Verizon announced today that they'll be releasing a CDMA version of the BlackBerry Curve. This is the phone I've been waiting for; a nice solid keyboard with distinct, separate keys, camera and trackball. Unfortunately the release says it's VZ-Navigator capable, and not that it has built-in GPS. There is a big difference, and I despise VZ Navigator. More annoyingly it doesn't come with a belt clip, but a premium tote sleeve. That's a leather sleeve that you're supposed to what - toss in your pocket?
Even with these borderline-abusive shortcomings, I'll be buying one of these as soon as my representative will take my order. As long as VZW's coverage stays as nice as it is, I'll be a good customer and continue to tell the other networks that I'm fine, I just walked into a door or fell down some stairs, and I really love Verizon. Honestly.
The BlackBerry Curve 8330 smartphone will be available at http://www.verizonwireless.com and in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores, including those in Circuit City, for $269.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement. An additional $100 credit toward the purchase of the handset is available for customers who sign up for qualifying voice and data plans at the time of purchase. Customers who purchase a Verizon Wireless Nationwide voice plan can also subscribe to the E-Mail and Web for BlackBerry plan for an additional $29.99 per month while those opting for a data-only plan can pay $34.99 per month for unlimited e-mail and access to the Internet.
The BlackBerry Curve 8330 offers the following capabilities and key features:
- Small and light design that is easy to handle and use; measures 4.2" x 2.4" x 0.6" and weighs only 4 ounces
- Large, vibrant 320 x 240 display, with light sensing technology that automatically adjusts brightness for optimal viewing in outdoor, indoor, and dark environments
- Responsive, highly-tactile full-QWERTY keyboard and RIM's intuitive trackball navigation system
- Premium phone features including: noise cancellation technology to offset background noise, Speaker Independent Voice Recognition (SIVR) for Voice Activated Dialing (VAD), dedicated "send," "end," and "mute" keys, low-distortion speakerphone, and Bluetooth(R) 2.0, with support for hands-free headsets, stereo headsets (Bluetooth stereo audio profile A2DP/AVRCP), car kits and other Bluetooth accessories
- 2.0 megapixel camera with support for video recording*, self-portrait mirror, enhanced flash and 5X zoom
- Easy access to the popular Facebook(R) for BlackBerry(R) Smartphones application
- 3.5 mm stereo headphone jack and dedicated volume controls
- Advanced media player and enhanced desktop media manager software that makes it easy to move media files between a PC and the BlackBerry Curve 8330 - USB Data Cable comes in-box
- MicroSD(TM)/SDHC memory card slot, providing plenty of additional storage (up to 8 GB)
- HTML web browser delivers a fast, rich browsing experience and supports streaming video from sites like m.youtube.com (3GPP RTSP streaming protocol over EV-DO)
- A removable, rechargeable battery, rated for up to 260 minutes of talk time and up to 11 days of standby time
- In-box accessories include: a stereo headset, travel charger and premium tote sleeve
Monstrous high-res rendering of the 8330 can be found here.
March 31st, 2008 at 10:59 am
I've had my 8320 from TMobile for a few weeks now, and it's very nice. I thought I would hate the sleeve as well, but this thing is thin enough to keep in a pocket. I still want a belt holster, but am making due for now. The screen is very bright, and the keyboard is pretty good. I still prefer the side dial to the rollerball, but am learning .
March 31st, 2008 at 11:13 am
I think the 8830 is about the same thickness as the 8300 devices, so it'd probably fit comfortably in my pocket. I really like the belt clip when I'm on the phone (for the volume controls), or if I'm in any kind of a back-and-forth conversation (email, PIN, text, IM) with someone.
Once I got a screen guard for my my Pearl I started keeping that in my pocket more and it hasn't been too much of a pain. It looks like Amazon has the leather Curve holsters
for ~$13 vs $30 at shopblackberry.com which isn't that bad.
March 31st, 2008 at 11:33 am
Good news. Although, other than the fact that I just dropped my Pearl and broke the button that holds battery cover in place, I love it and I think I'm going to stick with it. The Curve is really slick.
March 31st, 2008 at 11:36 am
I'm still too slow of a typist on the Pearl to be able to make that jump, and I use the browser often enough that I prefer the larger screen. I'm probably 30% slower typing on the 8830 vs the 8703, and another 15% slower still on the 8130. I want the 8330 bear my children.