For those of you with more than a passing interest in RIM's new consumer-centric Blackberry, the pearl, here's some things you need to know before considering a purchase.

Know Availability - Frequent surfers of the blogosphere already know that T-Mobile will enjoy exclusivity, offering it to subscribers starting September 12. You'll have to pay $199 for one.

Learn the Specs - There's a great post in RIM's Blackberry Forum that lists the complete specs. Lazy Readers can also look at this short version.

Read a Review - LAPTOP Magazine gives the Pearl a favorable review, rating it a 4 out of 5. They seem impressed by its speedy performance.

Find out Where to Buy - As mentioned, the smartphone will become available on the 12th. But you lose nothing by bookmarking the unit's T-Mobile product page.

But Remember: The best word on gadgets usually comes from personal experiences. Let the early adopters hit the beachheads, and use their testimonials to avoid their mistakes. Expect to learn more about this hot item from The Smart PDA