BlackBerry Curve mixes full keyboard, multimedia

One month before Apple is set to release the iPhone, Research In Motion (RIM) has introduced a new BlackBerry smartphone it calls Curve. Also called the 8300, the devices expected to be released this spring (individual carriers will announce prices as the roll out the phone).

The Curve is the latest in RIM's series of QWERTY keyboard-equipped BlackBerry smartphones. It comes with a 320 x 240 LCD display, Bluetooth 2.0 support, quad-band operation, Web access, and RIM's vaunted e-mail support and Enterprise Server connectivity. The Curve is differentiated from other QWERTY models by a "liquid silver" finish and a more lightweight design -- it measures 4.2 x 2.4 x 0.6 ounces, slimmer than the 8700 and 8800 models, and weighs less than either at 3.9 ounces.

Like the 8800 series and the Pearl, the Curve sports a mini trackball in its center instead of the jog wheel found on older BlackBerry smartphones. It also includes a 2.0-megapixel digital camera with built-in flash. It can play multimedia files including music and videos, and supports A2DP/AVRCP Bluetooth profiles so you can use the Curve with a Bluetooth stereo headset. The Curve also sports a microSD expansion slot you can use to hold up to 2GB of additional data, including music, videos and pictures.

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One month before Apple is set to release the iPhone, Research In Motion (RIM) has introduced a new BlackBerry smartphone it calls Curve. Also called the 8300, the devices expected to be released this spring (individual carriers will announce prices as the roll out the phone).

The Curve is the latest in RIM's series of QWERTY keyboard-equipped BlackBerry smartphones. It comes with a 320 x 240 LCD display, Bluetooth 2.0 support, quad-band operation, Web access, and RIM's vaunted e-mail support and Enterprise Server connectivity. The Curve is differentiated from other QWERTY models by a "liquid silver" finish and a more lightweight design -- it measures 4.2 x 2.4 x 0.6 ounces, slimmer than the 8700 and 8800 models, and weighs less than either at 3.9 ounces.

Like the 8800 series and the Pearl, the Curve sports a mini trackball in its center instead of the jog wheel found on older BlackBerry smartphones. It also includes a 2.0-megapixel digital camera with built-in flash. It can play multimedia files including music and videos, and supports A2DP/AVRCP Bluetooth profiles so you can use the Curve with a Bluetooth stereo headset. The Curve also sports a microSD expansion slot you can use to hold up to 2GB of additional data, including music, videos and pictures.

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