Back-to-school deal: $69 Blitz messaging phone

Available now on Verizon Wireless, the bargain-priced Blitz packs in a full, slide-out QWERTY keypad, making it a tempting choice for parents with text-happy kids.

Measuring 3.5 by 2.6 by 0.7 inches and tipping the scales at 5.1 ounces, the Blitz isn't what I'd call slim and light—indeed, your eager students will have a tough time fitting the squarish, stubby handset into a jeans pocket.

That's the downside. The upside? The Blitz's full-on, slide-out QWERTY keypad, complete with a cool, curved layout that should appeal to the young texters in your pride. Messaging features are pretty solid, including access to Web e-mail accounts, instant messaging, and—of course—text and picture messaging.

The Blitz ($69 with a two-year contract) isn't a 3G phone, which means no streaming video or full-track music downloads (and no hefty data charges, either), but your kids will be able to side-load tunes over the included USB cable (the $14.95/month V Cast with Rhapsody subscription service is also supported), and they'll be able to surf—slowly—on the Blitz's WAP browser over Verizon's 2.5G 1xRTT data network.

Other features include a 1.3-megapixel camera (so-so compared to today's 2-plus megapixel snappers, but just fine for a back-to-schooler), Bluetooth, a speakerphone, microSD memory expansion (up to 4GB), and turn-by-turn directions via VZ Navigator.

Also on board: Support for Chaperone, a $10/month location-based service that lets you keep tabs on Junior's current location.

Related:
Back-to-school smartphones: $99 or less [Yahoo! Tech]