RIM has announced the flip version of its BlackBerry Pearl. At a size of 3.98 x 1.97 x .69-inches and a weight of 3.6 oz., the 8220 smartphone features video and music player, a 2 megapixel cam with flash, WiFi, video streaming, and Web browser. The handheld also has an abridged keyboard with SureType technology and Spellcheck. Look for it sometime this fall, with T-Mobile as the U.S. carrier.

By the way, Co-CEO of RIM, Jim Balsillie, said that 70% of mobile phone users in the U.S. use a flip phone. That seems reason enough for us.