Amidst all of Sprint's eagerness to phase out its iDEN network, the carrier hasn't given us a hard cutoff date to mark on our calendars until now. If you're still rocking that Motorola Titanium, you may have to drop your Nextel push-to-talk dreams as soon as June 30th, 2013, the earliest possible date Sprint says it could shut down the legacy service. Government customers will be getting a friendly paper reminder on June 1st of this year to make sure they're using CDMA Direct Connect phones like the Admiral well in advance. The switch-off will mark the end to a long and troubled chapter in the Sprint Nextel era, but if it helps bring about 800MHz LTE sooner, we're all for it.

Continue reading Sprint sets a best-before date for iDEN push-to-talk: June 30th, 2013

Sprint sets a best-before date for iDEN push-to-talk: June 30th, 2013 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 29 May 2012 12:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

What's a spankin' new Android phone to do hot off its CTIA 2012 debut? Why, stop by the FCC for an inside-out coming out party. The Kyocera-crafted handset outlined in the docs looks to be the recently unveiled Hydro, as the device's model number -- C5170 -- matches that of the unit we got hands-on with in New Orleans. The filings don't spill much of the middleweight mobile's guts, but we were able to discern radios for CDMA 1900MHz, WiFi b/g/n and Bluetooth, as well as the existence of a 1,500mAh battery. We're still in the dark as to where this waterproofed, ICS-laden phone'll end up, but if our magic 8-ball's any indication, all signs point knowingly to Sprint. Hit up the source below to rifle through the RF tests for yourself.

Kyocera Hydro bares all for the FCC originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 May 2012 04:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Third time's a charm...
Three's a crowd...
She's once, twice, three times a lady Nexus...
Three's a magic number...
Good things come in threes... or is that sneezes?
Okay, so maybe there isn't anything clever we can say to get you hooked, but do we really need to lure you in at this point? The Galaxy Nexus is, arguably, not only one of the best Android phones on the market, but one of the best phones, period. So, there's no reason to expect the Sprint variant ($199 on contract) would be anything short of incredible. Still, there's only one way to find out. Follow along after the break as we put the newest member of the Nexus family through its paces and see how it stacks up against its Verizon and unlocked siblings.

Gallery: Samsung Galaxy Nexus for Sprint review

Continue reading Sprint Galaxy Nexus review

Sprint Galaxy Nexus review originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 May 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Sprint's been rather quiet at this year's CTIA Wireless in New Orleans, but that doesn't mean it hasn't been sitting around without making any sort of noise. This morning, the Now Network let the cat out of the bag about Direct Connect Now, which is a service that will allow any regular smartphone user the opportunity to use the company's push-to-talk services in very similar fashion to devices that come with PTT already built into the hardware. How is this made possible? Simply put, there's an app for that -- or at least, there will be one coming to Google Play at an unspecified time in the not-too-distant future. This doesn't mean Sprint is giving up on hardware-based Direct Connect devices: new models will continue to be released going forward, but more smartphone users will at least have an opportunity to take advantage of the services in one way or another. More info as we receive it.

Sprint confirms Direct Connect Now, will offer Push-to-Talk services via smartphone app originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 May 2012 12:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Whether or not Sprint's version of HTC's One X is indeed shipping on May 18th remains to be seen, but one thing's for sure: it'll almost definitely hit store shelves prior to Sprint's LTE network going live. Following the Galaxy Nexus' footsteps in that regard, the EVO 4G LTE seems to have no shame in its game, and the 219 page user manual has floated out for those interested in getting a head start on understanding their future superphone. The PDF's linked in the source for your perusal, but don't go digging for any of life's secrets. Well, there is a section on Private Browsing, but you know....

Sprint HTC EVO 4G LTE user guide slips out, tells you what you already know originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 May 2012 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Kyocera is looking to regain a foothold in the US smartphone market, and curiously enough, it's doing so by catering to niche audiences. First we saw the Hydro, a waterproof handset, and alongside it is the Rise, which features a sliding QWERTY keyboard. Both phones are built for CDMA networks, although Kyocera has yet to announce carrier availability for either. We wouldn't be surprised in the least to see it going to Sprint or any of its prepaid brands, but this is just speculation for now.

Spec-wise, the Rise is very similar to the Hydro, and this extends to the OS. In our brief time with the phone, we were treated to a largely vanilla interpretation of Ice Cream Sandwich, which makes the Rise a bit of a rare breed in the QWERTY world -- hopefully its future carrier doesn't dictate huge alterations. The phone features a Qualcomm MSM8655 SoC with a 1GHz CPU, a 3.5-inch, 480 x 320 IPS LCD display, a 3.2-megapixel camera with LED flash and a 1,500 mAh battery. When compared to other QWERTY sliders, the handset itself is rather compact and fit nicely in our hand. We were similarly quite fond of the sliding mechanism on the Rise, which felt natural and provided just enough resistance. The four-row keyboard is altogether forgettable, but it should serve those who insist upon physical keys just fine. Our biggest gripe about the Rise, however, is its low-res display, which seems like quite a misstep -- even for a budget device.

In terms of storage, you'll find 512MB of RAM, 2GB built-in and a 2GB microSD card. The Rise also features 802.11n (WiFi), Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR and EV-DO Rev. A. It's safe to say that Kyocera is targeting budget audiences with the Rise, but the strategy may work to its advantage if other carriers fail to keep their QWERTY sliders up-to-date with the latest version of Android. No pricing was announced at the show, but we imagine it will be strongly tied to whichever carriers choose to sell it. You'll find our hands-on video after the break.

Gallery: Kyocera Rise hands-on

Continue reading Kyocera Rise hands-on (video)

Kyocera Rise hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 May 2012 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

It's been a while since we've seen a Kyocera smartphone for the US market, and if you'll recall, its previous two attempts -- the Milano and Echo -- didn't manage to sway many consumers. Today, the company is adding two new Android handsets to the deck: the Hydro and Rise. True to its name, the Hydro plays off of Kyocera's experience in the waterproof segment, and while it's not mil-spec, the phone's able to withstand submersion at depths of up to one meter for a half-hour. The Hydro is a CDMA handset, although Kyocera is keeping the carrier affiliations -- and pricing -- close to its chest. As with the Rise, we'd expect to see it arrive on Sprint or one of its prepaid brands in the near future.

The Hydro will ship with Ice Cream Sandwich, and we're pleased to report that the interface is largely unmolested, save for Kyocera's app to conserve battery life -- whether the carrier dictates future changes remains to be seen. Beyond the OS and the waterproof aspect, however, it's rather humdrum in the spec department. It features a Qualcomm MSM8655 SoC with a 1GHz CPU, a 3.5-inch, 480 x 320 display, a 3.2-megapixel camera with LED flash and a 1,500 mAh battery. Because the screen is an IPS LCD, the quality is definitely a step-above your run-of-the-mill TFT-LCD mainstays, although it's hard to ignore the low-res image quality. The Hydro also offers 512MB of RAM, 2GB of built-in storage and a 2GB microSD card. In terms of connectivity, you'll find 802.11n (WiFi), Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR and EV-DO Rev. A. The handset itself is comfortable to hold, though its plasticky build materials reinforce the fact that it's a low-end handset. While the Hydro doesn't blaze any new trails, it may very well be suitable for those on a budget who'd like a phone that can handle life's accidents. Follow the break for our hands-on video.

Gallery: Kyocera Hydro hands-on

Continue reading Kyocera Hydro hands-on (video)

Kyocera Hydro hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 May 2012 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Although Sprint is winding down iDEN services here in the US, it hasn't turned its back on the technology completely. The nation's third largest wireless carrier has announced a new push-to-talk service offering, dubbed International Direct Connect. The $10 monthly add-on will allow Direct Connect push-to-talk users in the US -- utilizing its CDMA network -- to communicate with iDEN PTT users in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Peru free of charge. Although not explicitly stated, the aforementioned nations are referred to as "initial" markets, implying that more countries will be added to this list at some point in the future. All the details about the business-focused proposition, along with the press sheet, can be found after the break.

Continue reading Sprint Direct Connect brandishes passport, brings push-to-talk to distant shores

Sprint Direct Connect brandishes passport, brings push-to-talk to distant shores originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Apr 2012 19:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Google itself may have thrown the pricing situation out of whack by offering up a contract-free GSM version of Samsung's Galaxy Nexus for just $399, but those adhering to Sprint's plans can't make use of that, anyway. The other CDMA / LTE-infused Galaxy Nexus is now shipping from Sprint, several months ahead of its first LTE rollout. $199.99 on a two-year contract nets you a device, while you can snag one for $549.99 sans any strings. It's also available in stores nationwide for those who'd prefer to try before they buy, and yes, Sprint users who activate a Google Wallet account within a week of activation will receive a $10 instant credit and an additional $40 within three weeks. Just try to ignore that Galaxy S III that'll launch next month, okay? (It's not a pure Google device, anyway.)

PSA: Sprint's LTE-infused Galaxy Nexus now available online and in stores originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Apr 2012 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Sprint's HTC EVO 4G LTE zips into the FCC, zips back out again originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Sprint HTC 'EVO One' gets some in-person pics, kickstand and all originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 02:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The formal unveiling of LG's Viper this morning may not have piqued your interest, but Sprint loyalists hellbent on maintaining access to an unlimited plan may want to take a second look. Initially pointed out by TechHog, and confirmed to us today by a Sprint spokesperson, the carrier's impending LTE data network will indeed be included on its existing Everything plans. In other words, the Viper -- as well as any other LTE smartphone, Galaxy Nexus included -- will be able to surf the LTE superhighway without limits. To date, the "unlimited" nature of Sprint's data remains a huge differentiator in a world full of hamstrung options, tiers and throttles, and it'll certainly be used to get the attention of heavy users in the months ago. We also reconfirmed that Atlanta, Baltimore, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City and San Antonio are on track to receive LTE in "midyear 2012," with "other markets following in the third and fourth quarters." Huzzah!

Sprint confirms that LTE phones can enjoy unlimited data on Everything plans originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

First it appeared in a slipped ad, and then on The Engadget Show during CES. More recently, Sprint's variant of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus was spotted coasting through the FCC, and now it's practically a lock to launch between three and six weeks from now. We've received word that Sprint has initiated employee training specifically for the Galaxy Nexus and Android 4.0, which will enlighten staff on the benefits of the handset, ICS and Google Wallet. Those involved with the training have to wrap things up within the next fortnight, leading us to believe that it'll make its way into retail outlets in late April or early May. In related news, the coursework also makes mention of enabling LTE on a heretofore unannounced "LG Fury" -- presumably not to be confused with the similarly titled handset from ZTE. Unfortunately, details beyond the name on that guy are nowhere to be found, but we'll be digging for more in the days ahead.

Update: We've since stumbled upon a full slide deck of the training guide, and while there's nothing too surprising here, we are seeing that early units will ship with LTE turned off by default, though the company will change that at an undetermined time in the future. Call us crazy, but it sounds like Sprint may start hawking these prior to its LTE network being fully active.

Gallery: Sprint Galaxy Nexus leaked training guide

Continue reading Sprint begins employee training for Galaxy Nexus, launch looks imminent

Sprint begins employee training for Galaxy Nexus, launch looks imminent originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Virgin Mobile USA restores service, apologizes for the inconvenience originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Mar 2012 10:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

HTC and Sprint ready to show off a new 'collaboration' April 4th, might be the One X originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Mar 2012 17:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Nokia Lumia 800's CDMA cousin coming to China Telecom in March? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Android 4.0.4 ROM leaks for Verizon's Galaxy Nexus originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 02:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Sprint shows you where and when it's disabling Nextel's iDEN legacy network originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Galaxy Nexus and other CDMA devices removed from Google Support pages originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Verizon's ZTE Jetpack flies through FCC, arrival time still unknown originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Tucows launches Ting, a contract-free mobile service on Sprint's network

Tucows launches Ting, a contract-free mobile service on Sprint's network originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Sprint merging consumer and business sales / marketing units, giving four execs the boot originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Jan 2012 15:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

China Telecom eyes network expansion in France, Germany and US originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Jan 2012 23:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Verizon backs down from convenience fee, values your two cents

Verizon backs down from convenience fee, values your two cents originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Dec 2011 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Verizon's $2 convenience fee inconveniences the FCC originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Dec 2011 14:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Leaked memo details Verizon's $2 fee for paying your bill; autodraft or ACH the only way out (update: confirmed)

Leaked memo details Verizon's $2 fee for paying your bill; autodraft or ACH the only way out (update: confirmed) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Dec 2011 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

We are investigating reports of some customers experiencing trouble accessing the 4GLTE network. The network itself continues to operate and all customers continue to be able to make calls, send text messages and utilize data services. 3G devices are operating normally.

Verizon experiencing nationwide data outage? (update: Verizon confirms) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Dec 2011 14:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Nokia's diagnostics app secretly contains CDMA, AT&T LTE test screens originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Dec 2011 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Verizon sidesteps Galaxy Nexus antennagate, claims signal indicator is to blame originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Dec 2011 19:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Verizon confirms Galaxy Nexus 'signal strength issue,' says a fix is in the works originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Qualcomm's Gobi 3000 finds a home in HP laptops, delivers standard agnostic DataPass

Qualcomm's Gobi 3000 finds a home in HP laptops, delivers standard agnostic DataPass originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Dec 2011 07:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Nokia Siemens promises better TD-LTE and CDMA coverage, no alarms or surprises

Nokia Siemens promises better TD-LTE and CDMA coverage, no alarms or surprises originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Dec 2011 10:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Gallery: HTC Evo Design 4G review

Continue reading HTC EVO Design 4G review

HTC EVO Design 4G review originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Dec 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Chinese Motorola XT928 gets hands-on: less RAZR, more double-edged sword

Chinese Motorola XT928 gets hands-on: less RAZR, more double-edged sword originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Dec 2011 00:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Gallery: Samsung's two-faced SCH-W999 Android plays the dual core, dual SIM game

Continue reading Samsung's two-faced SCH-W999 Android plays the dual core, dual SIM game

Samsung's two-faced SCH-W999 Android plays the dual core, dual SIM game originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 03 Dec 2011 11:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

ZTE Smart Tab V55 tablet shows its face at the Bluetooth SIG originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Verizon-branded, LTE-enabled Galaxy Nexus confirmed in official Google video

Verizon-branded, LTE-enabled Galaxy Nexus confirmed in official Google video originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Nov 2011 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Gallery: Droid RAZR's CDMA2000 and TD-SCDMA variants teased in China

Continue reading Droid RAZR's CDMA2000 and TD-SCDMA variants teased in China, the latter with 720p display

Droid RAZR's CDMA2000 and TD-SCDMA variants teased in China, the latter with 720p display originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 13 Nov 2011 18:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Samsung Epic 4G Gingerbread update is now rolling out originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Nov 2011 13:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Sprint bringing Samsung Transform Ultra, Kyocera DuraCore to life November 13th?

Sprint bringing Samsung Transform Ultra, Kyocera DuraCore to life November 13th? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Nov 2011 02:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.