In a Shift from Nextel's Network, Sprint Releasing Rugged CDMA Phones

Although Sprint has already announced their plans to phase out their iDen network acquired by Nextel, they haven't given customers on the aging network a real reason to switch over to CDMA. In a first move to change this situation, Sprint has released the Sanyo Taho, a rugged flip phone that runs on the CDMA network. Although the phone isn't totally waterproof, it can withstand total submersion in up to one meter of water for thirty minutes, along with other military-grade specs. The phone doesn't have any type of push-to-talk service that doesn't use iDen, however, so this is only a phone for Nextel customers that like the rugged style of some of the phones. Sprint also has the Motorola ES400S smartphone, which is also a rugged phone. The ES400S has a full QWERTY keyboard on a candybar design and is running Windows Mobile 6.5.3. (Sprint)

ZTE Peel Creates a Mobile Hotspot On Your iPod Touch

For Sprint fans that like the idea of carrying aaround an Apple device that is internet connected, but don't like the idea of being tied to AT&T's network, now have another option for their devices. The ZTE Peel is a case that is used for your iPod Touch that has a Mifi-like device built into the case. The case has a power button near the top of the case, and will run you $79 with a new two--year contract. The monthly charge for the case is $29, but unlike a normal Mifi, you can only connect two Wifi devices to the ZTE Peel at a time. So for road warriers that like their iPod Touch, the ZTE Peel is a device to consider, but a Mifi or Overdrive might better suit your needs if you want to connect more than two devices to your mobile hotspot, especially if you wannt the ability to access the Wimax network. (Sprint)

Samsung Intercept Now Available on Virgin Mobile

Virgin Mobile, the prepaid, no-contract carrier that operates on the Sprint network, is now offering the Samsung Intercept. The Intercept, which is an entry-level Android handset that has been available from Sprint, features a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, a 3.2 megapixel camera, a 3.2 inch capacitive touchscreen, and Android 2.1. The phone is the first Android handset to be available from Virgin Mobile. The Intercept will cost $249, but you won't have a contract to deal with when buying the phone, and can cancel your service at any time without an early-termination fee. (Sprint)

Boost Mobile Launched Blackberry Curve 8530

Boost Mobile, the prepaid service running on the Sprint and Nextel networks, has now launched another smartphone on their service, the Blackberry Curve 8530. The Curve features a full QWERTY keyboard, a two-megapixel camera, and 3G data services. The addition of the 8530 improves the lineup of phones for Boost mobile, which is known for its cheap unlimited plans that also feature free push to talk on phones that support it. The phone will cost $249, with no contract agreements. (Sprint)

LG Optimus S Rounds Out Sprint's New 3G Android Lineup

The LG Optimus S was the third and final Android to be announced by Sprint today. Aimed at a lower market than both the Samsung Transform and the Sanyo Zio, the phone has a 3.2 megapixel back facing camera, Android 2.2 preloaded, and Mobile Hotspot capability. The phone looks smaller and cheaper than the other two Android phones announced from Sprint today, but at only $49 with a new two-year contract, there aren't a lot of complaints with the phone with the feature set. (Sprint)

Sprint Subscribers Really Liked the World Cup

If you didn't hear about it, the World Cup was on earlier this summer, believe it or not. And if you were a mobile viewer of the World Cup, chances are that you were watching it on a Sprint phone. That's right, Sprint customers were the number one viewers of the World Cup from a mobile device. About 700,000 people watched the games from ESPN's channel on Sprint TV. The most watched games of the world cup were USA v Ghana, USA v Algeria, and the Netherlands v Spain final match. The Sprint article that the information is from also posts some interesting facts about other most watched shows, some of which are the 2008 Presidential Inauguration, the Michael Jackson Memorial, and a Dallas v New Orleans NFL game. (Sprint)