The latest Cingular BlackBerry Pearl rumor has the device that users of the nation’s largest network have been waiting for coming out tomorrow. Like BBHub’s Russell Shaw, however, I have my doubts that little more than just a few, in the grand scheme of things, of those looking to pick up a new BlackBerry Pearl will be able to walk into a Cingular store and do so.
It’s not that think Cingular won’t release the Pearl tomorrow. It’s just that we haven’t heard any rumors from Cingular store employees that BlackBerry Pearl marketing material, accessories, or even the the devices themselves have started showing up yet.
My guess is that Cingular’s distribution of the Pearl started over the weekend at best, and, more probably, really kicks off today or tomorrow if Cingular is still horrible about getting new devices into their channel.
Even though Cingular’s BlackBerry Pearl might be released tomorrow I would be willing to bet that the device won’t be massively available until the end of the week. Let’s say Friday.
Just spoke with my sales rep here in Dallas, and she has not heard anything about tomorrow being the release date. She did however, send in an inquiry to corporate regarding the pearl and will get back with me today. More later.
I spoke with 2 of my local cingular stores(bay area, CA). one said that it will be in the week of the 27th – before the end of the month. the other had no idea when it will be available – he said that in the past, cingular has had problems with making product available on the promised release date.
I just talked to a rep in Portland that said it was shipping tomorrow (21st) but they had no idea what day it would actually be in stores.
I have been counting days down (I have to admit the number of days was changing all the time in my countdown) to when the Blackberry Pearl was finally going to be available for Cingular. I was in the store today and the marketing poster for the Pearl is up but the sales reps STILL have no idea when its coming out!!
After enough frustration of waiting, and having blinders on about buying a Pearl finally lifting, the Samsung BlackJack caught my eye on sites like this one. After calling about 15 Cingular stores in Manhattan, I finally found one. The thing is beautiful and really, really tiny. The screen is fantastic. Lets just say I won’t be a Blackberry subscriber anytime soon. I’m now a BlackJack guy and will be telling all of my friends about it. Blackberry…You’re just too late.
My friend works at cingular and is familiar with the 21st release date. They also have all there promotional materials up for the pearl, they are expecting a shipment tomorrow. Let’s hope so.
Stopped by a Cingular store here in NYC and they said they would have them in on the 27th (but to get there that day because they are only going to get 3 or 4)…It was a smaller shop on Lexington, so not sure if all stores are going to be like that.
called 7-10 stores in the greater bay area today. some stores have no idea of when they’ll receive it and one received notice that the pearl is shipping out of texas to his store today and it should arrive within the next 3-5 business days. it should be available in some locations by black friday for sure. if you call your local cingular stores some may offer to call you when they receive their shipment of pearls.