Hey Virgin Mobile customers, how would you like to see another Android phone join your carrier's lineup? That'd be cool, right? Well soon you'll be getting double that, as Virgin Mobile today announced that both the LG Optimus Slider and HTC Wildfire S will soon be joining its roster. First up is the LG Optimus Slider, a device that we spied on Best Buy's website earlier this week. LG's new QWERTY slider sports a 3.2-inch touchscreen, 3.2-megapixel camera, and Android 2.3 Gingerbread. The Optimus Slider will be launching at $149.99 on Virgin Mobile's website starting October 17th. It'll also be available at Best Buy and RadioShack on October 31st, Target on November 6th, and Sprint stores on November 13th.

The second Virgin Mobile-bound Android device revealed today is the HTC Wildfire S, which is Virgin's first HTC-made smartphone. The Wildfire S features a 3.2-inch 320x480 display, 600MHz processor, 5-megapixel camera, and Android 2.3 beneath HTC Sense. Expect it to hit Best Buy and RadioShack on October 23rd for $199.99.

Rounding out the Virgin Mobile news for the day, it's been announced that Virgin's decision to throttle a user's speeds upon reaching 2.5GB of data usage in a monthly billing cycle won't be put into effect until sometime in 2012. The throttling was originally set to begin next month.

Not a bad day to be a Virgin Mobile user, am I right? Sure, some folks may have liked to see another high-end, Triumph-like device announced for VM today, but the Optimus Slider and Wildfire S are both important because the former gives physical QWERTY-loving customers a new device to replace the aging Samsung Intercept while the latter offers VM folk their first chance to use HTC Sense. What do you Virgin Mobile users think of today's news? Anyone plan on picking up an Optimus Slider or Wildfire S next month?

LG Optimus Slider Delivers Ease of a Full Keyboard to Popular Virgin Mobile USA Android-Powered Smartphone
WARREN, N.J. (BUSINESS WIRE), September 30, 2011 - Virgin Mobile USA expands its Android™-powered smartphone lineup with the upcoming availability of LG® Optimus™ Slider, providing a new smartphone option with an easy-to-use slide out keyboard. Perfect for the heavy social networker, LG Optimus Slider will be available Oct. 17 at www.virginmobileusa.com for $199.99. The smartphone will be available Oct. 31 in Best Buy and RadioShack stores; Nov. 6 at Target; and Nov. 13 in Sprint Stores.

LG Optimus Slider is the second generation of the popular LG Optimus V™, which launched in early 2011 and is currently available at www.virginmobileusa.com for $149.99. It remains one of the most popular smartphones on Virgin Mobile USA.

“With the new LG Optimus Slider we’re bringing our customers an updated operating system and slide-out keyboard,” said Mark Lederman, Business Line director, Virgin Mobile USA. “According to NPD Group, year-over-year preference for a touchscreen has tripled among prepaid buyers, and 21 percent1 of all customers say that having a QWERTY keyboard is a motivating factor in making a purchase. Coupled with the popularity we’ve seen on the LG Optimus V we’re looking forward to bringing this fresh option to Virgin Mobile.”

“LG Optimus Slider delivers the convenience of a full QWERTY keyboard with the sleek lines of the LG Optimus series,” said Tim O’Brien, vice president of marketing for LG Mobile. “We look forward to providing Virgin Mobile USA consumers the ideal device for on-the-go messaging, emailing and social networking.”

Virgin Mobile USA Beyond Talk plans start at just $35 a month for 300 minutes of voice and include unlimited messaging and data. For those looking for a bit more talk time the $45 plan offers 1,200 minutes of voice, and the $55 plan offers unlimited voice minutes each month. All plans include unlimited messaging and data.

LG Optimus Slider offers users:

An easy to use 3.2-inch touchscreen with a slide out QWERTY keyboard and bright screen
Enjoy all of the apps in the constantly growing Android Market with Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)
Surf the Web and run apps on the Nationwide 3G Sprint Network
MicroSD support (?32GB) and a 3.2MP camera
Bluetooth® 3.0
LG Optimus Slider comes preloaded with Virgin Mobile Live 2.0 social networking lifestyle application used to access the Virgin Mobile branded music stream, hosted by DJ Abbey Braden. The app also provides users of Android-powered devices free access to live music performance videos and "check in" features at special events. All status updates made using the app will also sync with Facebook® and Twitter®.

The previously announced decision to reduce throughput speeds when any Beyond Talk customer reaches 2.5GB of data usage within a current monthly cycle has been postponed to 2012.

ABOUT VIRGIN MOBILE USA

Virgin Mobile USA, one of Sprint's prepaid brands, offers millions of customers control, flexibility and connectivity through Virgin Mobile's Beyond Talk™ No Contract plans with unlimited data for mobile phone service including Android-powered smartphones and prepaid Broadband2Go high-speed Web access. Virgin Mobile branded devices are available at more than 40,000 retail stores, including Target, Walmart, Best Buy and RadioShack. Top-Up cards are available at approximately 150,000 locations nationwide and can be used for Assurance Wireless and Broadband2Go services. Purchase and experience Virgin Mobile on the Web and at Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and www.virginmobileusa.com.

About LG Electronics, Inc.

LG Electronics, Inc. (KSE: 066570.KS) is a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, mobile communications and home appliances, employing more than 93,000 people working in more than 120 operations around the world. With 2010 global sales of 55.8 trillion Korean won (USD 48.2 billion), LG comprises four business units – Home Entertainment, Mobile Communications, Home Appliance, and Air Conditioning & Energy Solutions. LG is one of the world’s leading producers of flat panel TVs, mobile devices, air conditioners, washing machines, and refrigerators. LG has signed a long-term agreement to become both a Global Partner and a Technology Partner of Formula 1™. As part of this top-level association, LG acquires exclusive designations and marketing rights as the official consumer electronics, mobile phone and data processor of this global sporting event. For more information, please visit www.lg.com.

About LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company

The LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company is a leading global mobile communications and information company. With its cutting-edge technology and innovative design capabilities, LG creates handsets that provide an optimized mobile experience to customers around the world. LG is pursuing convergence technology and mobile computing products, while continuing its leadership role in mobile communication with stylish designs and smart technology. For more information, please visit http://www.lgmobilephones.com.

1 According to The NPD Group’s Mobile Phone Track consumer tracking service.

The HTC Wildfire S Marks the First HTC Smartphone for Virgin Mobile USA; Brings Stylish Options in Silver and White
WARREN, N.J. (BUSINESS WIRE), September 30, 2011 - Virgin Mobile USA strengthens its Android™-powered smartphone lineup with the upcoming availability of the HTC Wildfire S™ in Silver at Best Buy® and White at RadioShack® built for consumers looking to express their personal style without a contract. The HTC Wildfire S in Silver is exclusive to Virgin Mobile. Social networkers and app users will enjoy the bright screen of the HTC Wildfire S and access to the Android Market. The HTC Wildfire S will be available Oct. 23 at Best Buy and RadioShack for $199.99.

“The HTC Wildfire S is the first HTC smartphone on Virgin Mobile and we couldn’t be more thrilled to bring the Wildfire S™ to our customers,” said Mark Lederman, Business Line director, Virgin Mobile USA. “It is an attractive, easy-to-use and fast smartphone perfect for both the technically savvy and those looking to make the leap to a smartphone for the first time.”

Martin Fichter, president of HTC Americas, said, “The HTC Wildfire S is a compact and playful smartphone offering a unique silver color exclusive to Virgin Mobile customers. HTC offers intuitive and powerful technology for the smart consumer and that perfectly aligns with Virgin Mobile.”

Virgin Mobile USA Beyond Talk plans start at just $35 a month for 300 minutes of voice and include unlimited messaging and data. For those looking for a bit more talk time the $45 plan offers 1,200 minutes of voice, and the $55 plan offers unlimited voice minutes each month. All plans include unlimited messaging and data.

HTC Wildfire S offers users:

Color options of White (RadioShack) or Silver (Best Buy)
3.2-inch HVGA touchscreen
5MP camera with flash
3G and Wi-Fi capability
Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)
600MHz processor
HTC Sense – HTC’s custom-built experience, which puts information most important front and center by providing further customizable widgets and applications.
HTC Wildfire S comes preloaded with the Virgin Mobile Live 2.0 social networking lifestyle application used to access the Virgin Mobile branded music stream, hosted by DJ Abbey Braden. The app also provides users of Android-powered devices free access to live music performance videos and "check in" features at special events. All status updates made using the app will also sync with Facebook® and Twitter®.

The previously announced decision to reduce throughput speeds when any Beyond Talk customer reaches 2.5GB of data usage within a current monthly cycle has been postponed to 2012.

ABOUT VIRGIN MOBILE USA

Virgin Mobile USA, one of Sprint's prepaid brands, offers millions of customers control, flexibility and connectivity through Virgin Mobile's Beyond Talk™ No Contract plans with unlimited data for mobile phone service including Android-powered smartphones and prepaid Broadband2Go high-speed Web access. Virgin Mobile branded devices are available at more than 40,000 retail stores, including Target, Walmart, Best Buy and RadioShack. Top-Up cards are available at approximately 150,000 locations nationwide and can be used for Assurance Wireless and Broadband2Go services. Purchase and experience Virgin Mobile on the Web and at Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and www.virginmobileusa.com.

About HTC

HTC Corporation (HTC) is one of the fastest growing companies in the mobile phone industry. By putting people at the center of everything it does, HTC creates innovative devices that better serve the lives and needs of individuals. The company is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange under ticker 2498. For more information about HTC, please visit www.htc.com.