HTC Willow for Sprint First hands-on Photos

Listed on the leaked Sprint mobile devices roadmap, the Windows Mobile powered HTC Willow smartphone is available with few first spy photos. The smartphone is running Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard edition, should be an affordable solution for your business needs. Powered by a 528MHz processor, the smartphone has a 2 megapixel camera, 256MB ROM, 128MB RAM, QWERTY keyboard and the Inner Circle feature. According to the source it should be available in June with a price of $149. Check out a few more photos inside.

Motorola released all new V950 Renegade

Protected on the outside, precious on the inside. The durable Motorola Renegade V950 mobile phones is a high-performance, reliable mobile device that meets military standards for dust, shock, vibration and blowing rain. Available exclusively through Sprint, Renegade V950 helps Nextel Direct Connect users stay on the move and become more productive with robust mobile device features.

Motorola V950 Renegade
The Motorola Renegade V950 cell phone is slimmed down and suited up to perform virtually anywhere, in the elements, on the job and on the go. A clamshell form, rubberized grip and internal antenna make the device easy to carry, while its durable construction helps keep it safe and protected. An innovative blend of metal and rubber finishes creates a "modern rugged" look that shows the Motorola Renegade V950 means business.

Motorola Push-to-Talk service
Within strength lies beauty. The tough exterior of the Motorola Renegade V950 encases mobile communication features that bring users performance and reliability. Combining the efficiency of push-to-talk with the data speeds of the Sprint Mobile Broadband Network, the Renegade V950 maximizes the mobile experience with enhanced audio via dual front-ported speakers, a highlighted PTT button and familiar direct-access external keys. At the touch of a button, Renegade V950 users can communicate to all users of the Nextel Direct Connect service in the United States.

Motorola V950 features
The Motorola Renegade V950 cell phone gives users mobile tools to make them more connected and productive. Sprint customers can maximize their PowerVision services, such as Sprint TV, with the large 2.2" internal color display, which is designed for readability even in extreme conditions. Music and audio come through loud and clear with a one-touch multimedia player, stereo sound and dual speakers, while large control buttons provide an easy access, no-nonsense experience.

Motorola Renegade handset
The Motorola V950 Renegade phone delivers productivity enhancing features such as e-mail, calendar, contacts, calculator and world clock for the busy professional. The Motorola Renegade V950 handset also packs strereo Bluetooth wireless technology, a 2.0 megapixel digital camera with image lighting, and stand-alone GPS solutions¹ to deliver a robust communications tool.

Motorola Renegade V950 price & availability
The Motorola Renegade V950 mobile phone is expected to be available exclusively through Sprint in North America September 2nd. For more information regarding pricing and product availability, please contact your local Motorola representative.
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Samsung Rant from Sprint

Aside from the Samsung Highnote, Samsung has another phone due this October – the Samsung Rant. The Rant is a side sliding phone, which slides to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard, which should be well received by those who love to text or send emails. Features of the phone include video recording, a 2 megapixel camera, Stereo Bluetooth, memory card expansion, easy access to Sprint Navigation, Sprint Music Store, and Sprint TV. Users will be able to choose from either red or black, though if they go to Best Buy, they can get an exclusive purple color edition. Source...

Samsung Highnote from Sprint

If the name didn’t give it away, all you have to do is slide this dual-sliding phone downwards and its stereo speakers will definitely convince you of its music credentials. Other features of the phone will include a 2 megapixel camera, memory card expansion, Bluetooth and speaker-independent voice recognition. The Highnote will be available in either red or blue, and will offer access to the Sprint Music Store, Sprint Navigation, web surfing and email. The release date for this phone is set for October 19th, and will set you back $99.99 on a two-year contract, after a $50 mail-in rebate. Source...

Sprint revealed LG LX600 Lotus

LG and Sprint have unveiled the LG LX600 Lotus, which has a rather unique shape. The phone is also a result of a partnership with fashion designer Christian Siriano, who first became famous by winning season IV of the reality show “Project Runway”. With the Lotus’ emphasis on fashion design, it’s no surprise to see that it will come in interesting colors such as textured purple or satin black, and looks aimed firmly at ladies. The phone will feature a new One Click home screen, which provides easy access to common functions such as messaging, navigation, Sprint TV and Sprint Music Store. The phone will sport a QWERTY keypad inside for text input, and will also have Bluetooth 2.0 and a 2 megapixel camera. The LG Lotus will be available in October for $149.99 if you’re willing to tie yourself to a two-year contract. Source...

Motorola releases two new rugged phones for Sprint

We snagged a picture of Sprint’s Motorola V950 from our leaked roadmap, but now you can see it for yourself as Sprint launched their ruggedized Push To Talk flip phone. The Motorola Renegade V950 is a Qchat-enabled phone so you CDMA and iDEN PTT people can talk nice together. The V950 packs a lot of multimedia features not seen in the usually plain and boring push to talk phones. It sports the following features:


* NFL Mobile Live
* Sprint Music Store
* Sprint TV
* GPS
* Web, email capable
* Built-in 2MP camera with video recording
* Bluetooth (with A2DP)
* Rev. A Broadband speeds

It is also military rated for dust, shock, vibration, blowing rain and humidity. So if you want to throw out the window because your girlfriend just dumped you, feel free to do so. It’s available for $129 after a $50 MIR and with a 2 year agreement. Click through for Sprint’s next ruggedized offering.
Onto the plain and boring Push To Talk phone… Not as nearly innovative as its V950 cousin, the iDEN only Motorola i365 is another rugged phone built to military standards. It offers GPS, web, email, SMS/MMS, and Bluetooth in a candy bar design. It’s not a bad choice for someone who may prefer a featureless, rugged, candy bar style phone with outdated PTT technology. Any takers? It is available for $89.99 with a 2 year agreement. Source...

BlackBerry 8350i On Sprint Roadmap

BGR has managed to get hold of Sprint’s latest roadmap, and judging by it, Sprint users will be getting the BlackBerry 8350i. While some parties speculated that it would have an external antenna, the good news is that it won’t have such an ugly thing. It will on the other hand, sport WiFi, 2 megapixel camera, GPS and will be powered by OS 4.6. The 8350i should be released during Q4. Source...

Sprint and Palm add Bluetooth voice dialing to Treo 800w

This thing hasn’t been out for more a week, and already Palm and Sprint have issued an update that enables a significant new feature. A new page over at the Palm support site has just gone live, noting the availability of a new patch that brings full voice dialing over Bluetooth support to Palm’s new king of the hill Treo 800w. Oddly absent from the first shipment of handsets, it’s still good to see both Palm and Sprint taking a proactive approach to delivering new features to their customers. Then again, both of these companies need all the help they can get to retain subscribers and users respectively, so any little bit might be too little too late. Source...

HTC finally releases Windows Mobile 6.1 update for Sprint Touch

It’s been so long that we almost stopped caring, but HTC and Sprint have come through to deliver a welcome update to the Sprint Touch. Unofficial versions of this firmware have been floating around the web for quite some time, but if you’re the sort that doesn’t like to color outside of the lines, you’ll be happy to know that the official Windows Mobile 6.1 upgrade for the Sprint Touch is now available directly from the HTC website. The changes and enhancements that come along with the WM 6.1 upgrade are old hat by now, but we’d still suggest updating your handset if you have the chance, as you’ll reap the benefits of EV-DO Rev. A, enhanced GPS functionality, an OEM version of Opera, and more. Hit the jump for more info! Source...

Alltell's HTC Touch Gets A New Color

The HTC Touch is one of the prettier smart phones in the market, especially amongst the Windows Mobile Professional bracket. That being the case, it’s probably been rather irritating for most users that only were able to have one color, chosen by their carrier. Colors include Black for Sprint, white for Verizon, and grey for Alltell. Alltell aims to change this by adding a burgundy color to its line.

Since the specifications don’t change, the phone is still priced the same, which is $129.99 with a two year contract.
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Treo 800w Arriving July 22?

Evidence on the net (if there is ever any) seems to point that the Treo 800w will be released this summer on July 22nd. The codenames are Skywriter and Zeppelin, which should be the code names for the CDMA and GSM versions respectively.

Sprint’s version of the Treo 800w will have EV-DO Revision A, while the GSM version will reportedly have the 3G standard HSDPA. Maybe because it will be targeted at business users, it reportedly does not include a camera.

This new Treo will include several new features not included in a Treo before, including:

* WiFi
* GPS
* 320x320 Display (A first for Windows Mobile Treo's)
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Sprint gets Katana LX

Sanyo's Katana line of cell phones look sleek in the past, and the Katana LX is no different. Available from Sprint, the LX is rather slim compared to its predecessors, featuring an OLED display located right under the trans-reflective coating that only shows up when activated, similar to how some Sony Walkmans are. This will be a GPS-enabled handset, offering turn-by-turn directions so that you won't need to stop by the nearest gas station and ask for directions. Strangely enough, in this day of many megapixel cameras, the Katana LX comes with a paltry 0.3 megapixel camera. I suppose this is more of a budget handset where functions are concerned than one to show off.
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BlackBerry Curve 8330 still on track for this month, Sprint say

This week Sprint are telling folks that the Curve 8330 — has been pushed all the way back to June 1. In mobile minutes, that’s basically like an eternity and a half, but thankfully, we can put those rumors to rest. A quick check with Sprint has confirmed that it still intends to launch the Curve some time “this month,” and seeing how there isn’t much “this month” left, we figure that has to mean we’ll be seeing it in the next few days. Stay tuned!
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Sprint To Release Sanyo Pro-200 and Pro-700 Handsets

Sprint will release two new Sanyo mobile phones this month. Dubbed as the Pro-200 and Pro-700, these push-to-talk handsets support EVDO Rev. A. The Pro-200 clamshell phone provides Bluetooth connectivity, e-mail and text messaging. Meanwhile, the rugged Pro-700 is dust, shock and extreme vibration resistants. The Pro-200 and Pro-700 retail for $70 and $50, respectively after a mail-in $50 rebate and a new 2-year agreement.
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Sprint Has Sanyo Katana LX

Sprint is the carrier of choice if you want to pick up the Sanyo Katana LX which will be available in blue, pink and gray colors. Here are some specifications of the Katana LX :-

* 1X data speed
* 128 x 160 resolution display
* VGA camera
* GPS connectivity

As you can see, the LX isn't much to shout about, but it does look pretty sleek with a 'disappearing' OLED external display whenever it isn't on. Hopefully the Katana LX will retain the excellent speakerphone and voice quality as its predecessors.
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Sprint, Telus to get Curve 8830 with GPS

Sprint and Telus look set to receive the upcoming BlackBerry Curve 8830 that will feature GPS navigation, accompanying the original GSM model in the process. Other than the addition of GPS functionality, word has it that RIM will also augment the current storage to 80MB so that you won't have to fill up your microSD memory card that fast. Other features include a 2 megapixel camera, while the Sprint version will see black navigation buttons make a debut. There is no word on pricing from Sprint, but Telus wants to sell the 8830 for $200 with a 3-year contract or $480 as a standalone handset.
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Sprint has holiday spirit with green LG Rumor

Not to be outdone by 3 and their green accented Sony Ericsson K660i, Sprint has announced their contribution to the St. Patrick's Day spirit with a special edition green LG Rumor. Donning the same full-QWERTY keypad, GPS support, and 1.3 MP camera of the original, the green Rumor will be available for $49.99 after a $50 main-in rebate and the signing of a 2-year contract.
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T-Mobile parent company to buy Sprint?

Deutsche Telekom, parent firm for T-Mobile, is considering a buy out of Sprint, which could certainly shake the mobile market to its core if such an acquisition takes place. Merrill Lynch comments about the possibility of a Sprint takeover, discussing economic factors that could lead to such a deal.

For one, the new addition of the Sprint Simply Unlimited plan could set off a pricing-war with T-Mobile that the German firm just can't afford, making it a better investment to just purchase the company out-right. The acquisition could also stir up some problems with networking, making T-Mobile drop their GSM service of cutting out CDMA off from Sprint. Are the positives enough to out weigh the negatives?
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Samsung Ace: Hands-on and first impressions

I’ve been playing with the new Samsung Ace from Sprint for a few days and have some initial thoughts along with some photos of the device. Full review coming soon.

As far as using the phone on a day-to-day basis, I like it. The size is good. It’s longer than the Motorola Q but a little bit thinner width-wise and a little bit lighter. The lightness, in fact, is surprising at first — a nice surprise, to be sure. It fits easily in a pocket, so it travels well.

I’ve sworn off touchscreens for good. My last month of so with the HTC Touch (pictured above) has been an exercise in frustration. I like how tiny it is but it wasn’t worth the trade-off in that I don’t like using a stylus and I don’t like trying to type without a real-life tactile keyboard. Call me old-fashioned but I’m just not feeling the whole touchscreen thing. Some people love it, some people don’t. To each his own. Going back to a smartphone with a non-touchscreen has been refreshing for me.

If you’ve used the Samsung BlackJack phones, you’re basically getting the same thing with the Ace except for slightly different — and better — button placement, keyboard, and 5-way directional switch.

The keys look tiny but I’ve found them surprisingly easy to type with. I thought the cramped-looking keyboard would be my biggest gripe but it’s turned out to be my favorite feature. The big Call Send and Call End buttons are nice touches, too.

Battery life seems a bit short but I still need to give it some more thorough testing. Samsung rates the talk-time at just over four hours but I’m more interested in how often I’ll need to recharge it with normal, everyday use. I don’t make too many calls but I use a fair amount of data services so we’ll see how long everything lasts.

The charging and USB cables that come with the Ace are proprietary, which agitates me because it means I’ll have to carry more cables now. I like phones that use a mini-USB cable for everything and I’m pretty sure that Samsung could have done without the proprietary connection.

The Ace can be used as a world phone, although data speeds abroad are relegated to GSM only. Using Sprint’s EVDO network here in the states has been zippy, although the phone uses Sprint’s Rev 0 protocol instead of the newer, faster Rev A.

Windows Mobile 6 has been an underwhelming experience over Windows Mobile 5 but I’m still playing around with it so I’m sure I’ll find some surprises here and there. The phone doesn’t have any GPS features, unfortunately, so I guess I’ll just stay inside my house all day so I don’t get lost. As I mentioned before, I’ll have a full review up soon.
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Stripper/ contortionist hired by Sprint

In an article about Strippers with interesting day jobs (think Diablo Cody, Oscar winner for Juno) Radar "uncovered" Ekaterina Sknarina:

"A regular burlesque performer at hipster haven The Box, Sknarina has recently been focusing on styling photo shoots for an array of top publications in the United Kingdom, Europe (including Spanish Vogue), and the United States, as well as commercials for Lysol, Sprint, and everyone's favorite plastic contortionist, Barbie."

A visit to Ekaterina's website confirms that the Miss Coney Island and the UK's Erotic Performance Artist of the Year did in fact do some work for Sprint PCS but nowhere on the internet was I able to find what exactly it is that she did for them.

Was it print work? A TV ad? Modeling? Behind the scenes styling or costume design? Oh, well... I guess even strippers need to keep some air of mystery about them.
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