T-Mobile makes the BlackBerry Curve 8900 QWERTY smartphone official

RIM BlackBerry Curve 8900

RIM BlackBerry Curve 8900

RIM BlackBerry Curve 8900

RIM BlackBerry Curve 8900

Today, T-Mobile announced U.S. availability of the BlackBerry Curve 8900 smartphone, Research In Motion's thinnest and lightest full-QWERTY BlackBerry to date. Weighing in at only 3.8 ounces, the 8900 packs quite a punch.

With quad-band GSM (850/900/1800/1900MHz) support, this advanced BlackBerry can travel with users around the world with nearly global connectivity. When out on the town, the built-in GPS supports location-based services and turn-by-turn directions. Comfortably at home, onboard WiFi connectivity provides high-speed data support.

The smartphone comes equipped with RIM's new, graphically enhanced BlackBerry OS, which should look sharp on the 8900's vivid 2.44-inch, 65k color display. The display pushes pixels at 480 x 360 resolution, the highest available on a candybar shaped, QWERTY-equipped BlackBerry. Those hi-res graphics should also load in a flash thanks to the 8900's 512MHz processor.

Photographers will appreciate the Curve 8900's 3.2 megapixel camera that features autofocus, flash, and video recording capability. Multimedia fanatics will dig the phone's 3.5mm stereo headphone support, microSD slot, and included 256MB memory card. Frugal customers won't have to worry knowing that the 8900 supports T-Mobile's popular UMA^(INFO)-based Unlimited HotSpot Calling Add-On Plan as well as the T-Mobile myFaves service.

The BlackBerry Curve 8900 will be available in T-Mobile retail stores, select retailers, and on the company's website starting on February 11 for $199.99 with a two year contract and data plan.