Virgin Mobile Canada has launched a new device… The BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM) Pearl Flip 8320. Virgin Mobile (which was recently acquired by Bell for $142 million) will push the device at the following price-points:

• 3-year: Free
• 2-year: $299.99
• 1-year: $349.99
• 30-day: $399.99

Free is always good, as long as you don’t mind being tied into a 3-year deal. The Pearl Flip is only available in Black from Virgin Mobile, but it comes with a 2.0MP camera with video, an internal 2.4″ screen, external 1.6″ screen, plus a compact SureType keypad… and of course, the Pearl Flip is chalked-full of BlackBerry flip phone goodness.

All the details over at Virgin Mobile Canada.

[Via: MobileSyrup]

It seems Virgin’s mobile venture in Canada was not a success as the company expected, hence they agreed to sell their assets to their partner – Bell Canada. Under the terms of the deal, the earlier 50-50 joint venture will now be completely owned by Bell which paid CA$142 million (about $121 million U.S. dollar wise) for the privilege. Moreover, as part of the agreement, Bell managed to secure “exclusive, long-term” licensing deal to keep using Virgin’s brand. As a result, we might see Bell’s other MVNO, Solo Mobile, going under. Or not – it’s way to early to speculate, but having two virtual operators doesn’t seem like an easy task to manage, though I may be wrong on this one. We’ll see…

[Via: Engadget Mobile, MobileSyrup]

Virgin Mobile sure knows how to get with the times, even if the times involve wearing barrels in place of clothes. With their new Pink Slip Protection Program, Virgin Mobile USA (NYSE: VM) is willing to pay your cell phone bill in full for up to three months in the event that you lose your job. On top of that, they’re introducing a $19.99 unlimited messaging plan that includes e-mail, SMS, MMS, and instant messaging, or a $14.99 monthly plan that offers 1000 messages for the lighter texters in the house. Wow, nice. North of the border, Virgin Mobile Canada is running ScrewYouRecession.ca to help everyone save their nickels and dimes, as well as offering a promotional Paycheck program which gives you up to $150 back on your monthly bills. See, that’s how you put a positive spin on this economic situation. (Not like Ottawa’s stupid ThisAintFlint initiative. Ugh.)

[via PhoneDog]

Virgin Mobile USA (NYSE: VM) is making a big push to move in on Boost Mobile’s territory. The other day I noticed that Virgin Mobile has announced a $49.99 unlimited plan… and the plan comes complete with no roaming charges to boot. Unlimited text and messaging is an option for another $10/mth (great if you do a lot of messaging).

Worth noting here is the fact that Boost Mobile already includes unlimited text and messaging in their plan. Score one for Boost there. On Virgin Mobile’s side, they’re offering their ‘Pink Slip Protection’, which will cover your bill for up to three months if you lose employment. Score one for Virgin Mobile there.

At any rate, look for the plan to become available from April 15th.

[Via: EngadgetMobile]

A quickie for the Canucks out there. Virgin Mobile Canada is running a new promotion called ‘PayCheck’ that in essence puts $150 back in your pocket. In exchange for purchasing a prepaid phone and registering for their auto-pay (charges to through to you credit card every month), Virgin will give you $5 every month for the next 30 months… Do the math… Yep, works out to $150.

Plans start at $10/month and Virgin waives the nasty system access fee that I love oh so much (can you feel the sarcasm?).

For full details head on over to Virgin Mobile Canada.

[Via: MobileSyrup]

Mobile Choice is reporting that Virgin Media (in the UK) has introduced a new Mobile tariff, aimed squarely at the social networking and texting market segment! The tariff is called “Addict” (!), and will give pay-as-you-go customers unlimited texts and interweb access when they top up £20/month. There are lower tariffs steps than that if £20/month sounds on the high side, but the standard rates for calls and texts across the board are pretty good at 20p/min for calls and 10p/text message. Nice.

You can find out more here.

[Via: Mobile Choice]

Opera Software announced a deal with Virgin Mobile USA (NYSE: VM) to offer the popular mobile browser, Opera Mini, as a free download via the VirginXL download storefront. At the same time, Virgin wowed to pre-install Opera Mini on its future handsets.

Starting April 14, 2009, this service will be available on eight Virgin Mobile USA handsets including the Slash from Samsung, and the Arc, Shuttle and Super Slice — giving Opera “an opportunity to spread its footprint in the United States.”

Both parties seem satisfied with the deal. Opera Software’s CEO, Jon S. von Tetzchner, is satisfied to “reach Virgin Mobile USA’s large customer base in the United States.” On its end, Virgin Mobile USA’s Doug Britt noted that their customers expect complete Internet browsing from their phone, and “Opera Mini delivers the mobile browsing experience our customers demand.”

If you remember, Helio (now part of Virgin Mobile USA) was the first U.S. carrier that offered Opera Mini for its once popular Ocean phone.

You can always count on Virgin Mobile to come up with new and wacky ways of generating hype and attention. This little tidbit is no different. Virgin Mobile has said ‘kiss bad breath goodbye’ with their new service: The Stink-a-lyzer. From Virgin Mobile:

Studies show the number of one night stands and successful job interviews is significantly reduced by the presence of nasty breath; while the instances of crying babies, offers of gum and people yelling “thanks, but no thanks!” is greatly increased. In response, Virgin Mobile is launching the Virgin Mobile Stink-a-lyzer. This mobile phone service is an industry first – it helps you take a reading of the number of nasty breath particles in your mouth and lets you know if you are good to go… or good to go home.

The service is intended to answer the age old question, ‘does my breath stink?’. All you need to do is call 1.647.240.5653 and blow into the receiver when prompted. Give it a shot, it’s hilarious.

April Fools! (Seriously though, give it a shot… funny stuff)

[Via: NewsWire]

The prepaid scene tends to be littered with the lower-end of the mobile product spectrum, but Virgin Mobile CEO Dan Schulman says that will be changing in the near future. He said in the next three to five years, the smartphone market share will comprise up to half of sales (currently holding about %20), and Virgin Mobile will be there to provide the cheap, flexible, month-to-month plans that are appealing to those on a shoestring budget.

“Things like value and flexibility are moving to the forefront,” he said. “I think the economy is helping people to appreciate our model.”

From the sounds of it, BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM) will be moving down the ladder over the next year, and other manufacturers are likely to follow suit in order to nab low-hanging fruit. Virgin’s Helio acquisition is a definite sign that they’re looking to incorporate more feature-rich devices while keeping rates low, but their bread and butter will likely remain cheap-o flip phones for the next little while.

[via CIO]

The Kyocera (NYSE: KYO) X-tc on Virgin Mobile spotted last month is now available to order for $99 off contract, and butting heads with the recently-launched Alltel Banter/Sprint Rumor 2 for discount texting supremacy. Spec-wise, the sliders are in the same ballpark, so plans will really be the dealbreaker on those considering both devices.

• QVGA display with 262K colors
• Stereo Bluetooth
• Dedicated music keys
• Mobile Web
• Email, IM
• Facebook Mobile
• Voice dialing
• 1.3MP camera
• MicroSD card support
• Talk time: up to 250 minutes
• Standby time:  up to 200 hours
• 4.37 x 2.05 x 0.68 inches
• 3.89 ounces

Not a bad little package on the whole, and certainly better-looking than the candybar Kyocera S1300 JAX launched at the same time.

[via Unwired View]