The Sprint compatible version of the popular Blackberry Curve was released for online sales today (in store sales happen later this month). This is the third version of a Blackberry Curve to become available in the US this month (Verizon and Alltel earlier released similar models). The Curve is popular because it features the regular Blackberry keyboard (as opposed to the Pearl which requires tapping out letters on a mini-keyboard and the 8830 which tightly spaces keys), offers a decent 2mp camera that takes videos as well as integrated GPS. If you’re thinking of ordering, strongly consider the Sprint Simply Unlimited Plans (which start at $69 for 450 monthly minutes and are only $99 for unlimited everything). On the surface the plan seems expensive until you realize that it includes the Blackberry Internet Service data plan free (BES service is $20/mo extra) plus unlimited text messaging (the Curve doesn’t yet do MMS – though Sprint has promised it will eventually). After you buy, visit Blackberryforums.com to communicate with other Crackberry addicts. PS - Yes, you do need to buy a Blackberry data plan in order for the device to operate fully.

Link: Sprint Blackberry 8330 Online – $ 179 after $100 Rebate and 2 Year Contract