RIM unveils 'affordable' BlackBerry Curve 8520

RIM describes the BlackBerry 8520 as an 'ideal first smartphone'

Research In Motion (RIM) has added a new model to its BlackBerry Curve line-up, introducing a touch-sensitive trackpad controller and dedicated media keys for music and video functions.

Set to be available from UK carriers in early to mid-August, the Curve 8520 is styled as an "entry-level BlackBerry without compromise", according to RIM, offering all the expected features at a price point that the firm hopes will appeal to a broader audience.

"More and more cell phone users are choosing to upgrade to a smartphone, and the new BlackBerry Curve 8520 will undoubtedly convince many more people in the UK to make the switch," said RIM vice president of product management Carlo Chiarello.

The Curve 8520 keeps the full Qwerty keypad of other models, but replaces the Pearl trackball with a new touch-sensitive optical trackpad designed to make navigation easier. It also features dedicated media keys along the top of the device to provide convenient access to music and video content.

RIM said that the Curve 8520 will enable business customers to broaden BlackBerry deployment to more employees beyond the traditional executive niche, while consumers will also find it an affordable first smartphone.

The new handset is quad-band for worldwide roaming, and has 802.11b/g Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support. However, it does not have built-in GPS for navigation, unlike the Curve 8900, nor does it have 3G network capability .

Other features include a 1150mAh removable battery providing a claimed talk time of up to 4.5 hours, a 2-megapixel camera, 256MB Flash memory and a microSD slot supporting Flash storage cards up to 16GB.

The Curve 8520 will also have built-in support for RIM's BlackBerry App World online application store.