BlackBerry Curve now available on Verizon

Verizon said we'd be getting the BlackBerry Curve 8330 in May, and it looks like the company is right on schedule: RIM's latest is now available with a two-year contract for $219 and a $50 rebate. Specs are exactly the same as we've known forever, which means there's no WiFi, but that's not going to stop any of you, now is it?

P.S.- Sorry, Sprint subscribers, we still don't know when you're getting this one, apart from "mid-May."

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

[Patrick @ May 6th 2008 4:50PM]

luckyyy! what's the cheapest monthly plan for this including data?

[Ross @ May 6th 2008 4:54PM]

I called verizon today and they said you couldnt order it til friday but i got mine ordered and overnighted to me, they said i will be available on friday... they also said that it was put up by accident over the weekend... so it could be up there again and then just taken off again

[Deane @ May 6th 2008 4:57PM]

Actually, no WiFi does stop me. If they want my money, they are going to have to deliver the total package, including WiFi.

[Dustin @ May 6th 2008 9:38PM]

The T-Mobile curve not only has wi-fi, it supports UMA - seamless calls over wifi/gsm

[Sean @ May 6th 2008 4:59PM]

agreed

[Mike @ May 6th 2008 5:05PM]

For a BB newb, any particular reason Verizon hates Wi-Fi?

[Ari @ May 6th 2008 5:19PM]

Because they want you using the EVDO for data and calling, not WIFI for data and VOIP for calling over the WIFI.

[paul @ May 6th 2008 5:38PM]

So they can ass-rape you w/ charges.

[vdogg89 @ May 6th 2008 5:07PM]

omg verizon Blooows

[Jonathan Keim @ May 6th 2008 5:14PM]

My dad's going to be upset when he sees this... he just got the pearl because he needed a camera, even though he wanted the larger screen

[LilTmac2003 @ May 6th 2008 5:19PM]

Too bad I already left Verizon.

[HalfJoey @ May 6th 2008 5:22PM]

Its a shame, if this had Wi-Fi it could have been my next phone.

Verizon dislikes wi-fi because it draws attention and dollars away from their data plans, right?

[Andy @ May 6th 2008 5:35PM]

Post says $50 rebate. Picture shows $100 discount?

[VZWguy @ May 6th 2008 5:40PM]

there is no reason verizon hates wifi, they have 2 wifi phones out, and have had them for some time.

however, for the uninformed, including engadget mobile obviously, RIM makes the choice for the most part. you want a GSM NEW curve?
wifi...no GPS
want a new CDMA curve?
GPS no Wifi

personally I would prefer GPS over Wifi. If I am going to sit down and find a Wifi spot, I will break out my laptop. then again I'm not a broke ass loser.

[Graham @ May 6th 2008 8:21PM]

You realize that AT&T sells a GSM new curve with GPS and no Wifi, right? As well as the 8820 with both Wifi and GPS? Personally I'd rather just have both, but that doesn't seem to be an option on Verizon's version of the 8820, or on their other Wifi phones.

[xman @ May 6th 2008 10:33PM]

you have no clue........LOL
first off its the carriers that tell Rimm what options they want. Rimm could do either.
secondly, they haver bb phones with both gps and wifi so get your facts straight it is possible and they phones are already out.
calling someone a loser?? i would kill that noise if i were you especially since you proved not to know what you are talking about.
and lastly if you feel you like getting raped, stay with verizon. they always cripple their phones. i know people with the pearl 2 and the gps doesn't work without the verizon paid service. wtf? i already know bluetooth has been historically crippled and can only be used with headset not to transfer data. given they don't have the best phones, price, and cripple what decent phones they do have, i would never use them.

[hwoarang27 @ May 6th 2008 6:01PM]

What's going to stop me is that the phone has been out for almost a year already. *yawn.
Also, it doesnt help that they STILL charge $45 for internet on majority of their PDA's. FU! Verizon im leaving.

My next phone is going to be LG Viewty with ATT.
Verizon may offer a CDMA version in 2015 if ur lucky.

[phanbouy @ May 6th 2008 6:07PM]

wow. so yeah. why is this thing called the Curve?

i wonder if it has to do with genitalia somehow. with Verizon involved i wouldn't be surprised

[lorna @ May 6th 2008 6:11PM]

I DON'T CARE I'm a Verizon lover because they gave me the best signal ever wherever i was BUT having my monthly BILL cost 100 which is lowest for PDA and messaging plan.IM going to SPRINT!

[phanbouy @ May 6th 2008 6:13PM]

make sure to have a cool down after sprinting

[Anonymoose @ May 6th 2008 6:21PM]

*Iorna in the year 2000 after switching to Sprint*

I DON'T CARE I'm a SPRINT lover because they gave me the best plan ever wherever i was BUT having my monthly BILL have strange charges and having to yell at CUSTOMER SERVICE reps WHO don'T KnOW WHat THEY ArE DOING.IM going to VERIZON!

and the cycle continues

[phanbouy @ May 6th 2008 6:24PM]

rofl ya i said that in 2000 LOL. i mean im using nextel and duud like wtf its so LAME and shit.

[Trent @ May 6th 2008 6:21PM]

I am with Verizon and like their quality of service/reception.

BUT...

This phone is old news plus it has a crappy keyboard IMO. You can get it cheaper at Cingular for $69.99.

I can upgrade my phone in Aug and will see what Verizon has to offer then. That is 2 months later that the 3G iPhone will have been out...price drop???

Hmmm decisions...

[Jason @ May 7th 2008 12:06AM]

Wow, I really didn't think that the Curve could be made to look ugly... Congratulations for proving me wrong, Verizon!

[CF @ May 7th 2008 3:12AM]

I see Blackberry's R&D team have come up with some new colored icons...

These guys are clearly innovating themselves off the charts...

[Eric Henningson @ May 7th 2008 5:41AM]

just bought it. it will be at my house by 3pm tomorrow (nice work verizon), but u still suck for crippling your devices. What ever happened to customer satisfaction?

[jbhyde @ May 7th 2008 9:59AM]

I just tried to order and the "online discount" does not apply to existing customers.
you can get the "every 2 year" discount if eligeable.

[new8330ontheway @ May 7th 2008 10:55AM]

Just got the new curve for 69.99. Customer service rep got me my new every two discount (online rebate if you're a new customer is the same) plus an early device order rebate which was another 100 dollars and the 50 dollar rebate. All in all, it's 76 dollars with tax and is coming tomorrow (ordered last night after 5 so couldn't get overnight shipping). Now I just need to find a case that is made for the 8330 and not the 8300/10/20.
any suggestions?

[Trae @ May 7th 2008 11:48AM]

I contacted Sprint last week and they told me June 1st is their release date.

Thank you for contacting Sprint. I understand you wish to know the
launching date of Blackberry Curve 8330.

I would like to inform you that we are going to launch Blackberry Curve
8330 on June 01, 2008.

It has been my pleasure to correspond with you today. Sprint values your
business and always looks forward to the opportunity to provide you with
excellent service now and in the future.

Thank you for contacting Sprint and have a great day!

Sincerely,
Glen S.
Sprint

[Jonathan @ May 7th 2008 5:47PM]

My VZW rep said that the data will not work outside the US (still checking on Canada). Has anyone else heard this to be true? It takes away significantly from the value if so.

[jason fate @ May 7th 2008 7:24PM]

the sprint blackberry curve will be released tomorrow, may 8th. but congrats to all you lucky verizon customers!

[Phil @ May 7th 2008 8:16PM]

Verizon dislikes GPS as well....Why?
They are Verizon lol

[George M. @ May 9th 2008 7:55PM]

As a current Verizon customer, I got the phone for $239.00 w/tax included and a spare Travel Charger out the door. I also got the coupon for the $50 rebate.

[PWTREE @ May 11th 2008 1:20AM]

Bought mine online on the 6th for $219. Went into a store tonight and they are including a $50 mail-in rebate. So, I got screwed. As near as I can tell, most of the Bluetooth services such as Bluetooth Imaging and File Transfer are NOT SUPPORTED!!!

[PWTREE @ May 11th 2008 1:22AM]

I think it works, but you get charged a per unit fee.

[Scott @ May 12th 2008 6:44PM]

Just ordered mine to replace my old 7350. The online price for my New Every Two plan was$149.99 (249.00-100.00 Advanced Device Credit) and then you also get a $50.00 mail in rebate.

My base package is the $39.99 and the Unlimited Email and Web package for Blackberry is now $29.99 (was $40.00 on my other phone). My total monthly package dropped $10.00.

So much talk about WiFi. If I'm in a WiFi zone, you can bet I'm on my laptop instead of the BB. 3G is plenty fast and Verizon is the ONLY provider that I get service from at my home and many other places I travel on business.

[Scott @ May 13th 2008 10:26AM]

The 8330 should be here by the end of business today. I really good Verizon experience so far.

I just wanted to add (after looking over some of the comments) that if you are ordering on line, use the Live Chat. I got my $149.00 plus the $50.00 mail in rebate on line as an existing customer. It did not show up that way just adding the phone to my cart. I opened a discussion with the rep in the chat window and explained what I was looking for and what the best bottom line price would be. She came back with the $149.00 offer plus the $50.00 mail in rebate. $99.00 made my decision pretty easy. Free overnight shipping sealed the deal.

I spent some time away from Verizon. First I used Nextel. Then the dealing shifted to Sprint. My level of satisfaction (coverage and customer service) with the Nextel/Sprint was subpar to downright deplorable. Before and now in my second run with Verizon, its all aces.

[justin @ May 14th 2008 8:03AM]

I think the bottom line is if you are just a kid looking to chat with friends and keep in touch, Verizon is probably not the company for you. They rape you in price and screw you in options. On the other hand, if you are a business user and your phone is critical to your day-to-day operations, than you have no choice but to pay high prices and get Verizon. They're coverage far surpasses anyone elses.

For me a dropped call costs a lot more than paying $30/month for email and web browsing.