Verizon Wireless Announces Budget Friendly BlackBerry Curve 8530

Verizon Wireless this morning announced the BlackBerry Curve 8530, a 3G-enabled cousin of T-Mobile uber budget Curve 8520.

The device offers what you’d expect from a BlackBerry Curve: Killer e-mail and messaging support and an excellent keyboard, but lacks a bit in comparison to the more expensive BlackBerry Tour.

While it has goodies like 802.11b/g Wi-Fi, multi-media controls on the top of the phone,  it has a lesser 2MP camera that lacks flash and auto-focus (instead of a 3.2MP one, with flash and autofocus). Update: The 8530 also supports GPS.

If you hate the trackball, you’ll be pleased to know that the Curve 8530 offers RIM’s new trackpad technology, a feature also found on the original Curve 8520 and Bold 9700.

But if you’re looking to get into the BBM craze with all of your friends on a BlackBerry with a fresher OS than the previous Curve, than the Curve 8530 could be right up your alley. Our honest opinion: you may just want to save up your cash and go with the Tour, or check out the Droid Eris for a taste of Android.