10/08/2010 By Sascha Segan ( Source: http://www.pcmag.com )

RIM, T-Mobile Announce BlackBerry Curve 3G

The BlackBerry Torch just came out last week, but RIM has already moved on to the BlackBerry Curve 3G. The midrange Curve 3G - which will get an upgrade to the new BlackBerry 6 OS - is coming out from T-Mobile in the next few weeks, the carrier said.

The Curve 3G replaces T-Mobile's Curve 8520 with a faster 624-MHz processor, GPS, Wi-Fi 802.11n, and 3G HSDPA Internet connectivity, although it keeps the relatively low-res 2.4-inch, 320-by-240 screen and 2-megapixel camera. Interestingly, the Wi-Fi is noted for "data and voice," which means that this phone will work with T-Mobile's unheralded (but much loved) Hotspot@Home voice-over-Wi-Fi system.

There's not all that much exciting in the Curve 3G's hardware. The exciting part is that promised BlackBerry 6 upgrade, which will bring a new Web browser and lots of new media features to the phone. RIM and T-Mobile's announcement didn't give a date for the BlackBerry 6 upgrade.

T-Mobile didn't announce a price for the Curve 3G, but it will probably be pretty inexpensive; the Curve 8520 debuted at under $50 with contract. The Curve 3G's appearance also reminds us that the Torch probably doesn't have a very long exclusivity period with AT&T, as the Torch and Curve 3G complement each other quite neatly to provide low-end and high-end options from RIM.