BlackBerry Curve 8520 announced, with new optical trackpad

Posted by Katherine Hannaford on Mon 27 Jul 2009

Soon everyone will be carrying a BlackBerry, with the new Curve 8520 appealing to first time smartphone buyers

RIM has announced its most accessible BlackBerry yet, the Curve 8520. Similar in size and shape to previous Curve models, the 8520 has the addition of three new multimedia buttons on the top of the device, allowing for quick and easy control of music playback.

It's not just the multimedia which has been jazzed up by the Canadian company, with the trackpad also redesigned for fast scrolling though web pages, emails and documents. Instead of a little "nipple" trackball, the new trackpad uses optical technology (like many modern computer mice do), allowing for "an experience similar to the trackpad on a laptop" according to RIM. Pressing the button will perform the same function as pressing on the previous trackball, confirming a task or function.

Battery life is listed as 4.5 hours of talk time and 17 days of standby time, but obviously if you're using the internet (GPRS) you'll guzzle through the battery minutes.

A microSD card slot will allow for expandable memory, perfect for storing photos and videos shot with the 2.0-megapixel camera and 5x zoom. The display is the usual 320 x 240 TFT LCD, and with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and 3.5mm headphone jack, it's a quality device from RIM at a far-cheaper price.

Prices haven't been confirmed as yet, however reports are suggesting it will be available from £25 a month, on most of the major UK networks. One firmly aimed at the entry-level mass market, and we're sure it will do RIM proud - the redesigned trackpad alone convinces us, whilst the three multimedia buttons on the top of the handset make us pine for an updated Bold with these new keys. With BlackBerry Curve sales rising, the 8520 will be a welcome addition to the RIM family.

Link: BlackBerry

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