The release of the updated version of the BlackBerry Pearl is drawing closer, and rumors about this smartphone are starting to come thick and fast. The latest of these -- which comes from Pinstack -- agrees with earlier reports in some areas, but contradicts them in others.

According to it, the Pearl 2 will not offer a slimmer design than the current model. The upcoming device will supposedly be essentially the same size and shape.

The most notable change on the outside of this smartphone will reportedly be the addition of an external microSD slot.

Either/Or

There have been rumors for some time that the Pearl 2 will have Wi-Fi and a GPS receiver. According to this new source, it will have both... but not in the same unit.

RIM was apparently unable to find room in this smartphone's casing for the hardware required for two additional functions, so it has decided to offer one or the other. And which type of network the phone is running on will determine which of these is included.

Not surprisingly, there will be both GSM and CDMA versions of this device. These will supposedly have an additional difference: the GSM version will come with Wi-Fi, while the CDMA version will have a GPS receiver.

Neither of these versions will acquire 3G cellular-wireless networking capabilities as part of this upgrade.

Other Changes

If this report is correct, there will be additional improvements in the Pearl 2.

For example, the camera will been upgraded to 2.0 megapixels, and the flash will be six times brighter.

RIM has also supposedly added something it's calling "New Firm Keyboard Technology."