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]

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]

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]

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]

Real Pictures of the BlackBerry Thunder!

Rumors of the BlackBerry Thunder have been spreading like wildfire ever since the BGR dropped news on the upcoming and unannounced device. He created a “mockup” of what HE thought the device would look like, many people confusing it for official pictures.

Now the BGR has the REAL pictures and he wasn’t far off. Emblazoned with a Verizon Wireless logo, the phone is rumored to be a lifetime exclusive on Verizon’s network.

Just when you thought the weekend was slipping away with nothing notable happening… The phone has all the buttons we expected… Send, Menu, Escape and End with a few odds and ends here and there. It looks as beautiful as we thought it would, but a few questions remain. Mainly:

  1. Is BlackBerry capable of putting out a highly competitive product with the BlackBerry Thunder since it is their first ever attempt at creating a touchscreen? Or, can we expect it to have flaws that the BlackBerry brand can’t overcome?
  2. We want one… when does it come out?

It’s amazing how one guy got the scoop on EVERYTHING for this phone… finding the rumors before anyone else, announcing them, making an oh-so-accurate mock-up, disputing claims of others that it didn’t exist and now releasing these.

Big props to the Boy Genius Report!

Samsung Instinct for Sprint Unboxed!

The mad rush by blogs world wide for the coveted title of “first to unbox” has been undermined - at least for the Samsung Instinct - by a Sprint employee. We don’t really care because we get to see the goods! And… you might want to know “the goods” are coming to a Sprint store near you on June 20th!

Josh33_unc from SprintUsers.com got a text message from a buddy who works at Sprint… with pictures of HIM unboxing the beast:





[Via SprintUsers]

Samsung Instinct Gets June Release Date

Sprint has confirmed that the Samsung Instinct will be available soon… very soon!

With an e-mail update from the folks at Sprint, we learn that “Slow Ends This June”. Other sources are confirming that the phone will be available in June… June 20th to be exact.

We’re thinking a lot of Sprint folks have been waiting for this. If you all want to huddle up and talk with each other about your soon to be new phone, hit the Samsung Instinct Forum.

BlackBerry Bold Release Dates Announced

It might just be rumor, but InfoSyncWorld has definitive dates, prices and carrier info for the upcoming BlackBerry Bold. Here’s what you should know:

We’re not sure why T-Mobile is pricing it at $50 more, but apparently neither is anybody else.

[Via InfoSyncWorld]

Instinct vs. iPhone

Sprint has been somewhat shunned for dropping a cool million on a Sprint Instinct vs. Apple iPhone campaign with the purposes of proving it can unseat the iPhone based on performance. The problem is that half the iPhone’s glory stems from intangible, perception based affection.

The ease of use. The Apple brand. The App Store. The User Interface…

Still, the Instinct SHOULD get points for matching up with the iPhone. Trying to take the iPhone head on by directly comparing them is a risky move, since being dubbed an “iPhone Killer” is a cliche that has gotten very old very quick. Why make the comparison when the rest of the universe is going to do it for you?

Nevertheless, the people SHOULD be viewing the Instinct has a hot commodity. Take a look at these 5 videos from the campaign and tell us what YOU think:

(UPDATE: it appears the video isn’t working for some. If not, you can see the videos here)

FAST INTERNET

LIVE TV

GPS FEATURES

DIGITAL CAMCORDER

MUSIC DOWNLOAD

So… who wins? We’re guessing the Apple folks will say, “Once the 3G iPhone drops, there will be no comxparison.” But even if they’re right, you have to give the Instinct credit for matching up very, very, very well.

We’re excited for this phone to say the least.

Sprint’s XOHM Ready to ROAM

Executives at Sprint probably find a place of complete internal reflection when they watch the Sitcom Friends and hear the theme song lyrics, “When it hasn’t been your day, your week, your month - or even your year (or two).”

Clearwire will be there for you.

The Wall Street Journal and Fortune (CNN) are both reporting that Kirkland, Washington based Clearwire Corp. is close to reaching a $12 Billion Dollar Joint Venture with Sprint that could resurrect the company’s once promising XOHM and WiMax revolution (via MocoNews).

Sprint has been inundated with various rumors lately, from selling out to T-Mobile to spinning off Nextel and now this. The truth is that the rumors are all probably equally true because if Sprint has proved one thing lately, it’s that they don’t know WHAT the hell they are doing. They could certainly use this helping hand.

But the help isn’t only coming from Clearwire… no-no-no-no-no… because Clearwire has recently received billions of dollars in 3rd party funding from the likes of:

Looks like Sprint chose to share copies of the house key instead of getting evicted. Nextel might still get spun off… Sprint might still get sold to T-Mobile… but it’s pretty clear that XOHM/WiMax is Sprint’s ticket out of the doghouse and if sharing it will salvage the company, ya gotta do what ya gotta do.

So what is WiMax and what is XOHM?

You know how people have been “raving” about the upcoming 3G iPhone and how quick and responsive it will be because of how fast the 3G network speeds are? Well WiMax is equivalent to 4G and is a generic technology. XOHM is Sprint’s branded execution of that technology and they were the first to announce their pursuit of WiMax integration. The network is capable of providing both mobile phone service and wireless internet connectivity.

They shelved the project for many reasons, but mostly because the company is a train wreck. The Nextel merger didn’t do much except complicate things… and while experts have raved about what XOHM could accomplish, the situation amounted to having a really, really hot fiance with too much freaking baggage. The Joint Venture with Clearwire represents the figurative prenuptial agreement with mandatory marriage counseling.

Both sources (see above) are warning that the deal is not final and it’s possible nothing gets done. It would be shame, because this joint venture could take a once proud company back to new heights.

The crazy thing about all of this is that the Joint Venture would operate solely under the Clearwire name. Comcast and TimeWarner Cable are both huge providers of Internet connection and Google is just getting it’s foot in the Mobile Phone door. Intel is an emerging provider of chips for mobile devices and holy geez could this pot get stewed up any more?

The bottom line is that this is good (if successful) for everyone. Consumers will get their magical 4G speeds. Sprint finds resurgence and momentum to breathe life back into the company. Clearwire finds a flagship product. And, all those Clearwire financial providers get to test their respective waters without the risks and burden of going it alone.

Hey Head Honchos will you do us all a favor? Sit down at that table and don’t get up until you’ve reached an agreement.

Sprinting in the Wrong Direction

We hate to say it, but it looks like Sprint is winning a one horse race for the finish line of annihilation. Let’s have a quick look at recent timeline of sorts:

  1. Robert H. Brust was named Sprint Nextel CFO effective immediately. He formerly served as CFO of Kodak.
  2. T-Mobile is rumored to possibly purchase Sprint.
  3. Sprint shows interest in selling off the Nextel side of the biz.
  4. QWEST Communications drops Sprint as it’s Carrier in favor of Verizon.
  5. The new CFO is welcomed with news of a Junk Bond rating by the S&P.
  6. Nonetheless, Sprint Nextel stock rises 10.5% - probably based on investors hoping they sell out to T-Mobile.

There is a decent amount at stake here… having the 3rd largest Wireless Carrier in North America be “absorbed” will make for even more of an oligopoly, less competition, etc… but what we’re wondering is what will happen to “Xohm”?

Xohm, also known as WiMax, is the standard that Sprint is developing for mobile internet connectivity. It’s faster than pretty much anything standardized in the existing market but delay after delay has brought continued disappointment for the service’s launch. Moving forward, it will be hard for the company to fund their most promising project considering the recent news that their company will either be sold or sit and rot like banana peels in a compost pile.

So why not sell off Nextel only and use the capital to focus on Sprint and Xohm/WiMax? That’s what we’d look to do. How many people are fond of Nextel anyways? Oh.. you are? Cool, for $2,000 and a new 2-year Sprint contract perhaps you could buy the entire company.