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The BlackBerry Curve family continues to grow and the latest addition to the lineage is the BlackBerry Curve 8520. This new device is specifically designed to target the lower market segment and is priced at a very competitive £80. Here’s what we think of the latest BlackBerry device.

Upside

As a replacement for the familiar trackball technology, RIM has equipped the Curve 8520 with a new track pad. Its responsiveness is almost as good as the trackball, while also being much more durable. This is definitely something to expect in future BlackBerry handsets. The QWERTY keyboard remains impervious and continues to be one of the strongest points of all BlackBerry models. The keyboard on the Curve 8520 is excellent as well and it can be used for the myriad of social networking apps installed on the device.

RIM seems to have upped the multimedia functions on the BlackBerry Curve 8520, particularly in the music department. The device is equipped with dedicated music keys as well as a 3.5 mm ear jack that is compatible with any type of standard headset.

Downside

As with other BlackBerry Curve models in the past, the 8520 too lacks the essential 3G support that’s present in almost all of the Smartphones in the market today. Its camera is also unimpressive at only 2 Megapixels, and it doesn’t have a built-in flash either. The GPS receiver is also a notable absence on the Curve 8520.

The verdict is that RIM was able to accomplish its goal in producing an entry level device that still has most of the famed BlackBerry features. The only thing you’re probably going to miss is 3G connectivity, but other than that, the Blackberry Curve 8520 can pass of as a more than decent Smartphone.

Blackberry Curve 8520 Links:

• Blackberry Curve 8520 Contracts
• Blackberry Curve 8520 on T-Mobile
• Blackberry Curve 8520 on Vodafone

We like nothing more than a few lazy stereotypes here (lazy, fat, bearded, sweaty bloggers that we are), so that’s just what we’re going to throw your way today.

Fat lazy stereotype # 1 – Everyone who uses pay-as-you-go phones is poor, young and annoying. Like to sit at the back of the bus, somehow simultaneously chewing gum and making out with equally spotty friends while simultaneously texting while simultaneously shouting abuse at someone from your school out of the bus window? Then clearly you are a pay-as-you-goer.

Overweight bearded stereotype # 2 – Everyone who uses a Blackberry is a despicable, soulless, work hungry capitalist pig. Wear a suit to work every day? Have high blood pressure? Cheat on your wife with a secretary or two? Played your part in bringing the country and the world to its knees by playing with our money? Then you are one of those ‘This message was sent via a Blackberry device’ chumps who are destroying the world around us.

Admit it: you agree.

But now, thanks to the Blackberry Curve 8520, these two stereotypes are going to be brought crashing together in some kind of weird implosion that’s either going to be utterly terrible, or utterly good. Because the Blackberry Curve 8520 is the first Blackberry that’s going to be in anyway affordable for those of you who like to pay as you go about your greasy-faced business.

See this Blackberry 8520 review, or have a look at these Blackberry 8520 deals for more reasons as to exactly why this is going to happen. But trust us: something strange is about to happen.