iPhone 3G - Even Faster (Comedy?)

Getting juicy tips and phone rumors is always incredibly exciting… but on the flipside you get “news” announcements like the iPhone 3G is even faster music video:

We have no clue what the heck this is or what it is supposed to mean. Is it iPhone 3Gay Pride? Is it dissing the iPhone? We don’t know but its funny in a pitiful way.

[Thanks bizarre, anonymous tipster and watermarker!]

uReady for the iPhone 3G?

AT&T has just released details on their July 11th launch of the iPhone 3G complete with in-store information, pricing plans and more. What do you know - they seem to have tacked on some additional fees and charges that make the $199 pricetag a bit more irrelevant.

Interesting points to note:

Here is info on the Service Plans available with the iPhone 3G:

And if you really feel like reading the entire press release, we’ve posted it below. Please note that there is a website set up for iPhone 3G FAQ and such here. And the PR text you requested:

AT&T Announces iPhone 3G Pricing and Tips to be iReady

Online Resources Available to Help Customers Prepare for Purchase

Variety of Attractive Plans Combine Voice and Unlimited Data

Dallas, Texas, July 1, 2008

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) today announced iPhone 3G pricing for new and existing AT&T customers, several attractive voice and data plans, and tips on how to be “iReady” when iPhone 3G goes on sale at AT&T retail stores at 8 a.m. local time on Friday, July 11.

“We can’t wait to offer iPhone 3G to our customers, and we want to make sure the buying process is as easy as possible,” said Ralph de la Vega, president and CEO of AT&T’s wireless unit. “Considering all the great new features of iPhone 3G, we think our pricing and monthly plans present a tremendous value for consumers and businesses alike.”

Pricing and Eligibility

AT&T is making it easy for customers to prepare for their iPhone 3G purchase by posting “Get iReady” tips and frequently asked questions at www.att.com/iphone. The site also will include a link for customers to check their upgrade eligibility and other wireless account information.

iPhone 3G will be available for $199 for the 8GB model and $299 for the 16GB model. These prices require two-year contracts and are available to the following customers:

  • iPhone customers who purchased before July 11
  • Customers activating a new line with AT&T
  • Current AT&T customers who are eligible, at the time of purchase, for an upgrade discount

Existing AT&T customers who are not currently eligible for an upgrade discount can purchase iPhone 3G for $399 for the 8GB model or $499 for the 16GB model. Both options require a new two-year service agreement. In the future, AT&T will offer a no-contract-required option for $599 (8GB) or $699 (16GB).

Current customers may also choose to wait until they become eligible for an upgrade discount. Eligibility is generally determined by amount of time remaining on a current contract and payment history.

Current AT&T customers who are upgrading to iPhone 3G will pay an $18 upgrade fee and new AT&T customers will pay the standard $36 activation fee.

Voice, Data and Text Messaging Plans

AT&T brings iPhone 3G customers the best coverage on the globe and the largest mobile-to-mobile calling community with unlimited calling to AT&T’s 71.4 million wireless customers. iPhone 3G customers can choose from four individual AT&T Nation plans, which bundle voice and unlimited data (e-mail and Web browsing).

  • AT&T NationSM Unlimited: Includes unlimited Anytime Minutes for $129.99 a month.
  • AT&T Nation 1350: Includes 1350 Anytime Minutes and unlimited Night & Weekend Minutes for $109.99 a month.
  • AT&T Nation 900: Includes 900 Anytime Minutes and unlimited Night & Weekend Minutes for $89.99 a month.
  • AT&T Nation 450: Includes 450 Anytime Minutes and 5,000 Night & Weekend Minutes for $69.99 a month.

All AT&T Nation and AT&T FamilyTalk® plans for iPhone 3G include nationwide long distance and roaming, Visual Voicemail, Rollover®, unlimited Mobile to Mobile calling, Call Forwarding, Call Waiting, Three-Way Calling and Caller ID.

AT&T will offer FamilyTalk plans, with bundled voice and unlimited data, starting as low as $129.99 a month for two iPhone 3G lines. Up to three additional iPhone lines can be added for $39.99 each.

Unlimited text messaging can be added for an additional $20 ($30 for FamilyTalk plans of up to five lines); $15 (1,500 messages), or $5 (200 messages).

iPhone for Business

Business customers interested in iPhone 3G should contact an AT&T business sales representative or review their account information online to determine their eligibility for upgrade pricing. Corporate e-mail and other business applications require the Enterprise Data Plan for iPhone, which is $45 a month and bundled with an eligible voice plan. Small business customers may qualify for AT&T BusinessTalk, the industry’s only shared plan specifically for small businesses. Additional details on iPhone business offerings are available at www.att.com/iphoneforbusiness.

iPhone 2.0 Software

All iPhone customers will benefit from the iPhone 2.0 software, which will be pre-loaded on all iPhone 3Gs and available as a free download for current iPhone customers. The new software will include numerous enhancements, such as business-class e-mail access via Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync; the iPhone Software Development Kit (SDK), which allows a business to easily create applications customized to its needs; and the App Store, which offers a wide-range of applications — from games to business, education to entertainment and productivity to social networking. For example, AT&T has developed YELLOWPAGES.COM Mobile for iPhone, which takes local mobile search to a new level by allowing users to discover businesses and local events based on their popularity among other iPhone users, get directions and access business reviews.

[Via AT&T]

Verizon’s Phone Launch Calendar

We now know that Verizon will be getting the HTC Touch Diamond and Touch Pro (yay) and it looks like there is a whole slate of new phones coming out in the 3rd quarter. PhoneArena got the low down on the showdown and apparently, heres how its going to go down:

Obviously what we’re interested in here are the HTC devices, the Blaze which is a multimedia touchscreen phone in Motorola’s new “Motozine” line, the VU30 which might just be the mysterious “Utopia” and the Palm Treo 800w.

The rest are pretty ho-hum - at least on the surface - but we’ll let you know if anything develops. Lets hear it again for the Touch Diamond/Pro being on more carriers!

[Via PhoneArena]

HTC Touch Pro & Diamond on Sprint, Verizon?!

Sprint and Verizon have signed a deal to carry not only the HTC Touch Pro, but the Touch Diamond as well! CDMA-ers have to be elated as these are 2 of the most anticipated devices of the year. Release dates at this point are unknown, and so are all those ever so important juicy details, but one thing we do know is that the Touch Pro has already been approved by the FCC.

Rumor has it this is their eager attempt to try and snag some people away from the ridiculously popular iPhone. As far as we can tell, the iPhone will not be available on a CDMA network (Verizon & Sprint, etc) for quite some time.. if ever, so this is a nice pickup.

Looks like we’re going to keep a look out for an HTC press release on these bad boys, until then..

[Via Phone Mag & Into Mobile]

Omnia vs. iPhone

We’re not going to make any reference the letter after H cellular device murderer here… those talks are tired. But what we WILL do is show some pictures comparing the Samsung Omnia with the iPhone. Afterall, both of these bad boys will be on AT&T and before you drop some hefty coin, you want to make sure you’re buying what you want.

Not bad looking - either of them - eh? See the difference in the upper left hand corner? That’s the Omnia’s 5MP phone compared to the 2MP of the iPhone - one of the nice edges that the Omnia offers.

The Omnia also appears to be slightly thicker but also shorter and less wide. But don’t get the idea that its “stocky” or “frumpy”… they are pretty compareable as you can see below:

[Via IntoMobile]

Alltel Adds Free Texting!

Yesterday, Alltel annoucned the addition of free texting to it’s “My Circle” offer. Now, all “My Circle” plan holders can send UNLIMITED text, video and picture message between people in their “circle”, as well as all other Alltel customers with Alltel’s new “My Circle” offer starting at only $7.99 every month.

Now, there is a couple plans. The lowest one of course starting at $7.99 giving you 400 text/video/picture messages to send between people not within your “circle”. If you think you’ll be workin’ your thumbs a little harder, there’s also a $12.99 pack which gives you 1,000 instead of 400. And for extreme thumb jazzercizers you’re in luck… they still are offering an unlimited message pack which is $19.99 a month that gives you both unlimited messaging and mobile browsing.

Alltel folks might want to snap this deal up (before they become Verizon folks). Then you can go over to your friend’s and they’ll see your buff thumbs and be all like, “Whoa, you’ve been working out!” — it’s a total chick magnet.. let me live my dream!

[Via Phone Scoop]

Hello Rhapsody, Says Verizon.

I’m sure you’ve been out of your house and had a song stuck in your head that you just had to listen to. If not, you’re an alien and I’m calling the FBI. For humans who also happen to be Verizon customers, get ready to rejoice: today, Verizon Wireless announced that it will be introducing Rhapsody’s subscription based music service on their network. This brings you unlimited mobile music downloads for $15 bucks a month - not bad!

Rhapsody appears to be following the footsteps of its siblings, Napster and iTunes. But breathe a sigh of relief, because they’ve taken off that ever so annoying DRM (Digital Rights Management) protection so you now have control over the music you buy.. unlike the past.

If you have however bought a song on VCAST before, you also received a copy of the MP3 track for your PC. Now, that copy will be unprotected… no DRM! While songs that are downloaded through this new service will still come with DRM protection, you need to connect it to your PC with Rhapsody installed to get the non-DRM’d MP3 for your PC. Mac users? Sorry, this won’t work for you yet.

This service will only work with the LG Chocolate 3 (available in July), LG Decoy and LG Dare; Motorola W755; Samsung U550, Samsung Glyde and Samsung Juke. However, if you’re using the Motorola RIZR Z6tv, Motorola RAZR2 V9m or LG VX8700 you’ll need to pop on in to your local Verizon store and get an upgrade of your phone’s software.

[Via Verizon Wireless]

Motorola Blaze: Verizon’s Next Touch Screen

The LG Dare came out less than a week ago but Verizon Wireless already has another all-touch screen device ready to battle the likes of the Dare, Voyager and Glyde… introducing the Motorola Blaze.

BGR describes the phone as, “A Ming crossed with a PEBL crossed with a RAZR 2.” Hmmm.. interesting. We’ve got (rumored) specs and pictures to give you a better idea:

Pictures:

[Via BGR]

Samsung Instinct Software Updates?

The guys at CrunchGear apparently went forum perousing (or more likely got a tip) that the Samsung Instinct will get a software update on June 30th.

There have been a few little bugs with the Samsung Instinct and supposedly, this quickly pushed update will cure those ailments. So if you’re inclined to believe a rumor from a rumor from a forum that nobody has ever heard of… follow these directions on the 30th and see if the Instinct Gods shine on you that day:

[Via CrunchGear]

T-Mobile Announces Motorola ROKR E8

T-Mobile has officially announced a new member of the family, the ROKR E8, meaning Motorola has officially made its first significant foray into North America with what we would term, its new generation.

What makes it the new generation? Well, the new Linux OS for starters, plus a unique profile, cool morphing keypad, excellent music capabilities and design and function that is totally unrelated to the RAZR (sorry, RAZR 2 V8…you’re out).  Personally, given the extent of T-Mobile’s 3G network, we are not at all hurt by the absence of 3G on the E8. We hope this is just the beginning for Motorola (and their comeback?), this device certainly deserves to do well.

It will available July 7th, for $199.99 with a 2-Year Contract.

[via Engadget Mobile]

LG Dare Now Available!

The LG Dare is officially “for sale” on the Verizon Wireless website. If you’re the type that needs to go into the store and play around before deciding, you’ll have to wait until next weekend. With that being a holiday weekend, we’d opt for the convenience of ordering online.

Some of the features of this sexy phone are a touchscreen that comes with a stylus for handwriting recognition, a 3.2MP camera with face detection, LED flash and autozoom as well as picture and video editing tools and a nice multimedia suite. It’s looking pretty good.

Here is the “official” information from Verizon:

Dare to be different with Verizon Wireless’ newest phone - Dare™ by LG. This new handset will surpass your expectations with a large 3–inch touch screen that recognizes your handwriting and gives you tactile feedback. Zoom in closer to find a 3.2 megapixel camera/camcorder with advanced features like face detection for outstanding image quality. Of course, the Dare sounds just as good as it looks with a music player and Bluetooth® stereo. With HTML web browsing and a host of other alluring features, it’s up to any mobile challenge.

Design

  • Large 3″ Touch Screen with Tactile Feedback
  • Virtual QWERTY Keyboard

Camera/Video

  • 3.2 Megapixel Camera & Camcorder
  • Camera Resolutions: 2048×1536, 1600×1200, 1280×960, 640×480, 320×240
  • Video Resolution: 640×480, 320×240, 176×144
  • SmartPic Technology for Improved Image Quality
  • Face Detection – automatically detects a face when taking a picture
  • Panorama, Split Shot, & Frame Camera Setting
  • Image Editor – zoom, rotate, crop, add frames, icons, and write over images

Music

  • Music Player for MP3, WMA, unprotected AAC, & unprotected AAC+
  • Preset Sound Effect Equalizer
  • Multitask While Playing Music
  • Create and Manage Playlists
  • microSD™ Memory Port with up to 8GB Support
  • USB Mass Storage

Bluetooth®

  • Send all Contacts & Calendar Events via Bluetooth
  • Print & Send User–Generated Pictures (JPEG) via Bluetooth
  • Supported Profiles: Headset, Hands–free, Dial–Up Networking, Advanced Audio Distribution (stereo), Phonebook Access, Basic Printing, Object Push for vCard and vCalendar, File Transfer, Basic Imaging, Human Imaging Transfer
Services

    Only Available on Nationwide Plans

  • Nationwide Premium Plan Capable
  • V CAST Music
  • V CAST Videos
  • Text/Picture/Video Messaging/Mobile IM/Voice Mail
  • HTML Web Browser with Touch Navigation
  • Media Center – download games, ringtones, and more
  • Mobile Email & VZ Navigatorsm

General

  • One–Touch Speakerphone & Speaker–Independent Voice Commands
  • Calculator, EZTip Calculator, Calendar, Alarm Clock, Stopwatch, World Clock, Notebook, Notepad & Drawing Pad with handwriting recognition
  • Up to 1000 contacts, 5 entries per contact
  • Device Software Update – Download software upgrades over the air

Specifications

  • Frequency: 1.9 GHz CDMA PCS, 800 MHz CDMA
  • Data Transmission: EV–DO Rev. A
  • Dimensions: 4.1″ (H) x 2.2″ (W) x 0.5″ (D)
  • Weight: 3.76 oz.
  • Hearing Aid Compatibility = M3/T3
  • Meets FCC SAR limit. Manufacturer’s highest FCC reported SAR 1.09 W/kg at ear, 0.987 W/kg on body
  • Display: 260K Color TFT, 240×400 Pixels, 2.98″
  • Handset Usage Time: Up to 280 Minutes OR
  • Handset Standby Time: Up to 360 Hours
  • 3.5mm Headset Jack Capable
  • Handset Insurance is Available

Samsung Omnia: Coming Soon to AT&T

Rumor has it that the Samsung Omnia will suit up for the Blue Team with AT&T offering the phone in the near future. And by near future we mean July, August or September. Seeing as how initial conventional wisdom reported the Omnia wouldn’t make it to the states, this news couldn’t be any more exciting.

In addition to the regular AT&T multimedia features such as AT&T Music, AT&T Video and AT&T Navigator, the Omnia will also feature AT&T Mobile TV!

Here are some other specs to keep your mouth watering:

[Via Samsung Omnia]

Verizon’s Visual Voicemail reveals MUCH More

We recently learned that Verizon Wireless will be joining the ranks of AT&T and Sprint in offering Visual Voicemail. It’s a pretty handy tool that will allow you to view a list of your voicemail’s and who they are from so you can listen to them in any order you’d like. Neat, but not the most exciting part of the “announcement”.

Inside documents from Verizon about Visual Voicemail provide some insight into rumored and previously unheard of new handsets. And new phone rumors, ladies and gentlemen, makes us more happy than a bucket of rainbows.

5 actual handsets are listed as being “affected” by the adoption of Verizon Visual Voicemail:

There’s an AWFUL lot to chew on here folks.

First of all, this means we’ll DEFINITELY be seeing something new from the LG Voyager. Whether its just a software update (much needed) or a new hardware release in time for the holidays, we’re not quite sure. But its exciting to see new Voyager mentions in the mix as it simply doesn’t get enough credit.

The Motorola Utopia and Motorola Blaze are two BRAND NEW devices that haven’t really been mentioned up to this point. Who knows what they could be. But without a decent Motorola Touch Screen in the United States, this looks like pretty big news.

See that “New RIM Device (touchscreen)” our bets - as well as everyone elses - are that this means the BlackBerry Thunder (still unannounced) will have Visual Voicemail. Sweet!

And then there is the Chocolate 3 which is less exciting since we can pretty much get our arms around everything there. But for the other 4 cans of worms opened, we’ll keep you up to date as the news rolls in, so check back in!

By the way, the Visual Voicemail won’t be a free addition, it’ll cost you an extra $1.99 per month.

[Sources: EngadgetMobile, Gizmodo]

Sprint Goes Gangsta: Instinct Movie Trailer

We mean Gangsta as in Mr. Pink from Reservoir Dogs style gangsta, not Tupac Shakur from Juice style Gangsta. So would that make it GangstER? Who knows.

The point is, Samsung & Sprint are obviously heavily invested in making the Instinct a huge success and the latest way to help their handsome handset fulfill its potential? Viral video marketing. We admit… its pretty funny:

That’s 2 Instinct articles in a row… we know. What can we say? We’re mobile fat boys - if they feed us good material we’re gonna eat it right up!

Samsung Instinct: 1 CENT Less than iPhone WITH Service

Originally thought rumored at $199.99 you’ll be pleasantly suprised, and quite frankly we’re amazed, that Sprint has priced the Samsung Instinct at $129.99. After running a HUGE, $100 Million ad campaign based on Instinct vs. iPhone, the $199 cost seemed to fall in line… but that line stands corrected!

The Instinct, which has received incredibly high praises from sources across the board, was already poised to get its fair share of looks. Now, with a MUCH lower pricing point, the Samsung Instinct for Sprint looks like it could be a real powerhouse - offering a high-end phone for a mid-range price.

The Instinct is available ONLY on service plans that come with unlimited data, starting at $69.99/month for 450 minutes and obviously, unlimited data. So lets see…

$129.99 for the Instinct
$ 69.99 for the service (at minimum)
=======================
$199.98

HAHA… Sprint and Samsung FTW!

Just as we predicted, the pricing for the Instinct is 1 penny lower than the iPhone 3G… AND you get unlimited data for that price on the Sprint Network.

This is going to make a LOT of soon to be Instinct owners and Sprint customers very, very happy. And, its going to make those planning on buying the iPhone 3G on July 11th think twice.

Here is the full press release from Sprint:

OVERLAND PARK, Kan.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–June 18, 2008–Sprint (NYSE: S) today announced pricing for Instinct, a new wireless device that offers consumers an industry-leading user experience by combining full touch-screen functionality with the fast speeds available on the largest national mobile broadband network. When the device launches on June 20, it will cost just $129.99 with a two-year contract after a $100 mail-in rebate.

Customers will be able to purchase Instinct through Sprint retail stores, Web (www.sprint.com) and telesales (1-800-SPRINT1.) Best Buy is Sprint’s exclusive retail partner for Instinct from June 20 - August 28.

In order for customers to experience the full capabilities of the device, Instinct must be activated on a pricing plan offering unlimited data. Customers can choose from Everything plans for individuals starting at just $69.99 per month for 450 voice minutes or Talk/Message/Data Share plans for families starting at $129.99 per month for 1500 voice minutes to share between two lines. Instinct complements Sprint’s signature Simply Everything Plan offering both unlimited nationwide voice and data services for just $99.99 per month. The Simply Everything Plan offers premium services, including GPS navigation, email, web surfing, Sprint Music Premier and Sprint TV Premier, while letting customers easily budget for phone expenses.

Instinct was recently named “Best in Show” in the third annual Emerging Technology (E-Tech) Award competition in April at CTIA Wireless 2008. Instinct was also honored as “Most Innovative Product at CTIA Wireless 2008″ by the editors of LAPTOP, a leading mobile technology magazine. CNET also recognized Instinct as the “Best Cell Phone” in its annual Cream of the Crop CTIA 2008 awards.

The innovative device speeds up the user experience like no other touch-screen phone and brings the customer’s most-used applications and contacts within a single finger tap. Instinct has a high-tech look with large, vibrant touch-screen featuring localized tactile feedback, called haptics, which transform the virtual QWERTY keypad and other screen interactions into a sensory experience. The device also offers a Speech to Action button providing many functions using speech activation for calling, texting, picture messaging, traffic, movie, sports, news, weather and search.

As Sprint’s first EV-DO Rev A consumer-centric device, Instinct provides the ability to quickly browse the Web, access business or personal e-mail, share pictures, listen to commercial-free radio and more at broadband speeds. Instinct also provides smooth access to GPS applications including Sprint Navigation, with GPS-enabled audio and visual turn-by-turn driving directions and one-click traffic rerouting as well as Live Search for Sprint, powered by Microsoft, providing easy access to directory information on-the-go, interactive maps and one-touch click to call access.

Instinct boasts many advanced features including Visual Voicemail, allowing users to listen to messages in their order of preference and manage them with a simple tap of the screen. This device also provides support for corporate and consumer (POP3 and IMAP) email, multitasking capabilities that allow the user to play music in background mode while surfing the Internet, texting or playing games, a 2.0 megapixel camera with camcorder and expandable microSD memory of up to 8GB. Additional features include advanced stereo Bluetooth(R) 2.0, SMS voice and text messaging with threaded text, picture caller ID and Sprint Mobile Sync.

Instinct comes with everything the user needs to enjoy the device’s full capabilities right out of the box. Contents include a 2GB microSD(TM) card that can hold approximately 2,000 songs from Sprint Music Store, two standard 1,000 mAh batteries offering up to 5.75 hours of continuous talk time each, battery-charging sleeve, travel charger, USB cable, 3.5mm headphones with built-in microphone, and carry case with stylus. Customers can access the latest information on Instinct at www.instinctthephone.com.

About Sprint Nextel

Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including two wireless networks serving nearly 53 million customers at the end of the first quarter 2008; industry-leading mobile data services; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. For more information, visit www.sprint.com.

[Via Sprint]

LG Decoy Is Up For Sale!

As expected, the LG Decoy is now for sale on the Verizon Wireless homepage:

It will cost you $179.99 with a 2 year contract and $50 instant online rebate. Not too shabby considering it also comes with a bluetooth headset that you’ll never have to charge.

It will be interesting to see how many people take the dive for the decoy when there are so many other amazing phones in the works over the next several months. If you grab one, let us know what you think…

Nokia Tube Resurfaces

Remember those rumors of a touch screen Nokia handset we heard about a few months back called the Nokia Tube?

Apparently the iPhone 3G announcement and nearby Samsung Instinct launch have awoken the Tube from its slumber, along with a couple other Nokia handsets (N79, N85). With the premiere N-Series phone - the N96 - already lined up, we’re not so much infatuated with the N79 and N85 scoops.

But this Nokia Tube thing… we want more. Here are a few new pictures of what is claimed to be the Nokia Tube:



A couple things that are noteworthy in the pics:

The Nokia Tube! Sounds cheesy at first… but it could grow on us. Plus, you could call it the Nokia Junk or Nokia Garbage- as long as the phone kicks butt we don’t really care.

By the way, these pictures were dug up from a Flickr Photostream from an account that has since been deleted. We’re not sure what that says about the authenticity of the pics and rumors, but we thought we’d let you know!

[Via TalkAboutNSeries & Crave]

4 New Sprint Phones Launching Sunday

Sprint is launching 4 brand new phones on Sunday, Father’s Day. And while they are technically “new”, you’ll likely think they’re about as “groovy” and “jiving” as the forced lingo your wannabe cool dad uses. ALL of the following phones feature Push-To-Talk Technology.

First up is the the LG LX400, is a clamshell with push-to-talk Q-Chat feature, 1.3 MP camera, GPS and bluetooth that will set you back $79.99 with a 2-year contract and rebates:

Next we have the Samsung Z400 which claims it is rugged enough to pass Military Specification 810F for conditions such as dust, temperature and altitude. Doesn’t this sound like the upcoming Motorola Adventure for Sprint? These two will likely go head to head, with the rugged nature being the top selling point. $99.99 with 2 years and rebates.

The Sanyo Pro-200 and Pro-700 are pretty run of the mill as well, but do boast e-mail support. The Pro 200 runs $49.99 with 2 years and rebates. The Pro-700 is the exact same phone but ruggedized to pass those Military Specifications 810F you keep hearing about.

[Via Sprint]

Instinct vs. iPhone 3G Heats Up at $199/Each

Samsung and Sprint themselves played up the whole Instinct vs. iPhone thing with a $100 million dollar advertising campaign featuring promotional videos that directly pit the two phones against eachother. Obviously, the Instinct won each “battle”.

While the annoying “iPhone Killer” crap gets perpetuated by bloggers, analysts and fanboys across the globe, the Instinct ad campaign was the first time it was purposefully force-fed by the competing manufacturer/carrier themselves. Many predicted once the iPhone 3G was released, the Instincts talking points against the iPhone would be moot and the “iPhone Killer” hype once again debunked.

But as the story unfolds, the Instinct has gotten tremendous reviews across the board and looks to remain competitive. One of the most exciting developments for the iPhone 3G was it’s $199 price point. After spending so much on head to head comparison ads did you really think the Sprint would let them walk away with a differentiating factor of price?

Of course not, and thats why the Samsung Instinct will $199 dollars with a 2-year Sprint Contract… JUST like the iPhone 3G.

I’m not sure what the marketing guys at Sprint are thinking, but if I were them, I’d change that pricepoint to $198.99 and get some more mileage out of those head to head Instinct vs. iPhone videos. Cmon Sprint, it will be amusing!

New Sprint Service Plans Coming

On the 15th, Sprint will be making a bunch of changes to their service plans. Consolidation of of Sprint and Nextel plans is one of the main features - shouldn’t they have done that awhile ago?

Anyways, we thought current Sprint customers and potential future Sprint customers might want a headstart on the info:

[Via BGR]

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