Phonedig

Rumor has it that Sprint might now offer the Palm PRE with a $100 instant rebate as opposed to a 1200 mail-in-rebate.  If true, this is clearly a result of pressure from retailers such as Best Buy who have had plans to offer the rebate at point of purchase. I’m actually surprised that retailers offering Sprint service can undercut the provider, but since the rebate is probably from Palm it might circumvent any agreement with the carrier.

Read

Finally, we’ve now got the official word from Sprint themselves that the Palm PRE will launch on June 6th for $199.99. You’ll have to sign a 2-year contract and sign up for their Everything Data plan in order to qualify. Sprint didn’t waste anytime throwing a punch at Apple or another carrier and states that their data plan offers “savings of up to $1,430 over two years vs. comparable AT&T and Verizon plans for smartphones and PDAs”. If you want the wireless charging option you’ll have to plunk down $69.99, which includes the Touchstone and the compatible back.

Read

According to reports and leaked documents, Sprint is holding a Palm Pre launch event on June 5 noon. Perhaps this could mean a June 7 retail launch or maybe a less likely June 5 evening launch? Whatever the case may be, it’s best not to dwell on any specific dates. The Palm Pre will launch when it launches.

[via Engadget Mobile]

Read

Sprint’s AirCard 402 mobile broadband 2-in-1 card by Sierra Wireless leverages the companies EVDO Rev A data speeds and provides laptop users with the choice of using an ExpressCard or PC Card interface to access their mobile broadband.  Most folks probably own one laptop, so its 2-in-1 form factor is probably targeted more towards the corporate level IT department, which often has a mix of old and new laptops.

Read

Samsung’s S30 is hitting Sprint on April 19th for $129.99 after a 2-year contract and mail-in-rebate.  But somehow, the deal wizards at Best Buy have managed to undercut the competition by a hefty amount.  How so is anyone’s guess, that is until you read the fine print which requires the customer to buy ‘an everything plan with data’.  Oh sweet subsidizing, how we love you so.

Read

I’m not sure why you would want a phone sans camera, but Sprint now has the Blackberry Curve 8350i without the camera.  It’s yours for $149 after a 2-year contract signing and $100 mail-in-rebate.

[via BlackberryBlast]

Read

The blogosphere is aflutter with Palm PRE news.  Most of the info, at least regarding launch dates has turned out to be bunk, that is until now.  A memo to all employees states that Sprint will begin to train its retail employees on the PRE this month.

Employees can expect training to start in April as well as multiple communications to get them excited and ready to help our customers.

Also, word has just come through that Sprint has issued a ‘vacation blackout’ on the month of May for all retail employees, which is exactly what AT&T did before the iPhone launched.  Is the world ready for the PRE?  You bet your bottom dollar!

Read