Category Archives: Sprint

7 States Join US DOJ To Block AT&T/T-Mobile Merger – Sprint Issues Satement

Posted by on September 16, 2011 No comments

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Early today, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Washington joined the department’s lawsuit against the AT&T/T-Mobile merger. Sprint was quick to respond on the news saying,

"After a comprehensive review of the facts related to AT&T’s proposed takeover of T-Mobile, seven state attorneys general have reached the same conclusion as the U.S. Department of Justice: This proposed takeover violates antitrust law and would harm consumers, competition and our nation’s economy. This is a strong stand for American consumers, and Sprint commends this bipartisan group of state attorneys general for joining with the U.S. Justice Department to protect consumers, competition and American jobs."

California, represent! This is good news for all those against the merger. I, personally would like somewhere affordable to take my 5 lines in case Sprint keeps raising prices (T-Mobile).

[Via Sprint]

Perfect Timing: Samsung Epic 4G Touch Source Code Now Available

Posted by on September 16, 2011 No comments

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Well, that was a lot quicker than what we were expecting (but trust us, we aren’t complaining). The Samsung Epic 4G Touch is now out in stores and online and Samsung has made the source code available at their developer portal for all to download. With this, the hardworking Android development community will be able to get started on all the custom ROMs you could want. Root’s still not here yet (Motorola’s after-market community has that on lock) but we can’t imagine it won’t be worked on ASAP. If you yourself want the source code in the meantime, head to Samsung’s portal and do a search for D710. [Pocketnow]

[Poll] Buying the Epic 4G Touch Today?

Posted by on September 16, 2011 No comments

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So today marks the release of the first Galaxy S II smartphone in America – Sprint’s Samsung Epic 4G Touch Having used the phone myself for a few days now, I can tell you that it’s everything it’s cracked up to be and 10 times more. While my official review has yet to come out (it will be out very soon, but read my initial hands-on impressions here), I can certainly tell you that I’ll have a ton of praise and very little reproach.

With that said, if you were to take a walk into a Sprint store right now to play with it and found yourself liking it, would you buy it? Sure, it’s been out for several months in the world over, but the funny thing is that this is still one of the most powerful smartphones over there and over here.

Will you let your indecisiveness or need to get the absolute latest technology hold you back from buying or will you just settle and accept the fact the phone may be “outdated” within a few weeks’ time? Sound off in the poll below and be sure to leave a comment explaining your choice!

Samsung Galaxy S II, Epic 4G Touch Is Now Available From Sprint

Posted by on September 16, 2011 No comments

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Rejoice! The time is finally here, folks. It’s a little past midnight on the east coast and Sprint’s website has finally made available the uber fast, uber amazing, uber sexy, Samsung Epic 4G Touch for sale! With it’s 4.52-inch Super AMOLED Plus display, 1.2GHz dual-core Exynos processor, 16GB of internal storage, 8MP rear/2MP front facing cameras, 1080p video recording, running Android 2.3.4… Who’s getting one!?

Oh, and don’t forget to hit up the Samsung Epic 4G Touch Forum for anything and everything on this device from deals, rooting and general praise. Cheers.

[Via Sprint]

Motorola Admiral Coming Soon as Sprint Direct Connect Device

Posted by on September 15, 2011 No comments

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Sprint will be kicking off their Direct Connect service in an Android fashion with the Motorola Admiral, according to a recently leaked document. We’ve heard the name before, but this is our first look at the handset and its specs. The portrait QWERTY smartphone will feature Android 2.3, a single-core 1.2GHz Qualcomm chipset, and 3.1-inch display. It also gets a 5MP camera, 4GB of internal storage, and an 1860mAh battery, all of which is built into a military-specced case capable of resisting water, dust, shock, pressure and temperature extremes, and pretty much whatever else you can throw at it. Quite admiral-able. Aren’t I punny? The Motorola Admiral should be making its way to Sprint later this fall.

Sprint Making Major Changes – Shuts Down Premier Program, Cuts Back Return/Exchange Policy and More

Posted by on September 15, 2011 No comments

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As a Sprint customer, this is definitely NOT the news I was looking to hear today. Looks like Sprint is doing a bit of house cleaning and making a lot of changes in the form of a few cost cutting measures. Dead and gone is Sprint’s Premier program which recently saw a new tiered system into Silver and Gold members. Can’t say I’ll miss it.

Now this one is going to hit me a little harder. Sprint will also be doing away with their once amazing 30 day return/exchange policy only to cut it in half. The new policy is a mere 2 week or 14 days. However you want to look at it — it sucks.

But it’s not all doom and gloom for Sprint customers. Sprint will also be introducing a “New for You” program that allows customers to upgrade their device every 20 months. The downside? Well, it’s not really the same 2-year discount new customers get when purchasing a new device. After 20 months with Sprint, you’ll now receive $150 off the full price of a new device which could even be seen as less thanks to the increased upgrade fee, up from $18 to $36.

All changes should go into effect by tomorrow, September 15th. Can’t say things aren’t looking too good for ‘ol Yeller. If T-Mobile still had a future, I’d consider making the jump back on over to them. But now, seems the only real option would be Verizon. Don’t think I could handle that steep monthly bill though. Bummer.

[Via AndroidPolice]

LG Optimus S Gets Android 2.3 Update

Posted by on September 14, 2011 No comments

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Won’t be long before Froyo is obsolete. Sprint has released Android 2.3 for the LG Optimus S (which, if you didn’t know, is their version of the LG Optimus One). Sprint’s version of the phone is a slightly modified version of stock Android so you can expect the stock Gingerbread look that has really grown on a lot of people. Find the list of changes below and grab instructions on how to pull the update down here. [Sprint via AC]

LG Optimus S Software Update – Android 2.3 (LS670ZVH)

 

Enhancements/Fixes:

- Volume adjustment from handset when backlight is off and in a Bluetooth call

- Initiation of a 3-way call in certain markets

- Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)

- Updated color scheme (includesdarker notification bar and black-based menus)

- New on-screen keyboard (supports multi-touch input and a  smart auto-correction function)

- Improved cut-paste functionality

- New integrated download application for ease in accessing downloaded files

- Updated camera application

- Power management and task killer applications

 

Important Notes:

- The new software version is: LS670ZVH

- Released in stages with 100% of devices having received the update within 10 days

- Refer to the LG Optimus S Software Update blog for install instructions

Sprint Officially Announces the LG Marquee for October 2nd, Angles it as a Choice for the Style Conscious Citizen

Posted by on September 14, 2011 No comments

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That didn’t take long, did it? After the LG Optimus Black for Sprint was outed at a recent Radio Shack event as the LG Marquee Sprint’s gone ahead and made it official with a nice looking press release. While the Marquee will draw people in due to it’s extremely bright screen, Sprint’s going with the fashion angle, collaborating with design collective MADE to launch the device in style.

Aside from its good, sleek looks, you can expect decent internals that fits this one right into that mid-range crowd. We’ve got the oft-discussed 4 inch NOVA display which LG claims is the brightest mobile phone display on the market, a 1GHz processor, Android 2.3, a 5 megapixel rear camera with a 2 megapixel front camera and more.

Availability? You can begin preordering on September 20th through September 27th. Presale customers will begin receiving their devices on the 29th, but the “official” launch isn’t slated for three days later. All of this comes to you at just $100. Read on for full press details.

LG Marquee from Sprint Celebrates the Perfect Combination of Signature Style and Cutting-Edge Technology During New York Fashion Week

 As Sprint’s first device available for advance pre-sale, customers can buy 
LG Marquee beginning on Sept. 20 at www.sprint.com/marquee for $99.99
 
TLC’s Stacy London and up-and-coming designers team up to
invite consumers to make "The Bright Choice" with a MADE Fashion Week Campaign promoting the thin, light and bright LG Marquee

New York City - Sept. 14, 2011 - Sprint (NYSE: S) and LG Mobile today announced the upcoming arrival of an Android device that perfectly pairs fashion with technology - LG Marquee Android™, exclusively from Sprint. The device will be launched in partnership with non-profit design collective MADE, formally known as M·A·C & Milk, at this year’s MADE FASHION WEEK in New York City. Keeping with the smartphone’s innovative convergence of technology and fashion, LG enlisted Stacy London of TLC’s "What Not To Wear"to act as resident style mentor to five up-and-coming MADE designers as they craft chic carrying cases for LG Marquee.

LG Marquee arrives on the Sprint Network on Sunday, Oct. 2 for just $99.99 (excludes taxes) with eligible upgrade or new two-year contract and after a $50 mail-in rebate via reward card1 (pricing excludes taxes). It will be the first Sprint device to be sold in advance online. Pre-sale orders begin on Tuesday, Sept. 20, and end on Tuesday, Sept. 27, at www.sprint.com/marquee. Customers who pre-order LG Marquee will begin receiving their devices on Thursday, Sept. 29 - three days before the device goes on sale.
"These days, a wireless phone is much more than just a communication device - it also echoes one’s personal style and taste," said David Owens, vice president - Product Development, Sprint. "Design has become a key factor in the purchase decision and the LG Marquee is sure to turn heads."
"LG believes fashion and technology go hand-in-hand among today’s growing contingent of style-conscious and tech-savvy consumers," said Tim O’Brien, vice president of marketing for LG Mobile. "By partnering with Sprint, MADE and Stacy London, LG effectively showcases three prominent phone features important to consumers: a sleek, thin profile, ultra light weight design and bright display."
LG Marquee is an ideal mobile device for anyone who wants superior performance without sacrificing personal style. The sleek, ultra-thin smartphone features a 4-inch NOVA display and a virtual QWERTY keyboard. Encouraging consumers to make "the bright choice," LG Marquee boasts a remarkably vivid and visible screen, even in direct sunlight.
LG Marquee ships with Android 2.3 and Mobile Hotspot capability supporting up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices simultaneously. It also offers a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera for maximum versatility in creating and sharing media and a 2-megapixel front-facing camera making your face-to-face video chatting experience even more memorable. Equipped with a 1GHz processor and Adobe Flash technology, LG Marquee makes downloading, posting, commenting, watching and playing faster and easier than ever.
The device features Sprint ID, allowing users to customize up to five screens on the device with a couple simple clicks. Sprint ID allows users to cut through the clutter of Android Market’s more than 250,000 apps by simply selecting from a variety of mobile ID packs featuring apps, ringers, wallpapers, widgets and more. Available Sprint ID packs include: Fashion and Beauty, E!, MTV Music, Green, and NASCAR Sprint Cup.
LG Marquee requires activation on a Sprint Everything Data plan for smartphones2. Sprint’s Everything Data plan with Any Mobile, AnytimeSM includes unlimited web, texting and calling to and from any mobile in America while on the Sprint Network, starting at just $69.99 per month plus required $10 Premium Data add-on charge. The Mobile Hotspot option is available for an additional $29.99 per month supporting up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices simultaneously3 (pricing excludes taxes and surcharges).
Celebrating Technology and Fashion
The LG Fashion Week campaign pairs Stacy London’s impeccable style with the innovative, futuristic eye of MADE. London brings years of fashion-industry experience to her LG style mentor role and will provide each of the MADE designers with creative consulting sessions as they design fashion-forward carrying cases to showcase the clean, modern, minimalist styling of LG Marquee. Participating MADE designers include Kevork Kiledjian, Katie Gallagher, The Lake and Stars, Erickson Beamon and Christian Cota.
"Being able to give our designers yet another platform for growth and exposure is part of the DNA of MADE; and allowing our designers to interact with major brands like LG is a great learning tool for future partnerships," said Jenne Lombardo, Co-Director of MADE.
Celebrating a partnership of Sprint and LG’s rich style heritage, the campaign highlights the increasing influence of technology on today’s design community and includes a Fashion Week panel discussion and product launch reception hosted by London at Milk Studios on Thursday, Sept. 15. The MADE panel discussion, entitled "How Fashion Communicates," will be moderated by Simon Collins, dean of fashion at Parsons The New School for Design, and will take an in-depth look at five key areas where technology has altered fashion design. As part of the esteemed panel, London will provide industry insights to discussion categories including designer communication, the rise of the blogger, public access to real-time happenings, retail and the shift from print to digital media.
The chic and functional LG Marquee carrying cases created by the participating designers will debut on Sept. 15 during LG’s launch event at MADE FASHION WEEK. The event will feature individual designer stations that will display the inspiration behind each case. In addition, at the end of the evening, London will announce her top designer pick for the overall campaign.
 
 
 
 
About Sprint Nextel
Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel served more than 52 million customers at the end of 2Q 2011 and is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including the first wireless 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; offering industry-leading mobile data services, leading prepaid brands including Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, and Assurance Wireless; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. Newsweek ranked Sprint No. 6 in its 2010 Green Rankings, listing it as one of the nation’s greenest companies, the highest of any telecommunications company. You can learn more and visit Sprint at www.sprint.com or www.facebook.com/sprint and www.twitter.com/sprint.
About LG Electronics, Inc.
LG Electronics, Inc. (KSE: 066570.KS) is a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, mobile communications and home appliances, employing more than 93,000 people working in over 120 operations around the world. With 2010 global sales of 55.8 trillion Korean won (USD 48.2 billion), LG comprises four business units - Home Entertainment, Mobile Communications, Home Appliance, and Air Conditioning & Energy Solutions. LG is one of the world’s leading producers of flat panel TVs, mobile devices, air conditioners, washing machines, and refrigerators. LG has signed a long-term agreement to become both a Global Partner and a Technology Partner of Formula 1™. As part of this top-level association, LG acquires exclusive designations and marketing rights as the official consumer electronics, mobile phone and data processor of this global sporting event. For more information, please visit www.lg.com.
About LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company
The LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company is a leading global mobile communications and information company. With its cutting-edge technology and innovative design capabilities, LG creates handsets that provide an optimized mobile experience to customers around the world. LG is pursuing convergence technology and mobile computing products, while continuing its leadership role in mobile communication with stylish designs and smart technology. For more information, please visit http://www.lgmobilephones.com.
MADE, formerly known as M.A.C. and Milk, was born from the successful Fashion Week collaboration that started in 2008. Now in its fifth season, MADE FASHION WEEK continues to showcase outstanding design and harness the energy of New York’s creative communities. The compelling program of events - over 35 fashion shows and presentations each season, exhibitions, parties, concerts, panel discussions and an unrivaled online presence on milkmade.com - has translated to success at a retail level and in the press, as well as in the highly coveted digital arena. MADE has expanded as a year-round, dynamic platform for emerging design talent and other innovators and visionaries. MADE provides support to New York’s fashion community in a vibrant atmosphere that encourages creativity, fosters growth and challenges convention. These innovators and visionaries are now a powerful voice in the international fashion dialogue and have initiated a general shift in the industry.

Samsung Epic 4G Touch Hands-on and Quick First Impressions [Video]

Posted by on September 13, 2011 No comments

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Apologies in advance for horrible focusing on my camera’s part and a couple of shots where the entire phone wasn’t in view while looking at the software. Also, please allow an hour or two for full HD video to process.

Our friends at Sprint dropped off a little gift for us to share with you guys. It’s the Samsung Epic 4G Touch, Sprint’s keyboard-less version of the original Epic 4G and their version of the Galaxy S II. Quick first impressions? Sure. This phone is amazingly fast. Samsung’s work on TouchWiz UI on top of Android 2.3.4 must have been long and hard because they’ve constructed arguably the smoothest and most user-friendly user interface on top of stock Android.

I’m sure a lot of that is backed by Samsung’s extremely powerful (twice as powerful as competing chipsets, apparently) dual-core 1.2Ghz Exynos processor. In my 30 minutes of gleeful playtime I was unable to produce lag, stuttering or freezing in any application. I applied a live wallpaper to see if it would fall to its knees from me flipping back and forth with an animated background, but to no avail. Needless to say, this makes me smile.

I wondered if that would be different if this had qHD resolution, but I’m not so sure that would make a huge difference. Yes, you read right -  the 4.5 inch display on this phone only has WVGA (800×480) resolution.

The result of so few pixels being stuck into such a large screen is overall bigger text, icons and everything. It might be a desirable look for those who struggle to read small text without glasses, but it really disappoints me to think about how much nicer and spacier everything would look overall with qHD.

Thankfully, the display is Super AMOLED Plus so a lot of would-be negative effects that would come about with this disproportionate combination of screen size and resolution aren’t present here.

You’d have to be looking really hard to spot individual pixels, and if you’re like me and can barely see even with strong glasses, a microscope would have to do the trick. That’s backed by very deep contrasts and vibrant colors. As stretched out as everything looks, it all still looks very good.

There are other small things about the phone that make the experience that much better, too, such as motion control. It’s more than a novelty – it’s actually useful. Pinch to zoom takes a backseat to moving the phone back and forth, and panning homescreens to place a widget or icon is no longer the most painful experience ever. Pinch to zoom is still in, but I’m most certain you’ll enjoy this method a lot more.

Other goodies inside the Epic 4G Touch are its 2MP front-facing camera, 8MP rear camera with LED flash and 1080p video recording, 16GB of internal storage, 1800mAh battery and the microUSB MHL port for HDMI-out.

I had a chance to play with the camera for a quick minute. Still photos are beautiful, 1080p video is even better. The camera sensor inside picks up the color accurately and the software helps it achieve great white balance.

Playback of 1080p videos were stutter-free and you could really see the high resolution sensor at work with how crisp and clear footage was. Samsung’s on the top end of the spectrum in the camera department, we’d say.The quick hands-on video is above, but stay tuned for continued coverage in the coming days and weeks, including benchmarks, the full review and more.

A couple more things I forgot to mention in the video:

  • Battery is definitely removable and there’s a microSD card slot beneath the battery door.
  • There is an LED notification light, thankfully. Hard to see in images but it’s there.
  • No keyboard as the name suggests.

Sprint Posts Samsung Epic 4G Touch User Guide

Posted by on September 13, 2011 No comments

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The release of the Samsung Epic 4G Touch is only a few days away, but for those with the phone on pre-order and plans to run out and buy it as soon as the nearest Sprint store opens for business on the 16th can get a leg up by checking out the user guide now. Sprint has posted the document to their support site as of today. If you’re still on the fence, be sure to keep an eye out for our upcoming review.

[Sprint via AndroidForums | Thanks, cds0699!]