BlackBerry Curve to be released May 31st? Whatever.
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Filed in AT&T, BlackBerry, EDGE, Exclusives, GSM, Handsets
I know what everyone is thinking, "Please stop!". We do have this on sort of confirmed authority: the BlackBerry Curve will be released this Thursday, the 31st of May. It should appear in all "distribution channels", and AT&T will have their usual 90 day exclusive in the USA. By now we all know the run down — AT&T Mobile Music, 2 megapixel camera, spell checker, and AT&T’s Mall feature to buy ringtones and other downloadable content. Anyone interested in pricing? It will run ya’ $449.99 to buy it outright, $274.99 with a one year agreement, and $199.99 for a 2 year agreement with a $39.99 voice plan. That’s about it, check out the full "press release" after the jump!
Thanks, Jamie!
BlackBerry Curve to Launch May 31
Exclusive to AT&T for at least 90 days after launch.
AT&T will launch the full-featured and much anticipated BlackBerry Curve on May 31 in all distribution channels. The BlackBerry Curve is exclusive to AT&T for at least 90 days after launch and is the smallest, lightest full QWERTY BlackBerry yet offered. It combines a compact design with many new features and broad international coverage.
With an exclusive, liquid silver finish and new trackball navigation system, the Curve is the first BlackBerry device to support AT&T Mobile Music, an enhanced media player, support for stereo Bluetooth headsets and a 3.5 mm headset jack. The device also features a 2-megapixel camera. The Curve is the first BlackBerry to offer spell-checker for e-mail, AT&T Push-to-Talk, TeleNav Maps and the AT&T Mall feature for purchasing ring tones and downloads.
The Curve offers support for phone, BES/BIS e-mail access, text messaging, Web browser, organizer, corporate data applications and more.
The quad-band BlackBerry Curve gives customers the ability to make phone calls in more than 190 countries and access e-mail and other data applications in 130 countries. All AT&T BlackBerry devices enjoy this advantage, giving the company the largest portfolio of BlackBerry products with global roaming capabilities of any U.S. carrier.
Special Note on Product Packaging at Launch
The BlackBerry Curve may also be identified as the BlackBerry 8300 on packaging and in-box materials for up to 30 days after launch.
Accessory packaging may have the BlackBerry 8300 designation for several months after launch. Please note these names refer to the same product. But in all customer-facing marketing materials (advertising, Web, merchandising), the BlackBerry Curve name will be used.
Other product highlights:
Dimensions: 4.21 inches x 2.36 inches x .61 inches; weight: 3.93 oz .
Excellent battery life: up to four hours talk time, up to 17 days standby time.
Supports expandable MicroSD memory.
Powerful 312 MHz processor.
BlackBerry Messaging ("IM-like" messaging to other BB devices).
Pricing
BlackBerry Curve will launch with a $100 instant rebate in BMG channels:
No Commitment - $449.99
One-Year Contract without $100 rebate - 374.99
One-Year Contract with $100 rebate - $274.99
Two-Year Contract without $100 rebate - $299.99
Best Price (two-year unlimited + $39.99 voice) - $199.99
What the HELL T-Mobile… not cool. We don’t need $350 8800s, we need the Curve. Why don’t you get it???
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“If the HTC Kaiser and Windows Mobile 6 now offer Direct Push of email, why should we be at the mercy of RIM for these devices?”
There are issues with WM push email - but mostly with GMail
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There has been so much said or speculated that I have reached the “whatever” stage.
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Why some ppl go with BB over the HTC/WM6 (or even the iPod) - it’s ’cause some of us have to.
My company will not support any Palm or WM devices as far as push e-mail goes. If I want my e-mail on the go, and I don’t want to lug a laptop, BB is more or less the only option available to me. I suspect a lot of folks are in the same boat.
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I’m with whoever said WHATEVER
But it would be awesome if it does drop on Thursday!!! Just for the goof I called a random AT&T store and asked about the Curve, I got the famous
(Oh, do you mean the iphone)
Because that’s the next device we’re launching. Ahh, so clueless they are somtimes!
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Currently have a Nokia E62 w/ AT&T service. I use a Mac exclusively and have a hosted exchange server which I access via Microsoft Entourage on my Mac and Mail for Exchange on my E62.
What’s the story with BBs and Mac compatability. Will I be able to use the Curve productively (or at all) without a Windows PC? Any info would be greatly appreciated.
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It’s about dang time. T-Mobile– you owe me $400 for having to buy all these Blackberries and unlock them.
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Not all AT&T reps are clueless, only the one’s that figure it as a job and not something they’re into. I make it my job to stay up on all phones; both ones we already have and new ones coming out.
@Vince - BMG is the business channel.
@KG - without rebate is for the “fronters” that don’t want a BB data plan.
@biggus - you would have to have the PIN changed in your companies system or the email’s won’t work.
@Batman - The information is there for the employees that bother looking for it. I agree not all device info is easy to find, but if they put a little effort towards finding info on new phones, they’d be surprised at whats on the internal system.
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I called AT&T to check out rate plans, and they gave me a straight Yes! Thursday. I’m still undecided. . . Like said earlier. . . is the 8320 a whole different device? haha
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“Currently have a Nokia E62 w/ AT&T service. I use a Mac exclusively and have a hosted exchange server which I access via Microsoft Entourage on my Mac and Mail for Exchange on my E62.
What’s the story with BBs and Mac compatability. Will I be able to use the Curve productively (or at all) without a Windows PC? Any info would be greatly appreciated.”
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Blackberry works just fine with Macs. Check out http://www.discoverblackberry.com/discover/mac_solutions.jsp for more about it. They have most of the same features as it does with a pc.
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I’m considering buying this to replace my blackjack. I’m undecided between the 8300 and the pearl. I’m young and just need the phone to party with, but I HATE suretype. The 8300 won’t be too big or anything for me, will it?
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go with the curve. It is marketed towards consumers with all the features. Its a better version of the pearl, and considering its smaller than even the tmob dash it won’t be too big. besides new pearls come out in the fall, right?
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Release date’s confirmed!
http://www.ccnmatthews.com/news/releases/show.jsp?action=showRelease&searchText=false&showText=all&actionFor=654805
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This is great news. Thanks for the heads up BG.
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WHEN THE HELL IS T-MOBILE GETTING THEIR BLACKBERRY 8820. DOSE ANYONE KNOW ANYTHING… B.G.R???????????
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I am still skeptical about the May 31st release date. I just called Cingular and the rep said the Curve is scheduled to be released between now and the end of June. It would seem to be in BB’s interest to keep stringing us along, lest we go out and buy a different device.
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These AT&T reps are ridiculous. You call and they are like duhh what is a blackberry curve. You mean the pearl? Im so sick and tired of these people I wish AT&T would send them a email saying okay retards there is a new phone coming out that everyone is going to be wanting to get there hands on. So if they call dont act like retarded morons who no wonder why you only get paid $3/hr. I mean i’m sure theres knowledgeable reps somewhere in the country but definately not in the NJ area.
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@pinkyexpress - maybe you should read the AT&T issued press release that states the Curve will be available in stores tomorrow.
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@crazylegs
Thats what im saying. AT&T issues a PRESS RELEASE and these reps still have no clue whats going on. Even the reps through 611 AND the business channels as I have called them all obsessively.
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what are these wm push email problems with gmail? i dont have any, other than the email needs to be forwarded to an exchange address? thanks
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My question is when will these devices arrive at the store? Because they can say that it releases tomorrow all they want but if the devices arent available it does us no good. And as of 10:30AM CST they had not arrived at my local store.
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How is it that all cingular employees now nothing about this phone?
I called cingluar, they told me they had no clue what phone that was. That it would come out on the web first or at a local store. I checked the web and nothing! So, I started chatting with one of their reps from a link on the site. Surprise, that person new nothing. Ok, my last resort….I call the store. She tells me to call customer care because they didn’t know anything about that phone. Customer care would be able to help me.
Makes u think. Do I really want to transfer my service to this clueless carrier????????
Anyways, just had to vent.
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is it possible that the reps are just playing dumb because they aren’t supposed to say anything about it until its out?
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Thats a thought, but I doubt it.
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@ vince - Vince I really dont think they are “playing” anything. You would think a company would want to give out details so they could have a ps3 style rush for crackberry addicts waiting in line and getting numbers. But just like with the iPhone its like secret squirrel. “lets not tell the customers so they dont come in and we dont sell more lines.” Haha what a great idea!!! or not…
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