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Engadget Mobile's got five Bluetooth car kits to give away
What better way to blow out the holiday than with a handful of Motorola T305 car kits? Does one of 'em have your name on it? Only one way to find out, we figure: enter the contest!Have a look at our other contests, too, before it's too late: Helio Ocean, T-Mobile Wing, Sprint UpStage by Samsung, Nokia N75
Sanyo Katana II met by the FCC's warm embrace
The Katana II has been a rumored device on Sprint for quite some time, but what we haven't been able to find out is whether it makes good on the original Katana's critical failure to include 3G. The device was originally billed as a low-cost alternative to the RAZR, but let's be honest: the RAZR ain't the king of the hill anymore, and EV-DO is finally a commodity feature in even entry-level CDMA handsets. Sadly, the Katana II's FCC filing doesn't shed any light on the sitch -- all we know is that it's a CDMA handset with Bluetooth -- but we do get a handful of sketches in the ID label documentation (think of it as a sort of color-by-number Katana II, minus the numbers). If the original rumors hold true, expect the phone to hit as soon as June.
Engadget Mobile's relaunch blowout continues: Sprint UpStage
Some of the more emotionally stunted Engadget Mobile writers prefer to express their deep affection for our readership through their actions -- actions like, say, offering up day after unrelenting day of sweet contests. In fact, today marks the third in a row that our Mobile outpost is blowing out its fabulous relaunch with an awesome phone, and this time around it's the Sprint UpStage by Samsung. Get in while the gettin's good!Be sure to get in the running for our previous giveaways, too: Helio Ocean, T-Mobile Wing
Sprint's WiMAX plans set for liftoff
Sprint's WiMAX 4G rollout is starting to enter the "blistering pace" phase as the carrier starts to begin trials (soon) and begins launching real deployments about a year from now. For 2007, Sprint even envisions a buildout totaling $7 billion for its "powerful networks" (both WiMAX and EV-DO Rev. A are included in there). As of now, Sprint's plans for WiMAX include trials in Baltimore, Chicago and Washington, D.C. (and more) later in 2007 and commercial deployments come the second calendar quarter of 2008. We're already waiting on trials to be completed (successfully, heh) and additional cities to have WiMAX service available, like yesterday. Yes, we're data sponges -- can you blame us?[Via Phone Scoop]
Pandora's music streaming gets mobile with Sprint
Pandora's tumultuous penchant for locking out US-based listeners based on licensing messes (thanks, RIAA) has taken a back seat to its new over-the-air launch with Sprint. While AT&T customers have had MobiRadio for years, Sprint customers tired of streaming Sirius will have a new reason to use that wireless data for music, so if you've got an EV-DO handset, get that phone browser up and hit Pandora's site. What you'll get in return is a Java applet that gives you access to Pandora's streaming content catalog -- access is free for 30 days; past that is $3/month, naturally.
Sprint Nextel sends unlimited plans to more markets
Sprint Nextel has taken its unlimited voice and data plans outside of the Bay Area and into Minnesota and Pennsylvania. The CDMA carrier's "unlimited" plans include unlimited voice, text and data use for $120 per month and all that plus unlimited PC data card use for $150. Based on these plans, we think these are really money savers for Sprint customers who use the maximum out of all the services Sprint Nextel offers. We don't want to imagine how many batteries these kinds of customers keep on hand, but we're sure those thumbs and vocal cords get a strenuous monthly workout, no? In addition to the St. Paul-Minneapolis and Philadelphia markets, Sprint Nextel's unlimited offering is also available in Sacramento, Stockton, Redding and Modesto, California and Reno, Nevada, according to the carrier.
Samsung M300 official for Sprint, too
Hot on the heels of the Samsung M510's appearance on Sprint's website earlier this week comes the M300, a flip of the same bloodline with similarly intriguing styling but a considerably lower price point. Of course, the spec sheet suffers a bit for it; besides a meager VGA cam, the M300 lacks EV-DO data or expandable memory. On the upside though, you get Bluetooth, MMS support, and voice dialing for just $30 on contract in your choice of silver or red. We haven't seen it go live for purchase on Sprint's site yet, but it should show up any ol' time now.
Sprint selling Samsung m510, Palm Treo 755p
In the market for a fancy flip? A mild update to an ancient smartphone, perhaps? Either way, Sprint's got you covered -- both the Samsung m510 and the Palm Treo 755p have gone live on the carrier's website. Despite the fact that the 755p's available in two snazzy colors, the m510 wins the fashion competition hands down in your choice of black or pink. As we mentioned earlier, get it for $129.99 on contract or rebates; the 755p will run ya another $150 at $279.99.[Thanks, Jon and Travis]Read - Samsung m510 (black)Read - Samsung m510 (pink)Read - Palm Treo 755p (burgundy)Read - Palm Treo 755p (blue)
The Boy Genius Report: Sprint's May "Playbook"
Field tidbits from Engadget's mobile insider, the Boy Genius.We've seen a copy of Sprint Nextel's "Playbook" dealer mag for the month of May -- a real page-turner, might we add -- and it's given us some detailed insight into the carrier's plans for the next few weeks. Look for prices to take a nosedive on four models: the grey RAZR falls to $24.99 while its red counterpart and the LG Fusic both go for $29.99 (all after rebates and contract, of course) starting this week, followed up by the Sanyo 3100 dropping to $19.99 starting this coming Friday. Making debuts this month are the Samsung m300 and m510; the first of the two will go out the door for a song (free, to be exact) when it launches this week, featuring Bluetooth and a VGA cam in an unusually attractive shell. The m510 meanwhile ups the ante with A2DP, microSD expansion, a 1.3 megapixel camera, and EV-DO data for $129.99 -- and yeah, we can expect that this week, too. Between those suckers and the Treo 755p, this month isn't turning out half bad for Sprint customers, now is it?
Sprint PPC-6800 delayed until fall?
A May launch for Sprint's variant of the HTC Titan sounded too good to be true, and indeed, it just might be. We've now heard from enough individuals to give some credence to a rumor that the PPC-6800 has been pulled back into the shop to get reworked for an October release just weeks before it was supposed to hit store shelves. The reason? Well, it's a pretty good one, it turns out; Sprint allegedly wants to take the time to do the launch up right by launching its flagship Pocket PC with Windows Mobile 6 and EV-DO Rev. A out of the gate. Now to be fair, we see no reason why they couldn't go ahead and launch it with Windows Mobile 5 and EV-DO Rev. 0 on the original timetable and push out an upgrade come this fall, but we've been through too many launch delays at this point to be too surprised or disappointed by the news.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Palm Treo 755p review roundup
Despite offering little more than a mild refresh to its already-ancient predecessor, initial reviews of Palm's latest and greatest Garnet device have been overwhelmingly positive. The same Palm OS niggles of old are still there -- the lack of multitasking capability is pretty hard to swallow at this point -- but for business users looking for familiarity and a time-tested formula, the platform simply can't be beat. Call quality and signal strength both seem to be quite good, a larger battery adds a wee bit of weight in exchange for improved standby and talk times, and the absence of an aerial is a welcome change that makes the Treo's overall design appear marginally less dated. If WiFi isn't a priority (keep in mind EV-DO picks up some of that slack), it looks like the 755p might be a great way for folks to get in on what'll likely be one of Garnet's last hurrahs.Read - MobileTechReview (4 / 5 stars, "Another update to an already strong smartphone...")Read - MobileBurn ("Highly Recommended")Read - SlashGear (4.5 / 5 stars, "...still one of the best smartphones on the market...")Read - Brighthand ("...a good buy...")
The Boy Genius Report: More detail on Sprint's summer plans
Field report tidbits from Engadget's mobile insider, the Boy Genius.We have some additional details to fill in some blanks created by Sprint's last roadmap document -- nothing groundbreaking, but we now know exactly what it is that'll be discontinued over the next few months, and admittedly, there are a few surprises. But before we talk about phones riding off into the sunset, let's touch on some new arrivals, shall we? The PPC-6800 and Treo 755p are set to show on on exactly the same day -- May 14 -- which should lead to an interesting sales face-off. Sprint's brief description of the 755p is kinda interesting: "1st Palm EVDO Treo w/intern antenna. In box support for IM, NFL Mobile, Mobile Voice Control, voice dialing, replaces Treo 700P." Actually, it's not that interesting, we just really like to see the phrase "1st Palm EVDO Treo w/intern antenna" all official-like. Also of note, the Sanyo Katana II hits June 18 to replace the Katana (obviously), though Sanyo fans' excitement is going to be quelled a bit by the knowledge that the M1 is now chalked up for decommissioning in the May - June timeframe. Seems like a short life for a relatively powerful handset, no? Anyhoo, follow the break for a full list of Sprint pieces getting the proverbial axe in the coming months.
Official data sheet for Sprint's PPC-6800
Boy Genius has scored Sprint and HTC's data sheet for the HTC Titan -- known as the PPC-6800 in Sprint guise -- and although it doesn't reveal anything new about the device, it always gives us a reassuring feeling to see official documentation leak out ahead of a device's supposed release date. On the downside, the handset will ship with Windows Mobile 5 installed, but on the plus side, 256MB of in-built Flash is a welcome boost, and the EV-DO radio is upgradeable to more-than-welcome Rev. A speeds. See you soon, dearest Pocket PC!
BlackBerry 8830 World Edition announced for Verizon, Sprint
We've been salivating a bit since hearing the BlackBerry 8830 would be released sometime in May on Verizon Wireless, and our dreams appear to be coming to fruition. Hey, a BlackBerry with 2GB microSD support and possible built-in iTunes got our heads rockin' -- what can we say? With word on the street that Telus (in Canada) and Verizon (U.S.) would be the first carriers to get the new 8830, this morning's news confirmed it. Both Verizon and RIM announced today that the CDMA / GSM worldphone is coming to Verizon Wireless on May 14. If you're into a full QWERTY BlackBerry with CDMA EV-DO support in addition to GSM / GPRS (900 and 1,800 MHz only), you're about to be rewarded for your patience. Sprint customers will have to wait until July -- but starting tomorrow, interested customers can pre-register at the carrier's site.Read - Verizon press releaseRead - Sprint pre-registration (starting April 26)
A look at Sprint's summer fashions
Sprint's "3 Month View" spreadsheet makes for some absolutely fascinating reading -- as long as it proves to be nonfiction, anyway. The document gives us an in-depth look at Sprint's (and Nextel's) launches for the months of April, May, and June, and needless to say, we're liking what we're seeing. Starting with standard phones, the Samsung M300 should make its grand entrance next month in silver alongside the Sanyo 3200 -- which replaces the 3100 -- in black, blue, and pink (the latter will run $200; no pricing on the former yet). Moving upmarket, the Samsung M510 replaces the M500 in May for an as-yet-undetermined price. In PDA land, no surprises here; the HTC Titan launches in PPC-6800 guise next month (sorry, no price here either), as does the Palm Treo 755p in blue and burgundy. Nextel users get the ic502 in black with an extended battery bundled (whooptie doo) for $270 next month, and if you wait until June, you'll get a crack at the ic902. Finally, road warriors will be pleased to hear that the Rev. A ExpressCard AC595E from Sierra Wireless gets launched in May, though a price remains to be set.[Thanks, Terry]
Sprint PPC-6800 (HTC Titan) in the wild
Canada's Telus may be in the process of beating it to the punch, but that's not stopping Sprint (and Verizon, for that matter) from prepping its own variant of the HTC Titan, the PPC-6800. A PPCGeeks forum member recently got the enviable opportunity to screw around with a prototype of the Sprint-branded unit -- and besides coming away with a veritable cornucopia of imagery, they've posted a few key details: in addition to rocking Windows Mobile 5 AKU 3.3 (Pocket PC Phone Edition, of course), the device will use a Qualcomm MSM7500 to push bits and bytes at around 400MHz (as we've already seen in its XV6800 sibling) and end up with about 174MB of usable Flash and 49MB of RAM. Of course, this is a prototype -- specs are subject to change -- but seeing how the Telus version is already on the streets, what you see here is probably darned near what you're going to get. Follow the break for some key shots.[Thanks, Brian C.]
Sprint rumored to be considering Vonage purchase
At the same time that embattled VoIP provider Vonage attempts to reorganize and cut costs during the company's darkest hour, rumors are beginning to fly that an acquisition may be imminent, and at the top of the list of potential buyers is none other than Sprint-Nextel. You see, not only does Vonage need to litigate its way out of the Verizon mess, it's facing yet another potential setback in September (if it even lasts that long) when an infringement lawsuit brought by Sprint is scheduled to begin. So even if Vonage manages to to fight off the impending permanent injunction, Sprint is waiting in line to take a bite as well, and now Light Reading is reporting that company execs may decide that the best way to settle this dispute is to simply sell Sprint the keys to the office. Now it's pretty obvious why Vonage would want to cash out and dump its mess on another firm, but what does Sprint have to gain from such a deal? It's not clear why the wireless carrier would want to get into the internet telephony game at this point, and even if it did, the court may soon rule that in effect, Vonage doesn't even have anything worth selling -- except maybe its customer list. Obviously we'll be keeping our eye on this, because we have to admit, Vonage is a lot more fun to cover now than it used to be.[Thanks, Travis]
Samsung M300 flip coming to Sprint
Astute observers of the goings-on in American CDMA know that a Samsung model prefixed with "SPH" often means that the destination is Sprint; sure enough, the SPH-M300 that rocked the FCC a few weeks ago will hit up "the most powerful network" (their words, not ours) next month according to phoneArena. As midrange flips go, the M300 looks to be a fairly attractive unit with a large external color OLED gracing a glossy dark gray shell, and as the SGH-E790's CDMA doppelganger, it'll likely hit with a 2 megapixel cam and microSD expansion. Rumor has it we'll be able to find it in stores on May 14 (replacing the A640) with a red variant following later in the year.
New BlackBerrys imminent for T-Mobile, Verizon, and Sprint?
BlackBerry fans on T-Mobile, raise your hands: the BlackBerry 8300 is reportedly headed to the fourth-largest US wireless carrier next month. Not to be left out, Verizon Wireless and Sprint Nextel customers can also raise their collective BlackBerry hands since you all may be getting a CDMA rendition of the BlackBerry Pearl, also in May. RIM's been on a tear lately getting its hottest handsets out to both the GSM and CDMA camps, and this is yet another example. Apparently, there's plenty of RIM love to go around this lil' industry of ours.[Via Boy Genius Report, thanks Tarik]
Sprint loses $20 billion government contract to rivals
The US government and Sprint Nextel have hung up their respective gloves and Sprint has claimed a big loss, as the government has apparently kicked Sprint's telecom-providing butt out the door. Sprint, which has provided various telecom services for the feds for 18 years, was displaced by AT&T, Verizon Business and Qwest as part of the largest telecom contract ever cobbled together by the government. The newly-coined "Networx Universal" contract has a period of 10 years and makes provisions for wireless voice, video and data services to 135 federal agency across 191 countries. That's what we call a contract, and a stout one at that. Until then, Sprint may still be in the running for another contract for providing secure, IP and managed network services to the U.S. Government. That contract will be awarded in May, but in the meantime, losing $20B has gotta sting.
