Texters on the Verizon network have reason to celebrate in the form of the Rival from Motorola. Designed specifically for the challenges of texting, the Rival features a 2.2-inch screen and a backlit QWERTY keyboard that lights up either red or green depending on entry mode.

The handset offers an IM-style texting interface that organizes messages by contact and then displays them in a chat-like window. It also has one-touch access to text message composition, emoticons, symbols, IM and email.

Of course the Rival will be optimized to run (and will include) Verizon applications such as VCAST Music with Rhapsody for song downloads, VZ Navigator for turn-by-turn directions and Visual Voice Mail to organize voice mail messages without having to listen.

Additional features include a 2.0-megapixel camera, 3.5mm headphone jack and up to 8GB optional removable memory (microSD card is sold separately).

For full specs, click here.