BlackBerry Curve 3G Announced

Research in Motion (RIM) today announced the BlackBerry Curve 3G. The phone is the latest update to their line of Curve smartphones.

The 3G has most of what it needs to join the smartphone category: full keyboard, multimedia player with dedicated media keys, access to BlackBerry App World.

Unfortunately, it doesn't come equipped with BlackBerry 6, according to the press release, "The BlackBerry Curve 3G includes BlackBerry OS 5.  BlackBerry 6, RIM‚Äôs new operating system, is expected to be available for the BlackBerry Curve 3G, subject to carrier certifications, in the coming months."

We're not sure about the decision to release is on OS5 and say that OS6 will come within the next few months. Still, it's not as bad as Sony Ericsson announcing the Xperia 10, a phone equipped with Android 1.6.

Press release after the jump

Today, RIM introduces the BlackBerry Curve 3G smartphone – a powerful addition to the globally popular BlackBerry Curve series. With support for high-speed 3G (HSDPA) networks around the world, this new smartphone offers users rapid web browsing, quick access to streaming music and social networking applications, and more.

Additional highlights of the BlackBerry Curve 3G include:

¬∑         A full-QWERTY keyboard for fast, accurate typing, as well as an optical trackpad for smooth navigation

¬∑         An advanced multimedia player and dedicated media keys

¬∑         The ability to surf the web while on the phone

¬∑         Access to BlackBerry App World, featuring a broad and growing catalog of mobile applications for BlackBerry smartphones

¬∑         Support for RIM‚Äôs renowned e-mail services, as well as the popular BlackBerry Messenger service and other instant messaging applications

¬∑         Built-in GPS and Wi-Fi¬Æ

¬∑         2 MP camera with zoom and video recording

¬∑         microSD/SDHC slot with support for up to 32 GB memory cards

The BlackBerry Curve 3G includes BlackBerry OS 5.  BlackBerry 6, RIM‚Äôs new operating system, is expected to be available for the BlackBerry Curve 3G, subject to carrier certifications, in the coming months.

The BlackBerry Curve 3G smartphone (model 9300) will be available from various carriers and distribution partners around the world beginning in August.