Today, Sprint has officially announced a "first" for prepaid wireless. The Motorola i1 from Boost Mobile will be the first "walkie-talkie enabled" Android phone to hit the streets. The i1 will be available starting June 20th at Boost Mobile retail stores, Best Buy, and Best Buy Mobile stores across the nation. Neil Lindsay, Chief Marketing Officer for Boost, said that "Last year Boost disrupted the wireless marketplace with the $50 Monthly Unlimited offer, and we are doing it again with the launch of the Motorola i1." The i1 is reported to be sporting Android 1.5, a 600MHz processor, and 230MB of internal memory. It's not exactly high-end, but if you're an Android lover who needs an all you can eat plan on the cheap, this might be the one for you. There's no info on pricing just yet, but with a June 20 release date, pricing should be revealed very soon. Here are some more specs, courtesy of Sprint:
Motorola i1 Features
Any prepaid users holding out for the i1? Let us know below!
Boost Mobile Brings Android to Prepaid with Launch of Motorola i1
National distribution at Boost Mobile Exclusive Retail Stores, all Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile stores beginning June 20
IRVINE, Calif., Jun 03, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) --In a world of "firsts," the Motorola i1 from Boost Mobile(R) brings new meaning to the word. Available nationally at Boost Mobile Exclusive Retail Stores, Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile standalone stores, i1 is the first walkie-talkie enabled touchscreen phone powered by Android(TM) from Boost Mobile.
"Last year Boost disrupted the wireless marketplace with the $50 Monthly Unlimited offer, and we are doing it again with the launch of the Motorola i1," said Neil Lindsay, chief marketing officer, Boost Mobile. "Together with Motorola, we are able to offer the Android experience to those customers who enjoy the walkie-talkie feature. And with 1,100 Best Buy locations, 80 Best Buy Mobile stores and exclusive Boost Mobile stores nationwide, customers will not have to search far to find this hot handset."
The i1 has an industry-leading 5MP camera, a vivid 3.1-inch HVGA display, and is one of the first devices to feature the new optimized Opera Mini 5 Web Browser. Combined with the Boost Mobile 'Monthly Unlimited' service, with unlimited nationwide talk, text and Web for $50 per month, staying connected has never been easier. The i1 also comes equipped with Wi-Fi and is one of the first Android phones to integrate new SWYPE(R) technology for quicker-than-ever messaging.
"Best Buy Mobile is excited to be the first national retailer to bring a prepaid Android smartphone to customers who are looking for greater payment flexibility when it comes to their smartphone," said Scott Anderson, senior director at Best Buy Mobile. "One of our promises to customers is to provide the best options and choices available in the mobile marketplace. Exclusively bringing great products like the Motorola i1 to consumers helps us make good on that commitment. "
"Motorola remains focused on delivering differentiated Android experiences within our product portfolio," said Jeff Miller, vice president, Motorola Mobile Devices. "With the Motorola i1, we're excited to offer Boost users the opportunity to enjoy a feature-rich Android smartphone with walkie-talkie capability."
Motorola i1 Features
Touchscreen smartphone powered by Android(TM)
5MP camera with autofocus, flash and video
Wi-Fi capable
Access to Email Exchange, Gmail(R), MSN(R), Yahoo!(R) and more
Instant Messaging (Google Talk(TM) preloaded, supports additional messaging clients via download such as Yahoo!(R), AIM(R) and more)
Nationwide walkie-talkie
Opera Mini 5 & Android browsers
Stereo Bluetooth(R) capable
2GB microSD card (supports up to 32GB)
GPS enabled
Optional SWYPE(TM) virtual keypad
About Boost Mobile
Boost Mobile, one of Sprint's prepaid brands, offers wireless phones and services with no long-term contracts. Boost Mobile redefines value for wireless consumers with its 'Monthly Unlimited' service, offering unlimited nationwide talk, text, Web, e-mail, IM and 411 for $50 per month, and with its 'BlackBerry Monthly Unlimited' service, offering unlimited nationwide talk, text, Web, e-mail, IM and 411 for $60 per month. Boost Mobile offers nationwide service on the Nationwide Sprint Network, reaching more than 276 million people, and on the Nextel National Network, reaching more than 277 million people, with no activation or long distance fees. Boost Mobile offers a selection of quality handsets from Motorola, Sanyo, Research In Motion (RIM) and Samsung, ranging from entry-level to high-end devices. Boost Mobile phones are available nationwide at nearly 20,000 major retail stores, including Best Buy, RadioShack, Target and Walmart, Sprint retail stores, independent wireless dealer locations, and on HSN, a leading television home shopping network; and Re-Boost(R) is available at approximately 100,000 locations throughout the United States. Experience Boost Mobile on the Web at MySpace, Facebook and Twitter; and purchase products at www.boostmobile.com.
