While the BlackBerry Pearl's new trackball allows for some cunning menu and icon navigation, RIM users accustomed to the BlackBerry jog dial will have problems navigating the text-heavy menus. Maintaining the BlackBerry’s smooth navigation experience, devoted 'menu' and 'escape' keys are featured on either side of the trackball, along with context sensitive menus. Unfortunately, the trackball isn't recessed; it sticks out of the device unprotected. So if you have a Pearl in your pocket, the trackball can easily be toggled, inadvertently causing changes in the settings (i.e. incoming or outgoing calls).

Aside from that, the BlackBerry Pearl is a joy. It unites solid push e-mail, a brilliant screen, a relatively average-quality camera, and a taste of media functionality in a very slick and tiny package. As long as you can cope with that tiny keypad, it's a proficient alternative to its BlackBerry brethren. -R.B.