Boost Mobile Unveils Messaging Phone: i465 “Clutch”

Yesterday Boost Mobile introduced Motorola’s first ever QWERTY iDEN phone, the first-ever Boost-compatible QWERTY phone, in fact, available from anyone except RIM (BlackBerry). The cost: $129.99.

The big bar phone can do more than text, however. In addition to hallmark Boost features like nationwide walkie-talkie and GPS, the i465 has a 1.3 megapixel camera with video recording capability. The phone also has Bluetooth.

Boost Mobile has plenty of plans on which the i465 “Clutch” can be used; their $50 unlimited-everything plan includes text and MMS, two strong suits for this phone model. The $1 per day Chat & Text plan also makes a good fit.

Along with the introduction of the Clutch, Boost is holding a “Pop Your Clutch” sweepstakes. Starring Indy racer Danica Patrick (who you may have seen on GoDaddy commercials), the contest’s grand prize is a weekend trip for two to the August 23rd Sonoma, CA Indy race. The “Winner’s Circle” (First Place in normal parlance) gets an i465 with $150 in airtime preloaded.

In case you’re wondering, we’re working on getting this phone in for review. It looks really good, and should work great in our Texas hideout, where Boost’s iDEN signal carries a long ways.