Verizon Wireless today introduced the Motorola Rival and Casio EXILIM, expanding the carrier’s line of phones with qwerty keyboards. 

The Rival includes a 2 megapixel camera, 3.5 mm headset jack, up to 8 GB optional removable memory, AOL Instant Messenger, Windows Messenger and Yahoo! Messenger with Mobile IM. The new phone from Motorola comes preloaded with Verizon's V CAST Music with Rhapsody, V CAST Video, Visual Voice Mail and VZ Navigator. The new phone comes in silver and purple.

The Rival is available today, online and in Verizon Wireless stores for $99.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement.

While also a texting phone, the Casio EXILIM boasts a 180-degree rotating display and professional 5.1 megapixel camera. The EXILIM is available in black and champagne. Other features include up to 8 GB of optional removable memory and the usual supporting cast of Verizon services, including VZ Navigator, V Cast Music with Rhapsody and Visual Voice Mail.

Demand for phones with qwerty keyboards has risen dramatically in recent years as more and more people are texting. A December 2008 report from Nielsen revealed that the average number of text messages sent among wireless customers in the United States rose from just 65 in first quarter 2006 to 357 in the second quarter of 2008. Adoption demographics are widening as well.

Verizon may be taking AT&T’s lead in expanding its line of texting phones. In an effort to drive texting, AT&T’s has focused heavily on expanding its portfolio of handsets with qwerty keyboards.