (Tip: You can use this overseas to avoid roaming charges and you do not need a special T-Mobile plan for it to use regular T-Mobile voice minutes).

T-Mobile Blackberry 8220

Blackberry today has taken the wraps off their flip phone 8220. This phone is an ancestor of the popular Blackberry Pearl series and sports similar features and adds an external screen to view incoming caller information without having to open your Berry. This most interesting feature of this model, which is expected to first debut in the USA on carrier T-Mobile, is the UMA capabilities. This means that with T-Mobile’s service you’ll be able to make calls over Wi-Fi at no extra cost (beyond regular airtime minutes) or for a slight additional fee you can get unlimited Wi-Fi UMA calling.

Blackberry 8220 Official Site

Initial advertisements for the Blackberry Pearl 8220 started to appear around the end of August - apparently as advertising fliers were readied for mailing or insertion to Rogers’ subscribers statements. Several of those subscribers now report (BBunderground via Twitter) that they’ve received the flier advertising RIM’S very first flip phone at the 3 year contract price of $149.99. Seeing as all current models of Blackberry phones are widely available via Amazon for free or even negative (they pay you) - I suspect you’ll see the pricing on the new device fall quickly. The only mystery remaining is when Rogers will start accepting orders. UPDATE: A call to the Rogers weekend customer service desk asking if the 8220 was available brought the response of “4th Quarter 2008” and “sorry we sent the mailer early“.

HOFO via BlackberryUnderground