Mobility Watch

With a lineup of some 20 different handsets Nextel offers, we’re not sure that 2 out of 20 equals a trend.

But a few eyebrows were raised last month when Nextel introduced its first combination iDen/CDMA phone, the Motorola ic502.  Now Nextel is out with its second combo handset, the ic402.

The new handset is just a minor variation on the ic502 - leaving off the 502’s snazzy external screen, tweaking the phone’s appearance and finishes, and cutting the price by $20 (to $39.99 with 2 year deal instead of $59.99).

As we noted before, these combo handsets use Sprint’s more robust (better coverage) CDMA network for dialup voice calls, and Nextel’s iDen network for walkie talkie and GPS functionality. 

We think these combo handsets are a new weapon for Nextel to prevent its customers who are unhappy with the coverage area from going to some other carrier.  These handsets are cheap enough that Nextel’s retentions department (the department in charge of retaining unhappy customers) can offer them practically free to keep these disgruntled clients from switching.

Nextel is still offering these handsets in limited areas, and there’s no indication yet that customers from their sister outfit Sprint will be allowed to buy and use these handsets too.  But for clients that love Nextel’s walkie talkie and GPS capabilities, and hate their problems with coverage, these phones provide a quick fix.

Sprint, Nextel, ic402, ic502, walkie talkie, iDen, CDMA

[via Nextel, Phone Arena]

Hard to argue with ‘free’. 

Sprint’s new free downloadable mobile email client supports Windows Live, AOL and Yahoo! mail directly.  If you’re a Gmail fan or you use some other POP or IMAP email account, you can add those to this client, too.

The client (developed by SEVEN) includes lots of nice functionality including offline message composition, folders for sent messages, deleted messages and drafts, and a push-style email synchronization and notification capability using SMS.

When we say “free” we’re talking about the software.  The data service and SMS messaging that make the client work - those you’ll have to pay for.  Works with some, but not all, Sprint handsets - we’re told they’re expanding compatibility as quickly as they can.

Sprint, email, SEVEN

[via Mobile Tracker, SEVEN]

Though it hasn’t yet reached Sprint’s website the new Sanyo M1 is plastered all over Sanyo.com and it’s expected to be out and available from Sprint tomorrow.

If you wanted sleek, and RAZR-like, forget the M1 and check out Katana - you know, the one they claim was “inspired” by a Japanese sword.

The M1 goes the other way - substantial instead of sleek.  Start with 1GB of internal memory - no card required.  External music controls make it easy to get at all that music you’ve stored in it.  Full Sprint Music Store and Power Vision capabilities.  And make that a 2 megapixel camera, with flash, please.

$199.99 with 2 year agreement and “instant savings”.  $349.99 with no strings.

Sprint, Sanyo, M1, cell phone

[via Sanyo, Engadget Mobile]

Actually, I happen to think black is a great color for the Motorola’s Q - slicker looking than the silver trim job on the Verizon model. 

The fact that these pictures have leaked out is either encouraging, or just frustrating, if you’re a Sprint customer who’s been waiting for the Q to hit Sprint’s lineup.  Word we get is that the Q could roll out on Sprint in December, but then again, could be January.

Aside from the color difference, it’s the same Windows Smartphone with dual stereo speakers, Bluetooth, 1.3 megapixel camera (no, no WiFi) that Verizon customers have had for some time. 

And since Verizon customers are getting their Qs at the uber-discounted (with agreement and incentives) price of $99.99 these days, should we assume that Sprint will match that price?  We would certainly hope so.

[via Smart Phone Today]

Today’s unsubstantiated claim is:  thinnest clamshell phone in the U.S.

We won’t argue as the Samsung m610 rolls out on Sprint’s website.  At half an inch thick, this puppy crams in a 2 megapixel camera/video recorder, QVGA internal display, stereo Bluetooth, and space for a microSD memory card.  PCS Power Vision capability gives you quick music downloads, live TV feeds or online gaming. 

Until recently Sprint’s handset lineup hasn’t been what you’d call ’stylish’.  But this new m610, along with MOTORAZR and MOTOKRZR models, are giving Sprint’s lineup the hardware equivalent of a Botox injection.

At $179.99 with a 2 year deal and the usual incentives the m610 will help “thin out” your pocket and your wallet at the same time.

[via Mobile Guerilla]

We know a good deal when we see one.  Good deal meaning, one that costs less than what we’re paying now.

We haven’t seen a deal like that yet from our cable company.  Take Comcast Digital Voice, the cable company’s landline phone service.  At about $39 it’s actually priced at or above comparable service from the legacy wireline carriers like Verizon.  Comcast has offered some six month come-ons for $33 a month, but at that price it still costs a lot more than broadband carriers like Vonage.

So we’ll be interested to see what the price point will be as Comcast and Time Warner roll out their new wireless service, provided by Sprint.  Comcast promises to begin in Boston and Portland, Oregon later this month.  Time Warner’s first wireless service offerings will be in Raleigh and Austin.

Sprint will hope to get customers it wouldn’t have gotten otherwise.  The cable companies will handle customer service - with the same talented, prompt, well-trained customer service teams that handle their TV and internet businesses.  (Yes, I was just kidding.)  All on one bill.

One feature that might be worth having:  Downloads of TV shows from my cable company’s DVR to my wireless phone.  Could happen as soon as 2007 they say.

Cool convergence features aside, it’s hard to imagine users rushing to their cable companies for wireless service, unless there’s a substantial price break for the package deal.  At least $10 a month less than the services purchased separately.

Otherwise, there are a lot of advantages to getting wireless service from a company with an established national network of stores.  Instead of the, ugh, cable company. 

[via USA Today]

When Sprint swallowed up Nextel a lot of wireless wonks figured one of two things would happen.  Either Sprint would shut down the Nextel network and move all its customers to Sprint, or Sprint would come up with dual-system handsets that work on both networks.

So, here’s a dual-system handset, sort of.  Nextel’s new Motorola ic502 actually uses Sprint’s CDMA network for voice calls and data - and Nextel’s iDen network for push-to-talk capability.  This way, Nextel customers keep their walkie-talkie feature but get access to Sprint’s more robust voice/data network.

On the downside, this handset doesn’t use Sprint’s faster EV-DO data service, and its user interface is likely to be too Sprint-like for Nextel fans. 

But if Nextel’s network isn’t cutting it for you, this may be the answer.  $59.99 on a 2-year deal.  Available at first in limited markets, including Washington D.C., New York City, Boston and Miami.

[via Phone Scoop]

Motorola’s SLVR is making its CDMA debut.  But not on Verizon Wireless. 

VZW seems to get more than its share of “firsts”, so this debut is noteworthy because it’s happening on Sprint.  It’s Sprint’s first candybar high speed EVDO-capable handset and the only CDMA SLVR handset out there, at least for a while.  (Update:  It will, we’re told, be available exclusively as a Sprint product at Best Buy stores and on Best Buy’s wireless.bestbuy.com website.)

Sprint TV, the Sprint Music Store and On Demand services are all available, plus Bluetooth, microSD memory capability and VGA still & video camera, in the familiar half-inch-thick package.  (Update:  Best Buy is offering the phone for $59.99 with the usual incentives and fine print.)

Amidst all the blather about cool looking handsets, MP3 and cameraphone capabilities, some people just want to know whether they’ll be able to make a call when they get to where they’re going.

Verizon Wireless has a coverage locator that can answer that question, with coverage maps by city or zip code.  So does Cingular.  T-Mobile’s coverage map goes further, allowing you to enter specific street addresses as well as zip codes.

Now Sprint is out with its “Power Network Coverage Tool” that lets you zoom right in to street level and be able to predict reasonably well what coverage will be like.  It’s available at Sprint’s stores and at www.sprint.com/coverage.  Sprint brags that their coverage tool gives predicted EV-DO service coverage, and even shows locations of recently added cell towers.  The capability to see future cell sites within sixty days of buildout is coming, Sprint says.

[via Metro West Daily News]

Ever since Sprint and Nextel became Sprint Nextel, wireless wonks have wondered when the two systems used by these companies (CDMA and iDen) would somehow be merged or consolidated, or when there would be handsets that could access both systems.

The next step in that direction is reportedly taking place November 5th.  A page on Sprint’s website is “introducing the Sprint Nextel Hybrid phone - the only phone that combines the best of two networks”.  Says it will be available “in select markets” November 5. 

Exactly which markets, which handset manufacturer and what pricing for this hybrid handset are to be announced.  But Sprint Nextel’s taking one more giant step on pulling its two networks together:  it’s adopting Qualcomm’s QChat push to talk system for its Sprint CDMA service.  It promises to be better than Sprint’s current Ready Link PTT system, and - more importantly - it will allow Sprint subscribers push-to-talk communications with Nextel subscribers. 

[via MRT, Engadget Mobile]

If college is meant to prepare you for the rest of your life, you might as well learn how to blab incessantly on a cell phone.

Allen University in Columbia, South Carolina is giving each and every student a free LG LX350 cell phone with talk time from Sprint.

There is more to this than learning how to text message, however.  These phones are equipped with tracking capabilities.  Students can use the phones to request tracking from campus security during any time period they choose.  If a student doesn’t respond to an automated tracking call at the end of that time period, the student’s name and the phone’s location are sent to security and they dispatch someone to check on it.  Faculty and staff already have a similar system in place.

There’s also a course-management system, with voice mail capabilities.  Does this mean professors will be leaving messages, nagging their students to get their assignments done? 

[via The State] 

Branding isn’t everything.  ESPN partnered with Sprint last year to create ESPN Mobile.  As the press release at the time put it:

“ESPN Mobile will offer fans unique sports programming and entertainment from ESPN on a mobile phone, delivering not only wireless voice service, but applications such as easy access to sports news, information, commentary, analysis, statistics, ring tones, graphics, photos and logos as well as streaming audio and video made possible by Sprint’s industry-leading wireless high-speed data network. ESPN Mobile will sell ESPN-branded handsets, accessories and applications tailored to its target audience of sports fans.”

Great idea, right?  ESPN-branded phones and content for sports fans can’t miss, right?

It was pretty much a complete failure.  With only about 10,000 subscribers, it never really got into the game.  ESPN has decided it’s better off licensing its content to multiple carriers, and by the end of the year, that’s where those subscribers will end up - headed for other carriers.  Subscribers won’t be held to contracts, and we’re told there will be some refunds handed out.

The moral of the story:  Sports and telephones don’t mix.  Well, except for those wonderful tennis-shoe phones that Sports Illustrated once gave out to their new subscribers.  

[via ESPN Mobile]

While Sprint has always targeted business customers, it’s been at a disadvantage for the world travellers, because Sprint uses CDMA technology.  Most of the rest of the world’s carriers use GSM (so do U.S. carriers T-Mobile and Cingular).

Sprint’s new Samsung IP-830w will go after those business power users - by providing service on both GSM and CDMA.  The phone will come complete with a GSM SIM card provisioned for overseas roaming.  While you’re in the States, you’ll have Sprint’s CDMA plus EV-DO service, and Windows Mobile 5 PDA capabilities everywhere.  A full QWERTY keyboard hides under the phone’s slick slider, and its expansion slot for SD memory will give you plenty of room for business files and addresses.

Expect a high-end price on this one - around $600 with a 2 year commitment from Sprint, when it becomes available some time next month.

[via Mobile Whack]

With Apple almost certain to announce some kind of downloadable movie service on iTunes in a few days, it’s interesting to see Sprint Nextel rolling out its own wireless film downloads for EV-DO enabled customers.

Sprint’s streaming movie service has been available in the past, but not with mainstream titles such as Spiderman, Scarface, or Meet the Parents.  Prices will range from $3.99 - $5.99 per movie, and each film will be available for periods ranging from 1 day to 7 days, depending on the title.  Once you’ve bought a title, you can watch it as many times as you like during the availability period.

One caveat:  films on your Sprint phone will be edited to pass TV-14 standards.

[via Mobile Tracker]

Don’t ask anyone working at Nokia, “What’s new?”.  They’re liable to talk your ear off.

 To start with, Nokia’s gone to court to try to resolve a long-standing dispute with Qualcomm over royalty payments for CDMA cellular technology.  Nokia says it can’t make money building CDMA handsets and it accuses Qualcomm of not negotiating royalties in good faith.

At the same time, Nokia is laying off 550 employees at its San Diego plant as it prepares to stop making those CDMA handsets.

And while all that is going on, Nokia has made a deal to acquire Loudeye, a digital music provider/platform service, for $60 million.  Nokia says it has tens of millions of devices out there (particularly its N series handsets) that play music, and it wants to be able to download songs to all of those devices.  This would include either wireless downloads, or downloads through a PC.  Nokia’s music service would be ready to roll out next year, if all goes according to plan.

Since Loudeye already provides the technological backbone for 60 different music services in 20 countries, Nokia can make a credible attempt to compete with Apple’s iTunes.

And if that’s not enough, Nokia also sent out a congratulatory note to Sprint Nextel on that provider’s announcement that it will develop a WiMax wireless broadband system.  Nokia figures to get a substantial chunk of the business, since it’s one of the founding partners in WiMax.

[via Nokia, Phone Scoop]