Sprint plans aggressive expansion and evolution of the Sprint Power Vision network

By Dave Lampert

Sprint has announced aggressive plans for the expansion and evolution of the Sprint Power Vision network. The Sprint Power Vision network now covers over half of the U.S. population with mobile broadband data services.

By year end 2006 the high-speed wireless network is expected to reach an estimated 190 million people nationwide and in Puerto Rico, making it the largest mobility network of its kind. Sprint will concurrently implement second-generation technology upgrades later this year known as EV-DO Revision A, to bring additional mobility benefits to users beginning in 1Q 2007. Sprint plans to reach about 220 million people in the U.S. with the advanced network by the end of 3Q '07.

Sprint today has the most wireless broadband coverage of any carrier. Sprint mobile broadband services, which run on the Sprint Power Vision network, cover over 150 million people and serve customers in 215 communities with at least 100,000 population, as well as 470 airports across the country. Users currently access various audio, video and data applications with handheld and connection-card devices at average download speeds equivalent to DSL (400-700 kbps and peak speeds up to 2 Mbps). With the evolution to EV-DO Revision A, users will experience downloads and uploads up to 10 times faster. "Sprint is a mobility services company and mobile broadband leader," remarked Kathy Walker, Chief Network Officer. "We plan to extend that lead through a complete overlay of our Sprint EV-DO network with Revision A technology by the end of 3Q 2007, to provide customers an enriched mobile multimedia experience."

Sprint will demonstrate EV-DO Revision A connection card technology at the CTIA Wireless Show in Las Vegas (booth 1439) with industry partners Nortel, Novatel Wireless and Sierra Wireless. Sprint will market EV-DO Revision A compatible connection cards in the third quarter of 2006, which work on the current Revision O network until next-generation service is broadly available in the first quarter 2007 to about 214 million people.

"Sprint has an aggressive plan for mobile broadband service leadership, by broadening their footprint and deploying advanced technology that drives mobility," commented Gene Signorini, Director, Wireless/Mobile Enterprise Solutions at Yankee Group. "This announcement keeps Sprint in the forefront in meeting the demand for mobility services. Given the importance of high speed data services as a revenue source, this is a bold and rewarding move."

Mobile ESPN unveils 2006 Major League Baseball Season suite of wireless content and features

By Brad Newnhan

Mobile ESPN has unveiled a suite of wireless content and features designed around the upcoming 2006 baseball season.

Mobile ESPN subscribers will have one-touch access to personalized text and video coverage of their favorite teams and players, as well as complete mobile access to their ESPN.com fantasy baseball teams.

MOBILE ESPN COVERAGE FOR THE 2006 MLB SEASON INCLUDES:

Comprehensive scoreboards with game status information and real-time scores for every Major League Baseball game;

State-of-the-art Gamecast experience with detailed game stats, boxscores, play-by-play, game recaps and much more;

In-game video highlight clips of each ESPN telecast game--that's a total of 150 games;

Game updates and video analysis of key plays;

Personalized content for favorite teams and players, including video highlights and alerts. For example, fans can elect to receive highlights and alerts for only the teams they choose;

Real-time ESPN.com Fantasy team management;

Mobile ESPN-exclusive Fantasy trade and injury analysis from ESPN reporters and analysts;

In-depth sport and team coverage for MLB and every MLB team, including rosters, statistics, schedules, standings, injury reports, player information and breaking news;

Content and video analysis exclusively for Mobile ESPN subscribers from ESPN MLB hosts and analysts, including Peter Gammons, John Kruk, Karl Ravech and many more;

Columns from popular ESPN.com writers, including Peter Gammons, Buster Olney, Rob Neyer and Jayson Stark.

"If you're a baseball fan on the go, there's no better place than Mobile ESPN to get all the real-time information you crave," said Manish Jha, senior vice president and general manager, Mobile ESPN. "We have created a richer and easier to use content offering for this baseball season than has ever been delivered to mobile phones before."

Sprint TV will soon feature The Broadway Channel

By Jessica Kinsey

Sprint has announced they will soon feature The Broadway Channel on Sprint TV. The new service will showcase Broadway's hottest shows, national tours, interviews with its brightest stars and exclusive red-carpet events including the upcoming 2006 Tony Awards.

Sprint users will be the first wireless customers in the U.S. to experience Broadway on demand via the most off-off-Broadway medium imaginable: the wireless phone. The Emmy-Award winning Sprint TV(SM) soon will feature The Broadway Channel(R), showcasing Broadway's hottest shows, national tours, interviews with its brightest stars and exclusive red-carpet events including the upcoming 2006 Tony Awards.

Theatre-lovers nationwide will be able to instantly access exclusive, customized video content previously available only on a dedicated channel in New York City hotel rooms, or online via www.broadwaychannel.com.

The Broadway Channel will be available to Sprint TV subscribers on Channel 57 in the entertainment category. Daily programming will include a "clip of the week" from one of Broadway's top shows; interviews with actors, directors and other theater insiders; special features from shows on tour; exclusive on-location segments from opening nights; star-studded red-carpet events and more.

"The emergence of The Broadway Channel on Sprint TV will offer wireless phone users a truly captivating and entertaining wireless channel," said Matt Hege, vice president of The Broadway Channel. "Sprint customers will have a 'backstage pass' to the best of Broadway from wherever they are (on the Sprint PCS Nationwide Network), whenever it's convenient to them."

Nokia unveils the 1112, 2310 and 2610 mobile phones

By Sara Griffin

Nokia has introduced three new mobile phones targeted at first time users.

The Nokia 1112, Nokia 2310 and Nokia 2610 expand Nokia's portfolio of easy-to-use, reliable and affordable mobile phones. All three models are expected to begin shipping during the second quarter of 2006.

"For an increasing number of people in new growth markets like China, the mobile phone has quickly become an integral part of life - and the number of new mobile phone owners keeps growing," said Soren Petersen, Senior Vice President, Mobile Phones, Nokia. "In 2008, Nokia expects that 3 billion people will be owning a mobile phone, with much of this growth coming from markets like China, India, South-East Asia and Africa, where penetration levels are still relatively low."

Avantgo Windows Mobile Smartphone beta launched by Sybase iAnywhere

By Brad Newnham

iAnywhere, a subsidiary of Sybase, Inc. has announced AvantGo Windows Mobile Smartphone beta. Now Windows Mobile Smartphone users can now take advantage of the free AvantGo mobile Internet service with access to over a thousand websites optimized for reading on their phone, including news, weather, sports, and more from the world’s leading media brands.

”We’re excited to offer AvantGo to the rapidly growing Windows Mobile Smartphone user base,” said Neil Versen, senior director of AvantGo at iAnywhere. “The new Smartphone devices in the market are impressive and a great fit for the unique AvantGo mobile content experience.”

Dell Latitude D620 and D820 notebooks available with Cingular's BroadbandConnect service

By Dave Lampert

Beginning today, the new Dell Latitude D620 and D820 notebooks can have Cingular Wireless' BroadbandConnect service built into their mobile systems with the availability of a new line of Dell Latitude notebooks.

The new Dell Latitude D620 and D820 notebooks can be configured with Cingular's UMTS/HSPDA-based 3G technology onboard, giving customers global wireless data capabilities from day one. In the U.S., Latitude users now have mobile broadband access in all BroadbandConnect markets launched by Cingular in 2005 -- and in most major markets by the end of this year -- with seamless high-speed EDGE network coverage outside those areas in 13,000 cities and towns. Overseas, they can use their Latitude notebooks wirelessly in conjunction with EDGE or GPRS data service in more than 100 countries worldwide.

"The new Dell Latitude notebooks configured with Cingular's BroadbandConnect service represent a complete, self-contained package -- a fantastic new computing device with unparalleled global wireless capabilities built-in," said Jeff Bradley, vice president, business data services, for Cingular Wireless. "This simplifies the wireless experience for business users by making it seamless. There's no longer any need to purchase and bring along a separate wireless card or search for a WiFi hot-spot when traveling domestically or abroad."

BlackBerry 8700g launched by Maxis and RIM in Malaysia

By John Saria

Maxis and Research In Motion have announced the launch of the BlackBerry 8700g for customers in Malaysia.

Operating on Maxis' high-speed EDGE network, the new BlackBerry 8700g features a completely re-engineered device platform that offers the best combined data and voice experience for mobile professionals. With a powerful Intel processor, 64 MB flash memory and 16 MB SDRAM, the BlackBerry 8700g provides noticeably faster web browsing, attachment viewing and application performance.

"We are very excited to work with RIM to launch the new BlackBerry 8700g. As Maxis is the only mobile operator in Malaysia offering BlackBerry solutions on EDGE technology, our customers are assured of speedier connectivity, greater mobility and convenience," said Fitri Abdullah, Maxis Senior General Manager and Head of Enterprise Business Division. "With over 1,500 base stations powering EDGE technology that provides up to three times the data speed of GPRS and a nationwide GPRS network, our customers are seamlessly connected wherever they go."

Portable Garmin GPS navigators come pre-loaded with land and sea cartography

By Brad Newnham

Garmin International Inc. has announced the GPSMAP 378 and GPSMAP 478. The GPS navigators come pre-loaded with a comprehensive set of maps and charts. The GPSMAP 378 and GPSMAP 478 are expected to be available in late May 2006.

The GPSMAP 478 features built-in Marine Detail Charts of the United States coastline, including Alaska and Hawaii -- utilizing elements of Garmin's new BlueChart(R) g2 technology. These charts provide integrated maps for a much smoother presentation. BlueChart g2 has all the detail of traditional BlueChart, but with richer detail and content. Chart features include shaded depth contours, port plans, wrecks, restricted areas, and more.

For inland boaters and anglers, the GPSMAP 378 boasts 10-meter resolution for more than 3200 lakes. The vast majority of these high-resolution lakes include depth contours. In addition, 50-meter shoreline resolution is furnished for lakes across the entire continental United States. Maps depict USCG lights and a wrecks and obstructions database overlaid on the map. These lake maps are seamlessly integrated with the 378's street maps.

For road trips, the GPSMAP 378 and 478 come pre-loaded with MapSource(R) City Navigator(R) NT detailed street maps of the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. The industry-leading database features more than six million points of interest -- including hotels, restaurants, gas stations, marinas, attractions, and more. Map data is provided by NAVTEQ -- a world leader in premium-quality mapping. Each unit comes with a marine mount and automotive kit (including an integrated 12V power supply and speaker) that makes it a snap to transfer the unit from boat to car.

Additionally, with the GXM 30 antenna (sold separately), the GPSMAP 378 and GPSMAP 478 can graphically display XM WX Satellite Weather data directly on the unit's display -- information like NEXRAD radar, storm cells, wind speeds, surface temperatures, forecasts, and more than a dozen other weather attributes. The weather data is the same leading site-specific, analytical weather technology and data that is provided to professional meteorologists across the United States.

With the GXM 30, mariners and motorists also have the option of receiving XM Satellite Radio's 150-plus channels of commercial-free music, sports, news, talk, and entertainment programming. The GPSMAP 378 and 478 include an audio output jack that allows users to wire XM audio and turn-by-turn navigational voice prompts directly into their vehicle's audio system.

The GPSMAP 378 and 478 are waterproof to IEC 60529, IPX-7 standards (submersible to one meter for up to 30 minutes) and boast an enhanced high- resolution 256-color sunlight readable TFT display. For map transfer or software updates, the unit features a fast USB-PC interface. Users can load additional charts, maps, waypoints and routes through the unit's data card slot.

Standard accessories include a marine and automotive mount, bare wire power/data cable, 12-volt power adapter with speaker, USB interface cable, AC adapter, rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack, Trip and Waypoint Manager CD- ROM, user's manual, and a quick start guide.

The expected street price of $1199.99 each. An optional GXM 30 antenna (required for XM service) sells for $249.99 (MSRP).

SlingPlayer Mobile turns mobile phones and handheld computers into personal TVs

By Dave Lampert

Sling Media has announced the release of SlingPlayer Mobile which is a new software package that gives Slingbox owners the ability to watch and control their home TV from any network-enabled mobile phone or handheld computer (PDA) powered by Windows Mobile.

The SlingPlayer Mobile software available today is compatible with devices that run Windows Mobile Pocket PC 5.0 and 2003 Second Edition. Sling Media will also deliver a version for non-touchscreen devices based on Windows Mobile Smartphone within the next month.

A trial version of SlingPlayer Mobile is available today as a free download from Sling Media's web site, www.slingmedia.com, as part of the public beta program. Beginning April 26th, SlingPlayer Mobile will be available for $29.99 and includes a free 30-day trial. Slingbox owners who purchase and register their Slingbox prior to April 26th will receive a free license for SlingPlayer Mobile. There are no monthly or recurring charges for the use of the software.

"SlingPlayer Mobile has arrived and we are thrilled to offer this amazing new piece of software to our loyal customer base," said Blake Krikorian, co-founder and CEO of Sling Media. "SlingPlayer Mobile delivers the complete home TV experience on any compatible Windows Mobile device and works with your existing Slingbox. Best of all, we are making it available for free for a limited time so if you are thinking about becoming a Slingbox owner, now is the perfect time."

Kyocera W41K 3G mobile phone uses GoForce 4000 handheld GPU

By Brad Newnham

NVIDIA has announced that Kyocera Corporation has chosen the NVIDIA GoForce 4000 handheld graphics processing unit (GPU) for its new CDMA EVDO phone, the W41K.

The W41K combines a sleek and stylish design with a host of impressive multimedia features including a 3.17 megapixel camera, a QVGA resolution main display with up to 262K colors, and an organic light emitting diode (OLED) subdisplay. The GoForce 4000 GPU provides hardware acceleration for fluid 15fps camera preview, full-resolution JPEG compression and decompression, 2D graphics, and display controller support for both of the system's displays.

"The W41K is another trend-setting design from Kyocera that aligns very well with our strategy to deliver high-performance multimedia features to the world's most exciting and sought after 3G devices," said Michael Rayfield, general manager for handheld GPUs at NVIDIA. "The NVIDIA GoForce 4000 GPU delivers the high-quality multimedia features that Kyocera demanded for this handset and does so at power levels that will help the customer enjoy these features for longer."