Photos: BlackBerry Curve 3G unveiled by RIM

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BlackBerry 9300 smartphone gets HSPA boost and is OS 6 ready...

BlackBerry-maker RIM has unveiled an update to its Curve smartphone, bringing 3G connectivity to the handset series that started life back in 2007.

The update enables faster web browsing and will improve the performance of applications such as music streaming and RIM's BlackBerry Messenger instant messaging service, the company said.

The HSDPA-enabled BlackBerry Curve, also called the BlackBerry 9300 handset, pictured above, also comes with built in wi-fi, GPS and Bluetooth.

Published: August 11, 2010 -- 13:50 GMT (06:50 PDT)
Photo by: RIM

Caption by: Natasha Lomas
The Curve 3G ships with the BlackBerry 5 operating system but is "ready" for BlackBerry 6, according to RIM - the latest iteration of its OS which includes a refreshed UI, an all-new WebKit browser, social networking integration and better support for touchscreen navigation.

The BlackBerry 9300 is not a touchscreen device, however, so Curve users won't be able to take advantage of RIM's new pinch-to-zoom and double-tap web browsing features when they update to BlackBerry 6.

RIM said BlackBerry 6 is expected to be available for Curve 3G users in the "coming months".

Published: August 11, 2010 -- 13:50 GMT (06:50 PDT)
Photo by: RIM

Caption by: Natasha Lomas
The BlackBerry 9300 smartphone also has a two-megapixel camera, and comes with a microSD/SDHC slot that supports up to 32GB memory cards for media storage.

Published: August 11, 2010 -- 13:50 GMT (06:50 PDT)
Photo by: RIM

Caption by: Natasha Lomas
The Curve 3G has a transmissive TFT LCD display with a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels up top, coupled with a full physical Qwerty keyboard. Browsing is conducted via the optical nav-pad sited just below the screen.

The Curve 3G is intended as a device for first-time smartphone users and will be available from various operators around the world from this month, according to RIM.

Published: August 11, 2010 -- 13:50 GMT (06:50 PDT)
Photo by: RIM

Caption by: Natasha Lomas