14 DAY TRIAL // Canadian mobile phone maker Research In Motion has announced the launch of a new smartphone on the market in Italy, the BlackBerry Curve 3G device, also known as Curve 9300. The handset is set to hit the shelves at two carrier in the country, including Vodafone Italia and Wind, the company unveiled.
The new addition to the phone maker's family of popular BlackBerry Curve devices was designed to fit the needs of a wide range of mobile phone users out there.
The smartphone comes as a powerful, approachable and affordable choice, RIM notes, adding that it includes support for high-speed 3G (HSDPA) connectivity to enable people easily stay connected with friends and family.
Moreover, the company says that the new device “gives users the exceptional communications features they need to accomplish more than ever, when they’re at home, at work and everywhere in-between.” The BlackBerry Curve 3G comes to the market with comfortable full-QWERTY keyboard that enables fast and accurate typing, complemented by an optical trackpad for fluid navigation.
The specifications list of the new device also include built-in GPS and Wi-Fi, along with microSD/SDHC memory card slot with support for up to 32GB of additional storage space.
Dedicated media keys are also included into the mix, for ease access tunes while on the go, as well as a camera for photo capturing and video recording.
“Support for 3G networks makes browsing faster, streaming music smoother, and gives users the ability to talk on the phone while they browse the web, instant message with BBM (BlackBerry Messenger) or share their location with friends on popular social networking sites,” the handset vendor announced.
The new BlackBerry Curve 3G runs under the BlackBerry 5 operating system but includes support fro the BlackBerry 6 platform.
“BlackBerry 6 is a new operating system for BlackBerry smartphones that retains the trusted features that distinguish the BlackBerry brand while delivering a fresh and engaging experience that is both powerful and easy to use,” RIM says.
The new BlackBerry Curve 3G can be purchased from all Vodafone Italia retail outlets and the Vodafone Italia online store for €320 free from contract.
However, the carrier also has in place a series of other offerings for its users, including the smartphone available for free on certain plan options.
As for Wind, it offer the Curve 3G for €329 contract free, and has various other offerings in place for customers too, including the “All Inclusive” with the BlackBerry Internet Bundle option on which the device is “free of charge for the first 12 months.”