FIRST! This looks cool, even though I want an 8900.

Nice. I'm actually not mad at 5.0 software not being released until the fall. That gives Verizon plenty of time to get something stable in 4.7, and also time to have a solid 5.0 Storm build for us.

It also makes me feel good to know that 9630 and 8520 owners wont be steps ahead of us Storm owners in software. lol. Just bein honest...

I'm surprised that GPS is not supported for 8520 but otherwise that the specs are really good. I am still very curious about processor.

Well yeah the you cant really complain with the specifications of this thing but.....It just does not work for me..The look of it does not match up to either the curve of the bold. I also do not like the idea of a trackpad, I bet it wont be anywhere near as accurate...Thats just me though

I was actually thinking the trackpad would be more accurtate. think optical mouse vs. trackball. No GPS kinda sucks, but overall, I like it.

So if they are not planning on putting 5.0 on devices until the August timeframe that would lead me to believe the 9630 won't come out until at the very least August. CX has said a few times that it would be released on 5.0 and dev on 4.xx has ceased.

Are they serious about that display res? After launching the Bold and the Curve 8900 they decide to develop a really sweet Curve with a new Trackpad but c'mon, 320x240 resolution. That's like getting rid of my Blu-Ray player in favour of a really old dvd player that has a sweet remote control. LoL. Doesn't make any sense to me.

this phone is so nice! i love the rugged look of the phone and i think the TRACKPAD is a good idea!

Why didn't we get one of these for the Tour??? It would have saved a lot of forum space!

The only big thing about the 8520 is the track pad. Everything else seems like a downgrade from the 9000 Bold, 8900 Jav, and 9530 Storm. I was expecting some integration of the Bold and Jav in this one or better. I hope the 9630 is not as disappointing as this one. Sorry folks but I feel like this is not a big leap forward. If RIM keeps this up it wont look good for them after Samsung and Toshiba releases their power house phones.

No GPS???

Not getting this. With the curve, tour, storm, bold and pearl flip this seems redundant. Why not just update thier current querty line up with the optical track ball? Are they afraid it wont be well recieved?

They're looking for a replacement for the 83XX series, with a feature set geared toward a younger demographic. The fact is the old hardware sporting the 5.0.x.xxx os is like putting sugar on road kill and calling it a doughnut. So it makes fiscal since that the "company" would produce a more current entry level device. There is that audience folks and they need some love to. I've been using the Bold since the launch date and don't plan on changing anytime soon. I think this is a good device for someone just comming to the BlackBerry community. Much nicer than my 7100 series oh so long ago...

If this came out a year ago! Its like AT&T releasing the 8900 this summer? How can you get excited about that (Even though that makes more sense than this). In this industry timing is everything and RIM and these carriers are dropping the ball. RIM need to be willing to take more risks. Why not put the track pad or dedicated music buttons on the TOUR? I am beginning to agree with people that say all RIM phones look the same (except the Storm). RIM's advantage used to be they had multiple handsets to cater to different groups. I don't really see that and I'm hoping that the future brings new exciting handsets.

I agree it "seems" like a step backward but when you consider the less than adequate 3g coverage it makes sense to have a device geared toward EDGE service. I mean I have 3g in some spots some spots I don't in the rural areas none at all. So I can actually see the thought process to bringing the 8900 to their line up. It may have been the direction they should've initially taken and delayed the Bold release until network coverage could support the device not the other way around.

it's a Low Cost Blackberry !!!!

What is EDGE service?

So this is GSM only?

Why do you need a low cost blackberry when you have the 83xx,pearl and 8900 which have better specs and more features and can be gotten really cheap. I don't know how low cost you can go cos it is still a blackberry. Why would you recommend this device to anyone over the other curves? Unless it is under $50 or you just need to have a different phone I would think most people will pass. Don't forget about the pearl flip? I'm no expert but that "low cost" blackberry didn't exactly take off. Don' get me wrong, its a nice looking device. Just a little too late

I said it before, and I'll say it again...

This BB 8520 model is lined up for TMO USA's PrePaid service and/or ATT's Pay As You Go plan.

If they keep the price down on this, ($100?) I can easily see this selling really well. Just look at the current news of the Curve outselling the iPhone. I know it seems like a step backward from an 8900, Bold or Storm, but there's plenty of people out there that would like this/don't need GPS, etc - it's definitely a step up from 8300/8100 series. In this economy, price matters.

I agree this will be a pre-paid BB, which is awesome. I wouldn't start all the RIM bashing either. I think if you look at last years profits these guys know exactly what they are doing!

This would also fit as a free upgrade to existing customers. It wouldn't interest me but for someone holding onto a plain old phone or even a sidekick who is due for an upgrade this would be a good deal. Of course it would only be free if you also get a BB plan, so the vendor would be able to sell some premium services as well.

I understand this is a low-cost, entry-level Blackberry - that's all good. However, it should not be touted as any kind of replacement for the Curve, because it lacks 3G and lacks GPS - two of the things I use most on my Curve! This would be a giant step backwards for me, even tho it might be nice for a newbie who wants to save some $.

This would be great if they had decided to make it a poor man's Curve 8900. Add a flash and GPS to the 8520, sell it for $50 on contract and you've got a winner. And by $50 on contract, I'm referring to AT&T and T-Mobile, because we all know that it's still going to cost $200 on a 3-year contract with Rogers.

The ONLY good news: 256MB flash RAM
Worst news: 320x240 screen

This device would have been HOT in 2007, but what is RIM thinking? What carrier seriously would want this thing when there are already FAR better Curve models in EVERY carrier line-up? Seriously, this thing is TROUNCED are at least equaled by practically every 8310, 8320, 8330, 8350, and 8900 Curve out there, and in many cases by a SIGNIFICANT margin!

Think about people who haven't upgraded from 7xxx or 87xx. A more entry level BB (especially in this economy) may be just the thing they need. It IS an improvement over the 83xx. New OS (not available for 83xx), 256 ram, trackpad, wifi (if you didn't have the 8320). You lose the Flash and GPS (if you had the 8310). Kevin says it runs smoother even if it does have the 312 processor (which we don't know.) I still think Prepaid but only time will tell.

No gps? No flash on camera? I think ill wait until Sprint offers something along the lines of the curve specs but a little more powerful. all i need is skyfire and im set. Sprint curve has everything.....

this is a media phone. dedicated buttons for mp3 use. everyone is haggeling the specs but this is not meant to take the spotlight. just get more bb into more hands. especially teens and young professionals who use their phones for media purposes. revolutionary or not, its still a bb and someone will buy it.

Comming from a BB 8703e its a huge improvement.. the egde is almost as fast. still no gps but has a decent camera (don't care though as i am a photographer) the device runs faster and smoother. love the track pad compared to the scroll wheel or the track ball. Plus it was $28.00 with 2yr plan on t mobile... excelent phone for someone who wants music, and can read a map (google maps). excent phone for my uses.

I love it but it really sucks there's no flash! But get covers the first time its droped its broke so the rubber coating does nothing

I love it but it really sucks there's no flash! But get covers the first time its droped its broke so the rubber coating does nothing. Also it does something crazy with themes when u save them but not always they save in ur applications there just no were 2 b found

Hi everyone,

I am a new user of BB just 2 days back I purchased 8520 box piece.

the same night I tried to update the device software, I started getting the message as the device radio turned off. where as I have charged the phone for 4 hours and then inserted my sim.
can any one help me out with this issue.

all these years I was not in a favor of BB but wanted to try it and bought it and here My pain starts.

Since last two days I am falling in love with this device, if this problem is solved then nothing like it, if this is not solved then I will ban myself from BB.

One more funny thing happened yesterday I have installed few themes from mobile9 website after that this phone started hanging.....

Please help me out.

Chris K G