BlackBerry have just released the latest version of the popular BlackBerry curve series. The curve single handedly opened up BlackBerry phones to the teen market who found them useful for text messaging, email and social networking.

This was a new market for RIM who had previously sold mainly to business customers. The significant factor in the BlackBerry Curves success in the domestic and teen market was of course its price.

It is around half the price of the BlackBerry bold 9700 making it far more affordable both as a contract or pre paid phone.

So, it is a little surprising that the BlackBerry Curve 9300 crept onto the scene so quietly. I guess that is perhaps because there is not an awful lot to shout about! The BlackBerry Curve 3G 9300 is almost identical to the Curve 8520. It has the same case, and pretty well the same keyboard, bar some slight changes to the moulding on the outer keys.

But, the BIG difference with this phone is the addtion of 3G support. Give the market for the Curve, it is surprising that it was ever released with only GPRS Edge connectivity. That should never have been! It is painfully slow to use both social networking applications and the web browser.

So, the new Curve 3G 9300 should improve significantly the every day experience of its users. Furthermore it uses BlackBerry RIM’s latest operating system, OS6 which is a lot smoother, and again enhances the experience when using social apps.

The WiFi range has been extended through the use if WiFi N, another enhancement that will speed use of online applications.

So all in all, this is pretty much an 8520 revamped for internet / online usage. The power of that is not to be underestimated in this day and age, and certainly not with a younger market. Since going on sale a few weeks ago, the 9300 is already a top seller, and shows no sign of slowing down!