Blurry Photos Of The New Motorola RAZR VE20

The guys over at PhoneArena were able to acquire some pics of the new Motorola RAZR phone, the VE20. The pictures are a little blurry, but you can make out most of the details that the new flagship will have. The new RAZR will still have the classic laser cut keypad, touch-sensitive outer shell, and a 2-megapixel cam. Motorola also outfitted the phone with a QVGA display, which will allow you to listen to and watch NFL Broadcasts through the NFL Mobile Live application.

The VE20 is due out on August 17^th but only if you have Sprint, as this will be an Exclusive. Not sure if this phone is enough to make me want to suffer dealing with Sprint.

[PhoneAreana via Gizmodo]

FCC threatens Sprint Nextel shutdown

The FCC is warning Sprint Nextel that parts of its network may be shut down if it does not address important safety concerns. According to reports, as many as 2,200 public safety organizations have long encountered problems with the carrier's network, which in some cases uses the exact same bands as safety radio systems. Prior to being absorbed in 2005, Nextel had agreed to fix the problem by giving up frequency bands or helping to modify radio systems; Sprint inherited this problem, but it is unlikely to meet an impending deadline, despite having spent over $1 billion on the project. The issue "has proved more difficult" than anticipated, the company claims.

Should the FCC follow through with its threat, users on Sprint-only service will be unaffected, but as many as 20 million Nextel and Boost Mobile customers may be unable to make calls. To avoid losing revenue Sprint Nextel has launched a last-ditch effort to finish rebanding, but it has also turned to the US Court of Appeals, which it hopes may stall any FCC action.

[Electonista via Wireless Week]

Sprint's 'Airwave' Kicks Up Cell Signals

If you're a Sprint customer (I'm very sorry) and you have a hard time getting a signal in your home, this might be the answer you're looking for. The new Sprint Airwave is a wireless station that boosts the cell signal indoors up to 5000 feet. It's available for purchase in Denver and Indianapolis, and will be available for all Sprint's network in 2008.

It works with your existing broadband network, and sends calls over the Internet, instead of Sprint's wireless network. After the user leaves the area, the cell phone switches back to the Sprint network. The cost for the Airwave is $49.99 and subscribers will pay $15 a month for unlimited use. Unfortunately the Nextel cell phones don't work with this, but all other Sprint phones do.

Sneak Photo Of The Palm Centro

A photo leak of the new Palm Centro has made its way to 'Mobility Today' and it looks very good. The device will be offered on the Sprint network, will run on the EVDO Rev A, and will cost $99 with a two year contract. Will give you more details as more becomes available.

Very nice.

Palm Centro Photo Leak [Mobility Today via Crunchgear]

Sprint Drops 200 U.S. Soldiers Home From Iraq

I'm not sure who is doing public relations for Sprint, but somebody needs to be fired!!!

In the latest 'Sprint hates you' saga, the under achieving carrier dropped 200 U.S. soldiers who had just returned from Iraq.

Why?

Because of "excessive roaming", and not even in Iraq! The soldiers had returned to West Point to train cadets, and Sprint who advertises that they have the best coverage in the area had no coverage at all. Calls frequently dropped, and the quality was bad. But here's the kicker:

"Many of us Sprint customers received a letter at the beginning of this month declaring that our Sprint account will be cancelled on July 30th due to the amount of roaming we are doing. The letter stated that they believe that another carrier will be able to serve us better and that we are receiving the boot. Keep in mind, we are not here permanently, or by choice. This is a two month obligation that we had to fulfil, and because of it, Sprint is telling us good bye. We will be returning to our home station, where we have clear Sprint service, FIFTEEN days after the cancellation of our accounts. I personally know at least 10 soldiers that called and explained this situation to Sprint and was told everything was fine."

The best part? Sprint sold this guy a phone at full price the day the cancellation letter was mailed.

Smooth Sprint! Real smooth!

Hit the jump to read the story. [Sprintusers.com via Gizmodo]

Sprint: We Can't Afford You

Being a former Sprint customer (4 years ago) I have an idea on how bad there service can be. I was so frustrated that I left the company for AT&T, which has there own set of issues but at lease I don't hate them. That's why this story strikes me so funny.

Sprint is dumping their high-maintenance customers, callers who call support so much, they presumably cost Sprint more money than they get in subscription fees. Subscribers will not have to pay the early cancellation fee and at the end of the month, their balances will be set to $0. The best part is the 'Dear John' type of letter that was sent to the ex-subscribers.

"While we have worked to resolve your issues and questions to the best of our ability, the number of inquiries you have made to us during this time has led us to determine that we are unable to meet your current wireless needs."

It's not you, it's us! That's just great!!!
For the first quarter of 2007 Sprint lost 220,000 customers for them being them, and now they're pushing customers out the door?

You know you're having a bad year when your wireless company dumps you.
Hit the jump for the entire article. [CNet news via G4TV]

Sprint Mogul: You're gonna pay!!!

Sprint just announced a CDMA/EV-DO version of T-Mobile’s Wing, the HTC Mogul AKA “Da Mogul.” This slide-out smartphone runs Windows Mobile 6 and includes a 512MB memory card, a 2-megapixel camera with flash, and supports full EV-DO Rev. 0 data speeds.

I think that this is a great looking smartphone, but with a price tag of $399.99? That's a pretty hard pill to swallow. Sprints network is pretty good for browsing an all, but come on!!!

Product page after the jump. [Sprint]

Sprint UpStage in the Red!!!

The Samsung UpStage has caused quite a stir since its March debut on the Sprint network. It’s the best selling music phone and Sprint’s leading Power Vision handset, so in return it’s getting a brand new paint job. Everything else on the dual-sided phone remains the same. It’s still $99 and will be available June 18.

Read the press release after the jump.