Verizon picks up Blitz messaging phone
updated 12:15 pm EDT, Thu July 31, 2008
Verizon picks up Blitz
Verizon Wireless has picked up a new UTStarcom phone, reports say. Previously unavailable in the US, and known elsewhere as the TXT8010, it is being imported by Verizon and renamed the Blitz, with an initial launch scheduled through Wal-Mart stores on August 8th. People wanting to avoid Wal-Mart for whatever reason may have to wait until September 28th, when it should become available through Best Buy stores. Pricing is unannounced but should be relatively low, as it is set to be an INpulse prepaid phone.
The phone's signature element is its slide-out QWERTY keyboard, which mimics the layout of smartphones like Motorola's Q9 or RIM's BlackBerry Curve. The Blitz is technically only a mid-range device however, its primary features being a 1.3-megapixel camera and a slot for microSD cards up to 4GB in size. Others include support for VCAST Music and VZ Navigator.
