Sprint

The search for the best 3G network

Dan Bowman — Wed, 14 May 2008 11:08:10 -0400

Road warriors who require constant connectivity to the Internet probably will be interested in Computerworld's mini-review to find the "best" 3G network in the United States. Brian Nadel ran tests on mobile broadband offerings from AT&T, Sprint and Verizon, collecting 500 data points from eight different places. Not surprisingly, some of the findings mirror my own experience with the 3G networks in Singapore: The fact is that data are a power drain on laptops, and that constant top-of-the-line coverage is not a given. Brian noted that coverage often is a mixture of old and new technology, with certain areas likely to still be running on older variants. The experience is generally satisfactory though, with speeds ranging from 614Kbit/sec for download, and 337Kbit/sec for download.

For more on the best 3G network:
- check out this Computerworld article

Asus preps new Eees, WiMAX laptop

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 06:59:57 -0400

It's often been said that Asus' Eee PC--that sub-$500, ultraportable wonder--created an all new category of mobile device and a quick glance at the competition that has sprouted up since pretty much confirms that fact. But the company won't be able to coast on the Eee PC's success forever--at least not without an updated model. To that end, there are two new Eee models on the way. First up is the 8.9" Eee PC 900 model, which comes with either Linux or Windows XP pre-installed, 1GB of RAM and up to 20GB of storage--it will land in the U.S. on May 12 for $549. On the more distant horizon is a 10" model with a larger keyboard, which was recently confirmed by Asustek CEO Jerry Shen, though other details remain hazy.

And what of the WiMAX Eee PC, you might ask? While we haven't heard any news on that front in quite a while, we do know that Asus is now preparing to launch a different WiMAX machine that will take the form of an update to the company's full-sized Aspire 5920 laptop. While details on the machine itself have yet to be revealed, Asus has confirmed that the laptop not only will work on Sprint's XOHM WiMAX network, but also will be sold through Sprint as part of a service bundle.

For more on the latest from Asus:
- check out this Crave article on the Eee 900
- this PC World article on the 10" Eee
- and this InfoWorld article on the WiMAX machine

Sprint to launch new push-to-talk devices

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 06:59:57 -0400

It's been pretty quiet on the Sprint push-to-talk front for a while now, at least as far as new devices are concerned. But if Sprint CEO Dan Hesse's comments during his CTIA keynote are to be believed, the company will be reviving its push-to-talk line shortly with a slew of new devices. Unlike the previous Nextel network, the new push-to-talk service will run over Sprint's EV-DO Rev. A network and will only require one number, which can be used for both mobile calls and PTT. New devices from Motorola, Samsung, Sanyo and LG will support this new service and will launch later this year. While that's all well and good, enterprise folks will be most excited to hear that the company also plans to launch a new WiFi-equipped BlackBerry device that will support PTT, though this device will run on Nextel's iDEN network, not Sprint's EV-DO network.

For more on the announcement:
- see this CTIA Live story

ALSO NOTED: Palm loss gets revised to whopping $75M; Building an eco-friendly cellular base station;

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 06:59:50 -0400

> 8.9" Eee PC to launch early, sans Intel Atom? Article
> Palm: $25M loss gets revised to whopping $75M. Article
> The Verizon XV6900 (aka the CDMA HTC Touch) arrives this month. Article
> Is Dell working on an Eee PC clone? Article
> AT&T, Verizon to use 700Mhz spectrum to build 4G LTE networks. Article
> First look: Enterprise iPhone firmware. Article
> Hacking a Sprint user account: easier than you might think. Article

And Finally... Building an eco-friendly cellular base station. Article

Hands on: Samsung Instinct

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 07:59:56 -0400

Having had a full year to catch up, handset manufacturers now are kicking it into high gear with the iPhone clones. What we have here is the Samsung Instinct, just one of many Samsung phones that sport a full-body touchscreen, a familiar-looking UI and a wealth of multimedia features. Apparently, Samsung and Sprint designed the UI for this device from the ground-up, using Java and Brew and it shows: During our hands-on, the interface felt buggy was often unresponsive and even froze up a few times. Still, this phone isn't due out until June, so Sprint has a few months to work the kinks out. In addition to the usual iPhone features that you've come to expect (threaded SMS, music/video playback, photo viewer, even visual voicemail), the Instinct sports EV-DO Rev. A support, GPS, a web browser with tilt navigation and localized haptics. While the tilt navigation is cool, if a bit gimmicky (it uses the device's camera, not an accelerometer), the web browser itself isn't quite up to snuff. The localized haptics, on the other hand, make the onscreen keypad much easier to use than the iPhone's. At the right price, this device could be a real contender in the consumer market--look for it to land for under $300 this summer.

For more on the Instinct:
- see this photo slideshow

ALSO NOTED: Verizon, T-Mobile grab more BlackBerrys; Palm 800w coming to Sprint?;

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 07:59:50 -0400

> Verizon's lackluster CTIA phone lineup. Article
> Motorola Q9 gets lime green on Alltel, U.S. Cellular. Article
> BlackBerry 8330 coming to Verizon in May. Press Release
> A first look at the iPhone firmware 2.0 beta. Article
> Palm 800w coming to Sprint? Article
> BlackBerry Pearl 8120 coming to T-Mobile this month. Press Release

And Finally... Yet another BlackBerry 9000 sighting. Article

A close look at Verizon's open initiative

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 07:59:57 -0400

As you already know, Verizon's Open Development Conference took place last week, at which time the company revealed its plans for allowing non-Verizon handsets and applications on the network. But what does Verizon's change of heart mean for corporate customers and individual users? Will we really be able to use phones from other CDMA carriers like Sprint and Helio? What applications will Verizon really allow to run on its network? Is this Open Development thing for real or is it all just a PR stunt? Gizmodo decided to dig into these tough questions and has put together a guide detailing what Verizon's Open Development initiative means for you.

For more on Verizon's Open Development initiative:
- head over to Gizmodo and check out the guide

What's you WiMAX plan B?

Tue, 22 Jan 2008 06:59:56 -0500

WiMAX can't be declared dead, yet, but it's pretty darned puny from a marketplace perspective. So, just in case the whole WiMAX thing doesn't work out like you'd hoped, what are you going to do for the high-speed wireless access that your mobile employees need? On the one hand, 802.11n is rapidly moving toward final approval and codification, and is becoming a more realistic corporate option in the process. On the other hand, EV-DO and HSDPA are each maturing rapidly and offering high-speed access through existing networks. 802.11n and the latest in 3G technology will likely each be widely available before WiMAX rolls out in every major market--but there's always the chance that the new Sprint announcement will move things forward in a WiMAX direction. Keep your options open--that seems to be the wireless rule of the day.

For more on the state of WiMAX:
- Read the wireless thoughts at NetworkWorld

WiMAX to be put to the test

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 06:59:58 -0500

The United States is getting ever closer to widespread licensed WiMAX deployment. Sprint's XOHM service has begun very limited tests and is still scheduled to go public in the second quarter of this year. Customers looking for pricing and purchase models that mimic those used in 3G cellular devices are almost certain to be disappointed--Sprint has made it clear that both monthly service pricing and device subsidies will be significantly different from cell models when WiMAX eventually rolls out. The market is anxiously watching Sprint's WiMAX rollout for clues about what customers will accept, and how the finances will work for the data-centric WiMAX network. Stay tuned…

For more on the WiMAX launch:
- See the complete article at WirelessWeek

New Sprint WiMAX devices

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 06:59:58 -0500

Few people would have picked something like it for the first in a new category of wireless devices, but the Eee PC from Asus looks like it will be the first generally-available computer with WiMAX capability built-in. The big surprise is that the Sprint devices with WiMAX communications are rather more modest, with a couple of PC-card modems for laptop computers the only things on display at the recent CES. This all could be part of the Sprint plan, since they've been talking up the "open" nature of the XOHM network as they get ready for the big public rollout of WiMAX in the US.

For more on the short list of Sprint WiMAX devices:
- Read the complete report at DailyTechRag