Sprint

QUICKLINKS: Sprint to debut Samsung Instinct June 20; Dior follows in Prada's footsteps with fashion phone;

Tue, 27 May 2008 06:59:55 -0400

Sprint to debut Samsung Instinct June 20.

Dior follows in Prada's footsteps with fashion phone.

Videocon woos Motorola's handset biz.

Call Genie, vlingo team on multimodal mobile search.

QUICKLINKS: Forecast: 550M GPS handsets to ship in 2012; Sprint expands partnership with Google;

Tue, 13 May 2008 06:59:55 -0400

> Forecast: 550M GPS handsets to ship in 2012.

> Sprint expands partnership with Google.

> Report: Huawei to sell mobile devices unit.

> dotMobi acquires Mowser.

> Orb Networks debuts live TV app for iPhone.

QUICKLINKS: Apple patent points to flip iPhone; Sprint upgrades mobile web browsing;

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 07:59:55 -0400

> Apple patent points to flip iPhone. FierceWireless

> Sprint upgrades mobile web browsing. FierceMobileContent

> Opera Mini goes surfing on Helio's Ocean. FierceMobileContent

> The new wave of mobile web browsing. FierceMobileContent

QUICKLINKS: Finding the smartphone sweet spot; entertainment tops Handango Yardstick;

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 07:59:55 -0400

> Finding the smartphone sweet spot. FierceWireless

> Entertainment tops Handango Yardstick. FierceMobileContent

> Sprint launches EV-DO Rev. A handset. FierceWireless

> Samsung, Adidas unveil fitness phone. FierceWireless

> eMobiStudio software update promises to boost smartphone memory. Article

Palm on target to debut Linux smartphone in 2009

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 06:59:58 -0500

After admitting last fall that its first Linux-based smartphone is still 12 to 18 months from retail release, Palm last week confirmed the device is still on target to make its commercial debut in early 2009. In an interview with Brighthand, Palm vice president of smartphone product marketing Stephane Maes said the firm expects to wrap work on the Linux version of its Palm OS--which reportedly goes by the internal codename "Nova"--by the end of this year, concurrent with distribution of an SDK enabling developers to create new applications and confirm compatibility of existing apps. According to Maes, mobile operators are already expressing interest in the smartphone--in the interim, Palm will continue offering devices running on the current incarnation of the Palm OS as well as Windows Mobile-based products. Maes added the Centro will remain the focus of Palm's consumer product line across 2008--rumor has it the device will become available from operators besides Sprint within weeks.

For more on Palm's smartphone outlook:
-read this Brighthand article

Related articles:
Layoffs follow Palm revenue drop
Palm gets small with Centro smartphone
Palm OS II delayed until 2008
Palm announces Windows-powered Treo

AT&T, LG turn spotlight on Shine

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 06:59:57 -0500

AT&T and LG Electronics announced the release of the handset maker's new Shine, a multimedia, sliding form-factor device boasting a sleek silver exterior. The LG Shine also features a 2 megapixel camera, a 2.2-inch LCD display, microSD storage for up to 4 GB of music, images and video, and 70 MB of integrated user memory--the device arrives pre-loaded with features including AT&T Video Share, Mobile Banking and AT&T Mobile Music (with support for MP3, WMA, AAC, AAC+ and eACC formats). Price tag: $149.99.

For more on the LG Shine:
-read this release

Related articles:
Sprint, LG duet on MUZIQ
LG's answer to the iPhone
Verizon to offer LG Prada

Google launches Android. Now what?

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 06:59:59 -0500

Monday was G-Day as Google finally made public the worst-kept secret in wireless, announcing the development of Android, a Linux-based open software platform for mobile devices. Google also will lead a broad industry group, dubbed the Open Handset Alliance, formed with the stated goal of "fostering innovation on mobile devices and giving consumers a far better user experience than much of what is available on today's mobile platforms." The 34 members of the Open Handset Alliance include HTC, LG, Motorola and Samsung, which will reportedly manufacture Google OS-based handsets for commercial release sometime next year; operators Sprint, T-Mobile USA, NTT DoCoMo, KDDI and China Telecom; chipmakers Broadcom, Intel, Qualcomm and Texas Instruments; and related firms including SiRF Technology Holdings, Marvell Technology Group, Nvidia, Synaptics, Skype-owner eBay and Nuance Communications. (Somewhat conspicuous by its absence is Verizon Wireless, which was rumored to be in discussions with Google last week--but as I suggested a few days back in our sister publication FierceMobileContent, a VZW/Google deal always seemed remote at best, anyway.)

The Open Handset Alliance turns upside-down the conventional mobile revenue model--Google will virtually give away software and services in exchange for income derived from targeted mobile advertising efforts. In its official press statement, Google promises the Android platform "will be made available under one of the most progressive, developer-friendly open-source licenses, which gives mobile operators and device manufacturers significant freedom and flexibility to design products." As early as next week, the Open Handset Alliance will issue its first SDK.

The gauntlet has officially been thrown. Google is in effect challenging developers to create their most cutting-edge, consumer-friendly mobile applications, promising total access to handset capabilities and tools. After all the complaining over the iPhone and Apple's Draconian approach to independent development, Google is unleashing a platform created specifically to support and reward innovation from any and all directions. What more could a developer realistically ask for? To paraphrase the familiar adage, G-Day is the first day of the rest of your life. -Jason

Google launches Android. Now what?

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 06:59:59 -0500

A developer's guide to pitching mobile apps to operators

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 07:59:59 -0400

One of the few highlights of last week's otherwise moribund CTIA Wireless I.T. and Entertainment 2007 conference was the State of Mobile Content Mini-Conference, a panel discussion bringing together the data services heads of the five largest U.S. mobile operators. During the course of a lively and far-ranging session moderated by Douglas Garland, executive in residence with venture firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, the subject turned to developers' best bets for successfully pitching their applications for inclusion on carrier decks. Here's what each data chief had to say.

John Burris, Sprint's vice president of wireless data programming: "Understand what kinds of services Sprint offers today. You'd be surprised by the number of partners who aren't aware of what's part of our portfolio today… Be flexible."
Wade McGill, Alltel's senior vice president of product management and development: "Have a business model and an elevator speech. If it takes an hour or two hours to get through what a product is, it's not going to sell. Show me the value in the first five minutes."
Lee Daniels, Verizon Wireless' staff vice president, consumer services: "You have to understand the network impact of your application. How often is it hitting the network? How much data is it sending? You can't crush the network with streaming audio and video."
Ian McKerlich, T-Mobile's director of mobile web and content services: "Know what else we have and how your application is different. Take time to know how our business is different from other operators. We all go to market differently. Tell me how it adds value to the consumer, how we can make money, and how you can make money."
Mark Collins, AT&T's vice president of consumer data services: "What's the customer experience and why should a customer be interested in what you have to offer? If the customer isn't going to have a good experience, neither of us is going to make money. We have limits to our resources--we've got to prioritize."

For more of our comprehensive coverage of the CTIA event, including exclusive photos of some of the newest mobile phones and devices, click here. -Jason

Handsets a go-go

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 06:59:57 -0400

All four of the major U.S. carriers introduced new handsets last week: Sprint launched the HTC Touch, AT&T debuted the BlackBerry Curve with GPS, Verizon Wireless premiered Samsung's Juke and T-Mobile USA unveiled its new Sidekick LX. Here's a round-up:

Sprint's HTC Touch: As expected, Sprint debuted the HTC Touch just a few days after it launched the Palm Centro. The Touch is so named for its 2.8" QVGA touchscreen that is meant to be used sans stylus--it operates on Windows Mobile 6, and will support Sprint's multimedia content including over-the-air music downloads and live TV. Other features include a microSD slot that supports cards up to 4GB, a 2-megapixel camera and voice-activated dialing. Photo

AT&T's BlackBerry Curve 8310 with GPS: This Research In Motion-produced device features a 320 by 240 pixel display supporting 65K colors, measures 4.2 by 2.4 by 0.6 inches and weighs about 3.9 oz. In addition to signature BlackBerry features like email and messaging, it includes a 2-megapixel camera, media player, 3.5mm stereo headset jack, microSD slot and Bluetooth 2.0 support. Photo

Verizon Wireless' Samsung Juke: This music-centric phone boasts an interesting form factor: the phone swivels 180 degrees to reveal the keypad. The Juke supports .MP3, .WMA, and unprotected .AAC music files, and the music player can be accessed without opening the phone. It also features a VGA-resolution camera and GPS features tied to Verizon's VZ Navigator and Chaperone services. One caveat: No 3G connectivity. Photo

T-Mobile's Sidekick LX: Since the original Sidekick, T-Mobile USA has courted celebrities to promote its messaging device. The launch party for the LX was no different--according to reports, the new model is the first to allow photos within text messages. Also of note: A wide QVGA display--reportedly incorporating technology borrowed from Sharp's AQUOS televisions--along with configurable mood lighting and a 1.3 megapixel camera with flash. The phone drops October 24. Photo | Release

For more on the handset launches:
- check out this photo gallery