Wireless providers Cricket and MetroPCS announced on Wednesday they will both add the Samsung Messager II, or SCH-R560, handset to their respective lineups in the very near future. The device, a sequel to the original Messager, also sports a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, bumps up the camera resolution to 2-megapixels from 1.3 and adds video capture. It keeps the same access to e-mail and web browsing using 3G EVDO networks. There is also an MP3 player built into the Messager II, with Cricket's version getting the carrier's MyHomeScreen interface.

Otherwise, the device gets stereo Bluetooth support. Compared to the original, the Messager II is also said to be slightly smaller and more rounded while also being faster and running cooler. Storage space is likely to remain confined to 2GB microSD card slots.

Cricket prices the Messager II at $200, with the device shipping on Thursday. MetroPCS is already offering the device, with a $149 price tag.