AT&T will soon offer a couple of mobile phone messengers with QWERTY keyboards at fairly low price. You'll be able to text, e-mail and IM to your heart’s content, without breaking the bank.

The Quickfire, slated for release next month, will run on the 3G network with access to AT&T's Mobile Music. The slide-out keyboard should ease the strain on tired thumbs used to merely a keypad. Debuting for a hundred bucks after rebate and with a two-year contract, the Quickfire comes in orange, lime and silver.

The Pantech Matrix allows packs a slide-out QWERTY keyboard-but that's just one if its sliders. A keypad also slides down from the handset, meaning both phone dialing and text inputting benefit from additional keys.

The Matrix has GPS capability for AT&T Navigator and a microSD slot, for more smartphone-like features. It comes in blue or black for $80 with rebate and a two-year contract.

Not sure which QWERTY keyboard will feel the best? Then visit a few mobile shops and give them a tactile test before ordering on-line.