OpenWeb: Sprint bringing "Real Web" to dumbphones
No, no, I didn't just mean to call your cell phone dumb. What I meant is that most non-smartphones can't browse the "Real Web" - aka the Web you see on your desktop or laptop computer. While smartphones come with a browser like Internet Explorer or Opera or Apple's Safari that can handle HTML and Javascript and other Real Web goodies, most non smartphones are relegated to WAP browsers. WAP lets you see Web content optimized for mobile phones, and in most cases the carriers use their WAP browsers to push you to content that makes them money, whether that's because ESPN is paying for placement on Verizon phones or AT&T is trying to sell you ringtones.
Sprint may be trying to change all that with their announcement that they've partnered with OpenWave to bring a Real Web experience to even entry and mid-range phones. As Sprint's press release puts it:
“Whether clicking through the Sprint portal or typing in a URL, both new and existing customers can use their Sprint phones to search virtually any Web site and it will appear quickly and in a format they’re used to seeing on their computer screens,” said Kevin Packingham, vice president of wireless product management for Sprint. “By working with Openwave, we’re making that Internet experience even more customer-friendly and useful by enhancing the ability to translate non-mobile sites onto the mobile phone. While other carriers are just beginning to talk about open ecosystem initiatives, Sprint is continuing its efforts to give customers an even better experience with the Internet that we have always allowed.”
OpenWave's OpenWeb platform basically reformats Web content before it gets to your phone, and sends your handset an optimized version that looks and feels like a Real Web page without overwhelming your non-smartphone's non-smart hardware.
Sprint users should start to see the first results of OpenWave in the next few weeks. Got a Sprint handset that's not too smart? Let us know what the Web looks like on your phone come the middle of April or so.
Closely Related StuffSprint's going all out marketing the Samsung Instinct against the Apple iPhone. Here's the first of five smackdown videos: Instinct vs iPhone commercial 1, GPS. Part two of our hands-on look at Instinct, the new do-it-all device from Sprint and Samsung. We check out text messaging, and go behind the velvet rope at the launch party. Rock Band! Wakeboarding! Pizza! Noah goes hands on with the HTC Shift in this video, and learns what this CDMA version for the Sprint network can do. This ultramobile PC is a windows touchscreen device that uses Vista, and can run via WiFi or EVDO connection via Sprint. The HTC Shift also offers a Snap View interface which highlights your "day at a glance". Is this Sprint's iPhone killer? Noah goes hands-on with the new flagship Samsung Instinct phone at CTIA 2008 in Las Vegas. The Samsung Instinct is a new 3G touchscreen device with a custom UI that will be available at Sprint early this summer. Looking for a great messaging phone to use on the Sprint network? Well, Noah has found one in the LG Rumor. The bar style device come equipped with a slide out QWERTY keyboard that when opened, automatically switches the phone to messaging mode. Other key features include a 1.3 megapixel camera with 2x zoom, media player, and expandable memory card slot. Unlocked episode 1 with Noah from PhoneDog.com. Apple unveils the iPhone SDK and announces iFund. Unlimited plans take center stage with Sprint and Helio leading the way. Hands-on with the Helio Mysto and Palm Centro for Sprint. Could everyone's favorite MVNO be looking to merge with a less cool but bigger and badder MVNO? Could be.
Multiple media outlets have been reporting that Helio (everyone's fave, if you ask me) and Virgin Mobile USA (actually bigger and badder than Helio) are in talks to join forces. Details are a little bit sketchy right now, but one scenario desribed by The Washington Post has Helio's parent company SK Telecom buying out Virgin Mobile USA and then pouring some cash into the... Wow, Sprint's trying to steal some of that Microsoft-Yahoo! merger thunder, huh? First they hit the headlines as a possible acquisition target for Deutsch Telekom (T-Mobile's parent co.) and now this.
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The ads say the 3G, GPS-enabled smartphone will cost you $179 after mail-in rebate, and with contract (two years plus data plan). But hey, you'll get your... German newspaper Spiegel's online outlet ran a story Saturday about a possible takeover in the offing that would shake up the US cell phone market in a big way. According to Spiegel Online, Deutsche Telekom - the parent company of T-Mobile Europe and T-Mobile USA - is eyeing an acquisition of Sprint, which would effectively mean the merger of the US's #3 and #4 mobile carriers.
Between Sprint Nextel's recent share price drop and the strength of the euro as compared to the dollar, DT... Hot off the UPS truck it's the HTC Touch, but in white, and running on Verizon. VZW launched the XV6900 at CTIA, and it's currently available only through the online store (should be in retail outlets April 30). So if you haven't had the chance to check one out yet, don't worry - we got ya covered.
Essentially the same device as the Touch that launched on Sprint last year, the XV900 is a slim touchscreen smartphone running Windows Mobile 6 professional topped off by HTC's handy... So this makes things a little more interesting. That photo I mentioned the other day with two mystery HTC devices in it? Engadget thinks we're looking at the HTC Raphael and Diamond, otherwise known as the successors to the Mogul and Touch, respectively.
Engadget's post features some fuzzy pics of what looks to be an internal Sprint document detailing the two new Windows Mobile devices, both with HTC's TouchFlo UI (and, of course, touch screens), and one with a slide-out... |
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