It’s a bit crazy seeing the BlackBerry Storm 2 9550 go down just like that.  When I think about it, I feel like it was too short lived of a device.  Then I remember last week where we saw Verizon BlackBerry Storm 2 OS 6 testing ceased.  Was making it an end of life device a decision after the testing failures or was it going down any way?

Second in line is the BlackBerry Curve 8530.  So what.   We have a Curve 9300 which is pretty much the same device as the 8530.  Everyone calls the Curve 9300 the 8500 series Curve with 3G.  Well guess what folks – the Curve 8530 did have 3G for those who forgot already.  Goodbye 8530!  Hit the jump to check out the full notes on the end of life devices and when their replacements are expected to launch.

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We got the word late last night from one of our readers Rob that MetroPCS is now locked and loaded for the BlackBerry Curve 8530.  Before we only saw the Curve 8330 hit the streets with Metro, but the device had already been well outdated by then.  Even though we have a BlackBerry Curve 9300 on its way, the Curve 8530 is still a good BlackBerry to have as it still rocks OS 5.0, has WiFi, and of course 3G.  After $50 mail-in rebate, you’ll be paying $229.99 for the device.  So how about the plan?  As you know, MetroPCS is a prepaid phone company so the BlackBerry is also.  For $60, you’ll get unlimited talk, text, and web.  Great deal or what?  You can order the device online, or head over to a local MetroPCS store near you as we’re told most stores are carrying them in stock and not all.

• Check out the MetroPCS BlackBerry Curve 8530 >>

-by Otoniel Bruno

When everyone thought that the BlackBerry Curve 8530 was at its prime and getting ready to vanish, RIM proved them all wrong.  It looks like the device is going to be around for awhile as new colored 85xx series keep launching.  Today TELUS has just announced the availability of the CDMA Curve 8530 in pink.  You can pick one up from TELUS for $49.99 on a 3 year contract, $249.99 for a 2 year contract, $299.99 for a 1 year, and $349.99 for no contract at all.

• Check out TELUS to read more or purchase the Pink BlackBerry Curve 8530 >>

-by Otoniel Bruno

Source: CrackBerry

Last week we gave you the word about Cricket putting out some prepaid BlackBerry smartphones soon, but we didn’t know which ones would take off exactly.  As we guessed, the BlackBerry Curve 8530 is confirmed according to BGR.  It will be launched officially August 2010 with a price of $349.99.  We don’t have any information on the month to month data rates yet, but I’m sure they’ll be popping up soon.

-by Otoniel Bruno

Source: BGR

This has to be the best news I’ve heard all day! I’m currently very unhappy with the current BlackBerry Curve 8530 with Verizon.  Currently, I am getting very poor battery life, while it sucks to see others who have 8520′s go on for over a day.  Adam over at CrackBerry has spotted that Verizon will be officially releasing an important big update for the 8530 bringing it to OS 5.0.0.508.  Some main features in this new OS will be:

• Simplified lock-key function
• Overall improvements to battery life
• Improved video streaming
• Improved Voice Activated Dialing function
• Message enhancements
• Bluetooth improvements

Stay tuned for more from Verizon as they get ready to unleash this official OS update.

-by Collin Sorp

Too many speculations have been made over the past few days, and we just wanted to give you folks the heads up that it’s true.  The baffling moment is now over, and we can now confirm to you all that yes, the BlackBerry Curve 8530 is being offered by Sprint in red color.  The date’s set to March 14, 2010, so if you’ve been waiting for a a color besides purple and black, here’s a new color to consider.  As per usual, the BlackBerry Curve 8530 is $49.99, even in red.

-by Mac Jadalhack

Source: Gizmofusion

It started off with the very affordable BlackBerry Curve 8520 spreading all over the world to endless carriers.  Months later, Verizon took the device and slapped 3G and GPS inside it calling it the 8530.  Now Telus has managed to get the device to offer its customers in some pretty intense colors as seen above.  Of course the BlackBerry Curve 8530 from Telus comes strings attached with either a 1-year contract for $299.99, a 2-year plan for $249.99 or 3-year contract for $49.99.

• More info on BlackBerry Curve 8530 at Telus>>

-by Otoniel Bruno

Source: CrackBerry

As the BlackBerry Curve 8530 is allegedly a basic model, it’s got some features that all the new and upcoming devices from RIM have.  One of which is the all new rubberized convenience and volume keys.  If you ask me, these rubberized keys look a lot sleeker than the cheap chrome buttons that wobble all over the place.  As Mac spent the past week using the device, I had to put some input of my own as I have an 8530 myself (was fortunate enough not to have it in purple).  The convenience keys don’t make loud noise or make it hard to press at all.  As seen in the picture, they are simple oval shaped wedges that pop out of the rubber all on the same surface.  The other side gets another convenience key as well.  This side seen shows two volume keys along with a convenience key underneath.

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Besides having push email, awesome apps, and sleek looks, the BlackBerry gains high popularity for its QWERTY keyboard.  Without even mentioning, we all know that there are SureType devices such as the 71xx and 81xx series.  Upcoming is the new Pearl 9100 which sounds pretty promising so far.  Back to the QWERTY, the BlackBerry Curve 8530 which we have been testing for well over a week does have a QWERTY keyboard (obviously).

We hate comparing the 8530 to higher ranked devices such as the Bold 9700, but there is a huge difference we see.  The keyboard is the same style as the other Curve 83xx and 8900 series as the keys are all spaced out more.  This one is more like the 83xx series where they are tougher plastic material and make a whole lot of sound when typing.  If you’re looking to get away with typing on your Berry in a very quite workplace, then don’t get the 8530.  For everyone else, you’ll be fine and won’t have much to say upgrading from other Curve series (except the 8900).

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Why not? Sure the BlackBerry is an emailing device but sure is entertainment.  From playing music and watching videos to buying and downloading games, the BlackBerry becomes universal for anything you desire.  So we had quite a gaming experience when it came to the BlackBerry Curve 8530.  As it wasn’t anything near th Storm 2 9550, the Curve 8530 still gets some credit.

So as a quick overview, some games we went through were The Dark Knight, GT Slots, GT Blackjack.  On a side note, GT Blackjack did work at first to the menu, then received an “uncaught exception error” and hasn’t been able to open since.  After deleting and reinstalling, the same instance happens.  We even reinstalled the OS as well where the problem still exists and did not even work on the first trial run.  As a fan of Blackjack, I was quite disappointed.

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