AT&T and Verizon have already used the fall CTIA conference to announce new Android devices, so why not Sprint, too? During their CTIA press conference today, Sprint officially debuted three new Android handsets coming to their network: the Transform, the Zio, and the Optimus S. Also announced was their new Sprint ID personalization tool. The Transform, manufactured by Samsung, seems to be the most high-end of the three. It features a 3.5-inch HVGA display, horizontal sliding QWERTY keyboard, 3.2 megapixel rear camera with flash, VGA front-facing camera, a 2 GB micro SD card, and Android 2.1 (an upgrade to Froyo is scheduled for later this year). The Transform will be available beginning October 10th (just like we said) for $149.99 with a two-year contract and $100 mail-in rebate.
Second up is the Sanyo Zio, which recently launched on Cricket, as well. The Zio features a 3.5-inch "high-resolution" WVGA touchscreen, 512 MB of internal memory, 3.2 megapixel camera, 30 FPS video capture, a 2 GB micro SD card, and Android 2.1. No mention was made of an update to Android 2.2. Expect the Zio to launch on October 10th for $99.99 after a two-year contract and $100 mail-in rebate.
Next up we have the LG Optimus S, which was the star of a leak earlier today. The Optimus S boasts a 3.2-inch touchscreen, 3.2 megapixel camera, micro SD slot, as well as Android 2.2 preloaded all in a packaged described as "sleek and slim." This entry-level handset will launch on October 31st carrying a price tag of $49.99 with the usual two-year contract and $100 mail-in rebate.
Finally, Sprint shared the details on its new Sprint ID, which will be made available for the Transform, Zio, and Optimus S. Sprint ID allows the user to completely customize their phone's experience to their needs, with various packs that include apps, widgets, ringtones, and wallpapers. This will help the user find just the right content for them without having to hunt through the Android Market and other resources. Sprint has teamed up with brands like Amazon, Blackboard, Comcast, Disney, E!, Electronic Arts, eBay, ESPN, HSN, LatCel, MTV, Notre Dame, Oprah Winfrey Network, RadioShack, Weather Channel, Where and Yahoo! for the initial launch of Sprint ID. Each will be able to offer a completely different user experience customized to that specific brand. Sprint ID launches today and will initially have 13 free content packs.
While it's somewhat disappointing that Sprint didn't announce a truly bleeding edge, high-end handset today, it's obvious that Sprint was going for more of a mainstream attack with their three new handsets. They're all mid- to low-end phones, and the fact that they all come with Sprint ID is even more evidence that Sprint has its Android crosshairs aimed at the "regular Joe" customer. The 80,000+ apps available in the Android Market can be overwhelming for a new user, and Sprint ID can help make the transition to a new Android phone easier. So folks, do any of Sprint's new phones (or Sprint ID) seem appealing to you?
Attractive Samsung Transform Boasts Sprint ID for the Ultimate in Personalization on an Android Phone
Full QWERTY keyboard, large touch display, dual cameras and Sprint’s new approach to customization bring a unique and powerful mobile experience
SAN FRANCISCO (BUSINESS WIRE), October 06, 2010 - Sprint (NYSE: S) and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile), the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the United States1, today introduced Samsung Transform™, one of the first premium Android powered devices to coincide with the rollout of Sprint ID, a user-friendly new means of personalizing Android phones. This exciting new smartphone was announced at the CTIA Enterprise & Applications conference in San Francisco.
Customers can begin to purchase Samsung Transform Oct. 10 through all Sprint channels, including www.sprint.com, Telesales (1-800-SPRINT1), and national retail partners RadioShack and Best Buy. Retail pricing will be $149.99 with a two-year service agreement and after a $100 mail-in-rebate (taxes excluded) with a new line activation or eligible upgrade.
Sprint ID allows Samsung Transform users to quickly download ID packs that deliver a predefined experience, including applications, widgets, ringtones and wallpapers, all at once. Packs are designed to meet customers’ interests – for instance, whether they are a sports fan, fitness fanatic or auto enthusiast. The packs could be brand-specific; allow users to easily switch between English or Spanish; or are specifically tailored to the customers’ business or line of work. The marketplace of Sprint ID experiences is growing and customers can have one or up to five on their device, powered by the Now Network.
“Sprint is proud to collaborate with Samsung Mobile again to bring to market another dynamic Android device on the Sprint network,” said Fared Adib, vice president-Product Development, Sprint. “With Sprint ID, Samsung Transform introduces a new level of personalization that allows users to customize their device to match their hobbies, interests or personalities. It’s all about delivering the ultimate user experience and helping customers get the most out of their wireless experience.”
Samsung Transform features a brilliant 3.5-inch HVGA touch-screen display, full slide-out QWERTY keyboard, 3.2MP rear-facing camera with flash and camcorder and VGA front-facing camera for video conferencing. It offers the ability to sync personal and corporate e-mail, contacts and calendars, and multiple messaging options, including threaded text. It allows access to social networking sites Facebook®, Flickr®, and Twitter. With access to Sprint Zone™, Samsung Transform evolves into a one-stop source to access the customer’s wireless account, phone tips, news, a list of top apps, Sprint TV®, NASCAR Sprint Cup MobileSM and Sprint Music Plus.
“Samsung Mobile is proud to offer consumers a phone that is truly customizable to fit the personality and style of everyone to make this handset as unique as they are,” said Omar Khan, chief strategy officer for Samsung Mobile. “Samsung Transform is a powerful Android device, complete with front-facing camera, that takes the mobile experience to the next level with a full suite of features and the personalization options available from Android and the new Sprint ID service.”
Equipped with the Android 2.1 operating system (but scheduled for an upgrade to 2.2 later this year), Samsung Transform provides access to popular Google™ mobile services, including Google Search™, Google Maps™, Gmail™ and YouTube™, and access to more than 80,000 applications available in Android Market™. The device operates on the Sprint 3G network and features a powerful processor, access to GPS navigation, Stereo Bluetooth® wireless technology, Wi-Fi capability and Visual Voicemail. It also features a 2GB micro SD card (preinstalled in the device) and a Music Player with MicroSD card slot to support up to 32GB. The feature-rich Samsung Transform weighs 5.4 ounces and is available in Black Pearl.
Samsung Transform requires activation on one of Sprint’s Everything Data plans. Sprint’s Everything Data 450 plan with Any Mobile, AnytimeSM gives customers unlimited text, Web and calling to and from every mobile in America while on the Nationwide Sprint Network, all for just $69.99 – the same price AT&T and Verizon charge for unlimited talk only (excluding Verizon’s Southern California plan; pricing excludes surcharges and taxes).
Sprint Everything Data plans automatically enroll customers in the Sprint Premier loyalty program, whose benefits include annual device upgrades on the primary line. Existing Sprint customers can switch to an Everything Data plan without extending their service agreement. New lines of service require a two-year service agreement.
The Sprint Free Guarantee is the only full-money back guarantee on service plans in the wireless industry today, allowing customers to try a new line of service with Sprint for 30 days. If a customer isn’t completely satisfied, they can cancel service and return their device to be reimbursed for the device purchase and activation fee, get the early termination fee waived, get a full refund for monthly service plan recurring charges incurred and get all associated taxes and fees waived. In addition, Sprint will waive the restocking fee for new customer exchanges as part of this policy. Refund excludes usage not included in the service plan, premium content, third-party billing and international charges.
Sprint is the only wireless carrier to offer Ready Now service with trained retail associates to work one-on-one with customers to personalize their Samsung Transform, set up features and demonstrate how it works before the customer leaves the store. Customers have the choice of sitting down with a Sprint retail associate at the time of purchase or they can schedule an appointment for a later time at www.sprint.com/storelocator.
With Sprint ID and Android 2.2, LG Optimus S Boasts the Ultimate in Style and Personalization; Available for Less than $50 from Sprint Beginning Oct. 31
SAN FRANCISCO (BUSINESS WIRE), October 06, 2010 - Sprint (NYSE: S) and LG Electronics MobileComm U.S.A., Inc. (LG Mobile Phones) today announced the upcoming availability of LG Optimus S™, one of the first Android™-powered devices to offer the ultimate personalized experience with Sprint ID, a new user-friendly way of personalizing Android devices. Offering easy-to-use Google™ applications, LG Optimus S delivers an engaging Android experience for first-time smartphone users. LG Optimus S will also be the only Sprint ID phone to launch with Android 2.2 offering users hotspot functionality.
LG Optimus S will be available beginning on Sunday, Oct. 31, in all Sprint retail channels including www.sprint.com and 1-800-SPRINT1 for just $49.99 with a new two-year service agreement or eligible upgrade and after a $100 mail-in rebate (pricing excludes taxes).
Sprint ID allows LG Optimus S users to quickly download ID packs that deliver a predefined experience, including applications, widgets, ringtones and wallpapers, all at once. Packs are designed to meet customers’ interests, whether they are sports fans, fitness fanatics, auto enthusiasts or more. The packs could be brand-specific; allow users to easily switch between English or Spanish; or be specifically tailored to the customers’ businesses or lines of work. The marketplace of Sprint ID experiences is growing and customers can have one or up to five on their devices, powered by the Now Network.
“We are committed to bringing our customers a variety of choices in devices that offer Sprint ID,” said Fared Adib, Sprint vice president-Product Development. “LG Optimus comes packed with Android 2.2, a 3.2MP camera and visual voicemail at an amazing price. “This stylish and feature-rich smartphone is sure to be a hit for the holiday season. We are anxious to introduce it this fall.”
This affordable and highly customizable, full-featured smartphone keeps customers socially connected and organized with Android 2.2 and other key features including:
Sleek and slim design
3.2-inch capacitive touch-screen
Virtual QWERTY keyboard
Mobile Hotspot capability supporting up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices to share the 3G experience simultaneously
3.2MP camera with 2x digital zoom
microSD card slot (supporting up to 32GB)
Android Market™ – choose from more than 80,000 apps to personalize your phone
Visual Voicemail
“LG partnered with Sprint to deliver a handset that would empower first-time smartphone users to discover the changing mobile phone marketplace,” said Ehtisham Rabbani, corporate vice president of Marketing and Innovation for LG Mobile Phones. “LG Optimus S brings users closer to social networks, applications and online resources that mean the most to them and creates a smartphone experience that is unique, easy to navigate and convenient for life on-the-go.”
LG Optimus S requires activation on one of Sprint’s Everything Data plans. For just $69.99 Sprint’s Everything Data 450 plan with Any Mobile, AnytimeSM gives customers unlimited text, Web and calling with any mobile in America while on the Nationwide Sprint Network – all for the same price AT&T and Verizon charge for unlimited talk only (excluding Verizon’s Southern California plan; pricing excludes surcharges and taxes).
Sprint Everything Data plans automatically enroll customers in the Sprint Premier loyalty program, for benefits including annual device upgrades on the primary line. Existing Sprint customers can switch to an Everything Data plan without extending their service agreement. New lines of service require a two-year service agreement.
An optional charge of just $29.99 per month turns on LG Optimus S’s mobile hotspot feature, connecting up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices, such as laptops, gaming devices and digital cameras, at 3G speeds anywhere on the Sprint 3G network.
The Sprint Free Guarantee is the only full-money back guarantee on service plans in the wireless industry today, allowing customers to try a new line of service with Sprint for 30 days. If a customer isn’t completely satisfied, they can cancel service and return their device to be reimbursed for the device purchase and activation fee, get the early termination fee waived, get a full refund for monthly service plan recurring charges incurred, and get all associated taxes and fees waived. In addition, Sprint will waive the restocking fee for new customer exchanges as part of this policy. Refund excludes usage not included in the service plan, premium content, third-party billing and international charges.
Sprint Announces Sanyo Zio Featuring Sprint ID for a Personalized Android Experience at a Great Value
Thin, sleek Sanyo Zio from Kyocera debuts at Sprint on Oct. 10 as an ideal blend of brains and beauty for less than $100
SAN FRANCISCO (BUSINESS WIRE), October 06, 2010 - Proving that a wireless device can be smart, attractive and unique to each individual, the Android™-powered Sanyo Zio™ will launch with Sprint (NYSE: S) on Oct. 10. At the CTIA Enterprise & Applications trade show today, Sprint and Kyocera Communications Inc., provider of Kyocera- and Sanyo-branded wireless devices, announced the launch of the new smartphone to coincide with the rollout of Sprint ID, a user-friendly new means of personalizing Android devices.
With a focus on making the Android experience accessible to those looking for a phone priced under $100, Zio will cost just $99.99 with a new two-year service agreement or eligible upgrade and after a $100 mail-in rebate (pricing excludes surcharges and taxes). It will be available in all Sprint retail channels, including www.sprint.com and 1-800-SPRINT1.
Sprint ID allows Zio users to quickly download ID packs that deliver a predefined experience, including applications, widgets, ringtones and wallpapers, all at once. Packs are designed to meet customers’ interests, whether they are sports fans, fitness fanatics, auto enthusiasts or more. The packs could be brand-specific; allow users to easily switch between English or Spanish; or be specifically tailored to the customers’ businesses or lines of work. The marketplace of Sprint ID experiences is growing and customers can have one or up to five on their devices, powered by the Now Network.
”With Sprint ID, Zio introduces a new level of personalization that allows users to completely customize their devices to match their hobbies, interests or personalities,” said Fared Adib, vice president-Product Development, Sprint. “Each ID offers a variety of unique apps, widgets, wallpapers and ringtones and gives users the opportunity to customize their devices. Pairing Sprint ID with Zio, a robust and easy-to-use Android 2.1 device, offers a rich multimedia experience with a large intuitive touch-screen at an amazing price.”
The intelligently sleek device with the customizable Android 2.1 operating system opens new realms of rich multimedia experiences with a 3.5-inch WVGA touch-screen, 3.2 MP camera and 30-frame-per-second video record and playback. The handset’s high-resolution, touch-screen display is like carrying a flatscreen TV that fits in a pocket.
Designed with productivity and entertainment in mind, Zio boasts multiple keyboard options, all with haptic feedback, an accelerometer to rotate between landscape and portrait orientations and an ambient light sensor that automatically adjusts screen brightness to optimize viewing. The easy-to-use trackball also helps users navigate between the seemingly endless features found on Zio, including address book integration with such social apps as Facebook, Twitter and MySpace; GPS functionality and digital compass plus preloaded Google Maps™; media player for streaming videos; full HTML Web browser; and a full library of more than 80,000 widgets and applications available from Android Market™. Zio also features a pre-loaded Exchange Email application that supports corporate Outlook e-mail, calendar, contacts and tasks, while also supporting ActiveSync and enhanced security features.
“We are confident that Zio’s blend of style, functionality and affordability will make the virtually unlimited customization and personalization of Android available to entirely new groups of consumers who were intimidated by the technology or price of previous smartphones,” said Yasuhiro Oishi, vice president of Sales and Marketing at Kyocera Communications Inc. “Zio humanizes the technology and puts the power of Android in a sleek, attractive device.”
As beautiful as it is powerful, Zio is only 0.5 inches thick and weighs only 3.7 ounces, making it one of the thinnest, lightest Android devices on the market. The jet-black exterior is trimmed in silver with a soft-touch back that helps ensure that it won’t slip out of your hands. With 512MB of internal memory, a 2GB microSD memory card (provided in box) and support for up to 32GB microSDHC cards, Zio can handle even the most robust of applications.
Find Your Own “Best of Android” with Sprint ID
Sprint ID brings together content into themed packs that can be deployed on Zio at the touch of a button. Zio users can load up to five Sprint ID packs on their phones and change themes on a whim as the mood strikes. Specific packs can even be further customized – adding or removing elements to match preferences – while the MyID function allows users to define and create their own application packs.
Zio requires activation on one of Sprint’s Everything Data plans. For just $69.99 Sprint’s Everything Data 450 plan with Any Mobile, AnytimeSM gives customers unlimited text, Web and calling with any mobile in America while on the Nationwide Sprint Network – all for the same price AT&T and Verizon charge for unlimited talk only (excluding Verizon’s Southern California plan; pricing excludes surcharges and taxes).
Sprint Everything Data plans automatically enroll customers in the Sprint Premier loyalty program, for benefits including annual device upgrades on the primary line. Existing Sprint customers can switch to an Everything Data plan without extending their service agreement. New lines of service require a two-year service agreement.
The Sprint Free Guarantee is the only full-money back guarantee on service plans in the wireless industry today, allowing customers to try a new line of service with Sprint for 30 days. If a customer isn’t completely satisfied, they can cancel service and return their device to be reimbursed for the device purchase and activation fee, get the early termination fee waived, get a full refund for monthly service plan recurring charges incurred, and get all associated taxes and fees waived. In addition, Sprint will waive the restocking fee for new customer exchanges as part of this policy. Refund excludes usage not included in the service plan, premium content, third-party billing and international charges.
Sprint Revolutionizes the Mobile Wireless Experience with Sprint ID – A New Way to Personalize Mobile Phones in an Instant
Sprint ID combines and integrates apps, widgets and more into a “total experience,” relevant to specific needs and interests, with just one simple click; Available on three new Android phones – Sanyo Zio™, Samsung Transform™ and LG Optimus S™
Initial partners include Amazon, Blackboard, Comcast, Disney, E!, Electronic Arts, eBay, ESPN, HSN, LatCel, MTV, Notre Dame, Oprah Winfrey Network, RadioShack, Weather Channel, Where and Yahoo!
SAN FRANCISCO (BUSINESS WIRE), October 06, 2010 - With more than 80,000 apps available in Android Market, have you ever wondered which are just right for you? Have you wanted a mobile phone so personalized, it has bundles of apps, widgets, wallpapers and ringtones all tailored to fit your lifestyle? As a small business owner or entrepreneur have you needed a simplified way of offering your employees a portable toolkit of the resources they use on their computer, or need to get their job done, on their mobile phone, that also allows them to easily switch to fun, entertaining features on their phone when not on-the-clock? The wait is over.
Sprint (NYSE: S) today announced Sprint ID, allowing consumers and business customers, on three just-announced Sprint smartphones, to instantly customize their mobile experience with an ID pack, complete with apps, widgets, ringtones and wallpapers. Whether they’re an avid sports fan, a casual gamer, a fitness fanatic, a fashionista, a music lover, an auto enthusiast, a social butterfly, or they rely on their phone to improve their business efficiency, customers can now easily discover just what they want, bundled together and available with virtually one simple click.
Sprint has teamed up with some of the most recognizable brands in the country to bring this revolutionary experience to customers – brands including Amazon, Blackboard, Comcast, Disney, E!, Electronic Arts, eBay, ESPN, HSN, LatCel, MTV, Notre Dame, Oprah Winfrey Network, RadioShack, Weather Channel, Where and Yahoo!
Sprint customers can customize their device with up to five ID packs. Once an ID is loaded – easily in one quick step and free with a select service plan – users can further customize it with additional apps and content. ID packs can be easily switched out without customers losing the apps and content they value most. Because Sprint ID packs are built using the Android platform, the ID packs work across various manufacturers and will launch on three Android handsets – Sanyo Zio™, Samsung Transform™ and LG Optimus S™. A range of lifestyle packs, plus Yahoo!, game packs from Electronic Arts and business packs, will be immediately available with more packs rolling out in this quarter and beyond.
“Sprint ID is another innovative Sprint ‘first’ which revolutionizes the wireless customer experience, and it’s a new way to leverage our open mobile strategy,” said Dan Hesse, CEO of Sprint. “As the market for mobile applications expands, mobile users want a simpler way to access the data most relevant to their needs at that time. Sprint ID offers unprecedented customization and personalization. Businesses will be able to deliver innovative, customized resources on mobile devices to their employees. We have an outstanding group of partners – some of the best brands in the U.S. – helping us deliver this new mobile experience to consumers.”
According to Yankee Group, store revenue from smartphone app downloads will exceed $11 billion in 2014, up from more than $800 million in 2009.
“With Sprint ID’s dynamic shaping of the Android user experience, Sprint has created a unique approach to helping top brands and corporate customers take full advantage of the dramatic growth of the Android ecosystem,” said Andy Castonguay, director at Yankee Group. “With Android device growth out pacing a burgeoning field of smartphones, Sprint ID gives companies a rich canvas to leverage that growth and design a multiscreen, interactive experience that provides content and apps to their audiences.”
