Launch party for BlackBerry Curve 8520 hints release
updated 09:20 am EDT, Wed July 15, 2009
Events for Curve 8520 due
Wireless provider T-Mobile and BlackBerry maker RIM are advertising that they're throwing launch parties for the Curve 8520 Curve starting July 20th, which indicates the device is expected to hit stores soon afterwards. There will be 51 such launch events across the US over the course of two weeks, with any of them requiring an invitation from either company. Once guests are invited, they need to register by July 19th for an event.
The ad for the events indicates attendees will be treated to a movie, have a chance at winning $1,000 in prizes and will naturally get to play with and get some BlackBerry related goodies. Despite the event ad, it's not yet known what the Curve 8520 will cost. The timing of the events supports earlier reports that the handset should be available from T-Mobile early in August.
The Curve 8520 will break from BlackBerry tradition by replacing the ubiquitous trackball with an optical, touch-sensitive trackpad. There will also be rubberized grips on the edges and buttons, along with dedicated media controls on its top edge. There will be integrated Wi-Fi and the possibility of a lower resolution, 320x240 display instead of the usual 480x360 screen. [via BerryReview]
