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Today Sony Ericsson introduced the W705 Walkman phone. You can find excerpts from the press release below. There was no indication when or where the phone will be offered for sale.

Using Wi-Fi™ to connect to broadband hot spots, consumers can use their W705 to go online for the best songs or most popular YouTube™ video clips. With Clear Bass, Clear Stereo and premium headphones, the W705 delivers a sound that has crystal clear clarity and is dynamic, rich and natural.

“We’re really proud of what we have achieved in 2008 with our market leading mobile music range, said Ben Padley, Head of Global Music Marketing at Sony Ericsson. “Combining premium design and best-in-class sound quality with super-fast access to a host of digital content whether it be from PlayNow ™ arena or via the web, we really are offering the most feature-rich mobile music experience available today.”

The W705 features the same superior sound quality as the W980 Walkman™ phone which was rated “best audio experience” in a trial conducted in Germany by TESTfactory*. The W705 includes popular Walkman™ features such as the music recognition application TrackID™, SensMe™, for matching your mood to the music and Shake control to change tracks with the flick of your hand.

Also available on the W705 is PlayNow™ arena which provides a full range of mobile entertainment - unique themes and wallpapers, ring tones, a wealth of free content and of course DRM-free music tracks and TrackID charts from around the world.

The W705 is much more than a music phone. Its exclusive metal finish combines with a large screen in an elegant and compact slider for a professional feel. Use the 3.2 megapixel camera to snap photos of friends and upload them using Wi-Fi to your social networking site for all to see. Can’t see a site properly? Auto rotate between vertical and horizontal mode to view the internet in all its glory.

The new W705

* Award-winning clear audio experience – listen to music as it was meant to be heard
* Desktop direct search to online music – Go online for the best songs and most popular videos on YouTube™
* Wi-Fi™ and DLNA certified™ – connect the way you want
* PlayNow™ arena - a complete range of mobile entertainment
* Shake control – switch tracks and control the volume with the flick of a wrist
* SensMe™ - create playlists based on mood rather than artists or genres
* Large 2.4” screen – view websites and emails with high clarity
* Automatic rotation – switch from portrait to landscape with just a tilt of the phone
* Google Maps™ for Mobile – never get lost again
* 3.2 megapixel camera – snap and share your favourite images via Bluetooth™
* FM radio with TrackID™ - listen to the radio while on the move
* 4GB memory card – store up to 3900 songs

Tomorrow is shaping up to be a crazy day around the country. Not only is tomorrow possibly one of the biggest presidential election days ever, but the Blackberry Bold is set to hit AT&T shelves across the country. That means not only will there be lines at the election booths, but there will surely be lines at AT&T stores. If you can tomorrow would probably be a good day to take off from work. What a day it’s going to be!

Where will you be waiting in line first, at the election booths or at an AT&T store?

Just a few weeks after T-Mobile launched the G1, T-Mobile has launched the Motorola MOTOZINE ZN5. The MOTOZINE ZN5 is available for purchase today online at tmobile.com and select T-Mobile stores throughout the US. Some of the main features of the MOTOZINE ZN5 include a 5 megapixel camera with xenon flash, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and MP3 player. With all the hype surrounding the G1 it will be interesting to see how many people buy the MOTOZINE ZN5. The 5 megapixel camera with the xenon flash will definitely be a selling point.

Today Sprint released the details of its new ETF structure. The structure will work as follows:

“The current ETF of $200 will decrease by $10 increments per month beginning in month six of a wireless customer’s contract. Nine months later (the 15th month of the contract), Sprint customers have the lowest pro-rated ETF fee in the industry of $100. What’s more, the ETF could drop as low as $50 before a customer’s contract term expires.”

The only catch is this applies to Sprint customers with a new contract starting November 2, 2008.  So if you renewed your contract recently then you’re out of luck.

The lowered ETF fees are a step in the right direction. I think that consumers are more interested in the phone rather than the service provider. It’s all about choices and consumers want to spend their money wherever they want and they don’t want to have to choose between a limited selection that their carrier provides.

I wouldn’t call the Slate the most feature rich cell phone on the market, but again it’s the worlds slimmest cell phone with a full qwerty keyboard so it has that going for it. The phone only has 20MB of memory built in and no external memory card so you have to wonder how much music you can listen to and how many pictures you can take. You can see all the photos and features for the Pantech Slate now.

When I drive home each day I see a large billboard for Boost Mobile. The board says the classic phrase, “where you at”. My question is, where is Boost Mobile at? I must say that I don’t know many people that use Boost Mobile. However it looks like Boost Mobile, owned by Sprint, is making an effort to get the Boost Mobile name out there. In a press release this week Sprint acknowledged their commitment to push Boost Mobile in these hard economic times. We’ll see how much traction they get. Here are a few highlights from the press release:

“In addition, Boost Mobile, Sprint’s prepaid business, is being refocused to compete aggressively for customers impacted by the current economic environment with a lower per-minute rate and other attractive pricing options. Boost Mobile offers phones and pre-paid services with no long-term contracts, credit checks or activation fees, primarily on the Nextel National Network.In early 2009, Boost Mobile plans to introduce Boost Unlimited on the iDEN network, offering a nationwide home calling area for one monthly fee - an excellent value in today’s economic times.”

Sprint said in a press release this week that they are committed to continuing the growth of their Nextel Network (push-to-talk). The desire for push-to-talk phone has declined recently in the consumer market. Push-to-talk is used more in business settings, construction and field workers more than anywhere else. The main manufacturer of Nextel phones has been Motorola. To help Sprint reiterate their commitment they have signed a long term deal with Motorola. You might recall some of the latest Nextel phones that were announced in recent months; Motorola i576, BlackBerry Curve 8350i, LG LX400, Samsung Z400, Sanyo Pro 200, Sanyo Pro 700 and Motorola Renegade(TM) V950.

“The iDEN network is a key differentiator for Sprint, as it allows us to offer products and services no other carrier in the industry can match. We continue to build on our support for our industry-leading push-to-talk Nextel Direct Connect franchise through our aggressive marketing efforts which exploit the unique features and functionality of the iDEN network,” said Dan Hesse, CEO of Sprint. “In 2008, we expanded our product portfolio with a new line of Sprint phones, which combine industry-leading push-to-talk with the ultra-fast speed of Sprint Mobile Broadband (EV-DO Rev. A) and Sprint’s largest voice coverage, offering greater choice and flexibility to our customers. We are focusing on plans to continue our push-to-talk leadership and bring more innovation to our customers going forward.”

“Motorola has had a long and successful strategic relationship with Sprint, and we look forward to further strengthening this partnership,” said Sanjay Jha, co-chief executive officer and CEO of Mobile Devices, Motorola. “With its unique experience and functionality, iDEN has a loyal customer base and will continue to be an important part of Motorola’s portfolio. We actively support Sprint’s initiative and share its commitment and enthusiasm for the iDEN network.”

I don’t think that Sprint Nextel will try to target everyday consumers, but will continue to go after businesses that have a need for push-to-talk phones.

That’s right, starting today Wal-Mart will be selling the T-Mobile G1. Not only is Wal-Mart selling the G1, but they are selling it at a far cheaper price then T-Mobile offers it for. You can purchase the G1 with a two-year agreement for $148.88. That’s over $30 cheaper than you can buy it for online at tmobile.com or any of their retail stores.  The G1 will not be sold in all Wal-Mart stores. It will only be sold where T-Mobile has 3G coverage.

With the holidays right around the corner one of the biggest questions is, “how can I convince my parents to buy me a cell phone.” This is a question that thousands if not millions of kids are asking their parents this year. Cell phones are a hot ticket item and kids want them. The biggest hurtle they run into is MOM and DAD. For as many reasons for why a child should receive a cell phone there are just as many reasons why they shouldn’t. This post is about why they should receive a cell phone. If you’re under the age of 18 then listen up. Here is a long list of reasons you can use to convince your parents that you should get a cell phone (in no particular order).

1. “I need one in case of an emergency” (using the “emergency” word usually will get your parents attention)

2. “You can easily find me at any time.”

3. Tell them that you can take a picture of the place where you’re suppose to be and you can send it to them so they know you haven’t gone somewhere else.

4. Write a list of rules about things that you won’t do and as a punishment they can take your cell phone away.

5. This goes without saying but do research on the cell phone(s) (give them some options) that you want along with the plans so they see that you’re doing your part. Don’t just go up to your parents and say “i want a cell phone”. That is a sure formula for failure.

6. Tell your parents if they get you the phone you’ll either pay for the service each month or you’ll do choirs around the house to pay for the monthly service.

6b. Tell them you will pay for the phone.

7. Tell them that they can get you a prepaid service. This means that they can set the limit of how many minutes and text you get without worrying about you running up the bill.

8. A don’t: don’t tell them that all your friends have one. Your parents could care less.

9. Tell your parents that now instead of waiting for you after events (practices that go too long, school dances, etc.) you can call them when you’re ready to be picked up. In todays busy world parents don’t want to wait in the car for a hour waiting for you to finish an event that has run over.

10. Unless you have great negotiating skills don’t ask your parents to buy you a top of the line phone for your first phone. First things first, get a phone. Ask them for a cheaper phone and once they are comfortable with you having the phone you can hit them up for the latest and greatest cell phone on the market.

11. Responsible, responsible, responsible. At your age your parents are worried that you aren’t responsible enough to have a cell phone. You’ve gotta convince them that you’re responsible enough to have one.

12. A don’t: don’t beg them for one. That will get you as far as telling them that everyone else has one.

If anyone else has any suggestions feel free to add to the list. Hopefully one or a combination of the points above will help you get your first cell phone!

Medical students at the University of Louisville now will be able to use wireless technology to enhance their education and improve the clinical care of patients, thanks to an innovative new agreement with Sprint. A first with medical schools, existing and incoming students will have the option of purchasing a discounted Sprint Windows Mobile smartphone, such as the Palm Treo 800w or the HTC Touch Diamond. The devices will include medical applications, such as ePocrates and medical and drug reference databases and can be used to access the university’s email program and address book.

With wireless technology’s increasing acceptance in the medical setting, the School of Medicine made the selection of the right wireless provider and devices a priority. The school’s academic technology task force, made up of administrators, educators and students, was tasked with selecting a technology partner. In choosing Sprint, the group conducted focus groups and online surveys to ensure they understood the needs of technology users.

“Sprint’s wireless technology will allow our students to access a virtual library of textbooks and medical references,” said Edward Halperin, dean of the School of Medicine. “We believe it is worth investigating whether or not giving medical students these tools and technology will enhance their knowledge and sharpen their decision making. Ultimately, our graduates will require these skills as outstanding physicians. It is important to assess the role of technology in the acquisition of clinical skills.”

This innovative and heavily discounted smartphone initiative will teach medical students how to use a wireless device to improve patient care and will ensure that students have the technology skills needed as practicing physicians. Key benefits of this program include:

* A single device, which can replace the need to carry multiple devices, including a separate phone, PDA and pager.
* Fast and easy access to medical information and other drug reference guides through applications such as ePocrates.
* A virtual library of textbooks and medical references at their fingertips.
* The ability to do research on medical topics anytime and anywhere, without being bound to a PC with Internet access.
* The ability to customize a phone to include information on a student’s current rotations or areas of study.
* The ability to sync with the university’s email program and address book, keeping students in touch with their classmates and professors.
* A contract that allows for technology upgrades throughout a student’s medical school career.

“Wireless adoption in the medical field is rapidly growing, and this program will prepare medical students on how to use wireless technology in their future lives,” said Stephanie Atkinson, managing partner & principal analyst at Compass Intelligence. “Hospitals across the country are using smartphones and wireless applications to write prescriptions, facilitate communications between physicians and nurses and give them the power to access critical patient information on their wireless device.”

Stephanie Ferguson, general manager of the Mobile Communications Business, Microsoft Corp., said, “The wireless industry is experiencing an incredible increase in smartphone adoption within specialized fields such as medicine. Students at the University of Louisville can get the most out of their medical education and professional careers through the use of our familiar, customizable Windows Mobile smartphones.”

“Smartphones and wireless technology are quickly becoming important learning tools in higher education,” said Ed Davalos, national director of education sales for Sprint. “In the past year, we have seen a widespread growth rate among universities in the adoption of smartphones, increasing Sprint’s educational subscriber base by 7 percent, with more than 750,000 users nationwide. We are pleased to be working with the University of Louisville School of Medicine and offering innovative wireless devices and technology that meet its educational needs and enables a 24/7 learning environment.”

Tell us, does your school offer discounts on an cell phones for educational purposes?