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I’ll admit, I was a bit distracted from the BlackBerry world this week by this. Still, there’s plenty of BlackBerry stuff to discuss. For instance, Verizon announced the Curve 8530, to be known as the Curve2. It’ll hit shelves and the Web on November 20 for $99.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate. I’ve been telling people that if you’re not a big video user, this is a great deal. It features a 528 MHz processor, Wi-Fi, and really most features of new BlackBerry models except the screen. It’s better than its cousin, the 8520, because its on Verizon’s 3G EVDO network, rather than on T-Mobile’s slower EDGE.

Buy one, get one gone before the Curve2?

Verizon’s buy one, get one offer can be a boon to everyone out there who wants to save money on a BlackBerry, and who also has a friend who wants to do the same. If you buy one BlackBerry, on contract, you can get a second for free, also on contract. It’s a trade-off, of course, but many times it’s worth the two-year commitment. The only problem this time around: the deal appears to be nearing an end. Verizon will launch the Droid on November 11, and from the looks of it, BOGO will not be around at that point. Word is that the offer will end November 7. But who knows.

The BOGO offer has also prompted Verizon to increase the early termination fee on advanced devices. The idea was that some customers were buying both devices on contract, then immediately canceling one. They could then make back the $175 termination fee — and the cost of the device, really — by selling it on eBay. The early termination fee for advanced devices will now be $350, which should put a damper on anyone who has profited from the BOGO offer.

Better know the Bold 9700

What better way to kick off the slew of BlackBerry Bold 9700 reviews than with a video?

There are more videos, and more detailed information, in Kevin’s review. Not to be outdone, Bla1ze has one of his own. Finally, to end the suspense, Boy Genius Report has Part 2 of its Bold 9700 review up for your enjoyment.

With the launch of the 9700, Rogers has discounted the original Bold to $99.99. That’s awful nice of them, isn’t it? That’s a $150 discount from where the Bold was a week or so ago.

Tip of the week: Use Dropbox to back up and store files, both on your computer and on your BlackBerry.

Verizon taking care of original Storm customers?

The one downside of releasing a follow-upd device is that some of the original customers aren’t happy. They just got the device a year earlier, and since cell phone contracts are for two years, that puts them in a tough position. Should they pay full retail price for the new device? Activate a new line? This becomes a big issue for the BlackBerry Storm 2, which is a pretty big upgrade over the original.

According to a BlackBerryOS thread, Verizon will allow original Storm users to upgrade early. They still have to extend their contracts, which can be too much for some, but they can then also get it for the subsidized price. I originally thought that they’d give the device away with a contract extension, but after some more thought I can’t see that happening.

We’ll have more information as it comes. Expect further word after the BOGO offer expires.

Cool stuff: Review of the Samsung SBH600 Bluetooth Stereo Headset. Cooper’s got the goods.

Random BlackBerry links

I picked up a few stray articles this week that I think are worth reading for BlackBerry fans. Browse them at your leisure.

• How to deal with a BlackBerry junkie. Or anyone who seemingly pays more attention to gadgets than to people.
• How far would you go to retrieve a lost BlackBerry? This man, who dropped his BlackBerry into a pile of leaves, dug through a landfill to find it. That’s hardcore.
• Ever wonder why BlackBerry App World is listed as an app in BlackBerry App World? Inside BlackBerry explains that and more about the application store.
• Robb puts together some pieces to determine that there are more Storm users than you think. I think there are a lot, so I’m not sure there can be many more.

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