BlackBerry Curve 3G to reach Verizon on September 16
updated 08:50 am EDT, Tue September 14, 2010
BlackBerry Curve 3G on Verizon as 1st CDMA carrier
Verizon this morning had the distinction of being the first CDMA carrier to get a version of the recently reviewed BlackBerry Curve 3G. The 9330 variant has the expected switch to CDMA calling and EVDO-based 3G data, and is only lightly customized for Verizon's network. It ships with the option of using VZ Navigator with GPS and comes in both the phone's usual chrome-effect silver or a newer fuchsia trim.
The Curve 3G itself is a tweak of the outgoing 8500 series with a more polished, rounder design but the familiar 320x240 display, a two-megapixel camera and 802.11g Wi-Fi. BlackBerry App World is already preinstalled on the phone, and the phone is the first OS 5 device to qualify for an update to BlackBerry 6, albeit only months later once Verizon approves it for an update.
Verizon plans to keep pricing low from the start and will sell the phone for $30 on a two-year contract, though only after a large $100 mail-in rebate. Business users get it first, on September 16, with a wider launch due sometime in "coming weeks."
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2010
Where's the Torch
I've had an Android phone for 2 weeks. It's a great device, but for business, the Blackberry is still a "better" choice in so many ways. One handed operation, usually with only a one or two button jump to whatever I want. The Android (Incredible and now Fascinate) requires two hands and a 2 to 4 menu jump for each action.
I really wish RIM would wake up before they become just like Nokia and Palm.