Sprint announced today the upcoming Samsung Instinct s30. That’s right, the Instinct s30 will be the successor to the original Samsung Instinct. The Instinct s30 will offer full touch screen along with built-in instant messaging, an improved Web-browsing experience through both the default browser and Opera Mini 4.2 as well as the popular games “Guitar Hero® – World Tour” and “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader” preloaded. The Instinct s30 is thinner than the original and will come in two colors Cobalt Metal and Touch of Copper.
Other features of the phone include:
* Expansive touch-screen featuring localized haptic feedback giving users a gentle vibration as they use the virtual QWERTY keypad
* Live Search for Sprint, powered by Microsoft, provides easy access to directory information on-the-go, GPS-enabled directions, interactive maps and one-touch click to call access
* Visual Voicemail, allowing users to listen to messages in their order of preference and manage them with a simple tap of the screen
* Sprint TV®, with an extensive selection of channels and on-demand programming
* Sprint Music Store, allowing users to browse and wirelessly download full-length songs directly to their phone for just 99 cents each
* Advanced stereo Bluetooth® 2.0
* SMS voice and text messaging with threaded text
* True HTML Web experience from both the enhanced embedded browser and the addition of Opera Mini 4.2 with a desktop-like browsing experience
* 2.0 megapixel camera with camcorder
“Samsung Instinct s30 is proof that it is possible to improve on even one of the most successful mobile phones,” said Bill Ogle, chief marketing officer for Samsung Mobile. “Instinct s30 offers people a new way to enjoy a fast and fun user experience with their phone.”
The Instinct s30 will be available on April 19, customers will be able to purchase Instinct s30 through Sprint retail stores, Web (www.sprint.com) and telesales (1-800-SPRINT1) for $129.99 at launch with a two-year agreement, $70 instant savings and $100 mail-in rebate. You can pre-register for the phone now at Sprint.
I always receive emails about the different carriers making service available in different town, cities and areas throughout the country. I usually don’t post them because they usually aren’t really that big of a deal (just being honest). However I received an email this morning from metroPCS that I thought was a big deal. MetroPCS is now available in the five New York City boroughs, Newark, Jersey City and Paterson, N.J., the Greater Boston Area, Worcester, Mass., Providence, R.I. and Manchester, N.H. I must say that this quite an accomplishment for them. MetroPCS is really growing as the idea of unlimited wireless flat fee service and no contract is catching fire.
“These launches truly are a significant milestone for MetroPCS because it is a continuation of our expansion into the Northeast,” said Roger D. Linquist, chairman, president and chief executive officer of MetroPCS. “Our flat-rate, unlimited, low cost, service plans make MetroPCS an affordable, worry-free and planned expense for all value-oriented consumers looking to reduce extra spending and streamline their budgets in today’s economy. With our unlimited service, customers can save significant money each month by eliminating their home phone and having only one phone – their MetroPCS phone.”
As they say, if you can make it in New York you can make it anywhere!
Sprint announced today the upcoming arrival of the Sanyo SCP-2700. The SCP-2700 is a messaging device featuring a full QWERTY keyboard with threaded text messaging, 1.3 megapixel camera, Sprint Navigation, Sprint Family Locator, Sprint Mobile Email Work, Social Zone application, and Bluetooth. SCP-2700 will be available beginning May 10 in all Sprint retail channels including www.sprint.com and 1-800-Sprint1. SCP-2700 by SANYO will be available exclusively from Sprint for just $29.99 with a new two-year service agreement, after a $50 mail-in rebate.
“Mobile messaging has quickly become the de facto mode of communication for millions and, whether it’s for kids and grandparents or the seasoned texter, this phone has the ideal combination of usability, style and affordability,” said Andy Kodera, president of Kyocera SANYO Telecom, Inc. (KSTI). “Many associate messaging with teens or ‘tweens,’ but it’s become increasingly popular with all age segments. The SCP-2700 addresses a distinct need for a texting-focused QWERTY device at an entry-level price point.”
Once the official specs, features and photos become available I’ll list the Sanyo SCP-2700 on the site.
It’s official ladies and gentlemen, right now you can go to the iTunes store and download the much awaited Skype app to your iPhone. You can now make free Skype to Skype calls. The only thing you need to be made aware of is that the calls only work via a Wi-Fi connection. You can’t make a Skype call over the AT&T 3G network. Who cares though, it’s freaking Skype for your iPhone!
AT&T announced today that the Nokia E71x and Samung Propel will be available for AT&T customer in the near near future. The Nokia E71x would cost $99.99 with a contract and after a rebate. The Samsung Propel Pro will go on sale starting April 14th for $149.99 with a 2-year contract.
The Nokia E71x is the “AT&T” version of the already released Nokia E71. The Propel Pro is an updated version of the original Samsung Propel. I’ll post when the phones are officially available for purchase along with photos.
I came across something interesting today while surfing through the Samsung website. I was looking through the phones and noticed the Samsung Finesse. Next to the phone there was a link to the metroPCS website so I thought I would check it out. I clicked on the link and was sent to the site. Sure enough at the bottom of the phone list was the Finesse. Even more surprising was that there wasn’t even a picture up yet of the phone, but you can still order it for $349.00. Enjoy!
Here are the high-level specs:
Touch screen with virtual QWERTY keypad
2.0 megapixel camera with video capture
MP3 music player MP3 music player
Stereo Bluetooth
150 MB built-in memory with optional memory card slot
In case you wanted to know the LG Lotus in now available in red. In the Sprint press release the following was stated:
“LG Lotus is the recipient of the prestigious Red Dot Design Award for its unique, chic and sleek form factor.”
I’m actually surprised to hear that. Most people I talk to about the Lotus think it has a poor design and doesn’t look very flattering. I guess you either hate the design or love it. If you’re one of the ones who love it and you like the color red then the LG Lotus is the phone for you!
Today Nokia has released a software update for the 5800 Xpress Music. The update with improve the phone’s performance and add new functionalities. The software update is immediately available for download on Nokia Software Update website (http://www.nokia.com/softwareupdate) free of charge (data charges may apply).
Improvements in the new software version include faster data download from Internet, improved e-mail experience, better search experience with in-device search. Many additional features are also included in the software update:
- Faster user interface and faster download times
- New camcorder features: second camera support for still image capture in addition to video calls, burst mode that allows people to take multiple pictures one after another without needing to repress the picture taking button
- Mobile Dictionary: built-in dictionary functionality with voice playback of words utilizing text-to-speech technology, support for 38 languages
- Application Update: with Application Update people can check for available updates for applications and update them directly in the device. Applications can also be kept up-to-date by setting the checking to automatic.
“The update includes great improvements in the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic. As mobile devices become more and more advanced, additional features and new functionalities are easy to install to the existing device. We recommend people to take advantage of the new features and upgrade their Nokia 5800 XpressMusic, and get more from their existing device,” said Soren Petersen, Senior Vice President, Devices, Nokia.
A recent video was released showing the HTC Touch Pro 2. The video only shows the structure of the phone and show’s the phone in comparison to the Diamond 2. Unfortunately the video does not show the Touch Pro 2’s functionality. At this point it really doesn’t matter. The HTC Touch Pro 2 is definitely one sleek phone. I look forward to this phone getting released.
With all the buzz around smartphones why not boil down the cell phone to it’s simplest form, a phone. I’m sure there are plenty of people out there that would love to simple have a "mobile phone". Forget about the camera, ability to surf the web, text, etc. Just a phone that could be used to make/receive calls. That got me thinking, why not make the worlds smallest phone.
How could this be accomplished you may ask? It would be a simple combination of three existing technologies, cell phone + headset + voice recognition software. The device would be a cell phone headset. To operate the phone all you would have to do is give voice commands similar to using a cell phone’s Bluetooth feature in a car. You could either push a button on the headset to activate the phone or do it via voice command. You would then simply have to say the number you wish to dial and the headset would dial the number. It would be that simple. When someone calls you the headset would either say who’s calling you (if you have the number stored) or would announce the number. At that point you could either push a button on the headset ot answer the phone or simply say, “answer”. Maybe a simple program could be written that would allow you to enter a phone book into the headset. All you would have to do is plug the headset into a docking station which could connect to your computer.
I have no idea if a headset phone has been invited yet, but if it hasn’t I think it would be an awesome idea. Anyone out there can feel free to use my idea. All I ask is for a little credit once it’s been built and released.
