When Debby sent us a tip about a black trackball it took a bit to register. Turns out that the T-Mobile G1 Android phone uses the same type of trackball as all of the recent trackball BlackBerrys. When I first heard about this black trackball I thought somebody had just pulled out their trackball and colored it with a black sharpie. I was wrong.
The guys at CNN.cn found that the trackball for the G1 fits perfectly into the 900, 8100, 8300, & 8800 series BlackBerrys. Some people seem to be reporting that this new trackball for the G1 has better texture and does not acquire that dirty texture you see on your current trackball… I guess then you can rightfully call your 81XX the Black Pearl. 
Thanks to Debby for sending this one in. Not sure who was the first to discover it but there seem to be a few threads around the forums showing it off. In a quick search I found Redenfield on the forums talking about his mod on his Bold. (Thanks for his picture to the left) Though keep in mind there may be a little bit of work on the Bold and other devices where the trackball is harder to get at. It also will not light up since the LED can’t shine through the black ball.
You can find the black G1 trackball for $9.99 at CNN.cn. Check out their videos at this link to figure out how to install it.
Note: I have heard rumblings of this also being called an Atomic Trackball like the 8900 trackball but I have not been able to nail those down. Or maybe they both refer to the same thing… Color me confused.
Coffy Not Registered
Posted: January 15, 2009 at 5:15 PM EST
I figured this was the same as the atomic trackball glad to see it put out there. I ordered 2 of them
JP Not Registered
Posted: January 15, 2009 at 6:22 PM EST
just ordered 1 myself. I paid $12 for two white ones w/rings on another site so 9.99 for one BLK one is a lil high.
DavidB Not Registered
Posted: January 15, 2009 at 7:01 PM EST from my BlackBerry 8830
So if you did this to your 8×30, woulsnt everyone just think your trackball is really grungy???
Sarah Not Registered
Posted: January 15, 2009 at 10:15 PM EST
Cheap way to get the ring to match – if you sand off the chrome on the ring, it’s black plastic underneath. Sand it off, and put a coat of clear nail polish over it.
Astral Weeks Not Registered
Posted: January 16, 2009 at 12:34 AM EST
I installed that little baby in my bold and it’s great!
2 drawbacks:
*On the bold you have to disassemble the ENTIRE phone to install it.
* The trackball does not light anymore.
disciples0 ( View Profile) Newcomer - Posts: 48
Posted: January 19, 2009 at 12:17 PM EST from my BlackBerry 8310
Why did the Einsteins at RIM design the Javelin and Bold so that you have to dissasemble the device in order to clean or replace the trackball? That is just plain stupid.
By the way, the “Atomic” trackball is a conventional one of a different color. That is the only difference. Its design does nothing to enhance the prevention of dust or debris getting into the assembly.