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There are no doubts in my mind Motorola’s mobile phone business has seen better times. I’m all for the big return of the struggling American handset maker. However, I’m not sure they have what it takes. Today we’ve spotted a leaked-by-Target image of the upcoming MOTO i776 clamshell. As you can see from the image above, the device in question has an antenna.

Why oh why would Motorola want to go this route is beyond me. Apparently, the phone is heading to Sprint-owned Boost Mobile and we should hear from them in the near future. Now that I’m thinking, if I were Boost’s marketing guy, I WOULDN’T issue a press release. There’s nothing to get you excited about the i776. Sure, there’s a Bluetooth support and a built-in GPS, but that antenna is really ugly, so-old-school “feature.” Any thoughts?

[Via: Unwired View]

Most people reading this will probably put a priority, and even pay a premium, for high-end features and incredible design. But, there will invariably always be a niche for handsets that can take a licking and still keep on ticking, as it were.

For those people that put an emphasis on tough, rugged handsets, check out this video of the Motorola i335 for Boost Mobile. As one of Motorola’s first slim-line iDEN handsets, the Moto i335 is about as sleek as you can expect from an mobile phone made for the Nextel/Boost iDEN network.

It’s not huge on features, but if you need sleek style with rugged tenacity in an iDEN device, the Motorola i335 might just be your best bet.

Boost Mobile recently added a new device in its portfolio - Motorola i335.

The slim, yet rugged handset features military grade 810F durability and a thin candy-bar design with textured backing and smooth rubber face that is aimed at attracting today’s active and style-conscious youth.

As for the features, the Moto i335 is a Boost Walkie-Talkie enabled device that also sports Bluetooth connectivity, built-in GPS receiver, hands-free speakerphone with voice-activated dialing, instant messaging application (works with AOL, Yahoo and MSN), and Java. It is available at participating dealers or at Boost Mobile’s website for $59.99.

Sprint-owned Boost Mobile is launching a mobile phone recycling program to support Global Inheritance, a non-profit organization working that works to “reinvent activism for today’s young generation.” Proceeds from the recycling effort will benefit the new Global Inheritance’s website POSTed, which provides schools with free artistically designed posters promoting everything from recycling and exercise to voting and energy conservation. Initially, Boost will donate $5,000 to Global Inheritance.

POSTed provides an entry point for students to get into the habit of thinking about the environment, social causes and world issues through the creativity of art. The various topics will create talking points and discussion among young people in a social and academic environment. Schools and students will be encouraged to download the artwork free of cost to use on campus and at school events.

Participating in Boost Mobile’s phone recycling program is easy. The prepaid envelope is available at the MVNO’s website or when customers purchase a new phone. Used mobile phones can be in any condition, any brand, and do not need to have batteries.

Where you at, Boost?

Apparently, Boost is hanging out at Huntington Park, California; Hialeah, Florida; and Houston, Texas. The Nextel spin-off pre-paid wireless provider is bringing their “community” image to neighborhoods near you with brick-and-mortar stores.

Boost wants their retail locations to become more than just points of sale, the company wants to cultivate a community around their brand. And, to lessen their impact on the community, Boost is making use of “green” furniture and decor made from recycled materials.

“Our stores have a great vibe and highlight the best we have to offer,” said Michael Lanzo, Boost Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “They’re much more than just retail spots aimed at attracting customers—the stores are centers for community connection.  Becoming an integral part of these neighborhoods is a priority for Boost, and we are actively engaging local civic officials and giving back to charities in the communities where our stores are located.”

Go check out the Boost retail store in your area and let us know what you think…

[Via: Gadgetell]

Every US wireless carrier needs an unlimited wireless plan to call their own these days. Not that it’ll necessarily help a network operator’s bottom line, but it’s good to offer customers the option of an unlimited wireless plan - in the name of competition and all.

Sprint’s down-market brand Boost Mobile has just announced a new PAYGO Chat Plan that gives pre-paid iDEN customer the option to get unlimited nights and weekends, unlimited texting, and unlimited mobile-to-mobile for a dollar per day for just $1 per day. Unfortunately, that buck won’t get you unlimited daytime minutes - out-of-network calls will still run Boost Mobile customers $0.10 per minute.

Boost Mobile 

[Via: Engadget Mobile]

Recently, Boost Mobile in partnership with Amobee announced the launch of a new advertising platform for mobile phones and has already signed two advertisers, Acura and Fox Searchlight Pictures, on board.

The first ads feature information on Fox Searchlight Pictures’ April 11 release of “Street Kings,” and Acura’s ads the new 2009 TSX. Initially, the ads will appear on the MVNO’s mobile content store BoostLIVE and Web Home. In the near future, Boost plans to expand expand advertising content to include messaging and key applications.

Finally, you should know it’s free to view the advertisements, and in case you find them annoying, the magic number for opting out is 1-888-BOOST-4U. That’s actually Boost Mobile’s customer service number, which you should call for other issues as well.

[Via: slashphone]

It’s more of a news when Boost Mobile adds additional phone to its offering than when the same thing is done by lets say AT&T or Verizon. The reason is obvious - Boost only got two phones in its portfolio, while the big boys have few dozen.

Anyway, the mobile operator for the youth’s offering includes Motorola c290, w385 and now MOTOKRZR. With suggested retail price of $249.99, the new phone is also the most expensive one, and arguable the best looking one you can get from Boost Mobile.

As for the specs, you probably already know everything about Moto’s clamshell. I’ll only repeat there’s a 1.3 megapixel camera with 4x digital zoom and video recording function, built-in GPS receiver, Bluetooth, and of course the microSD memory slot. Preinstalled software includes universal IM client (works with AOL, Yahoo! and MSN), web browser, email client and music player…

[Via: slashphone]

Unlimited calling plans are all the rage these days. With a slew  of $100 unlimited wireless plans and a handful of even cheaper flat-rate plans out there, it makes sense for Boost Mobile to up its game with another super-value unlimited calling plan.

Boost Mobile has rolled out a $35 unlimited calling plan for its customers on the tropical state of Hawaii. How does Boost Mobile get away with such a low price for an unlimited wireless calling plan? They’re limiting the calling area to the user’s home-area - which would be the Hawaiian islands in this case. But, make sure to stay within your home calling area, stray outside and you’ll get slapped with a $0.15 per minute rate. Unlimited SMS text messages, unlimited web, and coverage in California and Las Vegas will cost an additional $5 a piece.

[Via: BusinessWire]

In an effort that seem designed to attract more subscribers but also to “enable consumers to more easily identify with the brand,” Sprint Nextel owned Boost Mobile announced the launch of a new brand identity. The main idea is to unite product line and message consistency, hence moving forward, Boost Mobile’s two major prepaid services, pay-as-you-go (PayGo) and Unlimited by Boost (UNLTD), will be rolled under one banner.

What can I say. They paid the pros to do the job (renowned creative and brand-engineering agency ATTIK), and the new site looks great — logo was retooled, new fonts and colors were used — especially for the young and hip crowd which seems to be the primary market for Boost’s services.

I’m not sure that will help Boost keep growing, though. At the moment, they have 4.6 million customers and while there are certainly people who don’t want to pay a small fortune for their phones, following the iPhone announcement last year, the mobile world has changed. Suddenly, it was ok to pay 500 bucks for the fancy phone that can do much more than make a simple phone call, and send and receive text messages. Then again I could be wrong…

Here’s the link to Boost Mobile’s website, and here is the full press release announcing the new brand identity.