Rumor: Sprint HTC Hero Android 2.1 Update To Come at Months End
Rumor: Update Coming March 26th?
According to a post over on XDA Developers forum the update to Android 2.1 for the Sprint HTC Hero is going to be rolling out March 26th.
According to fr33k0z0id who claims to work in ATS for Sprint: “…according to information I have received, the official release date for the 2.1 update is set for 3/26. So there you go, take it or leave it.”
In another post from fr33k0z0id: “I’m assuming its gonna be ota because they want to put a double warning on it since it wipes the Rom clean. Other than that, the email didn’t have much more info.”
They also claim that the Samsung Moment will see an update to 2.1 March 31st.
Take it for what it’s worth.
[via: xda developers forum]
Popularity: 42% [?]
Categories: Rumor, Sprint Tags: Android 2.1, HTC Hero, Samsung Moment, Sprint Hero
Sprint Confirms WiMax Device Release By Summer – NOT!
Sprint tells Forbes its first 4G handset will launch in the first half of 2010–a few months earlier than many expected. According to Forbes the device will be “dual-mode”, automatically switching to Sprint’s 3G network in areas where 4G isn’t available. In an attempt to gain advantage over their competitors Sprint is targeting the device and its WiMax service to government and businesses as well everyday users.
During the interview Paget Alves, Sprint’s president of Business Markets, wouldn’t disclose details about the handset. Speculation is that Paget is talking about the HTC Supersonic which will feature HTC’s Sense UI on top of Android 2.1 and bases its design on the HD series. Read more…
Popularity: 52% [?]
Categories: Sprint Tags: 3G, 4g, A9292, Android, HTC, HTC A9292, HTC Supersonic, Sprint, Sprint WiMax, Supersonic, WiMax
Sprint Updates 2.1 Release Info for Hero and Moment
Today via their Twitter account Sprint announced they’re working with HTC and Samsung on options to upgrade the HTC Hero and Samsung Moment.
They also updated their release timeline from first half of 2010 to early second quarter of 2010 for an update to Android 2.1 for the HTC Hero and Samsung Moment. Considering we’re nearing the end of the first quarter and the fact that HTC debuted the HTC Legend and Desire both running Android 2.1 with the new Sense UI overlay and FriendStream widget, I wouldn’t be surprised to see an end of March/early April release of the upgrade for Sprint’s HTC Hero users. Read more…
Popularity: 13% [?]
Categories: News, Sprint Tags: FriendStream, HTC, HTC Hero, HTC Sense, HTC Sense UI, Samsung Moment, Sprint
Rumor: Sprint to Get Mac Daddy HTC Android WiMAX Device
Reports around the internet this morning are pointing to an inside source at Sprint who has confirmed that Sprint will be getting the Mac Daddy Android device of them all, made by HTC. Could this be the WiMAX device hinted at by Clearwire CEO Bill Morrow?
Here’s what we know so far: Read more…
Popularity: 21% [?]
Categories: Sprint Tags: 3G, 4g, A9292, Android, Bill Morrow, Clear, ClearWire, Google, HTC, HTC A9292, HTC Supersonic, Sprint, Sprint WiMax, Supersonic
Verizon Lowers Plan Costs, But Still Doesn’t Beat Sprint
The phone and tech forums are heating up with much debate over the recently announced price drops by Verizon and AT&T. The reviews are in and boy are they mixed.
TrendyProfessional1 over on the Crackberry Forums had this to say about Verizon’s price drops:
“If this is true; I’m lovin it.”
EnergyPlus also from Crackberry opted to speak to Verizon directly, with the help of a Verizon representative they figured out the new price points will actually cost them an additional $10 per month:
Just got off the phone with VZW. My current plan, which provides 900 minutes + unlimited data, is running me $90/mo. Based on what we (VZW and me) figured out, I’m better off staying with what I have. It appears though, that NEW customers will be paying $100/mo for the same thing!
While jetman1287 also from Crackberry laid out the reality behind Verizon’s new plans:
While they are indeed lowering the prices of some of the most expensive plans (which probably carry a larger profit margin to begin with), it is hiding the big $$$ secret that will kill many new phone purchases, or in the least **** people off.
Starting Monday, Verizon is going to REQUIRE $10/month, or $240/2-yr contract for 25MB of data. There are MANY problems with this.
Popularity: 11% [?]
Maintenance Update Available for Sprint Samsung Moment
Moment Maintenance Update Available in Stores
Sprint announced today via their Twitter account that a maintenance update is available for the Samsung Moment. Unfortunately, it’s not the Android 2.1 upgrade we’re all looking forward to. Currently the update is available only by visiting a Sprint retail location with a repair center. Sprint did state that the ability to update your device OTA will be available in the near future, which in carrier time that could be days, months or even years. We’ll keep you posted as we learn more.
Here’s are the fixes:
- Network Assist GPS to allow indoor location fix
- Updates to several third-party apps, including Visual Voicemail, NFL, NASCAR and Sprint TV
- Change to Emergency Dial on lock screen
- Hard reset available in recovery mode: remove and reinsert battery; press volume down, send and end keys until reboot option pops up; scroll to wipe data/factory reset; press OK
- Various improvements to battery life
Popularity: 9% [?]
Sprint Reduces the Price of Mobile WiMAX
Good news if you’re in one of Sprints thirty-three WiMAX markets. In an aggressive approach to promote mobile WiMAX, Sprint lowered the price of its 3G/4G mobile broadband service to $59.99 monthly. The price cut was intended to “make it a no brainer for our customers to choose 4G,” spokeswoman Stephanie Vinge told FierceWireless. She went on to say that the price cut reflects increasing economies of scale as Clearwire launches additional markets across the United States.
With Sprint’s 3G/4G service lowered to $59.99, matching everyone else’s standard 3G mobile broadband plan it makes sense to consider them for your mobile broadband needs. With a solid 3G footprint and 4G as an added benefit, it’s quite the deal.
Is it worth switching, or are you going to wait for the others to roll out LTE?
Popularity: 5% [?]
Android on Steroids, err 4G and Sprint & Walmart Join to Roll Out WiMax
Clearwire CEO Bill Morrow repeated his company’s commitment to launching a dual-mode 3G/WiMAX smartphone in the second half of the year, and hinted that it may run Google’s Android platform. The device would access Clearwire’s mobile WiMAX network but would also be able to make voice calls over Sprint’s CDMA network; Sprint holds a majority stake in Clearwire.
Morrow told the Financial Times that the company’s ability to deliver 4G data speeds will continue to be its main competitive advantage, but also acknowledged the importance of voice services. “Voice is still very important. … We will be in the smartphone business and will launch devices this year,” he said.
The Clearwire chief did not identify the companies that might produce such devices, but noted a “natural affinity” between Android and Clearwire’s all-IP network architecture. Rumors of a WiMAX Android smartphone are not new; Scott Lane, the director of sales and marketing for Sprint’s 4G unit, said last year the carrier might produce a dual-mode handset that “could be based on Android” partly because Sprint has a “close relationship with Google.”
In other Clearwire news, the company is rumored to being close to launching two new WiMAX modems that have built-in VoIP functionality.
credit: FlowingData - Each Green Dot Represents One Walmart Location
In other Sprint news it’s rumored that Sprint is working on a deal with Walmart to install WiMAX cells on all of its locations, a move that would give it a significant boost in national coverage while presumably lowering infrastructure costs significantly. We already know Sprint has a nice head start in the 4G race over Verizon and AT&T, adding Walmart to their game plan will surely strengthen their 4G rollout giving them the competitive edge.
Check out the Walmart growth video.
Popularity: 6% [?]
Categories: Sprint Tags: 3G, 4g, Android, Bill Morrow, Clear, ClearWire, Google, Sprint, Walmart, WiMax
Sprint Samsung Moment First to Get Mobile DTV
The Nexus One may have Google’s love and affection, but the Android-powered Samsung Moment for Sprint is getting something nifty too: free mobile TV.
Today Samsung announced that the Moment would be the first phone to feature Mobile DTV, the new free-to-air mobile TV standard that’s launching early this year. The Mobile DTV-equipped Moment will be part of a customer trial in Washington and Baltimore during the first quarter of 2010, Samsung said.
Mobile DTV allows local broadcasters to transmit free digital signals to cell phones and portable devices using their existing broadcast spectrum. More than 35 stations are already online, with five in Las Vegas doing demonstrations at CES. Stations in 96 of the top 100 US markets have signed up to broadcast mobile TV, according to the Open Mobile Video Coalition, the trade organization behind Mobile DTV. You can learn a lot more about Mobile DTV in our previous story.
According to a Samsung press release, the Moment was chosen because of its big, bright 3.2-inch AMOLED display, which allows for wide viewing angles. Sprint previously said that the Moment, which runs Android 1.6, will get an update to Android 2.1 – the same version that’s running on the Nexus One – soon.
The choice of the Moment is interesting because up until now, most of the Mobile DTV sample phones we’ve seen have been from competing manufacturer LG. Samsung and LG merged their two competing, proposed standards, along with some other partners, to form the final Mobile DTV standard.
There’s no word on when the DTV-equipped Moment will be available to the general public.
Popularity: 10% [?]
Categories: Samsung, Sprint Tags: Mobile DTV, Nexus One, Samsung, Samsung Moment, Sprint
Sprint’s Top Application Picks for a Happy & Successful New Year
In a recent news release Sprint suggested the following applications for a successful New Year. The applications help with saving money, being healthy by eating right and working out, getting organized, becoming environmentally friendly and learning something new. Sprint’s Top Picks are available directly from your Sprint Phone.
- ShopSavvy, available through Android Market, lets HTC Hero™ with Google™ and Samsung Moment™ with Google™ users track shopping deals. With ShopSavvy the user simply points the camera at a barcode, follows the instructions and receives a comprehensive product and price list.
- ScanLife turns the user’s Sprint phone into a 2D barcode scanner. Scanning 2D barcodes that appear on print ads, packaging, movie posters and more automatically takes the user to a specific mobile website, product offer or mobile coupon on their phone. Newer phones with auto-focus cameras also scan regular UPC codes found on most packaging to find price comparisons. ScanLife is preloaded on select Sprint phones such as Samsung Reclaim, and Sprint plans to preload the application on all compatible phones launching in 2010.
- Dealert is a deal tracking application available on Palm Pre and Palm Pixi that allows users to track specific products across major online deal sites. Users can perform searches and choose to be alerted when a deal becomes available for their chosen product.
Be Healthy
Sprint customers can use their phone to help keep them on the right track when it comes to eating healthier in 2010:
- Calorie Counter by FatSecret has all the tools to help users succeed, including calorie and nutrition information, a barcode scanner for nutrition labels, a food diary to plan and keep track of menus and a journal to record progress. Calorie Counter by FatSecret is available through BlackBerry App World for BlackBerry users and through Android Market for HTC Hero and Samsung Moment and BlackBerry users.
- Diet Control gives Palm Pre and Palm Pixi users a way to log and monitor their weight, food intake and exercise. They can also use a point value system to eat healthier.
Popularity: 8% [?]
Categories: Android Operating System, Sprint Tags: Android, BlackBerry, Calorie, Counter, Dealert, Diet Control, Google, HTC Hero, Palm, Samsung Moment, ScanLife, ShopSavvy, Sprint
