Recently, BlackBerry subscribers have received a BBM saying that RIM is donating 35 cents every time the BBM is passed on. RIM has denied the messages.

The message says, “Because of what has transpired in Haiti recently, Blackberry has decided to help out and give 35 cents for the cause when you pass this message along to your friends on BBM (btw how blackberry sees this is through their RedCross symbol).”

A spokesperson told MSNBC that RIM is “donating funds as well as BlackBerry devices to the relief effort, but not by charging through BBM messages.”

The BlackBerry Curve 8530 Sprint version is now available. The 8530 is the CDMA version of the Curve 8520 that has been on sale with T-Mobile USA for a few months. It features a 2 megapixel camera instead of the more expensive Curve 8900’s 3.2 megapixel camera, but also features the new optical trackpad controller for navigation instead of the trackball that BlackBerry devices have been using for a few years.

The BlackBerry Curve 8530 for Sprint is available for $49.99 with a 2 year agreement, after a $100 mail-in rebate.

RIM already released version 3.0 of its BlackBerry Media Sync application. The said application is designed exclusively for Windows and Mac computers that aims to make it simple to synchronize photos and music between a personal computer and a BlackBerry smartphone. Version 3.0 adds folder support to photo synchronization, image size optimization, and alerts when there are new photos that can be imported to the phone. The application is compatible with both Windows Media Player and iTunes, and works with most all newer BlackBerry devices.

The BlackBerry Media Sync is now available for free download.

AT&T has publicized the forthcoming availability of the BlackBerry Curve 8520. The handset features a 2 megapixel camera, a 320 x 240 pixel display, a full QWERTY keyboard, and WiFi data support. It is also the first BlackBerry on AT&T to sport the new optical trackpad controller.

According to AT&T, the BlackBerry Curve 8520 will be available very soon for $99.99, after a mail-in rebate card, when picked up with a 2 year agreement of $69.99 or more per month.

BlackBerry App World will obtain carrier-billing alternatives in 2010 that will permit consumers to charge applications and content to their phone’s billing statement. This was confirmed by RIM co-CEO Jim Balsillie last November 11, 2009. The new feature would give customers an additional option to paying for applications. For now, those who are interested should have at least a PayPal account to buy mobile apps.