This may well be the perfect Valentines gift. I know I would prefer it to chocolates. Other features: WiFi technology, BlackBerry push technology, VZ Navigator™, Visual Voice Mail, V CAST Music w/Rhapsody and V CAST Video on Demand, Mobile Broadband Connect.

I only found it available through Verizon in pink, but I’m sure other carriers will be following shortly.

[via Pocket-lint]

To grab this update, all you’ve got to do is connect your phone to your PC computer and head to www.blackberry.com/updates to download the necessary files. If instead you’d like to get a wireless download, aka OTA Over the Air, you can navigate on your phone to Options – Advance Options – Wireless Update and go from there. If you’d like extended information on how to download the files you need, head to BB support for either Bold or Curve – additional info about BlackBerry 6 can be found there too. Happy updating!

The BlackBerry Pearl 3G will be landing in stores, and be available online, beginning October 17th. You’ll have to sign a new, two-year contract to get your mitts on the device for the price of !49.99, but you won’t have to send in a mail-in rebate. As for the BlackBerry Curve 3G, that’s landing in stores some time before December 25th, but no exact date was given. It will only cost you $99.99 on a new, two-year contract — but like the Pearl 3G, you won’t have to send in any kind of rebate. Interestingly enough, the Curve 3G is BlackBerry 6 ready, but the Pearl 3G doesn’t seem to be, according to the press release. Check out the full press release below. Any AT&T customers/BlackBerry fans out there eagerly anticipating these releases?

Press Release

Key Facts

AT&T*, exclusive U.S. provider of BlackBerry® Torch™, announced today it will introduce two new smartphones, the BlackBerry® Pearl™ 3G (model 9100) and the BlackBerry® Curve™ 3G (model 9300), from Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSX:RIM).
BlackBerry Curve 3G will be available in AT&T stores, online and in business channels in time for the holidays. It will be available in stores and online for $99.99 (no rebate required).
BlackBerry Pearl 3G will be available for $149.99 (no rebate required) beginning October 17 in AT&T stores, online and in business channels.
New smartphone customers may choose from two AT&T monthly data plan options, $15 for 200 MB of wireless data or $25 for 2 GB.
No matter how you stay in touch – whether through voice calls or social networking – the new BlackBerry smartphones connect you in style. Customers can stay connected with friends and family on the go through a broad variety of apps like Facebook® and BBM™ (BlackBerry® Messenger). In addition to pre-loaded social networking apps, both the BlackBerry Curve 3G and BlackBerry Pearl 3G now include BlackBerry App World™, with purchases automatically included on AT&T customers’ bill.

Both new smartphones feature Wi-Fi® connectivity, and qualifying AT&T customers receive access to the entire AT&T national Wi-Fi network included as part of their data plan. AT&T’s has the nation’s largest Wi-Fi network with more than 23,000 U.S. hotspots.

BlackBerry Curve 3G

The BlackBerry Curve 3G, the first 3G BlackBerry Curve from AT&T, features the iconic BlackBerry design with a full QWERTY keyboard and optical trackpad. The new smartphone features built-in GPS, as well as dedicated media keys, so music lovers can easily access their tunes while on the go. It also features a camera that can record video and a microSD/SDHC slot that supports up to 32 GB memory cards for media storage. 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™ or share their location with friends on popular social networking sites. The BlackBerry Curve offers an exceptional BlackBerry experience at an affordable price.

AT&T will also make the popular AT&T U-verse® Mobile app available for AT&T U-verse TV customers who also have the BlackBerry Curve 9300. U-verse Mobile lets U-verse TV customers manage their DVR recordings, download hit TV shows over any Wi-Fi connection, and watch them on their BlackBerry Curve 9300 from anywhere. The app will be available to all U-verse TV customers, and the ability to download and watch select content will be available for customers that subscribe to the U300 package or higher.

BlackBerry Curve 3G is also BlackBerry® 6 ready. 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. BlackBerry 6 is expected to be available for the BlackBerry Curve 3G in the coming months.

BlackBerry Pearl 3G

The BlackBerry Pearl 3G smartphone is the smallest BlackBerry® smartphone yet and is as powerful as it is compact. Measuring less than two inches wide and weighing only 3.3 ounces, it still manages to pack in support for high-speed 3G networks, Wi-Fi (b/g/n) and GPS along with a high resolution display. It also features an optical trackpad for smooth navigation, dedicated volume and media keys for added convenience, a 3.2 MP camera with flash for quality pictures on the go, and support for up to 32 GB of personal content. The BlackBerry Pearl, available in a red gradient, is ideal for customers who prefer a compact device, but still want a smartphone that delivers a full BlackBerry experience.

Quotes

“AT&T continues to expand our offering of BlackBerry smartphones, including the recently launched BlackBerry Torch, to suit the various needs of our customers,” said Michael Woodward, vice president, Mobile Phone Portfolio, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. “As the first U.S. carrier to offer BlackBerry service, we are pleased to add the BlackBerry Pearl 3G and BlackBerry Curve 3G to our portfolio, which deliver style without compromising features or functionality.”

“The BlackBerry Curve and BlackBerry Pearl series of smartphones have become extremely popular around the world by giving customers all the powerful BlackBerry communications, media and social networking capabilities they expect, in compact, stylish and easy-to-use handset designs. These new 3G models offer faster performance and a very attractive mix of features and services for AT&T customers,” said Carlo Chiarello, vice president, Global Handset Business, Research In Motion.

For the complete array of AT&T offerings, visit www.att.com.

1 Price of $99.99 and $149.99 requires a 2-year service agreement and smartphone data plan.

2 Mobile Broadband/3G coverage not available in all areas.

3 Limited-time offer. Other conditions & restrictions apply. See contract & rate plan brochure for details. Subscriber must live & have a mailing addr. within AT&T’s owned wireless network coverage area. Up to $36 activ. fee applies. Equipment price & avail may vary by mrk & may not be available from independent retailers. Early Termination Fee: None if cancelled in the first 30 days, but up to $35 restocking fee may apply to equipment returns; thereafter up to $325. Some agents impose add’l fees. Smartphone Data Plan Requirement: Smartphones require a DataPlus (200MB) or DataPro (2GB) plan. If you exceed your initial data allowance, you will automatically be charged an additional $10 for each additional 1GB provided on DataPro or an additional $15 for each additional 200MB provided on DataPlus. All data allowances, including overages, must be used in the billing period in which the allowance is provided or they will be forfeited. For more details on Data Plans, go to att.com/dataplans Sales tax calculated based on price of unactivated equipment.

4 Geographic and service restrictions apply to AT&T U-verse services. Call or go to www.att.com/u-verse to see if you qualify. U-verse Mobile: Download and watch available for select shows and requires qualifying smartphone, U300 or higher TV plan and Wi-Fi connection. Downloaded shows available for viewing for limited time periods.

5 Largest Wi-Fi based on company branded and operated hotspots. Access includes AT&T Wi-Fi Basic. A Wi-Fi enabled device required. Other restrictions apply. See www.attwifi.com for details and locations.

*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.

About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation’s fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet and voice services. A leader in mobile broadband, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T | DIRECTV brands. The company’s suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising. In 2010, AT&T again ranked among the 50 Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE® magazine.

That means 512MB versus the 256MB of the 9300, and in our brief play we did find the Curve 3G felt reasonably snappy in handling multiple running apps.  There’s more space for apps themselves, too, with the 9330 having double the storage of the 9300 too.

Keyboard feel, optical trackpad responsiveness and overall build quality were good, though we’re still not sure we’d pick a BlackBerry OS 5.x device over, say, an Android 2.x handset right now.  That could change when OS 6 arrives, something which isn’t expected to happen until 2011; nobody could tell us anything more accurate than that, despite our pestering.

More on the BlackBerry Curve 3G here.

The BlackBerry Curve 3G may not be a powerhouse when it comes to smartphones, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be. RIM has managed to pack 512MB of RAM into the Curve 3G, and the display features a resolution of 320 x 240. The device is going to ship with RIM’s BlackBerry 5 mobile Operating System, but it is officially a “BlackBerry 6-ready device.” The device is expected to get upgraded to the new Operating System some time in 2011.

Other features you can expect is a Pandora radio app pre-installed, and WiFi b/g available. You’ll have access to BlackBerry apps, like your favorite social networking sites, courtesy of the BlackBerry App World. You also get GPS, and Sprint is planning to add visual voicemail to the device some time soon. You’ll be able to get your order on for the device, as well as through Business Solutions, beginning on September 26th. It will then be available in Sprint stores and every other sales channel on October 10th. You’ll be able to buy it for $49.99 on a new, two-year contract, which is also after a $100 mail-in rebate. You’ll need to sign up for Sprint’s Everything Data plan or Business Advantage Messaging and Data plan, though.

Press Release

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Sept. 15, 2010 – Sprint (NYSE: S) and Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced the upcoming availability of BlackBerry® Curve™ 3G (model 9330), a new addition to the popular BlackBerry Curve family of smartphones. The new model offers Sprint customers a powerful, feature-rich handset at an easily affordable price.

BlackBerry Curve 3G will be available beginning Sunday, Sept. 26, through Sprint’s direct ship sales channels including Business Sales, Telesales (1-800-SPRINT1) and Web sales (www.sprint.com) for $49.99 with a new two-year service agreement, after a $100 mail-in rebate (taxes and surcharges excluded). It will then be available in all remaining Sprint sales channels beginning Sunday, Oct. 10.

The new BlackBerry Curve 3G smartphone features a sleek and professional look with its slim and lightweight form factor, textured battery door and a new chrome-like finish in Graphite Gray or Royal Purple. BlackBerry Curve 3G has 512MB Flash memory as well as a MicroSD/SDHC slot that supports up to 32GB memory cards for media storage.

This new smartphone ships with BlackBerry® 5 out of the box and is BlackBerry® 6 ready. BlackBerry 6 is a new operating system for BlackBerry® smartphones that will be available to Sprint BlackBerry Curve 3G customers in 2011. It retains the trusted features that distinguish the BlackBerry brand while delivering a fresh and engaging experience that is both powerful and easy to use. Key enhancements will include a new intuitive user interface, new Social Feeds application, WebKit browser and universal search.

“The BlackBerry Curve series continues to be a tremendous success,” said David Owens, vice president of Marketing for Sprint. “We are excited to offer this new model and then bring the new BlackBerry 6 operating system to it in 2011. BlackBerry Curve 3G offers the same value and form factor our customers have come to expect but it also provides key enhancements to stay productive and entertained with email messaging and the latest multimedia and social media features.”

BlackBerry Curve 3G offers many popular features including:
Convenient trackpad interface with full QWERTY keyboard
2.0 MP camera with support for video recording
Dedicated media keys to play, pause and skip songs
Wi-Fi®: 802-11 B/G and GPS
Visual Voicemail
512MB Flash memory plus a MicroSD/SDHC slot for up to 32GB of media storage, 2GB card included

“The new BlackBerry Curve 3G is an extremely attractive, approachable and affordable handset that provides a perfect choice for Sprint customers who are looking for a user-friendly 3G smartphone to help them make the most of their day,” said David J. Smith, vice president of Product Management, Research In Motion.

The BlackBerry Curve 3G smartphone will support a variety of multimedia applications, including Sprint Music Store™, Sprint TV™ and Pandora™. It also boasts dedicated applications for a smoothly integrated social networking experience with Facebook®, MySpace™ and Flickr™.

BlackBerry Curve 3G requires activation on an Everything Data plan or a Business Advantage Messaging and Data plan. Additional plan options are available for business customers. Sprint’s industry-leading Everything Data plans with Any Mobile, AnytimeSM include unlimited Web, texting and calling to and from every mobile in America while on the Sprint network. Everything Data plans start at $69.99 per month – the same price Verizon and AT&T charge for unlimited talk only (all price plans exclude surcharges and taxes).1

With the Sprint Free Guarantee, customers can take advantage of BlackBerry Curve 3G for 30 days. If not completely satisfied, customers may return the smartphone within 30 days to get reimbursed for the handset purchase and activation fee, get both the early termination and restocking fees waived, and receive a full refund for the monthly service plan charges.2
Sprint is the only wireless carrier to offer Ready Now service with trained retail associates to work one-on-one with customers to personalize their BlackBerry Curve 3G, set up features and demonstrate how it works before the customer leaves the store. Customers have the choice of sitting down with a Sprint retail associate at the time of purchase or they can schedule an appointment for a later time at www.sprint.com/storelocator.

The Curve 3G has – unsurprisingly – 3G, together with WiFi b/g/n and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, a 2.4-inch 320 x 240 display, QWERTY keyboard, optical trackpad and fixed-focus 2-megapixel camera.  There’s also GPS with TeleNav, a 2GB microSD card slot (though the Curve 3G will handle up to 32GB cards) and BlackBerry 5.

RIM has confirmed that the smartphone is “BlackBerry 6 ready,” but there’s no telling when exactly T-Mobile USA will roll out their upgrade.  We’ve already seen that Bell Mobility don’t plan to release BlackBerry 6 for their handsets until sometime in 2011, though right now it’s unclear if that’s the carrier’s own decision or based on delays in testing the updated OS.

The camera – despite what Vodafone’s listing says – is a 2-megapixel unit with no flash and fixed focus, and there’s the new(ish) optical trackpad above the hardware keyboard.  Dedicated media playback keys round out the main specs, and there’s lashings of rubberized plastic to help you avoid dropping it.

What you don’t get, at least right now, is BlackBerry 6, and the smartphone was absent from RIM’s list of devices guaranteed to get an update to the new version of the OS.  That doesn’t mean OS 6 isn’t going to arrive on the Curve 3G at some point, but with the Torch 9800 launching with the newest software we wish RIM could’ve done the same for this more entry-level device.

Buyers will also get GPS with TeleNav guidance software, a 2GB microSD card slot (though the Curve 3G will handle up to 32GB cards) and BlackBerry 5.  However RIM has confirmed that the smartphone is “BlackBerry 6 ready”, so we’ll have to see what T-Mobile’s plans are to update the Curve 3G when the new version of the OS is released.

No word on pricing or a specific release date at present, but T-Mobile USA say the BlackBerry Curve 3G will be arriving “in the coming weeks” in-store and online.

Press Release:

BlackBerry Curve 3G

Practical yet functional, the BlackBerry® Curve 3G from T-Mobile helps to manage the hectic pace of work and play. Available in two finishes, smoky violet and graphite grey, this approachable slim and stylish BlackBerry provides the advantages of high-speed 3G Web browsing, Wi-Fi connectivity for voice and data, access to BlackBerry App WorldTM, built-in GPS, and Visual Voicemail to keep customers connected on the go and navigate their busy lives.
The Curve 3G also provides balance to life with dedicated exterior media keys, pre-installed social networking applications and a range of messaging options, including personal and Exchange e-mail, BBM, SMS, MMS and IM. In addition, the Curve 3G comes equipped with the touch- sensitive optical trackpad, calendaring, a 2-megapixel camera with zoom and video recording, stereo Bluetooth, and a microSD slot for up to 32 GB of expandable memory.
As a quad-band world phone, the BlackBerry Curve 3G supports international roaming, extending the ability to stay connected while traveling abroad, and Wi-Fi connectivity for both voice and data for Wi-Fi calling and fast Web access.
Key Features of the BlackBerry Curve 3G include:
 Full QWERTY keyboard and touch-sensitive optical trackpad for responsive typing and easy navigation  Available in two color finishes – smoky violet and graphite grey  Premium phone features including calendaring, voice-activated dialing, Visual Voicemail and Bluetooth 2.1  Advanced media player for music, pictures and videos, with dedicated media keys and a 3.5 mm stereo headset
jack, plus BlackBerry Media Sync, which makes it easy to quickly sync music from iTunes® or Windows Media
Player with the smartphone  2-megapixel camera with zoom and video recording  Built-in GPS with location-based services by TeleNav  Access to BlackBerry App World, featuring a broad and growing catalog of mobile applications developed
specifically for BlackBerry smartphones. Categories include games, entertainment, social networking and
sharing, news and weather, productivity, and much more.  Web browser delivers a desktop-like experience, including HTML e-mail  BlackBerry Internet Service support for access to up to 10 e-mail accounts including Yahoo!®, Windows Live
Hotmail, AOL®, GmailTM and most popular ISPs; and BlackBerry Enterprise Server support, which provides
advanced security and IT administration features for corporate deployments  Six popular instant messaging clients preloaded, including AOL Instant Messenger, Google Talk, ICQ®, Windows
Live Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger and BlackBerry Messenger  Fast 624 MHz processor, 256MB of internal memory and hot-swappable microSD/SDHC card slot with support
for up to 32GB with a pre-installed 2GB memory card  BlackBerry OS 5; support for BlackBerry OS 6  Model number: BlackBerry Curve 9300  Wi-Fi enabled (802.11 b/g/n) for data and voice  Quad-band GSM world phone: (850/900/1800/1900 MHz)  Tri-Band 3G UMTS/HSDPA world phone: (Band I, Band IV, Band VIII)  Dimensions: 4.3 inches x 2.4 inches x 0.55 inches; 3.8 ounces; 2.4-inch screen, 320×240 pixels QVGA  Rechargeable/removable 1150 mAhr battery, for up to 4.5 hours of talk time and 19 days of standby time
Availability: The BlackBerry Curve 3G is anticipated to be available in the coming weeks at T-Mobile retail stores, select dealers and online at http://www.T-Mobile.com.
* Use of some device features requires a specific plan and incurs separate, additional charges. Wi-Fi Calling requires broadband Internet connection and wireless router. See T-Mobile.com for rate plan information, charges for features and services, and other details. Timing of availability is subject to change. ** 3G coverage is available in locations nationwide but may not be available everywhere. For more details about where T-Mobile network coverage is available, please visit http://www.t-mobile.com/coverage.

There’s also a full QWERTY thumbboard, optical trackpad, WiFi b/g/n and GPS, together with a 3.5mm headset jack and microUSB port.  In addition to quadband GSM/EDGE there will be North American and European 3G versions: (800/850)/1900/2100 MHz and 900/1700/2100 MHz UMTS.

No official pricing from RIM themselves, though Rogers had the Curve 3G listed at CA$79.99 with a three-year agreement.  It’ll begin shipping in August 2010.

Press Release:

RIM Introduces the New BlackBerry Curve 3G Smartphone

New addition to the globally popular BlackBerry Curve series is fast, easy-to-use, richly-featured and BlackBerry 6 ready

Waterloo, Ontario – Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced the new BlackBerry® Curve™ 3G, an exciting addition to the globally popular BlackBerry Curve series of smartphones. Designed to provide the growing mass of smartphone purchasers with a distinctly powerful, approachable and affordable choice, the BlackBerry Curve 3G supports high-speed 3G (HSDPA) networks around the world and 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 majority of people in the worldwide mobile phone market have yet to buy their first smartphone and the BlackBerry Curve 3G is designed to provide an extremely attractive and accessible choice that will help convince many of them to make the leap,” said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO at Research In Motion. “The new BlackBerry Curve 3G is a perfect choice for happily busy people who are looking for a user-friendly 3G smartphone to help them make the most of their day and to stay connected with their friends, family and co-workers.”

The BlackBerry Curve 3G smartphone features a comfortable full-QWERTY keyboard for fast, accurate typing, optical trackpad for fluid navigation, built-in GPS and Wi-Fi®, as well as dedicated media keys, so music lovers can easily access their tunes while on the go. The new smartphone also features a camera that can record video and a microSD/SDHC slot that supports up to 32 GB memory cards for media storage. 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 BlackBerry® Messenger (BBM™) or share their location with friends on popular social networking sites.

The BlackBerry Curve 3G ships with BlackBerry® 5 and is BlackBerry® 6 ready. BlackBerry 6 is a new operating system for BlackBerry® smartphones that was announced last week. It retains the trusted features that distinguish the BlackBerry brand while delivering a fresh and engaging experience that is both powerful and easy to use. BlackBerry 6 is expected to be available for the BlackBerry Curve 3G, subject to carrier certifications, in the coming months.

The new BlackBerry Curve 3G smartphone (model 9300) will be available from various carriers and distribution partners around the world beginning in August. Check with local carriers for details about availability and pricing.

For more information about the new BlackBerry Curve 3G smartphone visit www.blackberry.com/curve3G. For more information about BlackBerry 6, visit www.blackberry.com/6.