Verizon Wireless today officially launched the Blitz, a feature phone designed for heavy text messaging users – “Just in time for back to school,” the carrier noted.

The dual-mode phone is built by Pantech Wireless and was sold to Verizon by UTStarcom.  It has a slide-out QWERTY keyboard and a dedicated messaging button.

The phone also has a 2.2-inch screen with adjustable resolution, 1.3 MP camera, a Web browser, 4 GB microSD card slot, GPS support and comes with links to music services.

Blitz, previously known by the code name Elvis and also as the TXT8010, costs $69.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate and a new two-year contract.