Blitz messaging phone hits Verizon
Looking for a QWERTY-ified messaging device without all the bells and whistles of a smartphone? The Blitz is your ticket. The UT Starcomm-sourced phone sports support for all popular IM clients, as well as POP email access. Sadly, there’s no EV-DO support, with data poking along at 1X RTT speeds. Other features include a microSD slot for media, 1.3 megapixel camera, Rhapsody music access, and VZNavigator support. The real rub here is the price point, with the Blitz slotting in at $70 with a 2-year contract. We never thought we’d say this, but for our money we’d probably recommend getting a Palm Centro over the Blitz, as the Palm OS has a much deeper catalog of 3rd party apps, among many other things.
Tags: 1x rtt, evdo, palm centro, verizon blitz
How sweet! Now the Centro has a widdle playmate!
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i thought this would only be prepaid since that was what it was on first? but anyway ive had one its reminded me of like a kiddie blackberry. very stupid and hard to type on (so yeah a kiddie centro is more like it) don’t even waste the money unless your buying it for a kid
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sorry forgot to add, i kinda like the formfactor with the exclusion of the keypad it should have been suretype and not allow people to press the hole keypad with one thumb
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How many non-”standard” applications are used by Centro’s particular non-geek, non-early-adopter set of customers?
Didn’t the CEO of Palm (maybe CFO?) say that most >>TREOs<< are used without installing extra applications?
The Blitz is part of a new wave of “dumb” phones that are going to REPLACE the smartphone market.
[think "hand calculator market"...aka Commodityville]
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That’s so fugly.
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I thought it was a horribly ugly Blackberry at first, jeez… -shudder-
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this could b a great pre pay phone or a great teen phone instead of getting your child a blackberry like some parents do
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I just got my son this phone. So, I agree-its simple for him and a has enough to meet his needs. It’s not my Curve, but it is plenty of phone for him.
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I have to totally agree here. I went in to a T-Mo store looking for a good qwerty phone to IM, txt, email, mp3, and do some basic web tasks on (google reader mostly). The rep kept trying to push a BB on me while i was scoping out the newest sidekick. It’s a week later and i’m now immensely happy with my SK08 purchase. It may be a “dumb” phone with a mostly Java OS, but that’s all some users want/need. And i’ll probably just replace it once 3G hits the ATL anyway…
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Indeed.. I Think it is a great phone for KIDS.. Just like the Migo.. It has a fun look and decent price. However, I can’t see very many adults jumping at it.
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Love the interface and fun feel of the Sidekick-I’d have one tomorrow if they had good reception here in Pittsburgh. The Blitz, though less cool the SK, will fill that gap well for Verizon for lots of teens and some adults and it has one thing over the Centro that BGR ought to note-it doesn’t crash! I own PALM stock and they have ruined themselves many times over. The Centro is buggy and the interface is more complicated than many people desire. That’s why teens are using Blackberry and SK’s-it’s the simple interface. They don’t care about EVDO or 3G that much if at all. This will work just like the Rumor for Sprint does. It is cheaper than the ENV2 and has kinda a “My First Sony” feel for tweens and teens. Not everyone wants a Touch Pro or Curve. 80 bucks (without adding corp. pricing-IE free or about free) will be a no-brainer for parents. It was for me.
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Oddly enough, when I read this, one of the ads in the rotation was for from VZW - an LG ENV2 for $79.99 w/2 year plan. That extra 10 bucks looks like a cheap upgrade to me.
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It’s a “no upgrade” for me and less than forty bucks bud with a fifty dollar instant rebate-so that’s a better deal. I don’t like renewing contracts every other year. That’s personal preference, but the boy wanted the blue phone and got it. So, happy kids and 80 bucks in my pocket. Maybe you’ve not heard of Verizon Premere accounts. So, really-it was a ten dollar credit. Thanks for the thought though.. The Env2 is 45 dollars and a bit more complicated. It’s all about who the phone is intended to be used by. My wife loves the Env2 and it was very affordable for the features.
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@crashoverride
I was commenting on the article and associated VZW ad, not your post. I would count the Blitz as a good deal at -$10.
My boy likes the Centro. What can a parent do?
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I’m a thirteysomething female that recently purchased this phone. I use a smart phone for work/business and that is exactly what I DIDN’T want for my personal phone. Just wanted something with the keyboard that didn’t have too many wasted functions on myself. I probably won’t use 50% of the functions in this either but the design is cute and fun. I have favored Motorola for years and that’s all I would buy but I’m pleasantly surprised by this. All the flip phones begin to look the same after awhile and I had gone to the store with the intent of purchasing the Samsung Glyde and after spending 10 minutes with the demonstration model I was completely frustrated. I purchased with the mind-set that “oh well I can return in 30 days” but it isn’t going back I can tell you that.
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ummm… call me crazy. I’m 32 and i love this phone. I’ve had it now for about a week. Its small, comfortable, and I love the keyboard. I’m a texting fool tho’… so maybe it’s just good for me
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I agree, I have one and it is simple to use. I don’t do have of what the phone offers. All I want to do is make and receive calls. The contact list feature is great.
Mike
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im gona get this phone n idk if it gets free internet or anything sum1 tell me in comment if its worth getn ….. im 13 if that helps
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I just got this phone and I am 40. It let’s me text and keep in touch with my kids. I finally don’t feel so cell phone “challenged” I got it for free so after credits and rebates. Perfect for me.
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I am 45 and I just got this phone. I don’t need all the bells and whistles. I added the $5. text and $5 internet (counts against my 450 minutes that I don’t always use) and I’m happy with it so far. I’ve had it for 5 days and got it at Costco with a $100 instant rebate coupon. I paid $20 plus tax for it. I love the QWERTY keyboard. That is one reason why I didn’t have text included because it is so time consuming on a flip phone. At first I thought the phone was bulky. I’m used to a small flip phone at my waist but I’m getting used to it. Costco offers a 90 day guarantee so if I want to exchange it for another phone I can. So far, for the price, I’m planning on keeping it!
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I’m 37 nand I have had this phone for about 6 weeks now, and I got the prepaid version. I love it, I have all the capabilities of texting, internet, and music, without having to sign another 2 year contract with us cellular. I don’t use my phone every day like some people, so this way I can use it if I want to, and if I don’t turn it on for a week or so at a time, I don’t feel like I’m paying for nothing. I love the ease of use of this phone, and it’s great for what I want. I don’t need to check my email every 3 seconds, etc or any of the other BB applications….it’s a cool phone, for a great price, and makes me feel like I’m a little bit younger….. and spoiled!!
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just got the blitz last nite, doesnt feel good 2 look up and see many people disliking it. i like the blue color, the lights come on, not 2 brite, not 2 dark, all i need is texting, good reception, good service, if i can email on it, great in case my laptop disconnects on me, its not so big or so small… i wasnt expecting 2 get it but the guy at the store suggested it bcause the curve is more expensive and for some reason i seem 2 type beter on the blitz than the curve, also like blue and small rather than pink/silver and big.
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Oh my yes, same exact thing with me as well……glyde touch screen was too “buggy” for me, env2’s front external display too small…Voyager was way more phone than I would ever use and too big…..this lil blitz has been just right so far, This might resemble that odd phenom like when Toyota/Scion marketed its XB vehicle ( you know that funny shoe-box on wheels? ) towards the 20 something crowd and it kinda flopped with that age demographic but seemed to be a great hit with the seniors instead. I noticed tech savvy kids seem to snubb their noses up at anything that panders to them in this way, especially this phone…perhaps the over 35 female crowd is going to warm up to the blitz instead…..
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For those who have derided the looks and features of the Blitz, even though this phone may not be as technologically capable as a real “smartphone”, it has enough features with it to where it can hold its own. Testament to that are the positive reviews from some of the comments posted above. Some people just do not want/need all the bells and whistles of higher end phones. Plus those features may include fees for their use. It seems the demographic of this phone are teens, young adults, and budget conscious adults who wish to have qwerty capability or what have you. Regardless, if you like own a blitz and like it, then good for you. All that matters is your own opinion of the phone and not someone elses. In short, just go with what suits you.
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I ordered this phone because of the large screen which is easy to read for a texter over the age of 40. I’m into all that happy crap on some of the smartphones because I have Ipods. Three of them acutally. I’m only looking for texting, IM and phone capabilities and this phone is awesome for the price. I’ll post again after I receive the phone and use it for a few days.
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