The last of the GSM-only BlackBerry smartphones makes the move to 3G with the overnight launch of the Curve 3G, aka Curve 9300.
While the touchscreen slider
Torch 9800 and accompanying
BlackBerry 6 operating system have been hogging the attention in 'Berryworld, RIM has shunted another smartphone out the door.
The Curve 3G (also known as the Curve 9300) isn't a dramatic new model, but it's a welcome 3G upgrade to the previous Curve models which have been restricted to the much slower GSM band.
With the Pearl having also been upgraded from GSM to 3G, the Curve represents the last BlackBerry in RIM's line to transition to 3G.
The basic specs remain the same, apart from the addition of 802.11n wireless. The Curve 3G will be available in two models, one for 850MHz and 2100MHz an the other for 900MHz and 2100MHz.
There's no word yet on which local carriers will offer the Curve 3G, or even when we'll see it here, although RIM says the handset "will be available
from various carriers and distribution partners around the world
beginning in August."
RIM is also assuring potential buyers that yes, while the Curve 3G will ship with BlackBerry OS 5 it can be
upgraded to run BlackBerry 6.