Just a few days ago, Sprint announced its plans to release a ton of new and exciting handsets which included WiMax-capable devices. Our initial thoughts were, “Who’s gonna use these? And outside of a few cities, where is WiMax even available?” But it looks like Sprint has a plan and is sticking to it as Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth and a few other cities are going to be lit up with 4G goodness.

Sprint says, “To use Sprint 4G service, all you will need is a 4G plan and the Sprint 3G/4G USB Modem U300. Just plug in the device and start downloading mammoth attachments, uploading huge files and video-conferencing with no lag.” In case you were wondering, WiMax hits max speeds of about 10Mbps, which is faster than what some people have wired at home, and averages between 3Mbps – 6Mbps. We’re just hoping that the 4G plans are set at the right price points.Read

Yesterday, Sprint executive David Owens dropped a ton of great news for Sprint customers in a live chat. Some of the news isn’t groundbreaking, but it’s still good to know and get confirmation from Sprint directly. Read on for the list of items that were mentioned.

• 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 BlackBerry smartphones 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.

We already know about the updates coming to the Hero and Wi-Fi for the Tour, but it’s pretty cool to see that WiMAX phones are on the horizon. Hopefully that means a faster rollout of the 4G service. Owens also mentions more BlackBerry phones coming next year — could that mean that Sprint is also getting a 85xx series Curve just like Verizon? It could be the Wi-Fi BlackBerry he’s talking about when “going forward.” Lastly, for travelers, having more CDMA/GSM world phones with Android is pretty good news, even if we have to wait until next year.

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The recent resurrection of rumors that Sprint is working with Samsung on a WiMAX-enabled phone may have just been trumped by news from Korea earlier today. According to a report from The Korea Herald, KT is planning to offer a tri-mode Windows Phone built by Samsung that will operate on the KT’s WiMAX network. The most interesting part — KT supposedly claims it will be releasing this handset before 2009 is through. Dubbed the Samsung Prism, the phone will be a triple threat, operating on WCDMA, Wi-Fi and WiMAX networks. On the far less interest-piquing side of things, KT is reportedly also prepping the 3G-ready LG Lilac. Super. So what does all this mean for us here in the US? News that Samsung is partnering with a carrier to develop a WiMAX-enabled phone that comes straight from a carrier is far more interesting than previous guesses from analysts. Of course logic suggests dictates that Samsung will be among the first manufacturers to build handsets for KT’s WiMAX network, but the time frame is what interests us. A Korean release in 2009 could mean comparable handsets might reach our shores as early as 1H 2010.

[Via WMPowerUser]

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As is well known, Sprint and Clearwire are slowly pushing forward on their ever expanding 4G network. Mirroring a report from back in June of this year, Sprint is once again said to be working on a WiMAX-enabled smartphone that will support both 4G and 3G connectivity. Just as current CDMA mobile phones switch switch between 1xRTT and EV-DO, the new handset will manage WiMAX and EV-DO signals in a similar manner. The big question is not whether or not Sprint will make such a smartphone, but which OS will this new handset run? Analysts suggest that Android will the platform of choice with Samsung as the manufacturer supplying the necessary hardware. This rumored 4G/3G smartphone will reportedly launch when Clearwire reaches the 100 million subscriber mark in the US, a goal expected to be achieved towards the end of 2010.

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As the line between Clearwire and Sprint’s 4G services continues to get more confusing with each passing day, we can at least take solace in knowing that WiMAX is progressing somewhere in the country. Corny and redundant press release titles aside, Sprint announced yesterday that its 4G services are now live and ready to rock in three “new” markets: Las Vegas, NV; Portland, OR and Atlanta, GA. The announcement comes two days later than the leaked WiMAX roadmap indicated earlier this month but we’d say it’s now safe to assume the rest of the list will pan out as it suggests — provided Sprint stays on schedule, of course. In terms of pricing, Sprint’s mobile broadband plan with a 4G cherry on top will run you $69.99 per month for unlimited 4G (includes 5GB of 3G data) and $10 day passes are available.

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Sprint announced a pair of wireless routers this morning that will surely grab the attention of subscribers who frequent various WiMAX-covered regions, both present and forthcoming. The Personal Hotspot PHS300S (pictured above, left) and the Cradlepoint MBR-1000 each support 3G (EV-DO Rev. A) and 4G (WiMAX) connectivity and combine to cover consumer and enterprise markets. The PHS300S is a 3G/4G portable hotspot that supports up to 4 simultaneous WiFi connections. Think of the MiFi as Barry Bonds before steroids and the PHS300S as Barry Bonds after steroids. The MBR-1000 on the other hand, is designed for enterprise use and is more of a stationary solution. It too supports 3G and 4G, and it allows up to 32 simultaneous connections. The Personal Hotspot PHS300S goes for $159.99 via telesales, online and in retails stores while the Cradlepoint MBR-1000 costs $249.99 via business channels. Both are available immediately and require a 3G or 4G data plan ranging from $39.99 to $79.99 per month.

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Now before you get too excited about this, Sprint subscribers, know that we have to throw some annoying words/phrases at it first. Rumor, possible, unconfirmed, skeptical, grain of salt and so on. Right then… According to PhoneNews.com, Sprint finally has Android positioned squarely in its sights. First up, the company is allegedly in the midst of testing the HTC Hero with a planned release toward the end of this year. While we haven’t yet heard any rumblings of a CDMA version in the works, it’s certainly feasible and tough to completely count out. Secondly, the blog reports that Sprint is currently testing an Android-powered handset from Samsung as well — the key here being this little guy reportedly sports WiMAX and CDMA. Could this secret Sammy be the tri-mode WiMAX/WiFi/CDMA handset we heard about earlier this month? We sure hope so.

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Oh hi, 4G. Despite already having been live for over a month now, Clearwire has just made WiMAX’s presence in Atlanta, Georgia official. One of over 15 cities that are covered or will be covered between now and the end of 2010, Atlanta might be considered the biggest launch to date. With 1,200 square miles and approximately 3 million people now covered in Atlanta, the city is also a major hub for air travel in the US. In fact, this WiMAX launch is made even more significant by the fact Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is constantly plagued with massive delays. Got eight hours before your connecting flight will actually take off and don’t feel like rewarding the airport by paying for Wi-Fi while it makes you wait? WiMAX subscribers are good to go. As far as pricing goes, Atlanta lines up with other WiMAX-covered territories; home Internet plans start at $20 per month, mobile plans start at $40 per month and day passes are available for $10.

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Many people have wondered aloud what Sprint’s next big move might be after the Pre jumps off this weekend. The Palm Eos? Perhaps, but it looks like the struggling carrier might have something even more exciting in its bag within the next year or so. Market analysis firm SmarTrend is reporting that an unnamed Sprint spokesperson revealed a tri-mode handset coming down the pipeline sometime in 2009/2010. Said phone will be sporting CDMA, WiFi and WiMAX compatibility, which would provide a healthy mix of CDMA coverage and beastly data speeds where WiMAX is available. Analysts guess believe this upcoming tri-mode beast may be Android-powered, though we have yet to see anything substantiate that claim. As Sprint continues to expand WiMAX coverage and tout “the first wireless 4G network” in commercials, it would indeed be nice to see a handset emerge with WiMAX compatibility before the year is out. We shall see.

Thanks, fresh!

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WiMax is still around and kickin’, believe it or not, and Clear (formerly Clearwire, formerly Xohm) is planning to expand its networks soon. As such, it only makes sense that manufacturers are gearing up for the US expansion with some WiMAX devices, right? Samsung has dropped a few snippets of information on its SWD-M100 Mondi, which the company claims is the first handheld WiMAX device for the States. Burn. Judging by the popularity, or lack thereof, of the Nokia Internet tablet, we’re not quite sure how well this slider device will do or how Sammy plans to market it. We’ll have to wait and see, but if your 3G device isn’t cutting it for your Internet addiction, this device packs a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, a D-Pad and a touchscreen. No official announcement or pricing on this device but we’re not exactly on the edge of our seats for this one.

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In a move to counteract its steadily declining subscriber base and sinking financial situation, Sprint is seemingly looking to open up its network to more non-traditional mobile devices. Sprint is already host to the Amazon Kindle Whispernet service, which provides wireless delivery of eBooks to the popular eReader and serves to distinguish the Kindle from its competition. The carrier also has an agreement with Ford that will outfit select 2009 truck models with cellular data connectivity. In an attempt to expand beyond the Whispernet and Ford offerings, Sprint is reportedly in talks with companies like Garmin, Eastman Kodak and SanDisk about adding EV-DO and presumably WiMax capability to what are traditionally non-wireless devices. If consumers are not interested in Sprint’s network, it only makes sense that Sprint would try to woo consumer electronics powerhouses into using its wireless network. How many people would jump all over a point and shoot camera or an HD pocket camcorder like the Zi6 that could wirelessly upload photos or videos instantaneously? In this age of instant communication and voyeurism, we would guess a lot! In any event, we like this play by Sprint a lot — big commercial contracts mean big revenue that won’t be jumping ship in droves every time an admin fee changes and the ETF is waived…

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Well folks, it was fun while it lasted — sort of. Back in January Nokia swiftly and quietly pulled the plug on its N810 WiMAX Edition, one of the first portable WiMAX devices to reach market. Speculation pointed to the ridiculously slow roll out of the US WiMAX network as one of the main factors behind the decision, though Nokia made no public statement regarding the matter. This left many wondering if the company had abandoned WiMAX development altogether and recent statements from a Nokia executive might suggest the Finnish manufacturer and WiMAX just aren’t going to happen. Specifically, “WiMAX has some place in the market, but we do believe it’s a niche play,” doesn’t exactly leave much open to interpretation. Instead, Nokia is looking at LTE as its future high-speed data technology of choice and seemingly already has compatible devices in the works. In fact, senior manager of technology marketing at Nokia James Harper stated that Nokia intends to release LTE devices as soon as next year. Mobile phones? Internet Tablets? Laptops perhaps? Your guess is as good as ours for the time being. As for Sprint and Clearwire, it’s safe to say that they will be looking elsewhere for WiMAX device partners because Nokia’s ship has sailed.

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Earlier this month, Nokia quietly discontinued production of its N810 WiMAX Edition internet tablet and recalled unsold units from distribution partners. The move was a big one where Sprint and Clearwire are concerned as despite slow sales, the N810 WiMAX Edition was one of the most widely available mobile devices beyond laptop cards to tout WiMAX compatibility. While Clearwire continues to push forward with its WiMAX roll out, another blow came Thursday from Nortel as the company announced it would be discontinuing its mobile WiMAX business and ending its agreement with Alvarion Ltd. Richard Lowe, President of Carrier Networks at Nortel had this to say:

We are taking rapid action to narrow our strategic focus to areas where we can drive maximum return on investment. We will work closely with Alvarion to transition our mobile WiMAX customers to them and assure customers that they will continue to benefit from leading-edge technology and high-quality service. Our continued success in the wireless business requires us to focus our energy on opportunities with long-standing customers. This will position Nortel more effectively to capitalize on future resurgence of carrier spend levels and drive value to the business.

The move is hardly a surprising one – Nortel recently turned the page on a poor 2008 and is scrambling along with the rest of the corporate world to stay afloat during harsh economic times. Shedding its WiMAX business is a step that will help the company reduce costs and focus on business with a more immediate return. As for Alvarion and its WiMAX customers, the company is working overtime to ensure the negative impact is minimal.

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In a startlingly abrupt move just one day after the launch of WiMAX service in Portland, OR, Nokia is reportedly discontinuing production of its N810 WiMAX Edition internet tablet and will stop all sales effective immediately. Nokia has yet to announce the move publicly, but a reliable source within Nokia claims the WiMAX-enabled N810 has been pulled from inventory systems and distributor locations with current stock have been instructed to return all units to Nokia. While the source could not attest to Nokia’s motive behind this recall, he speculated that WiMAX switch issues combined with the slow roll out were major factors in the decision. It is currently unclear whether or not Nokia plans to re-release the N810 WiMAX Edition at a later point in time, or if the company has any additional WiMAX-enabled devices in development. Currently, the N810 WiMAX Edition is still available for sale on the Nokia USA site. We have contacted Nokia regarding this matter and will update this post with any official comment from the company.

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While’s the future of WiMax may still be a bit up in the air, Clearwire has gone ahead with its plans to launch the service in Portland, OR. Effective yesterday customers can purchase a variety of different usage plans to fit their needs provided, of course, that he/she happens to own a compatible WiMax device. If you’re one of the lucky few that owns a WiMax machine and lives in Oregon’s biggest city, you can experience the joy of 4G wireless broadband at one of the following price points:

• $10 for a 24-hour pass
• $30 a month for 200MB of data
• $40 a month for 2GB
• $50 a month for unlimited data

That’s not at all bad, considering comparable 3G offerings from the major wireless carriers, though the general dirth of devices doesn’t make it terribly appealing for anyone outside of a select few. That said, if these prices hold and the service proliferates a bit faster we might see manufacturers pick up the pace of WiMax integration into new devices.

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With “4G” on the horizon (some are reluctant or plain refusing to call WiMax 4G) and the Sprint and Clearwire merger finished, the latter has decided to change its name. Instead of using the “Xohm” name Sprint had for its WiMax services, Clearwire has decided to just call itself “Clear”. We figure that after closing a $14.5 billion merger with Sprint, and receiving a generous $3.2 billion from major investors and tech companies, they clearly wanted a change (bad pun, we know). Now we’ll know the future WiMax company by its short, sweet, and crystal clear name. For the first twenty days, Clear, formerly Clearwire, will be trading with the CLWRD symbol before going back to CLWR. The future is looking pretty bright for Clear after being given the go-ahead by the FCC and the all-clear by its shareholders and investors. Have we driven the new company’s name into your head enough yet?

[Thanks Roger A!]

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Last month we showed you a great little video review of the super sexy HTC Max 4G – you know, HTC’s incredibly sexy WiMax-enabled handset that we’ll probably never see stateside. Seeing it on video was great and all, but unless you speak Russian you didn’t understand a word that was said. No worries, an English-speaking Malaysian blogger has gotten his mitts on this touchscreen gem and laid out a pretty thorough review. There’s no video this time around, but there are plenty of screen shots to feast your eyes on. Sure it’s a bit bulky but lack of a physical keyboard aside, the Max 4G is definitely one of the hottest phones HTC has ever built. Who cares what they say about coveting, we want our neighbor’s phone and we want it now.

[Via wmpoweruser]

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After receiving approval from the FCC and shareholders, the Sprint and Clearwire merger has been finalized. Sprint has gone and contributed all its Xohm WiMax assets to Clearwire, and in addition, Clearwire has received $3.2 billion worth of investments from companies such as Comcast and Google. The merger will allow Sprint to shift its focus on its own network, namely Nextel and the slowly dying iDen, while Clearwire will handle most of the WiMax business and keep its name and headquarters in Kirkland, Washington. On December 1, 2008, Clearwire will hold a conference discussing its future and giving analysts a look into the company’s plans. Should things go well, we could be seeing WiMax networks spreading rapidly in 2009.

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How’s this for some weekend watching? It looks like a couple of excited Russian mobile enthusiasts managed to get their hands on HTC’s recently-announced WiMAX gobbling Max 4G. You know, the ridiculously hot handset that we won’t be getting our mitts on here in the US. The reviewer gives it a pretty thorough run-through in the video above and despite not being able to understand a word of what’s being said, we certainly came away wanting one. Or three. The only real strike against this handset, provided you can cope with Windows Mobile, is the bogging. The UI definitely looked pretty boggy at several points during the video but it’s hard to tell if the bogging is normal or if it has to do with the fact that they’re streaming NINE videos at the same time in the background while doing the review. Damn. Towards the end of the video the demonstrator also lines the Max 4G up next to the iPhone 3G to give youa  good idea of the size and look. Seriously HTC, we want.

[Thanks, Tom!]

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If you’re reading this, we hope you’re sitting down because this news is gonna blow you away. HTC recently announced its plans to launch the HTC MAX 4G, the world’s first GSM / WiMax integrated handset! Judging from the looks of that picture along with others floating around the net, it looks like it’s going to be a hell of a gorgeous phone. Of course, HTC rarely disappoints but this is definitely going to be high up on the “want list” for us. The only problem? Well, here it is straight from HTC PR:

While the HTC MAX 4G is being announced with Russia’s Scartel on their ‘Yota’ brand WiMAX network, and is not slated for introduction in the US market, the HTC MAX 4G represents the commitment to cutting edge innovation that HTC is bringing to consumers around the world.

Not slated for introduction in the States? Come on, HTC! First the Touch HD and now this? We’re sure that for those of you desperate enough (and who can blame you?), you’ll find a way to snag one unlocked and use it here where WiMax is available. So, just to continue with the tease, here are some specs for the new device:

• 3.8″ TFT-LCD flat touchscreen with WVGA 800 x 480 resolution
• Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional
• TouchFlo 3D
• 528MHz Processor
• GPS
• WiFi
• 5 megapixel auto-focus camera
• Secondary VGA camera for Video Calling
• VoIP
• Accelerometer for portrait/landscape modes

Is anyone frustrated beyond belief yet that this isn’t hitting the US? Not only does it have video calling but when two users are on Russia’s Yota Mobile WiMax network, calls are automatically routed as VoIP – how cool is that? Anyway, before you start turning green with envy, just remember how much you’ll have to sacrifice in Mother Russia when snagging the latest and greatest devices.

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After months of waiting, the Nokia N810 WiMAX edition went live on Nokia’s online storefront this week. No longer “Available Soon” the WiMAX version of the popular Internet Tablet is now “In Stock” and ready for shipping. A member over at Internet Tablet Talk reported that he has already received his and, to everyone’s surprise, is able to connect to Chicago’s not-yet-launched Xohm WiMAX network. He had to work a little tomfoolery and enter in a Baltimore zip code during the activation process but now he is enjoying the WiMAX wireless experience in Chicago. Awesome! The N810 WiMAX edition is currently being offered with a $50 instant rebate, bringing the price down to $433 plus shipping. Just a heads up, Nokia still has the N810 classified as a “phone”. With this being the fourth version of the Internet Tablet, you would think they would have created a new category for this niche device. Alas, that is not the case so you will have to click, not run, to the online Nokia USA store, phone category please, and order yourself a heap of WiMAX Internet Tablet goodness.

Thanks, Mister Ecua.

[Via Internet Tablet Talk ]

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What you’re looking at is an image of a WiMAX-enabled HTC Touch, the T8290. Details are sketchy at best, but it’s looking like this thing is loaded to the teeth with a massive 3.8″ 480 x 800 WVGA display, WiMAX + GSM, 802.11g WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0 and video calling capabilities. It would be nice to see a phone like this hit Sprint’s XOHM network as a sort of peace offering for our missing out on the Touch HD, but word is this device is going to the Ruskies on Yota first (that is, if we ever see it at all).

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Consumer advocacy groups are up in arms after a closer look at XOHM’s acceptable use policy reveals the following interesting distressing information:

“To ensure a high-quality experience for its entire subscriber base, XOHM may use various tools and techniques designed to limit the bandwidth available for certain bandwidth intensive applications or protocols, such as file sharing.”

Not only do we have Sprint/XOHM saying they have the right to throttle the WiMax connection but they provide no information on how they will do it, nor what criteria will actually trigger the throttling. Haven’t they learned from the whole Comcast debacle where Comcast faced a lawsuit by the Florida Attorney General for arbitrarily shutting down those deemed to be “heavy users” without providing the exact bandwidth cap that triggered the penalty? We wont even get into Comcast’s recent bandwidth throttling plan that resulted from the FCC’s investigation into their BitTorrent packet hijacking disaster. Or how about T-Mobile that just last week had to retract their 1GB cap after public outcry and replaced it with an even more vague policy that will throttle only a “small fraction of our customers who have excessive or disproportionate usage”. We think Ben Scott, policy director of Free Press, sums it up nicely:

“We are very troubled by this development and the larger moves across the wireless industry to limit consumer access to the legal content and services of their choice. We hope that Sprint will quickly disclose exactly what tools and techniques it plans to use, and demonstrate why it is necessary to maintain a closed network when consumers demand an open Internet.”

We and many others anxiously await Sprint’s answer.

[Via DSLReports]

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Remember last month when we told you that Sprint would be launching its WiMAX in Baltimore by the end of next month? Well, that next month is here and with it being almost half over without any announcements, we and everyone else are starting to wonder what is happening with Sprint’s much delayed grandiose plans. On Thursday, a tipster at DSL Reports claims the launch has been delayed again. According to the tipster, a new launch date has been set for October 6th with locations, coverage, and prices being announced on September 26th via Sprint’s website. The launch is supposedly fully green-lit with plans for the Chicago and D.C. markets to go live shortly after Baltimore. Sounds great, right? Not really, as this October date contradicts another report also surfacing Thursday over at Gearlog. The folks at Gearlog inquired about the WiMAX launch and Sprint responded with a 5 word statement, “Launch still on for September.” So which is it, September or October? We would love to believe you this time Sprint, we really would but with your track record of delays, we’re leaning towards the tipster on this one.

Read [GearLog]

Read [DSL Reports]

Beyond being Aubrey Huff’s favorite town in the world, Baltimore will another claim to fame beginning next month. If all goes according to plan it looks like Sprint will stay true to its recent claim as it prepares to unleash its long anticipated XOHM service next month. Sprint has named Baltimore as the preliminary launch point while Chicago and Washington DC shouldn’t be far behind with launches sometime in Q4 2008. Mmm, 4G. We know what you’re thinking, “boy who cried wolf”. Still, we can’t fault Sprint entirely for the delays as you well know. Seeing as Location-based Services (LBS) are all the rage these days and considering that we’ve all been waiting for WiMAX for quite some time now, Sprint is shifting the focus a bit as it attempts to build anticipation once again.

With Internet access you could go to each vendor now as a separate interaction; but with XOHM, the services are aggregated into a service package that correlates them due to the intelligence in the network; for example, plotting friend locations on a map, identifying a restaurant or entertainment venue from local search, and sharing plans to convene with the benefit of weather, traffic or ticket-purchase convenience.

Beyond the Nokia N810 that has been eagerly awaiting some WiMAX love for a while now, Sprint is working with a number of manufacturers on devices ranging from laptop cards to handhelds and other portable devices. Pricing has still not been announced but Sprint spokesperson John Polivka did have this to say:

XOHM subscribers arrange a subscription, not a contract, and open an account … then go to a portal which contains the bundled WiMAX services/applications. A new WiMAX-capable device is needed.

There will be day passes, home and away plans, and the ability to have multiple devices under one agreement, versus the telecom model where each device is a separate contract.

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If you’re a tablet PC fan that’s a bit overwhelmed by the day’s iPhone madness, this one should brighten things up a bit. Details of Lenovo’s new X200 tablet PC have leaked out, and the specs are pretty impressive. The new machines will feature Intel Core 2 Duo chips running at up to 2.4 Ghz, 12″ display,  optional WiMAX, WWAN, GPS, WiFi, UWB, and Bluetooth, a 1.3 megapixel webcam, a Blu-ray drive option, and a whole lot more. All of this connectivity clocks in at a reasonable 2.93lbs, and the battery should give you upwards of 9 Hrs of operating time. Impressed yet? Yeah, we thought you might be. No word on pricing or availability, but we’re hoping this bad boy drops sooner rather than later. 

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