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]

Virgin Mobile Canada is busy making changes to their rate plans yet again. At the beginning of the month, they increased monthly plans by 17%…something around $5 per month. As of today it looks like they’ve revamped things again, offering only 4 plans in the myPlan option. But really, these changes might be for the better. If anything Virgin may be trying to squeeze an extra $5 out of the folks that sign up for the $30 and $40 plans… by bumping those up to $35 and $45. The base $25 and top-end $60 plans remain the same.

Take it for what it’s worth. They’ve simplified and bumped up the price of the two middle plans (but are offering more daytime minutes in return). For more information check out Virgin Mobile Canada.

Thanks John!

[Via: MobileSyrup]

This new Samsung m320 flip phone has been added to the lineup at Virgin Mobile Canada. The device is an entry level device that comes complete with a 0.3MP VGA camera, 1.9″ screen and bluetooth. Use it for incoming/outgoing calls, text messaging and all of the basics. For a small entry level flip phone, the price is right. You can pick it up from Virgin Mobile for free on a 3-year plan. If you want to shorten the term, you can go to a 2-year for $29.99, a 1-year for $49.99, or go the prepaid route for $79.99.

The Samsung m320 overview from Virgin Mobile:

Slim and stylish, the ultra-convenient Handy Flip phone, at only 95 grams, packs a bunch of good stuff into one of the lightest phones around. Sleek on the outside, flip it open and you can snap pics on the go with the digital camera, connect wirelessly with Bluetooth®, and the advanced voice dial lets you make a call without having to lift a finger.

More details over at Virgin Mobile Canada.

[Via: MobileSyrup]

What would you rather do, hold the hand of your significant other, or hold onto your mobile phone? Seems like a no-brainer, right? The folks at Virgin Mobile Canada conducted a survey on February 4th and 5th of last year (no idea why these results are only coming out now). They asked 1,000 random people aged 18 to 34 what they would prefer: holding the hand of their partner, or holding on to their mobile device. The results were surprising.

56% of the Canadians surveyed said they would rather hold their mobile phone. Another 40% said they would give up their Valentine before their phone. Finally, 52% of people surveyed said that their mobile is with them all of the time.

Virgin Mobile’s CMO Nathan Rosenberg commented:

“Clearly, people have a deep love affair with their mobile phones, especially younger Canadians, and this survey shows just that… Virgin Mobile is happy to report that love is still alive, despite the deep bond that some people have with their mobile phone so we don’t think there is any reason to be jealous on Valentines Day.”

I realize 1,000 is a somewhat small sample group, but still… Those are some interesting results. What would YOU prefer?

[Via: MobileSyrup]

Most Canadian carriers have jacked the price up on their version of the BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM) Curve 83xx series, supposedly due to limited stock. Both Rogers (NYSE: RCI) and Telus (NYSE: TU) currently have the Curve up for $99.99, and Bell is selling the device for $99.95. But if you’re looking for the best deal in Canada, Virgin Mobile has stepped up to the plate.

After increasing their price plans by 17%, Virgin has done a 180 and lowered their price on the BlackBerry Curve 8330 to $39.99 on a 3-year term. This comes only a few weeks after Virgin bumped the price up on their Curve to $79.99.

If you’re not into the whole 3-year contract thing, you can pick it up for $329.99 on a 2-year deal, $379.99 on a 1-year, and $429.99 for a 30-day fling.

C’mon Rogers, Telus and Bell… I think it’s time you dropped your prices. Those Curves should be priced lower anyway, everyone wants the Bold, Storm or 8900 these days.

Read more at Virgin Mobile Canada.

[Via: MobileSyrup]

Virgin Mobile USA (NYSE: VM) is showing off a new full-QWERTY slider, the Kyocera (NYSE: KYO) X-tc. It doesn’t have much to brag about (paltry 1.3 megapixel camera, 240 x 320 screen) but it does e-mail, stereo Bluetooth, instant messaging, and all the usual wireless amenities. An expandable microSD memory card slot and frontal music control keys make it a passable MP3 player, to boot. Supposedly going for $100 at launch, so keep your eye on Virgin Mobile’s online store for when it’s ready.

[via PhoneScoop]

Yap, we’ve expected the Ocean 2 release this week after seeing it mentioned in Virgin Mobile USA’s Britney Spears release. It’s here now and we have all the specs which we are delighted to share with you. Here’s what we know:

• 2.6-inch QVGA (320×240 pixels) screen
• Dual-sliding mechanism that ensures room for both numeric keypad and QWERTY keyboard.
• 3G enabled (EV-DO)
• 2 megapixel camera that can take both photos and videos.
• Built-in GPS receiver along with Google (NSDQ: GOOG) Maps and support for geo-tagging.
• Standard 3.5mm headphones jack
• microSD expansion slot – included in the package is a 512MB memory card.
• Pre-installed apps include media player, IM client, document viewer, email client with Exchange support, social networking software for easy access to Facebook, MySpace, YouTube and Flickr.

In a nutshell – Virgin Mobile USA (NYSE: VM) will market the Ocean 2 as an all-round device for modern youngsters. It goes on sale on February 12th, when interested users will be able to grab it for $149 on a contract… Full press release is here.

It sounds unlikely that Virgin Mobile, what one would normally disregard as a discount phone outlet, would get a smartphone as new as the BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM) Storm, but it’s a tip floating up alongside info of their rates rising by $5/each. Apparently Virgin Mobile Canada hasn’t been doing so well since launching in ‘05, so the increased charges, including a $35 activation fee that they didn’t have before, are somewhat warranted. If they do, in fact, bring out the BlackBerry 9530, it might just be the shot in the arm their product line needs. Their plans are decent, and though their device selection is a little lackluster, they have been fairly gung-ho about BlackBerry, hosting both the Pearl 8130 and Curve 8330… Maybe the Storm isn’t that far-fetched…

[via MobileSyrup]

Virgin Mobile USA (NYSE: VM) will sponsor the upcoming Britney Spears concert tour, and will use the event to launch the highly-anticipated Ocean 2 handset. It won’t be a public thing, though. Select lucky fans will get VIP tickets and Ocean 2 devices to chronicle the event. This “Ocean 2 Camera Crew” will be able to blog, IM, email, post to social networking sites and send photos from the device itself.

Guess about that time we’ll have more details to report. In the meantime, let me recap what we know: the Ocean 2 will boast a 2 or 3 megapixel camera, 2.6-inch QVGA screen, 2GB of internal storage, microSD expansion slot, both full QWERTY keyboard and numeric keypad (like the original Ocean), 3G radio (EV-DO), full HTML browser, support for an array of Helio services, and a whole lot more.

Also worth noting is that Virgin Mobile USA will partner with its brother from the north, Virgin Mobile Canada, to continue sponsoring Britney Spears’ five scheduled shows in the country. Then, we hope, Ocean 2 will hit Canada, too…

[Image from MobileCrunch]

If the only thing keeping you from picking up the entry-level LG Flare flip-phone on Virgin Mobile USA (NYSE: VM)’s affordable network was its staid color offering, you’ll be happy to hear that Virgin Mobile has updated their handset lineup with a more feminine LG Flare variant – the Pink LG Flare.

Like is darker-colored brethren, the Pink LG Flare features a decidedly low-end feature-set. But, if Bluetooth, speakerphone, and minimal mobile web connectivity are more than enough for your wireless needs, the Pink LG Flare might be the right handset for you.

And, as a bonus, Virgin Mobile USA will be donating $5 to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation for every Pink LG Flare sold. Not only do you get a capable mobile phone on one of America’s more affordable wireless networks, you get to help fight breast cancer. Good for you!

Grab the Pink LG Flare for $29.99.

Virgin Mobile PR