RIM has announced a new BlackBerry and aims to target ‘socially connected consumers’ with the BlackBerry Curve 9320, loaded with BlackBerry 7.1 OS which will feature Wi-Fi calling as well as various parental security functions.
“The new BlackBerry Curve 9320 is designed to make it incredibly easy for users to stay socially-connected,” said Carlo Chiarello, EVP, Smartphone Business at Research In Motion. “The new BlackBerry Curve 9320 will be especially popular with customers upgrading to a smartphone for the first time and existing Curve customers looking for a step up in speed and functionality.”
Taking advantage of the remaining strength of the BBM brand, the 9320 features a dedicated BBM key in a similar way to the Facebook button on HTC phones. Preloaded apps for Facebook and Twitter with added BBM functions show the social skills of the new smartphone and although much of this might seem like too little, too late for RIM, it’s targeting first time smartphone users and Curve fans, so the simplicity should be a a big win for consumers wanting a BlackBerry for simplicity but easy access to Facebook and Twitter. A dedicated Social Feeds 2.0 app helps too, though we’re still suspicious that it can offer anything easier or as simple as iOS 5.1 or Android 4.0.
RIM claim that the Curve 9320 will offer 7 hours talktime and 18 days standby time which, again, will be a bonus for first time smartphone users expecting the battery life of a basic phone.
T-Mobile will be ranging the BlackBerry 9320 – available free from £15.50 per month on a 24 month plan, or for £149.99 on pay as you go. More information to follow shortly at www.t-mobile.co.uk. A UK release date has been set at 14th May although RIM admit that some networks may sell earlier.
Hands-on with the phone itself, the new 7.1 OS felt fast and the integrated BBM functions for Twitter and Facebook also extend to radio and camera functions and it’s clear that BBM is being primed as the key USP for BlackBerry devices. The screen resolution looked fine for text but struggled with prolonged website viewing (see above), although build quality was good and the headphone socket has been shifted to a more familiar position.
“It’s a vast improvement over previous Curve iterations rather than completly ground breaking. In terms of the price point and market that we’re aiming at, it’s a pretty good all-rounder” said a RIM spokesperson.
BlackBerry App world now features 70,000 apps and RIM refused to be drawn on a exact release date for the BlackBerry 10 OS update but confirmed that it would arrive before the end of the year, featuring enhanced security and a host of new options.
| Height | 4.29 in / 109 mm |
|---|---|
| Width | 2.36 in / 60 mm |
| Depth | 0.5 in / 12.7 mm |
| Weight | 3.63 oz / 103 g |
