Today, AT&T released BlackBerry 6 to the Bold 9700 and Curve 3G handsets. The update brings both the Bold and Curve up to Research In Motion’s latest operating system — which sports an overhauled user interface and improved performance. Those interested in getting the latest and greatest code on their AT&T device can visit AT&T’s BlackBerry software update page to download the latest bits. Enjoy.

Read [1,2]

We have just received more information on Best Buy’s Free Smartphone Sales Event going on tomorrow at Best Buy Mobile. In addition to a free iPhone 3GS 8GB with new activation or qualified upgrade, we have been told that Best Buy Mobile will also be offering the BlackBerry Torch for free with the same terms, except it will be available for the price of $0 for the entire month of December. Additionally, the BlackBerry Curve 9300 (T-Mobile edition) will be become available for free on December 12th, again, with the same terms and will be available for free for the month of December. Not bad Best Buy, not bad.

Over the last several days, rumors have been swirling that the BlackBerry Curve 3G 9300 would be making its way to WIND Mobile — especially after the device surfaced in RIM’s software database. Now, one of our ninjas from the North has sent us visual confirmation of the device in Wind Mobile’s inventory system. Judging by the two listings, it appears as though the handset will be offered in two colors; we’re assuming a gray or black and something a tad bit brighter. Pricing and availability have not yet been determined… anyone excited?

Thanks, Anonymous!

Friendly reminder, folks… RIM’s latest candybar device and lower cost QWERTY 3G handset are now available for purchase from your friendly AT&T store. If you need a refresh on the products, here we go:

BlackBerry Pearl 9100

• SureType keyboard
• 3G
• Wi-Fi
• GPS
• 3.2 megapixel camera
• 1150mAh battery
• $149 with 2 year agreement

BlackBerry Curve 9300

• QWERTY keyboard
• 3G
• Wi-Fi b,g,n
• GPS
• 2 megapixel camera
• $99 with 2 year agreement

If you’re in the market for a BlackBerry handset from AT&T which one are you going to go for? Or do you think you’ll hold out for the BlackBerry Bold 9780?

Read

Today, AT&T announced that they will begin selling the BlackBerry Curve 3G and BlackBerry Pearl 3G in time for the holiday buying season. The Curve 3G (9300) will be available on an unspecified date — before December 25 — and will retail for $99.99 with a new 2-year contract (no mail in rebate required). The Pearl 3G (9100) will be available starting October 17 in stores and online and will retail for $149.99 on-contract (again, no rebate required). The devices will add to AT&T’s BlackBerry lineup which also includes the Bold 9700 and Torch 9800.

Read

This morning, RIM made the BlackBerry Curve 3G official, and now T-Mobile has done the same. Via a press release, T-Mo let the industry know that the BlackBerry Curve 3G will be available on its U.S. network in, “the coming weeks.” The handset will be available in “smoky violet and graphite grey” and will, as we mentioned, be BlackBerry 6 ready. Hit the jump for the full press release.

BlackBerry Curve 3G

Practical yet functional, the BlackBerry® Curve 3G from T-Mobile helps to manage the hectic pace of work and play. Available in two finishes, smoky violet and graphite grey, this approachable slim and stylish BlackBerry provides the advantages of high-speed 3G Web browsing, Wi-Fi connectivity for voice and data, access to BlackBerry App WorldTM, built-in GPS, and Visual Voicemail to keep customers connected on the go and navigate their busy lives.

The Curve 3G also provides balance to life with dedicated exterior media keys, pre-installed social networking applications and a range of messaging options, including personal and Exchange e-mail, BBM, SMS, MMS and IM. In addition, the Curve 3G comes equipped with the touch- sensitive optical trackpad, calendaring, a 2-megapixel camera with zoom and video recording, stereo Bluetooth, and a microSD slot for up to 32 GB of expandable memory.

As a quad-band world phone, the BlackBerry Curve 3G supports international roaming, extending the ability to stay connected while traveling abroad, and Wi-Fi connectivity for both voice and data for Wi-Fi calling and fast Web access.

Key Features of the BlackBerry Curve 3G include:

• Full QWERTY keyboard and touch-sensitive optical trackpad for responsive typing and easy navigation
• Available in two color finishes – smoky violet and graphite grey
• Premium phone features including calendaring, voice-activated dialing, Visual Voicemail and Bluetooth 2.1
• Advanced media player for music, pictures and videos, with dedicated media keys and a 3.5 mm stereo headset jack, plus BlackBerry Media Sync, which makes it easy to quickly sync music from iTunes® or Windows Media Player with the smartphone
• 2-megapixel camera with zoom and video recording  Built-in GPS with location-based services by TeleNav
• Access to BlackBerry App World, featuring a broad and growing catalog of mobile applications developed specifically for BlackBerry smartphones. Categories include games, entertainment, social networking and sharing, news and weather, productivity, and much more.
• Web browser delivers a desktop-like experience, including HTML e-mail
• BlackBerry Internet Service support for access to up to 10 e-mail accounts including Yahoo!®, Windows Live Hotmail, AOL®, GmailTM and most popular ISPs; and BlackBerry Enterprise Server support, which provides advanced security and IT administration features for corporate deployments
• Six popular instant messaging clients preloaded, including AOL Instant Messenger, Google Talk, ICQ®, Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger and BlackBerry Messenger
• Fast 624 MHz processor, 256MB of internal memory and hot-swappable microSD/SDHC card slot with support for up to 32GB with a pre-installed 2GB memory card
• BlackBerry OS 5; support for BlackBerry OS 6
• Model number: BlackBerry Curve 9300
• Wi-Fi enabled (802.11 b/g/n) for data and voice
• Quad-band GSM world phone: (850/900/1800/1900 MHz)
• Tri-Band 3G UMTS/HSDPA world phone: (Band I, Band IV, Band VIII)
• Dimensions: 4.3 inches x 2.4 inches x 0.55 inches; 3.8 ounces; 2.4-inch screen, 320×240 pixels QVGA
• Rechargeable/removable 1150 mAhr battery, for up to 4.5 hours of talk time and 19 days of standby time

Availability: The BlackBerry Curve 3G is anticipated to be available in the coming weeks at T-Mobile retail stores, select dealers and online at http://www.T-Mobile.com.

Here’s a little update for the folks north of the border. Rogers has added both the BlackBerry Curve 9300 and the Motorola Flipout to their handset lineup. The Curve 9300 will be available for $79.99 with a three-year contract or for $399.99 contract free. The Cliff’s Notes on the 9300 read like this: quad-band GSM, tri-band HSPA, Wi-Fi b/g/n, GPS, 2.4-inch screen (320 x 240), 256 MB RAM, 2 megapixel camera, and BlackBerry OS 5. The Motorola Flipout will be available for $29.99 with a three-year contract or for $374.99 contract free. The stat sheet on the Flipout is as follows: quad-band GSM, dual-band HSPA, 2.8-inch QVGA touch-screen display, QWERTY keyboard, Wi-Fi, GPS, Android 2.1, and MOTOBLUR. Anyone up north going after one of these mid-range smartphones?

Read [Flipout] Read [Curve 9300]

This isn’t exactly shocking news, but we thought we would share anyway. BBLeaks is reporting that Verizon Wireless will give the BlackBerry Storm 2 9550 and the BlackBerry Curve 8530 their end-of-life papers on August 15th and August 1st respectively. The move comes as Verizon makes room in its inventory for newer BlackBerry devices; BBLeaks reports that replacements for the 9550 and 8530 are due out in Q3/Q4 (which is a pretty large 6-month window). The 8530 is likely going to be replaced by the 9300 series, and we’ve heard grumblings from sources that an updated Storm, the Storm 3, will follow the Storm 2 (although we haven’t been able to pin this one down).

PocketBerry is reporting that T-Mobile has ceased shipments of the BlackBerry Curve 8500 series to retail stores and should be rolling out the new Curve 9300 series to its customer base within the next few months.

And finally, driphter.com got a few snap shots of the BlackBerry 9780; which will purportedly fal into the “Bold” family. The device is very Bold 9700 looking with 512 Mb of RAM and BlackBerry 6. We’ve got a few images of the leaked handset after the jump.

There you have it!

Read [BBLeaks] Read [PocketBerry] Read [Driphter]

We said we’d be back with a follow up to our hands on post, but to be completely honest, and based on the comments and response you guys gave, there’s not too much to write about. A lot of you wrote in and wanted more photos, so we’ve taken some great high resolution photos of the device like we promised.

In terms of the phone itself, RIM isn’t exactly reinventing the wheel. In fact, they aren’t even reinventing the Curve. With the same features as the original Curve 8520 (plus the addition of 3G), we’d be shocked to see this device launch with great fanfare. Knowing RIM, however, they’ll try and milk this for all it’s worth and so will T-Mobile, but it will be hard to justify anything more than a model refresh.

We like the BlackBerry Curve 9300 a lot, but it’s beginning to feel extremely outdated even for a lower-end low cost handset. Yeah, even with 3G. Plus, it hasn’t even launched yet.

Click on over to our BlackBerry Curve 9300 gallery!

Man, news on RIM has been quiet as of late. And why wouldn’t it? RIM has some interesting products coming up, but let’s not beat around the bush — they can not really compare to the mind-blowing devices that have just been released. From the simply amazing iPhone 4, to the incredible Incredible, to the super-large super-capable Droid X, it’s hard being a mid-range player with a mildly dated operating system. With that said, we’d like to officially welcome the BlackBerry Curve 9300 into the BGR offices. Here are some first hand impressions of the unreleased device:

It’s, uh, just like the BlackBerry 8520. Literally. Same camera, same size (we believe off hand), same feel, same screen, same keyboard, same buttons. So what’s changed? Besides a glossy metallic plastic finish on the case, and the inclusion of a UMTS radio…not much. As we just mentioned, the BlackBerry 9300 we have features T-Mobile’s AWS 3G bands, so if that’s something to push you over the edge to upgrade from your existing 8520, you’ll be pleased as punch.

We also wanted to get your feedback before we do a full hands on gallery/review. Anything you want to see featured? Maybe size comparison photos to a specific handset, or possibly some network speed tests on the BlackBerry 9300 over 3G? Let us know and we’ll include as many of your requests as possible!

Yesterday, the folks over at Crackberry got their hands on images of the BlackBerry Curve 9300; the heir apparent to the 8500 series. The divulged specs look like this: 320 x 240 display, 256 MB of RAM, Wi-Fi (b/g/n), optical trackpad and BlackBerry OS 5. The unit pictured is a GSM joint, although Crackberry assures its readers that a CDMA variant will emerge at some point. The phone has a rubberized back and side convenience keys — much like the current 8500 series — a full chrome bezel that wraps around the front, and the same keyboard as the 8900/85xx. A pretty obvious and evolutionary update to the best-selling Curve line. No word on the availability of this unit, although…one of our Verizon connects promised us a new Curve on Big Red by the end of summer. Any takers?

Read

We hate to break your heart in case you were thinking the BlackBerry 9300, the latest BlackBerry smartphone to be outed by UAProf, would RIM’s next big thing, but reality paints a different picture. Based on specifications and from what we’re starting to hear to hear from connects now that the information has slipped out in a semi-official fashion, it sounds like the 9300 will pick up where the current Curve 8500 Series left off and add in a few features. Regrettably the display will be limited to an eye-straining resolution of 320×240, but the addition of 802.11n Wi-Fi and W-CDMA aren’t exactly anything to scoff at when you’re dealing with what is a dependable, and more importantly truly affordable, communications device. We’re still waiting to hear what we’re in for in terms of the processor, memory, camera and other odds and ends (the OS is currently listed as 5.0), but we don’t think such things will be able to remain as secret much longer.

[Via CrackBerry]

Read

First there was “Pluto,” then were was “Magnum,” but now we’re talkin’ about something totally different — Gemini. What’s Gemini you ask? From what we’ve been told, the working model number is 9300, so that’s BlackBerry 9300. As you can imagine, the 9xxx line of BlackBerry devices is for 3G handsets and the Gemini won’t break that tradition. We’re told to think of this as the BlackBerry Curve “3G”. While we don’t have specifics on some of them, here’s a breakdown on what we know, and what specs we’ve got a hold of:

• The screen will be larger than the BlackBerry 8900, and that will also include a higher resolution
• The CPU will also be beefed up. We’re not sure if this means it will include something more powerful than the Bold’s 624MHz processor or not, but we’d like to think so.
• The device is said to be silver (think BlackBerry 8830)
• The keyboard is a little more rounded than the BlackBerry 8900
• The Send/End keys are rounded instead of being flat on the sides
• Styling is not drastically different — it keeps with the 8900/Storm styling
• It of course rocks quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE, and tri-band UMTS/HSDPA
• Wi-Fi and GPS was not confirmed, but we’d say there’s about a 99.99% chance
• Camera specs were not confirmed as well, but you can bet you’re looking at 3.2 megapixels or better

Now, what about release date? We have absolutely nothing solid in terms of that. But, want our personal opinion? Q4 ’09/Q1 ’10. We really can’t see this one coming out anytime soon, it’s so far down the pipeline, they just released the current Curve replacement, etc. But it should let you guys know that RIM is obviously looking to transition all their devices to 3G (our opinion, not their words) over the course of the next year or so. Plus one of our only complaints about the 8900 was a lack of 3G, so bring it on!

Super duper shout out to our ninjas on this one!