Research in Motion (RIM) has taken the wraps off the smallest, lightest full QWERTY BlackBerry yet: the Curve, a more stylish but less feature-filled alternative to the existing BlackBerry 8800.

The model number gives Curve away: it's the 8300, so technically a lesser product than the 8800. So while both devices come with RIM's own navigation software, only the 8800 has an on-board GPS receiver.

On the other hand, the Curve has a two-megapixel, 5x digital zoom camera, a feature the 8800 lacks, and Bluetooth wireless stereo audio. But like its bigger sibling, it has quad-band GSM/GPRS connectivity, 64MB of memory, a Micro SD card slot and a bright 320 x 240 display.

Small and light? Curve measures 10.7 x 6 x 1.6cm to the 8800's 11.4 x 6.6 x 1.4cm, so there's not that much in it. The two BlackBerries weigh 111g and 134g, respectively. The 8800 also delivers more talk time - 300 minutes to the Curve's 240 minutes - thanks to a more capacious battery.

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RIM said the Curve will go on sale "this spring", starting with US carrier AT&T.

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