Verizon Wireless Razzle Announced, But Not Made by HTC

The Verizon Wireless Razzle has been announced for October 6--the same day that the HTC Imagio is getting released. The device, a low-cost messaging phone with a bottom that twists to reveal a keyboard or music control was once thought to be made by HTC as the Taiwanese company's first non-smartphone. However, according to the Verizon Wireless announcement and CNET, the Razzle, slated to replace the current Blitz in the carrier's lineup, is made by PCD.

It's unclear who the maker of the phone is, however, as PCD, the company that acquired UTStarcom, is also responsible for re-branding devices made by others--one such example is the Verizon Wireless XV6800 (also called the Mogul on Sprint, which is actually an HTC phone that got re-branded with the UTStarcom logo and was formally called the UTStarcom XV6800.

As far as features, the Razzle sports a 2.2-inch screen with stereo Bluetooth support, a 1.3-megapixel camera, and will have support for V-CAST Music but the phone can't download tunes over the air as it lacks support for Verizon Wireless' high speed EVDO connection.

The device will be available online on October 6, and according to the Boy Genius Report, will also be available in other retail channels once inventory of the aging Blitz dries up. It will cost $70 with a 2-year agreement.

(via: CNET and BGR)