Watch out Sprint subscribers: the operator’s coming out with a full-featured biodegradable phone within two weeks!
The Associated Press reports that the Samsung Reclaim will one-up previous similar phones by providing a complete feature set. Mobile web access, a built-in camera, GPS, and a slide-out keyboard might be standard nowadays, but Sprint wants you to know that no one’s come out with a comprehensively functional yet eco-friendly phone, explicitly calling out competitor T-Mobile’s Motorola Renew.
Sprint also asserts that the phone will cost only $50 as they will pay Samsung “more than the usual amount of subsidies”. Of course, such a low …read more

In attempt to get more people to their website BillShrink recently came out with this well-made digital flyer that compares the so-called “new generation” smartphones:
Here’s that table in real-text form:

iPhone 3GS (AT&T)
Palm Pre (Sprint)
Android G1 (T-Mobile)

Storage Capacity
16GB
8GB
1GB (Expandable SD Slot)

Talk Time (hours)
5
5
5

Standby Time (hours)
300
300
130

Camera Megapixels
3.0
With Video Recording & Editing
3.0
3.0
With Video Recording

WiFi?
Yes
Yes
Yes

GPS
Yes
Turn By Turn (& Digital Compass)
Yes
Turn by Turn
Yes
Turn By Turn (& Digital Compass)

Voice Commands?
Yes
No
Yes

App Store
iTunes App Store
Palm App Catalog
Android Market

Price (With Contract)
$199
$199
$149

Price (Without Contract)
$599
$550
$399

Service Plans
Unlimited:
$99.99 – Voice
$30.00 – Data
$20.00 – Messaging
Unlimited Voice, Data, & Messaging:
$99.99
Unlimited:
$99.99 – Voice & Messaging
$24.99 – Data

Total Costs (+Tax Over 24 Months)
$3,600
$2,400
$3,149

What’s up with Sprint lately? The company is using a mainstream media publication (Forbes) to highlight its readiness for the June 6 Pre launch.

The introduction of the hotly anticipated handset will be Sprint’s biggest product event of the year. As interest in the phone escalates to a frenzy—in part because of rumored shortages—company representatives say Sprint is prepared for the onslaught.
Extra employees will be on hand to manage crowds, says David Owens, Sprint’s director of devices. Sprint is also borrowing manpower from partner Palm, which will dispatch representatives to more than 100 Sprint stores across the country. The additional help …read more

At the very least, each Pre costs $170.02 for Palm to produce, reports the analysts at iSuppli:

Hardware – $137.83
“manufacturing and basic test costs” – $9.58
“software and licensing costs” – $22.61
“shipping, logistics, marketing and other channel costs” – unknown
Regaining the developer passion that created thousands of useful apps for the old Palm OS – priceless
Getting the most out of its partnership with Sprint – priceless
Marketing the gadget like their lives depended on it (because it really does) – priceless

Oh don’t mind the last three items: those are some of the things I think Palm has to do if the Pre has …read more