RIM skips 3G with new entry-level BlackBerry

 

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By Barry Collins

Posted on 27 Jul 2009 at 16:07

RIM has unveiled a new entry-level BlackBerry that it hopes will further the company's drive into the consumer market.

The BlackBerry Curve 8520 (codenamed Gemini) will be launched at the beginning of August, although it lacks some of the features that many business users would demand.

The most notable absentee is 3G data, with the Curve 8520 instead relying on an EDGE or 802.11bg connection if you're in range of a Wi-Fi hotspot.

The device sports a full QWERTY keypad paired with a touch-sensitive optical trackpad.

The Curve will also sport a 2-megapixel digital camera that offers video recording, although with only 2GB of memory included, buyers will probably need to buy a higher capacity microSD/SDHC card if they want to take advantage of facilities such as the MP3 player. The BlackBerry's software will synchronise with both iTunes and Windows Media Player, RIM claims.

The Curve 8520 will come in three colours: black, violet and "frost". RIM has yet to announce a price for the handset.