The Nexus One and Google (NSDQ: GOOG)’s decision to sell it unlocked and contract-free will go a long way in fighting the iPhone, but Google’s premier Android phone is so far only available on T-Mobile (NYSE: DT)’s network. You can try to use the Nexus One on AT&T (NYSE: T), but you’ll only get slower EDGE data speeds – we don’t consider the N1 compatible with anyone outside of T-Mobile. But, that may soon change. New rumors have hit the web, indicating that the Nexus One will be coming to Sprint (NYSE: S) with full 3G compatibility. Sprint may not have been left out in the cold, after all.

Following on a recent FCC filing that hinted at an AT&T 3G-compatible Nexus One coming down the pipeline, new whispers along the mobile grapevine suggest that Sprint will offer the N1 in due time. The rumors are based on an email reply to an inquiry about the N1’s status on Sprint. The email mentions that the Nexus One “is not on offer as of now” but that “once it is launched” we’ll be seeing promotional N1 campaigns coming out the wazoo.

Here’s the email:

“Thank you for contacting Sprint regarding the nexus one.

Unfortunately, this handset model is not on offer as of now.

Once it is launched, you will see promotional campaigns related to the launch date, cost and the features of the handset on our Web site and other promotional media.

Thank you for showing interest in our products & services. Please let us know if you would like us to assist you with anything else.” [emphasis ours]

The wording in the email is suggestive indeed. With Verizon (NYSE: VZ) already stated as the next Nexus One partner, and AT&T almost a sure thing, it makes sense that Google would give the N1 to Sprint. That would round out the Big Four US wireless carriers. No word on any launch dates for AT&T or Sprint. Expect the N1 to hit Big Red in the Spring of 2010.

[Via: AndroidGuys]

Remember those rumours about Sprint (NYSE: S)’s first WiMAX smartphone, codenamed Supersonic? Well, the first batch of photos showing off the supposed device have surfaced, and it does, indeed, have a 4.3” AMOLED display. Other specs include Android 2.1 (with Sense), 5 megapixel camera, 1 GHz processor, FM radio, and a handy little kickstand. Before you get too excited, odds are we won’t be seeing any commercially-available U.S., WiMAX handsets until late this year, if not 2011. One can only assume that Russia has been a good testing area for HTC, since they’ve been running the MAX 4G over there since November ‘08. The battle between HSPA+, LTE, and WiMAX will be an interesting one, but it’ll be at least a few years until we find out who really wins that fight – my guess is LTE.

[via Android Mobile OS]

UPDATE: If these pictures hurt your eyes, here’s a clearer rendering from Androphones.

UPDATE 2: Yet another picture, this time from YouHTC.ru…

Clearwire and Sprint (NYSE: S)’s 4G WiMAX network has been hitting every bump on the road towards their nationwide network rollout, and it looks like they’re coming up against yet more obstacles. According to WiMAX carrier Clear, we won’t be seeing any WiMAX-capable smartphones coming to market anytime before the end of 2010 – possibly the rumored HTC Supersonic. And, if WiMAX’s history of launch delays continues, that target window could slip to 2011. On the bright side, though, Clear has confirmed that WiMAX phones will use either VoIP software or Sprint’s CDMA network to route voice calls, which removes some of the uncertainty surrounding how voice calls will be handled by the 4G network.

As it stands right now, WiMAX is the only viable 4G mobile broadband network available in the US, built jointly by Sprint and Clearwire. Unfortunately, the network has yet to go fully nationwide. There are certain markets with WiMAX fully up and running, but they’re few and far between. Without any WiMAX phones launching until sometime around 2011, Sprint and Clearwire may lose mobile broadband market share – not to mention the arguably more important “mind share” – to Verizon (NYSE: VZ)’s upcoming 4G LTE network, which is capable of higher data speeds. Verizon said previously that they’ll have LTE online in 2010, with AT&T (NYSE: T) claiming an LTE network launch in 2011,  just in time to compete with WiMAX.

In the meantime, we’ll be limited to using 3G/4G mobile hotspots like Sprint’s Overdrive Hotspot. It’s a start, but will WiMAX be relevant in the long run? That’s a good question.

[Via: PhoneScoop]

The Verizon (NYSE: VZ) Palm (NSDQ: PALM) Pre Plus has twice the RAM as Sprint (NYSE: S)’s Pre, double the storage space, and it lacks a home key. What sort of performance improvement can Verizon customers expect with all that RAM? In this video, done by Dieter Bohn from Pre|Central, he demonstrates how on Sprint’s Pre he can only run 13 applications, while Verizon’s Pre Plus can run 50. Now that’s a bit absurd, really, since most people will never have more than 5 applications open at one time, but it shows just how impressive a little bit of RAM can make an already incredible device.

An open question: would you call the Palm Pre a success? How many have you seen in the wild? Do you know anyone who has one? Do you have one?

[Via: Engadget]

Engadget has a trusted source that’s telling them HTC is going to be releasing a new phone this year that runs on Sprint (NYSE: S)’s WiMAX network. It’s supposed to have a 4.3 inch screen, be powered by Qualcomm (NSDQ: QCOM)’s Snapdragon processor, run Android 2.1 with HTC’s Sense UI enhancements, and for some strange reason it has a kickstand. Making a WiMAX phone will be tricky; it’s very, very, very new technology. GSM has 80% of mobile telecommunications market share, and CDMA has the rest, so why is Sprint barking up the “I have special needs” tree is beyond me.

With Verizon promising to launch LTE in 2010, and AT&T saying 2011, what’s the point of releasing a WiMAX smartphone just to have the title of “fastest mobile broadband in your pocket” for a handful of months? If I was a Sprint shareholder I’d be firebombing Dan Hesse’s house right now.

Those who have been lusting after Windows Mobile 6.5 on their Touch Pro2 and haven’t figured out a way to shoehorn the Vodafone version into theirs will be happy to hear that Sprint (NYSE: S) has officially announced that the update will be available in the first quarter. We were amply impressed with the TP2, and with the few updates 6.5 has to offer (like the Windows Marketplace and My Phone), it should be even better.

[via Sprint Community]

Sprint (NYSE: S) has added another rugged and ugly (rugly?) device in its iDEN portfolio. It’s the clamshell-shaped Motorola (NYSE: MOT) Brute i680, which (again) meets Military Specification 810F for dust, shock, vibration, low temperature, high temperature, low pressure, solar radiation, salt fog, humidity and blowing rain.

In addition, there’s a (naturally) push-to-talk support, 2-megapixel camera with flash, GPS, Bluetooth, two screens (internal and external), music player and large battery for extended talk time.

As for the pricing, the Brute could be yours for $119.99 with a Nextel Direct Connect calling plan…

Only a few days back, the BlackBerry Tour2 9650 (aka ‘Essex’) made a guest appearance in Verizon’s inventory. Since then, it’s been clear the 9650 will be making its debut on ‘big red’… But I wondered when we were going to see our first Sprint (NYSE: S) inventory shots, ever since Simon told about the 9650 that was spotted with Sprint branding.

Wouldn’t you know it, a little earlier today I stumbled upon a leaked inventory shot from Sprint, and much like the ditties from Verizon (NYSE: VZ)… these leaked beauties show off the fact that the Tour2 9650 is indeed in Sprint’s system as well. Cool beans.

The second coming of the Tour will be welcomed with open arms, as it is set to come with an optical trackpad, WiFi, and a faster processor. Definitely an upgrade for anyone currently packing the first gen Tour. Stay tuned for more.

[Via: BBOS]

Boost Mobile announced that its $50 Monthly Unlimited plan will be available on Sprint (NYSE: S) starting from January 13th. In addition, the carrier announced three new devices Kyocera (NYSE: KYO)’s Sanyo (OTCPK: SANYY) Mirro SCP3810 ($99.99), Sanyo Incognito SCP6760 ($149.99) and BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM) Curve 8330 ($249.99), which is available on a new $60 BlackBerry Monthly Unlimited plan.

We’ve already talked about two Kyocera/Sanyo devices, and you probably already know everything about the BlackBerry Curve, so I’ll stop here. I’ll only add that in the same release Boost argues that its network is superior to its competitors’ — MetroPCS (NYSE: PCS) and Leap (Cricket) — which doesn’t come as a surprise since they [Boost] are owned by Sprint…

[Via: MobileTechNews]

LG’s presence at CES was largely overshadowed by their TV announcements, but there were a few bones thrown to us mobile fans. First up is the Lotus Elite (top), available in red and black, which builds on the original Lotus in a couple of ways. The external  screen is now touch-sensitive. It’s still only a 2 megapixel camera and QVGA display, but it’s neat the way that the camera built into the hinge allows you to take forward-facing pictures when open, and outward-facing ones when closed. The customizable touch-sensitive external display and signature square style was nothing to sneeze at either. I was pleasantly surprised how smart this thing was for a dumbphone – the home screen had quick access to a browser, e-mail, Twitter, Facebook, and various Yahoo! services. You’ll be able to nab the red version on January 10 from Sprint (NYSE: S) for $99.99 on contract, with the black version arriving in February.  Greg wins the bonus round for speculating that the next Lotus would be coming out at CES.

Next up is Rumor Touch, upgrading from the Rumor 2 with (you guessed it) a touch display. The overall layout makes it feel a hell of a lot sleeker than its predecessor, which felt a lot more blocky and feature-phoney. The 3″ WQVGA display and 2 megapixel camera make the Rumor Touch a marked improvement over the original, though maybe not much of one. It’ll be out sometime in the first quarter – sign up for updates here.