Sprint outlines plans for more IDEN to CDMA Migration (US)
Sprint has outlined plans for its migration of its Push-to-Talk services over to its CDMA network. The Sprint Direct Connect will launch with an initial portfolio of rugged devices from Motorola Mobility and Kyocera. The devices will feature most of the capabilities available on current Sprint Nextel iDEN based phones. The planned portfolio will include an ultra-rugged camera flip phone and an Android Smartphone with a touch screen and a QWERTY keyboard.
Sprint expects to deepen its push-to-talk portfolio by 2012, adding more devices with new form factors and features.
The devices are expected to enable group push-to-talk for up to 200 participants, Land Mobile Radio (LMR) interoperability, and availability notification. In early 2012, Sprint Direct Connect is expected to add more capabilities, including international push-to-talk.
In addition, the Push-to-talk coverage footprint is planned to increase to nearly 2.7 million square miles and is expected to cover a population of 309 million (with the addition of 1xrtt and roaming coverage) – an increase from the iDEN network’s 908,370 square miles covering a population 278 million.
During the nationwide implementation of Network Vision, Sprint expects to continue operating the iDEN network at current performance levels. As the customer base shifts to more broadband-centric push-to-talk applications on the CDMA network and Sprint launches Sprint Direct Connect, iDEN cell sites are expected to be phased out in 2013.
According to Paget Alves, President-Sprint Business, their customers are asking for broadband push-to-talk now. They’ve seen steadily increasing demand for faster data speeds, better and broader coverage, and more applications on push-to-talk devices. Sprint Direct Connect is designed to solve for all three, and is expected to come with sub-second push-to-talk call set-up time initially in Sprint CDMA RevA coverage areas. Sub-second call set up is expected to expand across the U.S. with the implementation of Network Vision.
Alves added, they believe the new push-to-talk service powered by a broadband network and featuring competitively priced rugged handsets and smart phones will represent an unmatched offering in the market.
Vodafone launches HTC Desire Z (Australia)
Vodafone Hutchison Australia has announced that it has launched HTC Desire Z on its network. The HTC Desire Z will now be available exclusively to Vodafone for $5 per month on a $49 cap.
The Desire Z runs on Android 2.2 and uses the HTC Sense graphical user interface that is common to HTC handsets.
It features a slide-out QWERTY keyboard under a 3.7 inch touchscreen, while the back houses a 5.0 megapixel camera that records 720p HD video.
The Google Nexus S is also available to existing Vodafone customers, free on a $79 cap plan. The Nexus S will be available to new customers to Vodafone starting March 16.
Vodafone starts HTC Desire Z sale (Australia)
Vodafone Australia has begun selling the HTC Desire Z. The operator offers the device for free on $65 per month ‘Infinite’ plan which comes with 2 GB of data, unlimited domestic voice and video calls, and unlimited SMS messages within Australia.
Vodafone also offers the Desire Z for free on a $69 per month cap plan which includes 2 GB of data as well as 2 GB for video streaming, unlimited Vodafone to Vodafone & 3 voice calls, and unlimited SMS messages.
The HTC Desire Z features a ‘pop hinge’ that opens to reveal a QWERTY keyboard and the device also includes 720p HD video recording and a 5-megapixel camera with flash. The device is powered by the 800 MHz Qualcomm 7230 processor and runs on Android.
Vodafone UK to launch White BlackBerry Torch
Vodafone is planning to launch Blackberry’s latest handset on its network- The ‘White BlackBerry Torch’.
The device will be running on the BlackBerry 6 operating system, and features a 3.2-inch capacitive touch-screen with a resolution of 480 x 360 and a slide-out QWERTY keyboard.
The BlackBerry Torch white measures 4.37 x 2.44 x 0.57 inches, and is also equipped with a 5-megapixel camera with autofocus and LED flash, a 624MHz processor paired with 512MB of RAM and 4GB of internal storage, a microSD slot supporting cards up to 32GB, 3G, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, GPS, and you will be able to enter the BlackBerry App World download store.
Nokia X2-01 Budget Social Network and Music Mobile
In addition to the recent announcement of the Nokia C2-01, which is Nokia’s cheapest 3G mobile they have announced the Nokia X2-01.
The X2-01 is a device built for social networking and fast communications. It comes with a full QWERTY keyboard and has Facebook integrated into the mobile so you can easily view updates on your home-screen and post responses.
The X2-01 is also music mobile and has an FM radio, media player and comes with Ovi Music service, which enables unlimited access to a vast library of music.
The Nokia X2-01 has a 2.4 inch screen and a VGA camera on the reverse. It supports microSD cards up to 8GB and its dimensions are 119.4 * 59.8 * 14.3 mm and it weights just 107.5g.
The Nokia X2-01 will launch in the last quarter of 2010 and will be available for just £70.
Vodafone launches Three Blackberry Handsets to PAYG Range
Mobile phone operator Vodafone has launched three RIM Blackberry smartphones – the Curve 8520, the Curve 9300 and the Pearl 9105 – to its range of PAYG handsets.
The Curve 8520 comes in black and violet and costs US$257.93 while the Curve 9300 is available in black and red and is priced at US$370.78.
Both have QWERTY keyboards as well as 2.4-inch screens with a 320×240 pixels resolution. The third model, the Pearl 9105 has a smaller screen and is less bulky than the two others but still costs US$370.78.
PAYG Blackberry users will also get the free Blackberry Internet Service (BIS) which includes email, applications and Blackberry’s Instant Messaging service for free until June 2011.
Vodafone is also providing users with a number of freebies, called Vodafone Freebees which includes a Top-Up and Get Text and Web offer that gives customers 500MB of monthly data allowance and 300 texts for free when topping up £10 with the possibility of getting 10% of your top-up every month.
RIM Introduces BlackBerry Bold 9870 with T-Mobile
Research In Motion (RIM) announced the BlackBerry Bold 9870 which will be coming this month. While Curve 3G owners will be getting an OS upgrade, this new smart phone will be the first RIM device coming to T-Mobile preloaded with the new Blackberry 6 OS.
The device comes with a premium design, a user-friendly QWERTY keyboard and optical trackpad that greatly ease the navigation experience. BlackBerry Bold 9780 additionally features Brilliant, high resolution color display480 x 360 pixels, 2.44†diagonal measurement, HSDPA support 3.6 Mbps, WebKit browser, a 5MP camera with geotagging, 3G, Wi-Fi and UMA/Wi-Fi calling on T-Mobile. The device has an internal memory of 512MB accompanied by the bundled 2GB microSD card.
Bold 9780 will be unveiled on T-Mobile on November 17 for US$130, with a 2 year contract.
Verizon Wireless launches LG Octane
Verizon Wireless has unveiled LG Octane. The device is said t be for the for the text messaging enthusiasts, it comes with two screens and a full QWERTY keyboard and there’s a New Mobile E-Mail client 4.0 as well as the Social Beat app, providing flawless combination with popular social networking services such as Facebook, MySpace and Twitter.
The handset also includes a 3.2-megapixel camera with auto-focus and flash, Bluetooth, media player, HTML web browser and a microSD expansion slot that can take cards of up to 16 GB. In addition, the Octane is a Skype mobile capable device, delivering cheaper phone calls to its users. Finally, there’s the option to set favorite shortcut keys for quick access to up to 10 contacts with picture ID.
The enthusiast can grab the phone for US$99.99 after a US$50 mail-in rebate with a new two-year contract.
