Samsung, which, along with LG, is working to take handset market share away from Motorola, has launched its first phone with Virgin Mobile USA.

Dubbed the Slash, the slider phone boasts a camera, Bluetooth and a full array of messaging support for IM, texting and e-mail.

The $80 phone is truly designed for quick messaging. It can store up to 499 contacts with up to five phone numbers, two e-mail addresses and a Web site for each entry. Samsung has also preloaded the Slash with customizable Autotext for faster text messaging.

For gamers, there's Gameloft's Jukebox and Superscape Demo already on the deckk, plus access to the VirginXL portal where they can buy more games as well as animated and real-music ringtones and ringback tones.