The Gadget Blog » Sprint

Sprint to Release Biodegradeable Samsung Phone this August 16

Rico Mossesgeld — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 18:30:34 +0000

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 price means a two-year lock-in. However you see it, the fact that the phone’s case is made out of biodegradable plastic composing partially of corn is a catchy news bite, and is sure to elicit some corn-y puns online! See, it has already begun! (Feel free to visit instantrimshot.com)

Pictures to follow once they become available. I for one am expecting a yellow phone.

Source

Post from: The Gadget Blog

Showdown of “New Generation” Smartphones

Rico Mossesgeld — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 20:50:49 +0000

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:

Courtesy BillShrink

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

Post from: The Gadget Blog

Sprint + Pre Wants You to Know: We’re Ready

Rico Mossesgeld — Sun, 31 May 2009 13:00:43 +0000

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 will stick around for two months, Owens says.

I wonder if it’s better to simply do a good job, and not broadcast to everyone how you plan to do a good job. The “we’re ready for you” marketing approach sounds like desperation to me for some reason. Hopefully Sprint won’t drop the ball come June 6.

Post from: The Gadget Blog

Palm Pre Costs $170.02 to Make Says iSuppli

Rico Mossesgeld — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 16:36:49 +0000

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 any chance of making an impact. Regaining the good ol’ glory days—and making money of an app store—can come later.

(image courtesy of Palm)

Post from: The Gadget Blog