Verizon Wireless announced today its Blitz, a multimedia device with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard designed for text messaging.

Verizon Wireless Blitz More Photos View Specs

The Blitz has a 2.2-inch screen for browsing the web or checking email. It doubles as a music player with access to VCAST Music's library of more than 5 million songs. Tracks can be downloaded to a PC and side-loaded with the included USB cable, synchronized with a Bluetooth speaker or played from the speakerphone. An expandable microSD memory port holds cards up to 4 GB in size.

The built-in 1.3-megapixel camera features a self-timer, color effects, and resolution adjustments in both portrait and landscape modes. Supported Bluetooth profiles include compatibility for wireless headsets, handsfree car kits and headphones.

Integrated with VZ Navigator, travelers can get visual and audible directions to thousands of destinations. They can locate businesses and other points of interest, and get maps of to locations and share directions with others.

Verizon's Chaperone Child service lets parents location family members via the Chaperone Web site, the Chaperone Parent application or Child Zone.

The Verizon Wireless Blitz is available for $70 after a $50 mail-in rebate and a new two-year customer agreement. Customers can sign up for VCAST Music with Rhapsody for a $15 monthly subscription.

- Verizon Wireless Blitz Specs

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