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Thursday October 29, 2009
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Sprint executive David Owens sat down for a virtual chat on Sprint's Web site with consumers today, and updated folks with some good news about his carrier's plans.
- Google Android OS updates are coming for the HTC Hero and Samsung Moment. While he didn't specify a version - 1.6 or 2.0 - HTC has previously confirmed that they're working on an Android 2.0 update for the Hero.
- Combination CDMA/GSM Android phones are also "a possibility but nothing this year."
- They're considering an Android phone with a built-in MiFi-type router.
- Android phones will get less expensive "as we see volume across the industry."
- Lots of HTC and BlackBerry phones coming next year. HTC phones "will be on the Android platform."
- Sprint will "add Wi-Fi to [the BlackBerry] Tour" and have other Wi-Fi BlackBerries going forward.
- They're testing Windows Mobile 6.5 updates for the HTC Touch Pro2 and other Windows phones; "plan for early 2010."
- They want Windows Mobile 7.0 "as soon as possible, but dependent on Microsoft."
- Expect WiMAX phones next year.
- No tethering for phones that require Everything plans (such as all smartphones) from here on out.
So, some stuff we knew, some we didn't, but it's all welcome and interesting. Looks like 2010 will be a very big year for Android.
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More...
October 29, 2009 7:15 PM
No tethering for phones that require Everything plans (such as all smartphones) from here on out???
Really bad idea Sprint. You will lose 3 customers in my household (and a lot more probably) if they take away this feature. I tethering at the lake during the summers to check email, activate directv and other stuff. My criteria is this, whatever carrier can provide me with cheap mobile internet wins my business. This has been sprint for the last 5 or 6 years but this would make me look elsewhere. I beg you Sprint, don't make me switch...please.
HTC Touch Pro 2 user
October 29, 2009 9:10 PM
good luck keeping people from tethering... i guess we'll either never upgrade to "everything" plans or just used custom ROMs... either way i plan to win.
October 29, 2009 11:18 PM
I basically tuned out of the chat session after the VP of Marketing said he wouldn't comment on the Roadmap for 2010, thereby shutting down any discussion of hot phone releases which is what we all thought marketing was all about! Pitiful.
October 30, 2009 2:18 AM
What does it mean when they say no tethering? "No tethering for phones that require Everything plans (such as all smartphones) from here on out."
October 30, 2009 9:55 AM
They mean you cannot connect your phone to your PC to use it as a modem. If you want a PC modem on Sprint, you have to buy a separate modem with a dedicated service plan.
October 30, 2009 2:36 PM
guys a read the tethering comment as in tethering will be included in everything plans. I hope this is the case because I am looking to move to sprint once they get a phone like the "droid"
October 30, 2009 8:51 PM
Did anyone notice there is nothing about long term life of WebOS
October 31, 2009 12:07 PM
I never knew tethering was officially allowed before. I do it but never had any tethering option on my plan. The question now is is this simply sprint's official policy with no real enforcement, or are they going to start monitoring users suspected of tethering.
November 10, 2009 4:14 AM
Sprint enforces this by network access... Any Serial or RNDIS usage is blocked on phones with a voice plan, period.
It's stupid to restrict Smartphones from their full technical capability, but Sprint's excuse is that people who tether their phones to a computer are a vocal minority and the plan change will not affect more than 10% of the total users.
It doesn't take a genius to figure the reasoning: why allow someone to use one device for two purposes for an extra $15 or more per month when you can make them buy two devices with two potential ETF's and two bills of monthly service with at least 60.00 per bill? (The $60.00 phone would be on unlimited voice and text or unlimited data, still restricting the purpose of the device away from being a smartphone.)
This is why nobody likes Sprint... their actions are wholly driven by shareholders, who ultimately want the company to sell itself and disappear anyway. Making them happy has no future. Making subscribers happy does. Pick one.
November 12, 2009 8:37 PM
Of course, you could always do some research and thinking (very difficult) and find out that there are ways around tethering restrictions no matter what the carriers do.
November 17, 2009 10:45 AM
I dont know about yall but I have a blackberry, and blackberry has apps that help you get around there stupid tethering retrictions no matter what sprint does, its called Tetherberry, its only a 1 time payment of $50.00. But I have a link to get it for almost 50% off
https://usd.swreg.org/cgi-bin/s.cgi?s=108705&p=108705-2&v=0&d=0&q=1&rc=45K2D46S5J&a=SWREGNov09&linkid=TB_2
everybody else good luck, maybe there is an app for your phones too, just do your reserch
December 7, 2009 7:03 PM
TOO LITTLE.... TOO LATE... WHOEVER'S BEEN IN CHARGE OF NEW PHONES.. FIRE THEM
March 12, 2010 1:03 PM
I'm simply hoping the Samsung Moment has a 2.x upgrade soon! I want to use Google Goggles!!