Just as we expected, Verizon announced today that they will be releasing the BlackBerry Curve 3G. The new Curve will come in either Charcoal or Fuchsia Red and will be available in business channels on September 16th, with availability on Verizon's website and in the carrier's stores "in the coming weeks." The Curve 3G will be available for the low price of $29.99 with a two-year contract, after a $100 mail-in rebate. Specs for the Curve 3G include a 2.4-inch display, 2 megapixel camera, 512 MB of flash storage, and, of course, a full QWERTY keyboard. It's also important to note that the Curve 3G is BlackBerry 6 ready, but it will ship with BlackBerry 5. An update to BB 6 is planned for the "coming months." Check out the full press release below.
While the Curve 3G may not be the most exciting BlackBerry ever, it's definitely a great addition to the BB lineup, especially for those customers looking to pick up their very first smartphone. The $30 price point should also help get the new Curve some attention and draw a few folks away from Verizon's selection of DROIDs. It's kind of strange that the handset doesn't ship with BlackBerry 6 preloaded, but at least we know that an update is coming soon. Another strange point about the handset is the name "Curve 3G." It's not like previous 'Berrys on Verizon were lacking 3G. I suppose they just want to keep their lineup consistent with the GSM models. So, are any of you planning on picking up a Curve 3G on Verizon?
Verizon Wireless and RIM Launch a New Model of the Popular BlackBerry Curve 3G Smartphone
Stylish 3G Addition to the Popular Curve Family Is Fast, Easy to Use, Feature Rich, and BlackBerry 6 Ready
BASKING RIDGE, N.J., and WATERLOO, Ontario, Sept. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless and Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced a new 3G addition to the popular BlackBerry Curve family of smartphones. Running on the nation's largest and most reliable wireless voice and 3G data network, the new BlackBerry® Curve™ 3G smartphone (model 9330) will be available in business sales channels beginning Sept. 16. It will be available online at www.verizonwireless.com and in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores in the coming weeks.
Colors: Charcoal or Fuchsia Red
Key features and specifications:
BlackBerry® 6 ready:
The BlackBerry Curve 3G smartphone ships with BlackBerry® 5 and is BlackBerry® 6 ready. BlackBerry 6 is a new operating system for BlackBerry® smartphones that retains the trusted features that distinguish the BlackBerry brand while delivering a fresh and engaging experience that is both powerful and easy to use. BlackBerry 6 is expected to be available for the BlackBerry Curve 3G, upon network certification, in the coming months.
Pricing and availability:
The BlackBerry Curve 3G smartphone (model 9330) will be available in business sales channels on Sept. 16 and it will be available online and in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores in the coming weeks for $29.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement on a voice plan with an Email and Web feature or an Email and Web for BlackBerry plan. Data plans for the BlackBerry Curve 3G smartphone begin at $29.99 when added to any Nationwide voice plan. Customers will receive the mail-in rebate in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted.
For more information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com. Business customers can contact their Verizon Wireless Business Sales Representative at 1-800-VZW-4BIZ.
To learn more about the new BlackBerry Curve 3G smartphone, visit www.blackberry.com/curve3G. For more information about BlackBerry 6, go to www.blackberry.com/6.
