There comes a time in every smartphones life when, after a long and illustrious career in which it has accomplished many things, it just wants to take a step back from the hustle and bustle of daily life and bow out gracefully. According to T-Mobile, the latest to do so is the BlackBerry Curve 8900 as T-Mobile which is now residing in a retirement community in Florida having reached the “end of its life cycle”. It remains to be seen whether its son, the Curve 8520, will take up the family business, but rumor has it that its grandson is just about to come of age and make a splash.

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Good news for those of you who are in dire need of a new smartphone but would prefer to stick to models that have been given the “all clear” in consumer reviews instead of grabbing the hottest new toys. Just like we told you in our scoop back in early May, AT&T has just slashed the 2-year contract price of the BlackBerry Bold to $199.99. What’s more, the Curve 8900 has been cut to $149.99 — the price it was originally going to launch at according to our sources. Previously $299.99 and $199.99 respectively, the Bold shed off a third of its price tag while the newest-kid-on-the-block (to AT&T, anyway) is now ripe for the picking. So what’s it gonna be, people? The brawny Bold or the svelte Curve 8900?

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Following this morning’s rebate sheet from Verizon, one of our AT&T ninjas apparently got fired up and snapped a couple of shots of the carrier’s upcoming rebates for May 11th through June 21st. Unfortunately, no real bomb dropping on AT&T’s sheet either but there are a few items of interest. As is always the case, this doesn’t mean all of the handsets listed will be out during the rebate period but it does mean they’ll be dropping soon enough. Above, highlights include the sliding QWERTY-rocking Motorola QA1 Karma and Sony Ericsson’s 8.1 megapixel beast, the C905a. The second shot, pictured after the break, includes the Samsung i637 Jack and of course everyone’s favorite EDGE-only messaging machine, the BlackBerry Curve 8900. Hit the jump for the second image and let us know if there’s anything in particular on the new rebate sheet that catches your eye.

Well it looks like AT&T may be preparing to launch the BlackBerry Curve 8900 a bit sooner than we expected. Earlier this week we reported our latest intel which placed AT&T’s Curve 8900 on store shelves some time in June. AT&T followed up the next day and finally made the handset official, but provided very little in terms of a release date. It looks like things might be going down somewhat sooner than expected as a tipster reports the Curve 8900 will drop on May 25th. Pricing is said to be set at $149.99 though it is still unclear whether or not any rebates will be involved. Following the release of the 8900, our tipster also suggests AT&T will be dropping the price of a new Bold on June 1st from $299.99 to $199.99 on contract. $150 Curve 8900s, $200 Bolds… AT&T is apparently looking to move some serious BlackBerry volume this Summer.

Well, look what we have here — a press release from AT&T announcing the early summer availability of the Curve 8900… Conveniently arriving just a few days after we leaked the June availability of the AT&T BlackBerry Curve 8900. Sorry to disappoint but as we alluded to in our last post on the subject, there is nothing earth shattering in the press release. AT&T’s 8900 will be a mirror image of the T-Mobile version, though it will of course support standard AT&T services like AT&T navigator and AT&T Wi-Fi hotspot access. No pricing details or exact release date were revealed but our June time frame is still looking solid. Hit the jump for the text of the press release.

BlackBerry Curve 8900 From AT&T Includes Free Wi-Fi at Nearly 20,000 Locations

DALLAS, May 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — AT&T* today announced the early summer availability of the BlackBerry(R) Curve(TM) 8900 smartphone. AT&T consumer, small business and enterprise customers will enjoy new features and enhanced performance, including both Wi-Fi(R) and GPS, a fast next generation processor, rich multimedia capabilities and ample memory for applications offered from AT&T. With the BlackBerry Curve 8900 from AT&T, users can get a faster, richer experience surfing the Internet and accessing their social networking or line-of-business applications via AT&T’s wireless and Wi-Fi networks.

The BlackBerry Curve 8900 smartphone sports a slim, refined design and is the thinnest, full-QWERTY BlackBerry(R) smartphone yet. It features a striking high-resolution display (480×360), delivering smooth video playback and crisp images. In addition to its industry leading email and messaging, and premium phone features, the BlackBerry Curve 8900 packs a wealth of multimedia capabilities.

Consumers and mobile professionals can easily share photos or record video using the new 3.2 megapixel camera which features auto focus and image stabilization, and the microSD/SDHC expandable memory card slot supports up to 16GB(1) per card, giving users plenty of storage to carry and capture more of their music, pictures and video wherever they go. AT&T will offer the sleek new smartphone in an attractive silver and black finish.

Users who select an unlimited data plan with the BlackBerry Curve 8900 will also receive free AT&T Wi-Fi access at nearly 20,000 hotspots in the U.S. – including retail stores, restaurants and airports from coast-to-coast(2), an unmatched value add for mobile professionals who spend as much time out of the office as in it. The smartphone can also easily connect to a home or office Wi-Fi network.

“This new smartphone has a stunning design that builds upon the success of the BlackBerry Curve with more features for applications, all in a high-quality handset,” said Chris Hill, vice president, AT&T Business Solutions. “Add to it free access to the nation’s largest Wi-Fi network and the BlackBerry Curve 8900 from AT&T delivers unmatched value and performance for personal and business use.”

Other BlackBerry smartphones that can access free Wi-Fi are the BlackBerry(R) Bold(TM), BlackBerry(R) Curve(TM) 8320, BlackBerry(R) Pearl 8120, and BlackBerry(R) 8820. A full list of AT&T Wi-Fi locations is available at www.attwifi.com.

Like all AT&T smartphones, the BlackBerry Curve 8900 is a world phone, allowing customers to access data in more than 170 countries and make calls in more than 200. The smartphone supports quad-band EDGE (850/900/1700/ 1800Mhz) and Wi-Fi 802.11 b and g. The BlackBerry Curve 8900 also comes with a removable/rechargeable battery that provides a talk time of 5.5 hours and approximately 15 days of standby time.

The on-board GPS supports location-based applications and services, including AT&T Navigator, which provides audible turn-by-turn directions and will be available free for 30 days(3). AT&T Navigator also monitors traffic and alerts you when there is slowdown or incident, and you can get a new route around congestion with just one click. Customers can also use AT&T Navigator Global Edition for access to maps and directions in 21 countries and in five languages. Learn more at www.att.com/navigator.

Customers can also quickly access business listings, phone numbers and more from the included Yellowpages.com application and listen to their music using the included media player or XM Radio Mobile.(4)

The BlackBerry Curve 8900 smartphone will be available in AT&T stores and online at www.wireless.att.com in the early summer. For the complete array of AT&T offerings, visit www.att.com.(5)

(1) MicroSD/SDHC memory cards are available today in configurations of up to 16GB and the BlackBerry Curve 8900 is expected to support upcoming 32GB microSD/SDHC cards.

(2) AT&T Wi-Fi service use is subject to AT&T’s Terms of Services & Acceptable Use Policy (“Terms”) found at https://secure.sbc.com/tosaup.adp. Qualified data rate plan required for free access to AT&T Wi-Fi hot spots.

(3) Users must cancel free trial of AT&T Navigator within 30 days or be automatically subscribed at a cost of $9.99 per month for unlimited routes. You can cancel from the “My Accounts” portal on your handset or call AT&T customer care. Standard data charges apply, depending on your plan.

(4) XM Radio Mobile is available for $8.99 per month. Data charges also apply and AT&T recommends and unlimited data plan. Downloading and/or using this product will consume a large amount of data,

(5) Coverage not available in all areas. Other terms and conditions apply.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

OK everybody, just calm down. We got word from one of our ninjas that the BlackBerry Curve 8900 will finally be arriving at AT&T stores some time in June. For those who were hoping for a miracle or at least a little something special added on to compensate you for the handset’s tardiness, sorry, it’ll basically be a mirror of the T-Mobile version. The AT&T version will however have the same themes as the Bold 9000. Woo. No word on pricing yet but it should be around the same as its cousin on T-Mobile’s line-up. For those of you aching for a new BlackBerry but who feel like the Bold might be a little on the larger, heavier side, the wait won’t be much longer.

So long, early adopter tax. Don’t worry though, current T-Mobile Curve 8900 owners, this one’s not as bad as it could have been in the scheme of things. As of this morning it looks like T-Mobile’s flagship BlackBerry has shed some excess margin in an effort to boost sales. Potential Curve 8900 owners will now find that the sleek 3G-less beauty is $50 cheaper than it was last night, settling in at $149.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate. Not bad, not bad. Email-hungry T-Mobile customers really have no reason to shy away from BlackBerry’s latest Curve now as there simply isn’t a better value to be had in Pinksville as far as we’re concerned. So who’s in?

Thanks, Justin!

[Via TmoNews]

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Too cold, T-Mobile, too cold. The pink panther knows its BlackBerry-hungry customers are jonesing for some Curve 8900 and it just hit them where it hurts. That’s right T-Mobile customers, the Curve 8900 is now live on the site, calling to you from afar. Take in all of that sleek, sexy BlackBerry goodness and know that you’re still a month away from being able to get your hands on one. Just to recap quickly: Availability for business customers comes on January 19th and everyone else will have to wait until February 11th. $199 looks to be the two-year contract price in both instances, with a full retail price set at $499.99. There you have it people – unless you’re Mike Sickels, it’s look but no touch.

Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

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Got a business? Got T-Mobile? Got a ‘Berry? Then it’s time to smack your CFO around until he or she signs off on the 8900 upgrades you’ve been waiting for. Rumors of T-Mobile’s enterprise pricing is making its way across the interwebz and it’s not looking too bad at all. $499.99 contract-free, $249.99 with a one-year agreement and $199.99 with a two-year sign off. Sounds about right to us, and we expect non-corporate pricing to line up with these numbers as well. We already know that the 8900 will become available to business customers this coming Monday and the rest of you will have to wait until February 11th to play. Can you make it another month?

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With the influx of BlackBerry Curve 8900 news lately as a result of T-Mobile’s official announcement that the highly anticipated handset would be available next month, many AT&T customers found themselves wondering why AT&T has been so quiet to date. Comments and emails have flooded BGR and plenty of other sites as well, wondering if AT&T would be passing on the Curve 8900 due to lack of 3G or as a result of botched negotiations, T-Mobile exclusivity, etc. As such, it will surely come as welcome news to AT&T-contracted BlackBerry fans that the Curve 8900 is indeed still on its way to the nations largest carrier second-largest carrier. RIM hit CES this week with a booth full of ‘Berrys and among them, a sleek new Curve 8900 all dressed up in AT&T branding. In short, nothing has changed and the Curve 8900 is still on its way to Big Blue. AT&T would hardly pass on the update to one of its best-selling handsets of course, despite the glaring lack of WCDMA. But then, that’s where the Bold comes in. While it still looks like T-Mobile will be the first to bring the Curve 8900 to market in the US, expect news on the AT&T release soon.

Thanks, Laurie!

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Maybe one of our ninjas was feeling inspired by that crazy new Dick Tracy watch LG has in the pipes because he decided to go super-sleuth and dig up the goods on T-Mobile’s upcoming release schedule for January and February, 2009. This screenshot of T-Mobile’s internal release schedule reveals pink’s upcoming lineup for the first two months of 2009 and T-Mobile well, February is most definitely your month T-Mobile people! You’ve got two major handsets dropping on the 18th: the 8 megapixel Samsung Memoir and yes, that’s right, the highly anticipated BlackBerry Curve 8900. Can you hold out another month and a half? Here’s what you’re looking at over the next two months:

• January 21: Sony Ericsson TM506 in scarlett
• January 21: Nokia 7510
• January 28: T-Mobile Shadow
• February 4: Motorola Renew
• February 4: Samsung t119
• February 18: RIM BlackBerry Curve 8900
• February 18: Samsung Memoir

Happy New Year, from your pals at BGR!

Ahh there’s nothing better than free, especially when it comes to the latest and greatest smartphones on the market. Your buddies here at BGR are happy to hook you up now that the holidays are upon us and in case you missed it, we’re running two giveaways right now that you would be wise to check out. Yep, two lucky BGR readers will have an extra-special Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza or whatever else it is they celebrate and we get ready to choose and announce the winners of our BlackBerry Curve 8900 and HTC Fuze giveaways. Woo hoo! If you haven’t yet left a comment and entered one or both of the contests, what are you waiting for?! You’ve got until 11:59PM EST tomorrow (Sunday) to leave a comment and enter for your chance to win a free BlackBerry Curve 8900 or a free HTC Fuze. Remember, only one comment per person or you can kiss your chances of winning that shiny new smartphone goodbye.

Win a free BlackBerry Curve 8900!
Win a free HTC Fuze!

British friends, rejoice! T-Mobile, sneaky as it is, has just launched a country-wide sneak attack – bombarding store locations across the island. Here in the US we’re still in the dark as far as when the 8900 might find its way to AT&T or T-Mobile, but every time we see it launched abroad we get a slight glimmer of hope. Maybe. As far as T-Mobile UK pricing goes, here’s how it breaks down with an 18-month contract term:

• Combi 15: £15.00 ($22.77) / month – £166.37 ($252.57)
• Combi 20: £20.00 ($30.36) / month – £127.22 ($193.14)
• Combi 25: £25.00 ($37.95) / month – £97.87 ($148.58)
• Combi 30: £30.00 ($45.54) / month – £58.72 ($89.15)
• Combi 35: £31.50 ($47.82) / month – FREE
• Combi 40: £36.00 ($54.65) / month – FREE

Not bad T-Mobile, not bad at all. Of course if you head on over to our BlackBerry Curve 8900 giveaway you can take home a free 8900 for £0.00 / month, but these deals are still pretty good. So, if your current handset is moving cellular data way too fast for you, head on over to your local T-Mobile shop and get your EDGE on. Woo!

Thanks, Everett!

[Via engadget mobile]

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Now that the BlackBerry Curve 8900 is finally official with our friends up north, RIM decided it should finally get around to providing some product info on its North American site. Sure, BGR readers have known just about everything there is to know about this sleek handset for months now but its always nice to see a highly-anticipated handset inch closer to becoming a reality in the US. Accessories have been up on the site for a while now but the addition of main product info pages, an interactive demo and more are sure to warm the hearts of North American BlackBerry addicts across the continent. So – if trading 3G for a smaller build and a 3.2 megapixel camera sounds like your cup of tea, hopefully a US carrier announcement isn’t too far off.

Thanks, Erik!

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This might be a bit of a stretch brought on by wishful thinking, but RIM has most definitely been sneaky with the Curve 8900 thus far so you never know. An eagle-eyed reader came across some interesting accessory listings on the US BlackBerry shop site, and at the very least you’ve got to raise an eyebrow. A quick peak at the accessory section reveals that the Curve 8900 is now indeed listed among the handset options when narrowing down accessories. What’s more, all 8900 accessories including a variety of cases, a couple of Micro-USB cables and a desktop charging pod, have a listed arrival date of December 5th. Does that mean we can expect the handset to become available at some point before then? Hmm – why would BlackBerry customers need Curve 8900 accessories on December 5th without being able to purchase the Curve 8900? Kinda makes you wonder…

Thanks, MP!

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