Today Research in Motion (RIM) the makers of BlackBerry smartphones, announced the new BlackBerry Pearl 3G and the BlackBerry Bold 9650. Sprint also announced the Bold 9650 will be available for their network soon.

The Pearl is the smallest BlackBerry device available as it measures only 50mm wide and weighs in at only 3.3 ounces or 94 grams. The new Pearl supports UMTS/HSDPA in other words 3G networks. It has the same keyboard as the original Pearl and a 3.2 MP camera. Also built into the Pearl is wi-fi and GPS.

The Bold 9650 which will be available on Sprint for $199.99 with a two year service agreement and after a $100 mail in rebate is probably one of the most sophisticated BlackBerry devices available. It will support 3G networks in the US and around the world making it perfect for the international traveler. Like the Pearl it will feature a 3.2 MP camera, wi-fi, built and built in GPS.

For more information on both devices visit http://www.rim.com and to check on availability of the 9650 with Sprint visit http://www.sprint.com

Yesterday, Sprint announced that Texas is the state with the most 4G penetration on their network. Today T-Mobile launches 3G in Waco Texas. T-Mobile is definitely trailing the pack and if it weren’t for their supurb customer service they would be non existent in my opinion.

Today Sprint announced that with the launch of 4G in Houston, Texas officially has their largets 4G footprint. Those lucky texans now have access to the fastest wireless network in the US and I personally can’t wait to have it in NY.

I have used the Sprint 4G network across the US and Texas has no idea how lucky they are. The speed available to you and the rate plans are just amazing. Imagine true unlimited wireless broadband for $59.99 a month and up to 10 Mbps download speeds is amazing!

“Today, we flipped the switch to make fast mobile broadband even faster for Houston,” said John Stevens, Southwest regional vice president, Sprint. “Customers will discover that 4G technology allows all kinds of new possibilities for Internet-on-the-go - streaming video, online gaming, videoconferencing. There is nothing else like the 4G experience from any other wireless carrier and now Texas is number one in 4G connectivity.”

In 2010, Sprint will launch many more markets, and is expected to cover up to 120 million people with Sprint 4G service, and will introduce several 4G devices, including a single-mode 4G data card and embedded laptops. View 4G coverage for all Sprint 4G markets at http://www.sprint.com/4G.

Today Sprint announced today that they will carry the Nexus One Google phone, however pricing for the phone has not been announced and the exact launch date is only said to be soon. Which could be weeks form now.

“Nexus One is a powerful device that belongs on a powerful network. This is another step in our continued partnership of innovation with Google,” said Fared Adib, Sprint vice president of product development. “Sprint customers already have the option of two amazing Android devices with Samsung Moment™ and HTC Hero™. It is a natural fit for us to add Nexus One to the list of choices available for Sprint customers who want the best value in wireless with the best in Android.”

Nexus One runs on Android 2.1, a version of the platform’s Eclair software, which offers advanced applications and features including:
• Google Maps Navigation: offering turn-by-turn driving directions with voice output.
• Email: multiple Gmail accounts; universal inbox and Exchange support.
• Phone book: aggregate contacts from multiple sources, including Facebook®.
• Quick Contacts: easily switch between communication and social applications.
• Android Market: access to more than 30,000 applications.
Hardware features of Nexus One include:
• Display: 3.7” AMOLED 480x800 WVGA display
• Thinness: 11.5mm; Weight: 130g
• Processor/Speed: Qualcomm Snapdragon™ 3G QSD8250 chipset, delivering speeds up to 1GHz
• Camera: 5 megapixel auto focus with flash and geo tagging
• Onboard memory: 512MB Flash, 512MB RAM
• Expandable memory: 4GB removable SD Card (expandable to 32GB)
• Noise Suppression: Dynamic noise suppression from Audience, Inc.
• Ports: 3.5mm stereo headphone jack with four contacts for inline voice and remote control
• Battery: Removable 1400 mAh
• Personalized laser engraving: Up to 50 characters on the back of the phone
• Trackball: Tri-color notification LED, alerts when new emails, chats, text messages arrive

In addition, Nexus One offers new functionality and software enhancements including:
• Enter text without typing.
• Use a voice-enabled keyboard for all text fields: speak a text message, instant message, tweet, Facebook update, or complete an email.
• Tell your phone what you want it to do.
• Search Google, call contacts, or get driving directions by just speaking into your phone.
• Take personalization to the next level.
• Dynamic, interactive, live wallpapers react to the touch of a finger.
• More widgets and five home screen panels allow for further device customization.
• Capture camera-quality pictures and video with your device.
• 5 megapixel camera includes LED flash, auto focus, zoom, white balance and color effects.
• View pictures and Picasa Web Albums in the new 3D Gallery.
• Record Hi-Res MPEG4 video, and then upload to YouTube with one click.
• Read your voicemail messages.
• Get transcribed voicemail with Google Voice integration, without changing your number.
For more information on Nexus One, please visit http://www.Google.com/phone. Follow Sprint on Twitter @sprint to keep up with news on Nexus One for Sprint’s 3G Mobile Broadband Network.

Today Sprint introduced the Motorola i890 for their Nextel Network. The phone which is priced at $129.99 with a two year service agreement with a $50 MIR will be available with Nextel Direct Connect making it the newest Push to Talk phone for Sprint.

“Motorola i890 combines the best-in-class features Nextel Direct Connect customers have come to depend on in a style-minded look,” said Fared Adib, vice president – Product Development, Sprint. “Combined with the support of business applications and advanced multimedia features, Motorola i890 is perfect for anyone who needs to get work done, but still wants to look good.”

The i890 is a stylish flip phone with a 2.0 megapixel camera and camcorder, built-in MP3 player, and bluetooth. The only bad thing about the phone is that it supports up to a 8 GB microSD card which does not come wih the device. Seeing as there are microSD cards with larger capacities its disappointing it will only support up to 8 GB especially if you will use it as an MP3 player.

For more information visit: http://www.sprint.com

Today Sprint introduced a tough new phone from Motorola for the Nextel Direct Connect Network. The Motorola Clutch i465 has a rugged candy bar form factor perfect for construction workers, military and law enforcement.

“Sprint Nextel Direct Connect customers are used to the immediate communications offered by push-to-talk devices, but Motorola Clutch i465 with a QWERTY keyboard gives those customers a better way to instantly communicate with friends, family and colleagues,” said Danny Bowman, president of Sprint’s iDEN Business Unit. “By combining Nextel Direct Connect with text messaging, Sprint customers have two of the most efficient ways to get business done wirelessly.”

For more information on the Clutch visit: http://www.sprint.com/clutch

So a month after I got my new Blackberry Curve with Direct Connect from Sprint, it craps out on me getting no signal. They swap the phone out and tell me its an unknown issue. Guy tells me if it happens again they most likely will have a fix to call Tech Support.

It happens again, I call tech support they tell me they will call me back in 1 hour. 8 Hours passed I call back and check the video below to see what happened.

Today Sprint and Palm announced that the much anticipated Palm Pre will be available on June 6th for $199.99 after a $100 mail in rebaote with a two year service agreement on an Everything Data Plan or Business Essentials Plan with Messaging and Data.

June 6th is a Saturday and some what of an Odd day to launch a new product but my guess is both Sprint and Palm expect long lines of people wanting to buy the phone they felt a weekend may be best, so that most of them wouldn’t have to miss work. (Just a guess)

“The Palm Pre takes full advantage of Sprint’s Everything Data plans,” said Avi Greengart, research director for Consumer Devices at Current Analysis. “The Pre has been expressly designed for multitasking among multiple web pages and applications. It also builds on Palm’s heritage in PDAs by managing your digital information – whether that’s on a corporate server or on the web.”

With Palm Synergy, users get: 
• Linked contacts – With Synergy, you have a single view that links your contacts from a variety of sources, so accessing them is easier than ever. For example, if you have the same contact listed in your Outlook(3), Google and Facebook accounts, Synergy recognizes that they’re the same person and links the information, presenting it to you as one listing.
• Layered calendars – Your calendars can be seen on their own or layered together in a single view, combining work, family, friends, sports teams, or other interests. You can toggle to look at one calendar at a time, or see them all at a glance.
• Combined messaging – Synergy lets you see all your conversations with the same person in a chat-style view, even if it started in IM and you want to reply with text messaging. You can also see who’s active in a buddy list right from contacts or e-mail, and start a new conversation with just one touch.

When the phone was first announced during this years Consumer Electronics Show many said it would kill the iPhone, while the specs and features it offers rival those of the iPhone only time will tell if the Palm Pre will actually kill it. I personally doubt it but hey ya never know.

For more information about the Palm Pre visit: http://www.sprint.com/palmpre

When I first had a chance to play with the Original Samsung Instinct, my first thoughts were iPhone killer, and best phone ever.

When Samsung announced the newest Instinct the S30, I was worried they would try to improve on it so much they would ruin it, kind of like what Microsoft did with Vista, or how the sequel to the original movie sucks.

But I think Samsung struck the right balance between improvements and what should be left alone when they came out with the S30 because it’s an amazing phone.

It’s slightly lighter than the original with a bigger screen that offers in my opinion a better image quality than the previous.

The touch feature is also more sensitive than the original at least I think it is, as the phone seemed more responsive to touch that the original, it’s also a lot faster than the original.

It also looks better than the original too, makes me wonder if they are going to change up the Times Square billboard to show the newest one.

The phone is also great to watch TV on with SprintTV, I think I spent at least an hour each day just checking out the TV channels while I had the phone for review.

Something lacking still in the newest instinct is an Instant Messaging program, and a lot of people will not get this phone because of that. Samsung has opened up the API for the S30 so hopefully someone will create one, but I think Samsung should have worked with AIM, Yahoo and Microsoft to develop their own.

Overall the phone is great and if you loved your original Instinct and are about to upgrade you won’t regret getting the S30.

It’s available now from sprint for $99.88 with a 2 year contract and a $100 mail in rebate.

There once was a time where the only push to talk phone available from Sprint Nextel was bulky and ugly, and boy have times changed with the new Motorola Stature i9. A elegant Push to Talk phone good enough for the construction workers working hard at construction sites to CEO’s in their big comfy office.

When I first unboxed the Stature i9, I was pretty impressed by the look and feel of the phone, it feels heavy duty but it had a nice soft feel to the key pad.
After I was done playing with the phone I put it to the test, I made a few phone calls, used the walkie talkie feature and just ran it through its paces.

First the sound quality is amazing, who ever I spoke to came in loud and clear and they heard me clearly as well, but that has always been a trait of Motorola phones good sound quality so I wasn’t surprised by that.

I was more surprised by the Sound quality of the Walkie Talkie Feature. On other Push To Talk phones I sometimes have a hard time understanding the person I am talking to and I have even noticed other people using PTT and asking the person they are speaking to, too repeat themselves. That’s common and a lot of people who use PTT are use to it.

But say good bye to that problem with the Stature i9 because it isn’t a problem. The PTT calls come in as clear as day and you have no issues understanding anyone.
Overall the phones are great and if you are in the need of a push to talk phone or want to upgrade your current push to talk phone then the Stature is a great phone to consider.
The Stature is available from sprint now and with a 2 year contract you can get it for $199 after a $50 Mail in Rebate.