• Virgin Mobile USA released the Samsung Mantra flip phone with external caller ID and dual color screens for the company’s line-up of no-contract devices. The device is available on pay-as-you-go and monthly plans, and can currently be purchased on Virgin Mobile’s Web site. The device will be available in retail stores later this summer.

• Alltel Wireless has released the LG Tritan, a 3G device with a three-inch touch screen, slide-out qwerty keyboard, three megapixel camera with auto-focus and zoom lens, and an expandable Micro SD slot. A $100 mail-in rebate is available for customers who sign up for Alltel’s one-year Smart-Choice Pack service agreement. Customers will receive a hands-free stereo headset with the purchase of the device, which is available at Alltel retail stores and the company’s Web site.

• Samsung Electronics has announced its first solar-powered handset, the Crest Solar. The phone features an FM Radio, flashlight and, for those trying to escape a situation, a fake incoming call feature. It also comes equipped with a mobile tracking service that creates automatic alerts when the SIM card is changed and sends out an SOS message in an emergency. The phone, which is targeted at rural areas with unreliable electric grids, can provide around five hours of talk time with one hour of solar charging.

• Communication Software has announced a secure and encrypted personal health record application for the iPhone. MotionPHR allows consumers to store and organize records of medication, immunizations, current health ailments, test results and allergy information. The application does not need a network connection to access the information. It also has an emergency feature which that allows first responders to access contact information and select medical data without a password. The application was released in April and is now available for purchase on iTunes.

• Canadian mobile money transaction platforms provider Telepin Software has launched the Cayman Transaction Platform, which allows operators to host all transactional services on a single platform. The platform also allows Canadian operators to circumvent traditional scratch-card or voucher-based systems by letting customers pay on existing POS, ATM and/or public cash and payment machine (PCPM) networks.