Sprint gears up for more Android, BlackBerry and Windows Mobile goodness

By on Oct 30, 2009 at 6:18 AM
News October 30, 2009

Yesterday, Sprint executive David Owens dropped a ton of great news for Sprint customers in a live chat. Some of the news isn’t groundbreaking, but it’s still good to know and get confirmation from Sprint directly. Read on for the list of items that were mentioned.

  • Google Android OS updates are coming for the HTC Hero and Samsung Moment. While he didn’t specify a version – 1.6 or 2.0 – HTC has previously confirmed that they’re working on an Android 2.0 update for the Hero.
  • Combination CDMA/GSM Android phones are also “a possibility but nothing this year.”
  • They’re considering an Android phone with a built-in MiFi-type router.
  • Android phones will get less expensive “as we see volume across the industry.”
  • Lots of HTC and BlackBerry phones coming next year. HTC phones “will be on the Android platform.”
  • Sprint will “add Wi-Fi to [the BlackBerry] Tour” and have other Wi-Fi BlackBerry smartphones going forward.
  • They’re testing Windows Mobile 6.5 updates for the HTC Touch Pro2 and other Windows phones; “plan for early 2010.”
  • They want Windows Mobile 7.0 “as soon as possible, but dependent on Microsoft.”
  • Expect WiMAX phones next year.
  • No tethering for phones that require Everything plans (such as all smartphones) from here on out.

We already know about the updates coming to the Hero and Wi-Fi for the Tour, but it’s pretty cool to see that WiMAX phones are on the horizon. Hopefully that means a faster rollout of the 4G service. Owens also mentions more BlackBerry phones coming next year — could that mean that Sprint is also getting a 85xx series Curve just like Verizon? It could be the Wi-Fi BlackBerry he’s talking about when “going forward.” Lastly, for travelers, having more CDMA/GSM world phones with Android is pretty good news, even if we have to wait until next year.

Read

Tags:
, , , , , , , , , , , ,
84 Comments

Related Articles

  • Celz

    Dam are you guys serious.. Flame wars over which carrier is raping who the worst.. Lmao I know I have the best deal with Sprint.. But they can go to hell..

    Do you guys think these carriers give a dam about anyone of you.. They put on smiley faces and make adds so they can suck as much food out of your cupboards as possible.. And its even worse if you work for them..

    • Paul

      In a capatolistic economy ALL companies try to make a profit off you. Why do you think the wireless carrier business should be any different?

      In the current economic environment having a job is GOOD and working for a cellular carrier is one of the most secure tech jobs around. Get real.

  • MNMAN

    AT&T has Win Mobile 6.5 on the TouchPro2 aka Tilt2,Europe carriers can get 6.5 upgrade now on HTC website but Sprint is making us wait til 2010???? 6.5 has been out for awhile now…………………..WTH

    • Don Louie Cantone

      AT&T was smart and waited to launch it almost 3 months after release when 6.5 came out. sprin has the Intrepid with it though

  • http://macspotlight.blogspot.com @iPhoneGS

    looks like Sprint is getting a complete make? but no tethering on Everything plans WTF???

    • Don Louie Cantone

      They never officially allowed tethering with those plans, PAM was permissible at launch but then the $150 Everything plan with an aircard came out

  • ori

    I cant believe they listened to my idea! IM SO HAPPY!!! a few weeks ago, I was really pissed on how sprint wasnt picking up anything so i sent them a huge letter to them. one of my crazy ideas was integrating CDMA with GSM. they said they submited my idea to “its respectful department” and now it seems like they’re going to go through with it! and android is a bonus too!

  • railgib

    if you buy the mifi phone you won’t need tethering. if sprint really wants to resurrect itself, it should become the first wireless carrier to sell pure data/voip plans and phones. be a leader, that’s what makes a great brand.

    • railgib

      as soon as i posted this, without knowing what wimax is, it occurred to me that this is probably what “wimax phone” means….

  • Dustin

    Give me a Tour 2 for free! RIM can’t make a phone to save their life. They are pathetic.

  • Leaving_Sprint_Behind

    Whew, for a second there, I was worried. I was worried that they may improve their network so that people’s reception isn’t crap and gives them a reason to stay on. Whew, I was worried, for a second there, I would’ve thought of taking that HTC Hero I recently bought out of the box and putting it to use, rather than returning it like I will. Whew, I was worried…

  • works2much

    Sprint is by far the worse network. I had my business with them and the customer service and service is horrible. AT

    • VERIZON SUCKS

      Are you a fuckin enginer. How do you fuckin know you fuck wade.

    • Don Louie Cantone

      VZW, where’s the clarification for that blanket statement that isn’t true?

    • your mom

      Wow.. You People Need Something To Do..Holy Cow Everyone Has Their Own Opinion Why So Much Hate?? I Have Sprint And I Love Them..Thats My Opinion. So Go Outside And Get Some Fresh Air ANd Stop The Whining You Little Bitches…..

      • Kimiko

        This is the internet. Fat chance of that happening.

        You love them now, just wait until they f*** you. Sandpaper, no lube. Bleeding. Not fun.

  • m1

    No tethering on Everything plans? Not even for an extra charge? That’s just suicide.

    Bye Sprint, it’s been a great 10 year run. That’s one bad decision too many.

    • Kimiko

      Of course. Why allow a user to tether their device at $15-40 a month, when you can force them to subscribe a 2nd line of service, boost your subscription numbers, force them into two separate contracts which mean 2 ETF’s potentially if all else fails, and bill them minimum $60.00 each bill per month if they still insist on getting a Smartphone?

      But that’s not the reason at all. Sprint calls phone tethering users a “vocal minority” and not a part of their key demographic in the first place. So I would take that as smartphone users who know how to use their devices aren’t their demographic. Or people who know the limit of their plans and how to effectively use them.

      See, if you’re not pro-subscriber, you’re pro-stockholder, and guess what most analysts at Wall Street want Sprint to do? Get bought out and disappear (the difference between getting a gift horse and buying one who should be given away… hard to find buyers of a broken race animal), or go belly up and short sale it to death. Who’s better to please in the long run?

  • Don Louie Cantone

    When you say things like things as such it confirms your bias, where is it located? When was this horrible C.S. had, all of happened before these plans and coverage improvements. You like a lot of people don’t want to give savings a chance and now that vzw has unrestricted the phones, smart at least, there’s something to cheer about

  • geo

    I switched back to sprint after being raped by att…. I never thought I would but 3g speed is fast and good cal quality… You’d have to be a sucker to pay anything more…

  • midibite

    Sprint is starting to make some decent strides but they still have a way to go. They need a knockout handset to help them, because the rate plans and Palm Pre haven’t so far.

  • t1jordan

    I am a Sprint customer, I recently purchased a Hero. Awsome device. Going with Sprint just makes sence. The plans are simply lower than the other carriers. What is roaming if you have simply everything for $99.99. My phone always works. Try talking to someone with an Iphone. IMPOSSIBLE! They drop calls frequently. VZW! Let’s be seriouse. If your Vzw, your paying more for the same network as Sprint. The DROID will show its flaws as any other phone. HTC Hero the best smartphone out! 2.0 update will make Hero better than DROID. 7 home screens people. Get with Sprint. Don’t give away money! If that’s the case, give me your money I will take it.

  • http://www.r4-karte.ch/ r4 firmware

    Thanx for the valuable information. mobile world is very in trend these days…….. keep posting. Will be visiting back soon.

  • Dwayne

    I really like Sprint. I’m not with them anymore because I wanted the iPhone, but my wife has a BlackBerry with them and she loves the service. She hasn’t had a dropped call in such a long time. Service in Chicago is great. The rate plan is unbeatable and she can upgrade hervdevice every year. So we are happy. In saying that, I am also happy with AT

  • Dwayne

    I’m glad to see Sprint getting more Android devices. Android and Web OS.

    Posted from BGR Mobile (iPhone) at: Naperville North America

  • VZWSUCKs***

    hi im verizon wireless and i just want to rip off all my customers.who cares if they cant afford it?im THE NETWORK.im awesome cause im called that.i know i have shitty plans and shitty phone but who cares im making money!and its good money that could of went to a better cause.i hate my customers.i love making money off there dissapointment.hahaha suckers.

  • drillmaggot

    What about new iDEN blackberrys. How about an upgrade to the 8350i. At 2G it’s sooooo slow. I know it has WiFi but it only helps so much.

  • Don Louie Cantone
  • PG

    I don’t get the “more windows mobile goodness” part. which phones? HTC HD2? There seems to be no buzz about Sprint and new Windows mobile phoens at all other than catch-up with 6.5 on the he touch pro 2.

    Also tethering is one of the reason I stick with Sprint. I can spend up to $100/month covered through work and have an everything plan and use tethering about once a month for 30 minutes. It makes no sense to get an aircard and if they stop me (I have a Touch Pro 2) I will go to Verizon for the better service coverage.

  • Wayne

    Does any1 know if there will be an OS upgrade for us 8330 users?

1 2
blog comments powered by Disqus