The idea, apparently, is to strengthen Sprint's prepaid business, or something like that. Now I really can't wait to see their quarterly earnings. Updated to reflect it's a stock deal. [Sprint]

Instead of metering access directly, Virgin's scheme asks you to buy prepaid, time-loaded chunks of access. Here are the tiers:

$10: 100MB used within 10 days
$20: 250MB used within 30 days
$40: 600MB used within 30 days
$60: 1GB used within 30 days

Given these prices, puny bandwidth allocations and the $150 cost of the required Novatel Wireless MC760 dongle, this'll really only be an option for occasional users and people who really, definitely can't dive into a long data contract. Really though, how many people with contract-precluding credit ratings have any interest in mobile broadband? I'd say this one's only going to be appealing for travelers, recent arrivals with no credit history, or people without a clear idea of where they're going to be living in the next few months.

But I suppose those are the target demographics anyway. For perspective, the most affordable on-contract plans from AT&T and Sprint aren't any cheaper than Broadband2Go's highest price tier, though they're generally much more generous with bandwidth and subject to bundling discounts for preexisting phone customers. Available from today Correction: later this month, at Best Buy and online. [BGR]

Starting today, all of Virgin Mobile's subscription plans have automatically been enrolled in "Pink Slip Protection." UPDATE: Actually, existing subscribers need to GO HERE to enroll. If a customer loses a job they've had for over two months (and is eligible for unemployment), they can have all cellphone fees including taxes and surcharges waived for up to three months. (We're guessing that exceeding your minutes may still lead to charges.)

Virgin's offering isn't enough to solve the economic crisis, but it's a kind gesture worth a bit of good PR, and hopefully it will put some pressure on other service providers to follow suit. [Reuters]

Originally released almost two years ago, the Ocean was a great phone at the time. Its dual-sliding design was unique, and it was packed full of features that weren't widely available elsewhere, such as 3G surfing, GPS and great Gmail integration. Cut to two years later, and none of these things seem all that unique.

Today, the Ocean 2 doesn't hold up as well. It's seriously thick compared to most other phones—twice that of an iPhone—and its dual-sliding design requires a fatness that is the phone's Achilles heel. It's not worth the space when a touchscreen could replace the entire numerical pad level. A much simpler configuration would be a slide-out QWERTY keyboard and a touchscreen for dialing, like on the Palm Pre. Sure, the screen is brighter and sharper than the original, but it's still not a touchscreen. Cost-cutting was clearly a key influencer in the Ocean 2's design, but that may hurt it in the end.

The Ocean 2 does, however, offer some upgrades to its predecessor. Besides the noticeably sharper and brighter screen, you also get 2GB of built-in storage, plus an SD slot for more videos and music.

There's a new optical navigation pad, which is a bigger, fancier version of the "OK" button on the original Ocean. It still acts as an OK button, but it also is touch-sensitive, allowing you to scroll around websites and through menus without any clicking required. Unfortunately, it's too small to feel very useful, and you end up accidentally scrolling when you're trying to hit OK.

There are some new software features that are nice, including Helio Connect, a way to check on your Facebook, Flickr, Twitter and YouTube accounts, as well as your RSS feeds, all in one place. It's a convenient way to get caught up without having to jump around to a half dozen websites or apps.

On the other hand, the browser is inexcusably bad. It completely destroys the rendering of most websites, and if you choose to view them as regular HTML, you'll be scrolling all over the place. It's also very slow, despite the 3G connection. It just feels like a last-generation mobile browser.

Overall, the interface is basically identical to the original, just like the design. Yes, there have been updates, but none of them feel all that substantial or consequential. This feels more like the Ocean 1.5 than the Ocean 2.

With phones such as the Palm Pre and the iPhone out there for not all that much more, you've got to wonder how many people are going to be interested in signing a two-year contract for a two-year-old phone that's merely been polished instead of being really revamped. You certainly won't feel like you've got the hottest piece of tech on the block, but it's also too expensive and bulky to be seen as a good budget phone. It's stuck in a vague middle area, a place few customers are going to want to go. [Virgin Mobile]

They don't have many details, but you can head over to see lots and lots of photos of it in the open and splayed positions. [MobileCrunch]

Also, it looks like Virgin Mobile is using Britney Spears' tour to help launch the device. Wha?

In conjunction with sponsorship of the “Circus” tour, Virgin Mobile USA plans to launch its new Ocean 2 multimedia device. Select fans at the private show will be given an Ocean 2 to chronicle the event. This “Ocean 2 Camera Crew” can blog, IM, email, post to social networking sites and send photos from this one mobile phone to share with friends and fans.

Thanks Luis!

Yes, sending text messages to nobody in particular, allowing them to travel out in some random direction and end up in space, is the hot new thing. You know, because aliens will know exactly how to interpret "r u coming here aliens? Gtfo." The texts cost the standard rate to send, at least, but $15 for a certificate of confirmation for a text sent to nowhere is kind of crazy.

But hey, you've got to hand it to Virgin Mobile for figuring out a way to collect $15 from people for mailing out a piece of paper. I mean, that's pure profit right there. Good for you, Virgin Mobile. [Virgin Mobile via Pocket Lint]

WARREN, N.J. Sept. 10– Video and web entertainment on a cell phone without the hassle of a contract just got a whole lot faster. Virgin Mobile USA and Personal Communications Devices, LLC [PCD] are launching the Shuttle, Virgin Mobile USA's first EV-DO handset, designed with high performance for data and content in mind. Available exclusively at Best Buy Mobile and BestBuy.com as of September 28, the Shuttle ushers in a new era of performance for consumers who demand the flexibility of monthly plans with no contract but also feel the 'need for speed.'

Following Virgin Mobile USA's recent acquisition of Helio, the Shuttle will be the first handset enabled to integrate several features from the Helio portfolio. This will include improved access to social networking communities and other mobile internet sites through partnerships with Accuweather, ESPN, Facebook*, MySpace, YouTube, Yahoo! and more.

The Shuttle is also slated to feature Virgin Mobile's first location-based services from uLocate including:

· Buddy Beacon®, the popular 'friend-finder' solution which allows customers to find friends in a crowded city and show where they are and what they're doing; and

· Where™, the application that delivers local information to easily discover nearby places and things of interest such as locating the lowest gas prices, finding local events, and getting restaurant recommendations.

According to Bob Stohrer, Virgin Mobile USA's Chief Marketing Officer, the time has arrived for Virgin Mobile USA to make the 3G leap. "With the Helio acquisition and the new Shuttle, we've made a strong move into 3G, satisfying our customers who want the speed and affordability, while greatly enhancing our handset line-up just in time for the holidays," Stohrer said.

Jam-packed with features such as a 1.3 megapixel camera, 2'' screen; video capture, playback and messaging, integrated media player that supports both streaming and sideloaded music, stereo Bluetooth** wireless technology, and SD card support, while sporting a stylish S-curve design in a compact slider form factor.

"Virgin Mobile USA is a natural fit for the handset, especially considering their game-changing commitment to innovation, service and value," said Philip Christopher, President, PCD. "The Shuttle is the latest in a long line of PCD offerings that deliver on that commitment, a tremendous and affordable device that will surprise and delight discerning Virgin Mobile USA consumers, just in time for the holidays."

New Virgin Mobile USA Mobile Web Offer

With the new Shuttle, Virgin Mobile USA is also introducing its first Mobile Web data packs as add-ons to calling plans, as more and more customers access the mobile web and other mobile data services. "Data is the center of growth in wireless. This handset is a perfect fit for our new Mobile Web, heavily discounted for customers who purchase a monthly voice plan, and a big benefit for users looking to take advantage of the fast web-browsing abilities," said Stohrer.

For Monthly Plans: $ 5.00 - 20 MB Surf the Web, Unlimited VirginXL [WAP deck]

$10.00 – 50 MB and Unlimited VXL

For Pay As You Go: $ 5.00 – 5 MB Surf the Web

$10.00 – 20 MB, Unlimited VXL

$20.00 – 50 MB, Unlimited VXL

The new Shuttle adds a cost-effective and attractive product to Virgin Mobile USA's lineup, as customers have access to a host of calling and messaging plans without annual contracts, including the $79.99 Totally Unlimited voice plan that provides unlimited calling without roaming charges, activation fees or a two-year commitment. Here are highlights of the Shuttle handset:

· Sleek and small, this slider measures 3.9" x 1.9" x 0.7" – all at just a shade over 3 ounces and about the size of half a candy bar, the phone fits perfectly in a pocket or the palm of a hand.

· EV-DO 3G-capable data speeds for browsing mobile internet and downloading content.

· Boasts a 1.3 megapixel camera, 2" screen, video capture and video messaging, a music player, stereo Bluetooth*, and SD card support.

· Comes preloaded with an array of playful games, along with downloadable animated and Real Music ringtones.

· More than 235 minutes of talk time and nearly 2 weeks of standby time on a single charge

· Room for 500 contacts that accommodate 5 numbers, 2 email addresses, 2 IM handles and 1 website slot for each contact.

· Has Virgin Mobile USA's Contact Vault, which allows customers to store, retrieve, delete and transfer their wireless phone's personal contacts list online in the event the phone is lost, stolen, damaged or upgraded.

VIRGIN MOBILE USA TO INTRODUCE LOWEST-PRICED UNLIMITED NATIONWIDE CALLING WITH NO ROAMING OR LONG DISTANCE CHARGES, NO ACTIVATION FEES OR ANNUAL CONTRACTS

New "TOTALLY UNLIMITED" Calling for Just $79.99 Available July 1

With No Annual Contract or Credit Card Required

WARREN, N.J., June 24, 2008 – For many Americans these days, expenses seem a lot more "unlimited" than wireless phone offers. With the cost of gas, air travel and other items, it seems the sky is the limit for what we have to spend. That's why Virgin Mobile USA will unveil its new "Totally Unlimited" calling plan for $79.99 on July 1, the lowest priced and first unlimited nationwide calling plan without roaming charges or an annual contract that can be purchased by cash or credit.

"'Totally Unlimited' for 79.99 per month is simply a better value than postpaid plans offer," said Bob Stohrer, Chief Marketing Officer of Virgin Mobile USA. "It is simply not necessary to sign a two-year contract to get real worth with your wireless plan. This offer surpasses the regional carriers' unlimited calling plans as well, as most add on roaming charges that can cost customers as much as 79 cents per minute. With 'Totally Unlimited,' Virgin Mobile USA is providing consumers unlimited talk without all the limitations."

Consumers who opt for Virgin Mobile USA's new "Totally Unlimited" calling plan will be able to talk as much as they want each month across days, nights, weekdays and weekends. The Totally Unlimited plan – like all Virgin Mobile USA calling plans – will be available for purchase with cash using Top-Up cards, or with credit/debit for maximum convenience. For just $10.00 more per month, consumers can add Unlimited Text & Messaging, with texting, IM, email and picture messages. Initial information on "Totally Unlimited" is available now at http://web.virginmobileusa.com/unlimited. As of July 1, customers can get information in more than 40,000 retail outlets, at www.virginmobileusa.com, or by calling Customer Care at 888-322-1122.

The "Totally Unlimited" calling plan joins a range of new enhancements to Virgin Mobile USA's voice and messaging plans – both Pay As You Go and Monthly – that were unveiled this past March. Those new offers include a host of highly competitive Monthly and Pay As You Go plans without annual contracts, as well as new Top-Up card denominations and a range of Text & Messaging Packs including the $10 Unlimited Messaging offer that is available on all Monthly plans.

Virgin Mobile USA also offers a range of high-quality and affordable cell phones from leading manufacturers ranging from $19.99 to $99.99, including the new Flare and Slash, and the popular Wild Card. There is no additional charge for voicemail, call waiting or Virgin Mobile USA's award-winning customer service. The company has attractive international rates as well, such as calls for as low as five cents a minute to Mexico.

Virgin Mobile USA spells out for consumers exactly how its prepaid voice and text & messaging options stack up overall against other carriers with easy-to-understand comparison charts posted at http://web.virginmobileusa.com/about/why-choose-us.

[Virgin Mobile]

When we called up Helio stores, their people sounded like they were reading off a script, or that they've gotten a memo, and were trying to convince us that they shouldn't worry if Virgin takes them over. So in essence, Helio customers won't be plan-less if Virgin does take over their customers—you'll just be making out your checks to Virgin instead of Helio.

Virgin Mobile Intros Kyocera Cyclops [via Electronista]

"Kebab van" sounds too much like a codename for a pedophile's lair. Virgin Mobile should just take a page out of T-Mobile's book. Instead of bribing rewarding customers with cheap beer and horrible kebabs, just provide some nice eye candy, like Catherine Zeta-Jones. Muy Bueno!

Virgin Mobile Free Beer and Kebab Campaign [NewsBlaze]

It's a clamshell that opens lengthwise to expose the QWERTY keyboard and a 128x160 widescreen display. Of course, there will be full support of a cacophony of ring tones which are incongruously called "Super phonic." Kidding aside, it looks like a pretty good handset for $149.99, no matter how old you are. Available this month.

The Switch Back Handset For Teens [Mobilewhack]

Seems Kyocera has joined the "Sidekick killer" trend that's popping up with cellphone manufacturers and carriers. The KX21 or "Switchback" is a QWERTY keyboard phone for Virgin Mobile. The phone has 1x RTT data, as well as a built-in camera and is aimed toward text messaging. Don't expect anything too great though. No Bluetooth is included with the KX21, making it the ideal cheap-ass phone for pre-paid. It also appears to have a rugged design for when teens drop the phone while roaming the mall. Expect a release date very soon from Virgin Mobile.

Kyocera KX21 Cellphone [Mobile Whack]

Best pricing on Kyocera cellphones[Shopping.com]