RIM offers BlackBerry Curve 9220, 9320 with free BBM for 1 year

Research in Motion (RIM) has a huge base in India with its BlackBerry smartphone. In a bid to expand it further, the Canadian smartphone manufacturer, as a part of a Diwali offer is giving one year of free BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) service with the purchase of a Curve 9220 or Curve 9320 on or before December 9, 2012.

As per the announcement, though this may seem like a deal that is worth getting, there are certain conditions one will need to keep in mind before taking the plunge. This offer is meant only for those who purchase BlackBerry Curve 9220 or Curve 9320 between November 9 and December 9, 2012. Only new subscribers to Airtel and Vodafone can get the best of this offer.

One year of free BBM with these two handsets

The Airtel subscribers will have to send a text message “BBM” to 543210 for activating the free BlackBerry Messenger service, while Vodafone subscribers will have their BlackBerry services automatically activated in 48 hours after the phone is started with the SIM loaded for the first time. So, if one is comfortable with these conditions, this a good time to jump on to the BlackBerry bandwagon as you will get a year’s worth of free BBM service.

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In April this year, RIM announced the launch of the BlackBerry Curve 9220, and this model is now thinner and sleeker than previous Curve handsets. The device comes with BlackBerry OS 7.1. The 9220 is also the first BlackBerry to come with FM Radio on board.

Here’s what the spec sheet for the BlackBerry 9220 looks like:

• 2.44-inch screen with a 320 x 240 pixel resolution
• 512MB of RAM, 512MB of ROM
• EDGE/GPRS, Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP, USB 2.0
• 2-megapixel rear camera
• Stereo FM radio with RDS
• Memory expandable up to 32GB via microSD card
• 3.5mm handsfree socket
• 1450mAh Lithuim-ion battery with up to 7 hours talk time (according to RIM)

In terms of looks, the new 9220 is 1.2mm thinner than the 8520. However, it’s important to note that it still comes with a screen resolution of 320 x 240 pixels, something that wasn’t really impressive way back when the 8520 was launched, and that could be a downer for some. The Curve 9220 comes with 512MB of RAM, four times as much on the 8520 and 512MB ROM, which is double that on the 8520 and comes pre-loaded with the premium version of Documents To Go. Also, the camera is the same as the older model – a fixed focus 2-megapixel camera. The 1450mAh battery for a 2.44-inch screen may just mean that this phone may trump your average Android smartphone in terms of battery life. The company also claims 28 hours of music playback. This handset is available in the market for around Rs 11,699.

When RIM launched the Curve 9320, they said that it has everything a customer needs to stay connected to the people and things that matter most to them. RIM stated that it features the best keyboard in its class for quick and easy typing and even includes a new, dedicated BBM key. It also includes a built-in FM radio, allowing one to tune in to their favourite local stations and listening to FM radio does not require a data plan or using of data services. Designed to allow both 3G connectivity and long battery life, customers can get up to seven hours of talktime or up to 30 hours of FM radio listening or music playback with headphones. This handset is available for Rs 15,500.

For more Diwali deals or related articles, please check out this this link.