T-Mobile and RIM make the BlackBerry 8900 Curve official, coming in February
All of you skeptics out there who doubted the February release of the BlackBerry Curve 8900 on T-Mobile can now rest easy as T-Mobile and RIM have made the official announcement. Very eagerly anticipated, perhaps more so than the G1 albeit a lot more quietly, the 8900 features OS 4.6.1, a 512 MHz processor, 480×360 display, GPS, and WiFi with HotSpot support. The new Curve is sure to help ease the pain of the lack of Bold love. If only this device had 3G in the 1700 MHz flavor. No definitive date or price has been set, but T-Mobile hopes to sell you all an 8900 sometime in February. Or you know, you can just, uh… start reading BGR a little more often.
Press release after the jump.
T-MOBILE USA TO OFFER CUSTOMERS THE THINNEST AND LIGHTEST FULL-QWERTY BLACKBERRY SMARTPHONE
New BlackBerry Curve 8900 Smartphone Delivers GPS, Wi-Fi,
Enhanced Multimedia Capabilities and More
Bellevue, Wash., and Waterloo, Ontario – January 7, 2009 – T-Mobile USA, Inc., and Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM: TSX: RIM) today announced that T-Mobile® will offer its customers the new BlackBerry® Curve™ 8900 smartphone, the thinnest and lightest full-QWERTY BlackBerry smartphone.
The BlackBerry Curve 8900 from T-Mobile, in a stunning titanium-colored finish with chrome highlights, combines an elegant, compact design with a wide range of popular features and an easy-to-use full-QWERTY keyboard. It features built-in GPS and support of location-based services. It also allows easy access to social networking sites and has built-in Wi-Fi® (802.11 b/g) supporting both voice and data, making it easier to stay connected to family, friends and colleagues.
“T-Mobile is thrilled to bring our customers such an elegant and powerful way to communicate with the important people in their lives,” said Travis Warren, director, device marketing, T-Mobile USA. “The BlackBerry Curve 8900 offers T-Mobile customers the benefit of a full-QWERTY keyboard in the thinnest BlackBerry smartphone yet.”
In addition to a sleek, stylish design, the powerful new smartphone includes a large, vivid display – the highest resolution available on a BlackBerry smartphone – as well as a 512MHz next generation processor for fast and responsive performance. The handset’s advanced multimedia capabilities include a 3.2-megapixel camera with image stabilization, digital zoom, flash and the ability to record video and play video, a music player, a 3.5mm stereo headset jack and headset, and a hot-swappable microSD/SDHC memory card slot with a 256MB card inserted. With support for memory cards up to 16GB, customers can carry, capture and enjoy more of their music, pictures and video anywhere they go.
“The new BlackBerry Curve 8900 features a compact and refined design that looks and feels great. It gives you everything you need to stay connected and entertained,” said Mark Guibert, vice president, corporate marketing, Research In Motion. “With rich multimedia capabilities, exceptional mobile email and messaging features, enhanced Web browsing, a premium phone and easy access to social networking communities, including Facebook®, Flickr®, and MySpace.com®, the BlackBerry Curve 8900 helps you make the most of a busy lifestyle that spans well beyond normal business hours.”
T-Mobile customers can continue to get great mobile coverage and unlimited nationwide Wi-Fi calling with T-Mobile’s Unlimited HotSpot Calling service as well as unlimited nationwide calling to five people with T-Mobile myFaves® service.* As a quad-band world phone, the BlackBerry Curve 8900 supports international roaming, extending the ability to stay connected while traveling abroad.
The new BlackBerry Curve 8900 smartphone from T-Mobile is anticipated to be available in February at T-Mobile retail stores, select authorized dealers, and online at http://www.T-Mobile.co
Prior to retail availability, customers can learn more about the BlackBerry Curve 8900 at www.BlackBerry.com/NewCurve8900
Too little too late. I just ditched my Curve for the G1 and can’t believe how much better this phone is than my three previous berries.
If this would of had 3G, I would have kindly waited. Thing with WiFi, you’re still relying on the “what if” factor. There hasn’t always been WiFi everywhere I go and sometimes it’s password protected (most airports). 3G is guaranteed (most of the time) in the major markets. I’ve had it available everywhere I go in Miami so far.
Not sure I understand your question about T-Mobile having GPS on a Blackberry. It’s been on T-Mobile’s 8800 and 8820 for well over a year now. The difference between these two GPS Blackberries on T-Mobile is that the 8800 lacks WiFi and the 8820 has it. On T-Mobile, the 8800 came out in 2007 as I remember it, and the 8820 almost a year ago.
The above device is awesome in comparison to the majority of the Tmo stock out and about. Have to admit that I’m still going to wait for the Wing 2! Please don’t disappoint Tmo!! PLEASE!!!
Any info on the Wing 2? Anyone?!
What do you mean no 4G network in the US? Clearwire has launched in Baltimore and Portland, OR. Many more cities to come before this year is over: Chicago, Washington DC, Boston, Philly, Atlanta, Vegas, Grand Rapids MI, and some 50 more. 6 meg download speeds, latency some 50%-80% lower than HSPA and EVDO, much more spectrum with much higher capacity than AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and Sprint. By the way, Sprint owns 51% of Clearwire.
^ This from the same loon that stated that Blackberry’s have been on EVDO since 2003.
And virtually no WiMAX devices available unless you purchase the price-equivalent of an unlocked phone just to have the privilege of being a beta-tester. Thanks for the invite … but just as Sarah Palin _didn’t_ say … Thanks, but no thanks.
Another dime-a-million Sprint apologist/cheerleader.
Anybody know what this device is coming to AT&T????
Supposedly ATT had 8900s already in stock. But haven’t heard any other speculation as to when or even whether they will be releasing it. With the recent Bold and 8320 releases, and speculation that they are “downgrading” EDGE to push more users to the 3G network, they might in fact skip the 8900 in favor of the Magnum; which is essentially an 8900 + 3G + Touch. The Magnum release date, of course, is up in the air. But it’s expected to drop some time 2HCY09.
Yay! Hopefully I can get this for my brother.
I returned my Bold because it’s big and the 3G connection is flaky here in bay area. I look forward to having one of these.
Yes!! Finally TMO get great new blackberry. (Didn’t hear too much hype about the newer pearls)
So I’m excited because all the other major carriers in the states have been getting some pretty sweet phones.
To those posting about lack of 3G and not interested in buying this phone…why are you still looking? Look elsewhere and don’t come back. Everyone know it doesn’t have 3G. We know TMO is behind the 3G curve…then again, who cares.
Oh yes I’m getting this phone the first day! It has everything I want and a sleek form factor. I played with one at T-Mobile in Germany in December and have been lusting for it ever since.
You can have your 3G, 4G, and 5G for that matter when it arrives.
I chose T-Mobile for reliability of network, quality of calls, ability to email and SMS message and turnover of good-looking and innovative phones and technology as well as competitive, if not the best rates in the market.
I for one am looking forward to this release.
I will always stick with T-Mobile for their customer service. The best I have ever dealt with.
This is by far the best release they have had handset wise. I have been a bit disappointed with their line up in the US–back in the UK I was spoiled with choice, but I understand the markets are different.
I can’t wait to upgrade my 8320!!!! Told y’all Tmob was getting it first in the states lol. Now if my friend who is a Manager for Tmob can get me her discount when I buy it that is going to be the greatest!!!!
I can’t wait till February to get my hands on one of these.
http://www.youcanquotethis.com
i’ve been waiting for this! all over it in Feb!
finally — t mobile is getting with the times. although i am disappointed that they aren’t releasing it on a 3g network. hope that where they lack with the release, they’ll make up on the price point.
which would you people prefer.. the iphone or this.. i cant decide if i would change my iphone for this.. its so pretty though!
wow release date = 2/11/09 OR.. 2/18/09
PRICE = $200 with 2 year contract
T-mobile has great service & who cares about 3g??? they’re holding on to their 3g to make it more reliable contrast to other companies who jus come out with it and then attempt to patch up any problems or issues later… not cool.. =/.. great price & great service = a definate buy!!! =]
3g is way over rated. I had a 3g g1 phone and the difference in internet speed is minimal. You can have 3g!
Anyone have a post-purchase report for a prospective buyer?