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How would you change Samsung's Instinct s30?
Ah, Samsung's Instinct s30. One step forward, three steps back -- or something like that. Of course, we're not out to remind you of what we thought of the next-gen Instinct, we're here to find out what you think of it. If you plunked down the coin in order to grab yourself the Sprint-locked featurephone, have you been fully satisfied? Is life going alright without EV-DO Rev. A? How's that web browser treating you? Are you wishing you would've held off for the Pre? Feel free to voice your opinion below, and remember, this chance won't ever, ever come around again. Ever.
Samsung Instinct s30 review
Once assumed to be a physically smaller version of the original Instinct (affectionately referred to as the Instinct Mini), the Instinct s30 is actually not an Instinct Nano. Sure, it's trimmed up and a bit more curvaceous, but those accustomed to the original won't notice a great deal of weight loss here. Unlike the original, Sprint's (smartly) not pushing this handset as an iPhone killer; instead, it's letting it be exactly what is it, which is a decent featurephone with a few unique niceties and nothing whatsoever that's mind-blowing. So, is the second iteration of the Instinct worth your time (and by extension, money)? Follow us past the break to find out.
Samsung Instinct S30 coming to Best Buy at $49.99
You never really know what to expect when fishing for a new phone at Best Buy Mobile. Go in one week, and you'll see a strikingly pink Instinct for a strikingly large amount; go in next week, and you'll see the miniaturized version of the original Instinct for under 50 bones. If a new flyer is to be believed, the Samsung Instinct S30 will be offered up for just $49.99 on contract at Best Buy, which is a whopping $80 less than what Sprint itself will supposedly ask for it on April 19th. Too good to be true? We're hoping not.[Thanks, Kenny]
Samsung Instinct S30 now official, coming to Sprint on April 19th
That didn't take long. After Samsung showed off its Instinct S30 (a.k.a. Instinct Mini) last night with some official imagery -- and less than an hour after we spotted it in the wild at CTIA -- Sprint's gone ahead and made it official with a press release. The carrier-exclusive touchscreen phone features a 2.0 megapixel camera, GPS, Bluetooth 2.0, and virtual QWERTY keypad, along with Opera Mini 4.2, Sprint TV, and Sprint Music Store. It's also got a Speech to Action function for controlling the phone by voice and allegedly more access to the core Java API for development. Color options include Cobalt Metal or Touch of Copper. Launch date is April 19th, which is exactly what we saw in that leaked Sprint playbook, and price is $129.99 with a two-year contract. [Via Gadget Review]
Samsung Instinct S30 in the wild
Samsung's officially announcing the Instinct S30 for Sprint as we speak, but why wait for all that jazz? We spied a dummy unit in the flesh out and about in Samsung's mobile charging center here at CTIA, and while we would've preferred it not be behind a thick plate of glare-tastic glass, we'll take what we can get. Notice that little "Exclusively at Sprint" tagline at the bottom there? Coincidentally, the same phone is being shown alongside its Samsung-branded full touch siblings -- the Memoir, Impression, and Verizon Omnia -- on a big ol' banner outside the show floor, so it really doesn't take rocket science to gather what Sammy's theme is going to be here at the show.
Samsung shows off Sprint's Instinct S30 (alias Instinct Mini)
No details are being offered just yet, but Samsung's Korean-language press service has slipped the first official shot of its Instinct S30 / Instinct Mini / M810 for Sprint. At first glance, the phone seems to be considerably more put-together than its older brother -- and if they've managed to iron out all of the software issues that plagued the Instinct's early days, Sprint might just have a winner on its hands. We're guessing this is going to be unveiled on a more grandiose scale by Samsung USA and Sprint any day, minute, or second now, so stay tuned.
Samsung M810, red LG Lotus found in Sprint's playbook?
We can't really be sure this is really a page from Sprint's playbook or something craftier, but according to the above screengrab, the carrier's set to launch the Samsung M810 / Instinct Mini in Graphite and Bronze colors on April 15th for partner Brightpoint and then 19th for everyone else for $450, which matches up quite nicely with some earlier reports from Boy Genius Report. For those wanting something more familiar, the document also notes the LG Lotus is getting a new red paintjob and will be happy to show us on the 15th / 19th of next month, respectively. Fans of the rojo phone'll be glad to know it'll reportedly be keeping the current $300 price tag.
Sprint's 2009 roadmap comes to light, packed with goodies
There aren't terribly many surprises in the latest roadmap docs leaked out of Sprint, but there are a couple -- and we finally have some target launch windows around a few of the more anticipates devices we've been expecting this year. Perhaps least surprisingly, the Palm P100 -- that's the Pre for you lay folk -- is still on track for the second quarter of the year, which could mean anything between April and June. Staying in the landscape QWERTY smartphone realm, we'll see the HTC Cedar (or Willow, depending on which slide you're looking at) and a new Samsung Ace -- creatively named the Ace II -- in the second and third quarters, respectively. The landscape HTC Rhodium will likely replace the Touch Pro in the third quarter, and the hotly (and we do mean hotly) anticipated BlackBerry Niagara will be hitting in the same three-month period.Things are getting interesting down in the dumbphone realm, too, with both the Instinct Mini and a true Instinct successor -- the Dash with an HVGA display -- in the pipe. The Sanyo 2700, dual-slide Samsung Cello, and the Samsung Chianti (which looks suspiciously like a Propel) will all follow the Rumor 2 down the text-centric path, and a handful of new ultra-basic devices will fill in the bottom of the range. For data, Sprint will be launching Novatel's totally awesome MiFi portable hotspot, which warms our hearts. What doesn't warm our hearts is the utter void of Android devices here -- but we can hold out hope, and as always, all of this is subject to change. Stay tuned![Via Boy Genius Report]
Samsung Instinct S30 (alias "Instinct Mini") in the wild, now with more pink
The Instinct S30's back in the news again ahead of an official announcement, and we've got to say, Sprint: great call staying away from the rumored "Mini" label. The S30 looks like a straight-up upgrade from the original Instinct -- not merely a miniaturized version of it -- mainly on account of the smoother chassis that seems to give the phone a more finished look. Like the Sanyo 2700, it seems the S30 will be available at least in blue and pink, and the form factor certainly lends itself to a whole palette if Sprint thinks it can push 'em off shelves. As you might recall, the first Instinct was announced nearly a year ago at CTIA, so it'd be kind of appropriate of the S30 bowed at CTIA this year, wouldn't it? We'll know in just a few weeks' time. [Thanks, RWS]Update: Our tipster tells us that this color is actually "copper," not pink. The camera sure plays some nasty tricks, doesn't it?
Samsung Instinct Mini spotted by Mr. Blurrycam
Samsung may be cranking out all manner of new TouchWiz phones and Sprint might be Pre-occupied*, but nothing can stop the Instinct... from getting smaller. Yep, images of what's claimed to be an Instinct Mini have popped up on the SprintUsers forum, and while there are no hard details available, we're guessing Boy Genius Report's April 19th date is close -- we just saw a handset labeled SPH-M810 hit the FCC, and the original Instinct is the SPH-M800. Next up: Instinct Nano rumors. More photos at the read link! *We're sorry. It won't happen again.[Via Boy Genius Report]
