Research In Motion launched the new addition to the popular BlackBerry Curve series of smartphones in Australia. Called the BlackBerry Curve 3G, the new smartphone is "designed to provide the growing number of smartphone purchasers with a distinctly powerful, approachable and affordable choice."

The smartphone supports high-speed 3G (HSDPA) networks. The feature makes the new model much faster in terms of network data than its predecessor, which was a 2G model.??"The BlackBerry Curve series has been very popular in Australia and we are excited to extend the series with the new BlackBerry Curve 3G.

The new BlackBerry Curve 3G is both powerful and user-friendly, providing a smart choice for the growing number of first-time smartphone buyers who are looking for a better way to stay connected in their personal and work lives," said Adele Beachley, Research in Motion's Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand.

The new smartphone also has features such as a full-QWERTY keyboard, built-in GPS and Wi-Fi, an optical trackpad as well as dedicated media keys.

The BlackBerry Curve 3G also has a camera and a microSD/SDHC slot. The slot supports media storage of up to 32 GB memory cards.?The BlackBerry Curve 3G ships with BlackBerry 5.

However, the smartphone is BlackBerry 6-ready. Depending on carrier certifications, BlackBerry 6 is expected to be available for the BlackBerry Curve 3G in the coming months.?The new smartphone (model 9300) will be available in Optus and Vodafone stores at the beginning of September and at 3 stores in October.