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We first saw the UTStarcom TXT8010 hit the FCC back in mid-April using the codename of Elvis, since then it seemed to have disappeared, that is until now. The TXT8010 has resurfaced with Verizon and is now known as the Blitz.

The handset details are coming courtesy of a leaked Verizon Wireless Equipment Guide and what that means is we have some nice clean images, but lots of details are still missing.

The Blitz is a slider style phone that offers a full (albeit small looking) QWERTY keyboard, 1.3-megapixel webcam, stereo Bluetooth and a microSD card slot. It looks like the Blitz is headed for the prepaid market, and its expected to be launched at Wal-Mart on August 8 and Best Buy on September 28. No mention of pricing, however it does not look like a handset that is going to break the bank.

Via [Engadget Mobile]

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Imagine a life without early cancellation difficulties, hidden charges, annual contracts, unresponsive support, surprise fees, and monthly bills…is this cell phone heaven?  With prepaid packages getting better and better, ‘heaven’ is certainly within reach.

T-Mobile recently announced new developments in their prepaid plans, including unlimited nationwide calling from 7pm to 7am.

Prepaid is perfect for casual cell phone users such as the elderly or with children who are just learning how to control their spending.  With no credit checks, swollen carriage fees, and absolute control over your cell phone allocation, it is now easier and more economical to go for prepaid plans.

T-Mobile’s Sidekick package even includes features popular with young people such as instant messaging, web browsing, e-mail, access to desktop interface, personal information management sync (Contacts, To Do, Notes, Phones), and access to T-Mobile’s Download Fun catalog.

Via [GearDiary] 

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Is $30 enough to get you a decent mobile phone that can give you mobile web access? With Virgin Mobile’s Flare 30 bucks is all you need and you’ll have a small and yet nifty mobile phone. Flare is actually an LG manufactured flip phone packed with some cool basic features that you wouldn’t expect that a cheap phone like the Flare could have.

Virgin Mobile’s Flare really got some mobile phone flare aside from its flaring red face plate. The two most notable of these features are Bluetooth wireless technology and Mobile web access. Hey, where can you get those features for a measly sum? Aside from these two features, the Virgin Mobile Flare also has a full color screen, full color external display, voice dialing, is Spanish language menu capable, speakerphone and text messaging. But I guess those are pretty standard mobile phone features that we all expect from a simple mobile phone such as the Flare. And talking about simple standard mobile phones, I guess the most important thing to ask is how battery life is?  The Flare gives you 3.5 hours of talk time and 170 hours standby time.

Product [Virgin Mobile] Via [Engadget]

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Alcatel-Lucent have announced a new prepaid option for the BlackBerry. The new option would be a “real-time, volume-based charging solution will be hosted by Alcatel-Lucent.“ This new prepaid option would be able to be integrated into existing networks and will allow for users to track their used minutes and data as to not run their balance down to zero.

“We are proud of the work that has been done in partnership with Alcatel-Lucent to bring the BlackBerry solution to new markets and we look forward to expanding this relationship,” said Jim Balsillie, Co-Chief Executive Officer at Research In Motion.

More options are usually a welcome addition, especially when it comes to paying for mobile service, but with the way people get addicted to their CrackBerry’s I am not sure a prepaid solution would be the most cost affective.

Read [Alcatel-Lucent]

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