‘BlackBerry Curve’ Handset from AT&T introduced by RIM

AT&T together with Research In Motion (RIM) have announced the introduction of the BlackBerry Curve, which happens to be the smallest and lightest full QWERTY BlackBerry handset till date. This new phone will be available from May 31, 2007 onwards through AT&T in North America.

Measuring 4.2” x 2.4” x 0.6” and weighing around 3.9 oz, the BlackBerry Curve handset builds on the proven and popular BlackBerry experience by offering innovative features and enhanced multimedia capabilities.

The BlackBerry Curve handset has a liquid silver finish with chrome highlights, smooth edges and soft curves.

The BlackBerry Curve phone features a 2 mega pixel camera with zoom. It also features a spell-checker for email users and a fast Internet browser as part of the phone’s email and messaging capabilities.

The BlackBerry Curve phone also features a comprehensive organizer, an enhanced media player, a new desktop media manager as well as a microSD expandable memory slot. The handset also features RIM’s intuitive trackball navigation system.

The BlackBerry Curve from AT&T includes AT&T Music subscription services, TeleNav Maps and integrated Push to Talk (PTT) for enhanced communications.

The features of the new BlackBerry Curve handset from AT&T:
# A large, ultrabright 320-by-240 display that supports more than 65,000 colors, complete with light-sensing technology that automatically adjusts backlighting for indoor, outdoor and dark environments.
# Premium phone features, including noise-cancellation technology to offset background noise, Speaker Independent Voice Recognition (SIVR) for Voice Activated Dialing (VAD), dedicated Send, End, and Mute keys, low-distortion speakerphone, and Bluetooth (2.0) support for hands-free use with headsets, car kits and Bluetooth peripherals.
# AT&T Push to Talk (PTT), running on the largest PTT network in the U.S, so customers can use the service to stay connected with individual colleagues, friends or family or to set up groups for broader communication.
# A 2 megapixel camera with 5x digital zoom, built-in flash, self-portrait mirror and a full screen viewfinder. The camera can capture images in up to three picture quality and size resolutions that can be quickly shared by e-mail, MMS, BlackBerry Messenger or Bluetooth. Photos can also be set as a unique caller ID or home screen image.
# A powerful new media manager application, which is included a part of the BlackBerry Desktop software. The Roxio Media Manager for BlackBerry, which was developed with Sonic and based on the award-winning Roxio Easy Media Creator 9, introduces a new level of simplicity, allowing users to easily search for media files on their computer, view and organize them; create MP3 music files from CDs; add audio tags; create playlists; and automatically copy or convert pictures, music and videos for optimal playback on the BlackBerry Curve.
# A 3.5 mm stereo headset jack, support for Bluetooth stereo audio profile (A2DP/AVRCP) and dedicated volume controls.
# AT&T Music, an integrated, on-the-go music experience that delivers “your music, your way” by providing simple access to a robust collection of music content, including access to online subscription music content from eMusic, XM Satellite Radio and more.
# TeleNav Maps, a free mapping application that can help users find addresses and provide step-by-step directions with the ability to upgrade to TeleNav GPS Navigator™. TeleNav GPS Navigator can be used with a Bluetooth-enabled GPS accessory to provide audible turn-by-turn driving directions, local points of interest or the latest traffic information - all for a low monthly subscription
# Support for polyphonic, MP3 and MIDI ringtones.
# BlackBerry Internet Service support that allows access to up to 10 personal and corporate e-mail accounts, including most popular ISP e-mail accounts.
# BlackBerry Enterprise Server support for enterprise deployments, integrating with IBM Lotus Domino, Microsoft Exchange and Novell GroupWise environments and features a new set of IT policy controls for managing the handset’s features and usage.
# A variety of in-the-box accessories, including stereo headset, travel charger and USB cable. Additional accessories
for BlackBerry handsets, including premium leather holsters and totes, an automotive charger, and Bluetooth headsets are available online and through retail outlets.

The BlackBerry Curve handset will be available for a price of $199, which is a very attractive price that includes a two-year contract and mail-in rebate beginning May 31 in AT&T retail stores