@Cope: you may have already tried this, but you need to make sure that your GPS is turned on. for my curve 8530, you do that by going to Settings/Advanced Options/GPS/ and make sure you have "Location On" selected under "GPS Services"
@bret: I feel ya! It's so frustrating only being able to see the thumbnail pics most of the time, with the full pics not really ever loading. one thing that seems to help for me at least, is to establish a good wifi connection and then just turn off the connection to the Mobile Network (for those who might be unfamiliar, you do this by removing the check next to "Mobile Network" when you go to the "Manage Connections" icon. You can always turn it back on later when you want to be able to receive calls and texts again.) I'm no expert, but it almost seems like when Grindr is trying to download stuff with both the mobile and wifi connections, that's when you get those lovely never-ending spinning pinwheels.
Here's to hoping that a nice, disinfected full release is imminent!