The BlackBerry Curve 8530 Smartphone is now available from Verizon Wireless. The device is available in both Black and Smoky Violet, and will run you $99.99 with a new 2-year contract (and online discount). The latest CDMA device supports Wifi, has a 2.0 MP camera, music player, bluetooth capability and more. You an also grab the Curve 8530 as part of Verizon's BOGO promo and pick up another 8530 (or select other devices) free. Head over to verizonwireless.com to check it out, or swing by your local Verizon retailer.

• More information on the BlackBerry Curve 8530>> 
• Check out our 8530 features: 8530 Review | 8530 Image Gallery | 8530 Unboxing | 8530 features and Specifications

Ever since I had a chance to play with the Curve 8520, I have held a special place in my BlackBerry heart for the revamped 85xx series devices. It flashes me back to the days of my 8830 and being a new BlackBerry user. I think the Curve 8530 would have been a much better starting point, and is definitely a great choice for those entering the BlackBerry world for the first time. The smooth design and lightweight build make the device one that just feels good. Its easy to hold, has great trackpad navigation and sports the familiar Curve keyboard. The addition of the dedicated media buttons along the top of the device are an added bonus as well. So lets jump in and find out why the Curve 8530 is not a step back like some may think, and rather a great "starter" device for new BlackBerry users and "dumbphone" converts.

While trying to crank out the Curve 8530 review, it was kind enough to take a few minutes and pose solo and with some friends. Not much new to show off, but I tried to catch the best angles so you get the idea of how sleek the device really is. Hit the jump for some shots from all sides, as well as a few side-by-side with some Verizon buddies both old and new.

Here is a quick look at the new BlackBerry Curve 8530 from Verizon Wireless. In the box you'll find the device, wall charger, USB cable and headset. This is a reveiw unit so it most likely isn't what the retail box will look like (they will have a sleeve with artwork etc) so don't worry about the looks too much. Take a look at the video for a quick unboxing, and then jump into the Curve 8530 Features and Specifications, Curve 8530 Image Gallery or the Curve 8530 Review.

Full Features and Specs List for the BlackBerry Curve 8530

ColorWare dropped us an email last night (sorry for getting this up so slow) letting us know about the availability of "Parts Only" ordering for the BlackBerry Curve 8900. This is a great service for those not wanting to have to send in their device to ColorWare and be without a BlackBerry until the order has been fufilled. Prices are still a little up there for some users, starting at $159 for the parts only option but for those who want true customization ColorWare is the way to go. Now the real question remains, when can we expect BlackBerry Storm2 and 9700 parts? ;)

• Head On Over To Colorware To Get Started On Your Order Today >>

We've seen that Verizon is planning on pushing the BlackBerry Curve 8530 out the door on November 20th according to the press release they put out a little while back now. The pricing for the BlackBerry Curve 8530 will be set at $99 after the $100 MIR and the above picture highlights some of the devices best features.

We've had the chance to go hands on with the BlackBerry Curve 8530 already in our review so be sure to give that a look before you decide on picking up the second BlackBerry device on Verizon to have WiFi. As an entry level device the BlackBerry Curve 8530 is a great introduction to the BlackBerry world and with Verizon offering it with 3G speeds it's even more solid then that of it's GSM version brother, the BlackBerry Curve 8520.

• Read The BlackBerry Curve 8530 Review>> 
• Shop For Accessories For The 8520 / 8530>>
• Applications And Themes For The BlackBerry Curve 8520 /8530>>

my battery life after exactly 24 hours of pretty active use - frak'n awesome!

So How About That Battery Life on the BlackBerry Bold 9700? I've been a broken record the past couple of days - everytime I run into a person with the new BlackBerry Bold 9700 (which happens frequently at BlackBerry Developer Conference) that's the question that comes from my mouth. I don't know exactly what RIM did to the BlackBery Bold 9700, but the battery life is freak'n amazing. Maybe they did some hocus pocus and waved their magic wands over it in the dev labs. Or maybe they stuck some moon isotopes under the battery cover. Or maybe they re-wrote and optimized the radio stack for the device (ding ding ding), but whatever they did, it worked. One of RIM's priorities has always been long battery life, but over the past couple of years as RIM has crammed more features into the device, it has taken its toll slightly on the lonnnnnng battery life old school BlackBerry users were used to (keep in mind poor battery life for a BlackBerry typically is still way better than the competition). The Bold 9700 changes that though - it reminds me of my old 7290. An easy 2 days baby!

Seriously. The screen capture above shows my Rogers BlackBerry Bold 9700 after exactly 24 hours of pretty steady use (roaming on AT&T). As you can see, this morning when I rolled out of bed I still had over half the juice left in the tank. With my original BlackBerry Bold 9000, I would have been down to yellow bars by 3pm yesterday and swapping in a spare battery by 4:30pm. Bla1ze has also been experiencing the same sort of awe-insipiring battery life on his Rogers Bold 9700. Speaking to other 9700 owners I've bumped into, I'm not sure that the T-Mobile 9700's life (running on T-Mo network) is quite as good as the AT&T/Rogers versions (still reallly solid though), but even our pal Ronen at BerryReview is getting the same sort of life out of his T-Mo 9700 that he used to get from his Bold 9000 that was tied to a Case-Mate Fuel Case. It's impressive.

I think my non-stop talking about my 9700's battery life is driving everybody in the press room here at the BlackBerry Developer Conference a bit nuts, so hopefully now that this post is up and out there for all to read I'll finally STFU. But good job RIM. WICKED device. :)

If you've been wanting to see how the BlackBerry Bold 9700 stacks up against its BlackBerry brothers and sisters (you can fight in the comments to which is which! lol) then you'll want to check out this one-take, no excuses video. I size up the BlackBerry Bold 9700 and from there we compare it to the BlackBerry Bold 9000, Curve 8900, Tour, Curve 8520, Pearl Flip, Storm2 and more...

The BlackBerry Bold 9700 really is an amazing little device. Components-wise, it represents the best of everything Research in Motion currently offers in a smartphone, and it packs it all into an extremly tight and lightweight package. The ultimate communication tool!

Another new BlackBerry hits the market, and another new BlackBerry unboxing video hits the blogs. That's the way it goes. It's a ritual. With the BlackBerry Bold 9700 now starting to roll out around the world, it's time we officially unbox this baby. Just to spice things up in true CrackBerry fashion, in this video I actually unbox not one, but two brand new units; one from T-Mobile and the other purchased straight from a Rogers dealer. 

As you can see in the video, things were going relatively smooth for me until it came time to remove the battery door. I'm not sure what the heck was going on at first, but with both devices this normally simple task turned into a bit of a nightmare (I literally cut out five minutes of cursing from the video). Tight tolerances for sure. Eventually I got the hang of it (check out this video tip) and the movement freed up a bit. At least I don't think we'll be hearing any complaints of loose battery doors anytime soon.

It's not the best nor most informative nor most engaging unboxing video out there, but if you've been waiting for the BlackBerry Bold 9700 to get released or are contemplating picking one up, then you'll definitely want to watch.

Today we celebrate the launch of the BlackBerry Storm2. So in true CrackBerry fashion, it's only right that we give you a glimpse of another upcoming BlackBerry Smartphone...

The BlackBerry Tour2, codenamed BlackBerry "essex" in its pre-release development, is essentially the BlackBerry Tour with two major updates: WiFi and the optical trackpad. Arguably these should have been included back on the original BlackBerry Tour, but we think simply due to the timing lacked both (Tour was finalized for production before trackpad was slated to get introduced, and before VZW went from not wanting WiFi to wanting it). The BlackBerry Tour2 (device model 9650 I would logically assume) packs both of these into the Tour's standard form factor and hardware. All other specs/features between the two devices appear to be identical at first look, with the exception that the green call key is now flipped -- as we've seen with other new devices -- and the bottom row of keys on the keyboard are slightly less tall, more akin to the Bold 9700. The hardware in this video is the Sprint version, but obviously there will be a Verizon version too with a slightly different look.

We originally were told the release date for the BlackBerry Tour2 would be sometime in late January/February of 2010, but are now hearing production of these is ramping up literally as you read this. I think both RIM and Verizon would like to get the BlackBerry Tour2 into retail channels in time for the holidays and to get it on Verizon's latest BOGO offering before it comes to an end. Keep your fingers crossed. You might not see it until the new year, but what a present it would be if it was here for Christmas!

• Discuss this in our BlackBerry essex forum >>

The Perfect Storm is here.....

Verizon's BlackBerry Storm2 Commercial. Get it while it's HOT! Buy 1, Get 1 Free! :)

• Read CrackBerry's BlackBerry Storm2 Review >>
• Buy BlackBerry Storm2 Accessories >>
• Get BlackBerry Storm2 Apps & Games >>
• Visit the BlackBerry Storm2 Forum for Member Reviews, Reactions & More! >>

Hands on Initial Review of the Verizon BlackBerry Curve2 8530!

While on a recent trip I had a chance to spend some solid hands-on time with the Verizon BlackBerry Curve2 8530. I must admit to being a little surprised when I first received the Verizon BlackBerry Curve2. Firstly the name. The box actually labeled the device as the "Curve 2" and not the Curve 8530 (and that seemed to be the name others kept referring to the device as). I'm pretty sure Curve space 2 is not what the device will launch as though, but am guessing internally that has been the Verizon lingo for it in months past and some of that habit carried through as they get ready to launch (especially with talk of the Storm2. Secondly, the fact that the Curve 8530 now has Wi-Fi - which the first pre-production "aries" units did not (see first photos). We had heard all future Verizon BlackBerry devices wre mandated to have WiFi, so I guess that's holding true. And third, the fact that it isn't six months or more behind the GSM carriers, which historically has been the case. Just a few weeks ago we posted photos showing the Curve 8530 SKU already in Verizon's Inventory system. It's nice to see the CDMA folks are going to get the new Curve love in short order. It's not quite my usual pre-release green table review, but keep reading for a better look at the new Curve from Verizon!

Can't wait for AT&T to release their BlackBerry Bold 9700? Then check out this official AT&T unboxing and walk through video of the BlackBerry Bold 9700 Smartphone. It's a sold overview and review of this next generation BlackBerry Bold. The BlackBerry Bold 9700 will be available in the coming weeks for $199 (pay $299 and send in a $100 mail-in rebate). You can check out the Bold 9700 on AT&T's website for more info.

• Talk about this video in the CrackBerry Forums >>

All right, we all know the BlackBerry Curve 8520 has some less then desirable specifications when compared to other devices that are currently and soon to be available. Granted, I have spoken before about the BlackBerry Curve 8520 having similarities to the BlackBerry Curve 8900 in its processor and memory allocation, and I even compared it to the BlackBerry Bold. While the BlackBerry Curve 8520 may not mean much to most folks, one thing I noticed recently is that the 8520 is making a big splash in the global market. So, while it may not have fully taken off here in the US and Canada, the writing is on the wall that the BlackBerry Curve 8520 is still quite a popular and money making device for Research In Motion and indeed does serve a purpose.

If anyone has looked at the RIM press release website recently, the statements I'm making here should be quite clear. Serbia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Russia are all among the global markets wherein RIM has launched the BlackBerry Curve 8520 and these are just examples. The RIM press release page is mainly covered by other areas around the globe, and RIM is meeting demand for a cost effective BlackBerry across the board. How this will impact RIM's financial earnings remains to be seen, but clearly the BlackBerry Curve 8520 is a hit and that bodes well for BlackBerry users everywhere.