Verizon Wireless has announced a new mobile phone with a designed for those who like to text. The device is called the Motorola Rival and the handset features a slider design and a full QWERTY keyboard. In addition to being aimed at text and IM use, the handset is also compatible with Verizon services.

Among the compatible services are V CAST Music and Video as well as VZ Navigator. The phone organizes messages by contact and displays them in a chat style format. The handset also offers one-touch access to text message composition and email.

The keyboard is backlit for low light use and can hold 500 text messages in the inbox and outbox. Other features of the camera include a 2-megapixel camera, 3.5mm headphone jack, and support for microSDHC cards up to 8GB. The Rival is available now for $99.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate.

[via Verizon Wireless]