Samsung Epic 4G is Sprint’s Samsung Galaxy S variant, with a few special tricks!

Sprint has announced its new Galaxy S class variant ‘super phone’ from Samsung and its very clear Samsung has got its phasers set to ‘stun’ in regards to their competition. For the first time in nearly five years, every major US carrier will carry the same phone from the same manufacturer. This is amazing as Google tried, and failed on its own, to do this. Sprints version is arguably the best as its got some great key features that distinguish it from its otherwise ordinary peers.

One, It has a slide out physical keypad (this is huge, as very few high-end Android phones posses them) and Two; is Sprints nascent (but growing) 4G Wi-MAX service capable (if you live in a major metropolitan area, chances are you’ll have 4G service very soon). Not clear as of now is a software build that will have some special, key Sprint exclusive bundled in for multimedia purposes.

I am waiting to hear from Sprint if I can get a review unit and If I do, will write a through practical review comparing it to the EVO 4G and of course, iPhone 4.

Samsung Galaxy S Pro

Breaking: Sprint to release HTC EVO 4G June 13th

According to multiple sources, I can finally say with eighty percent certainty that the Sprint HTC EVO 4G will be launching June 13th, 2010. As for what is 100% certain is that the phone will launch in June and that there will be no extra charge for basic 4G access. Wireless eight person Hot-Spot service will cost extra, rightfully so on 4G and will not have a data cap or be throttled.

The final piece of the puzzle I do not have for you yet is how much the device will cost, with full subsidies for new subscribers. There have been rumors of $199 after all Sprint mail in rebates, but I can not confirm this just yet. The new BlackBerry Bold 9650 is launching this May 23rd, at $199 after all M.I.R. are accounted for, so either Sprint will reduce the Bold (very unlikely as RIM devices have long been a Sprint staple) pricing after three weeks, or because of the sales strength of the Tour and now its successor, keep it at $199 and have it go up against the EVO at the same, static price point. This is really the big story for me in all of this, as how can a two-year old phone (technology wise) be sold for the same price as the latest and greatest?

Major #4G news to break next week!

Major #4G news to break next week, #Sprint will be making some huge industry firsts with its new lineup of phones! http://ow.ly/1nF6Y ^MG

Whats it YOUR pocket?

I have a lot of friends down at SXSWi right now and one of them tweeted tonight about going to Android & ditching the Death Star, for reasons not yet clear to me. So, it got me thinking, with Android shooting up in the ratings by double digits, Windows Mobile basically dead and RIM even getting WAY old in the tooth, whats in your pocket, Now?

Posted via email from Michael’s Blog

Sprint lowers Samsung Moment to $99, new

Sprint lowers Samsung Moment to $99, new version likely to be announced at MWC on Monday. This is a GREAT blowout price! http://ow.ly/17cSv

Motorola Calgary Android phone confirmed!

There have been rumors of the Alexander / Calgary for almost over a year now, but with the new release of Fring today for Android 2.0 & Symbian (for our European Nokia friends), the device is clearly listed as a download option. So, if you combine this with BGR's information along with all of the rumors, you pretty much have a done deal. Its not like we didn't expect for a 'budget' DROID to come out coupled with MOTOBLUR. In fact, I think Motorola has a good idea and strategy on its hands here!

Posted via email from Michael’s Blog

BREAKING: Apple Tablet exclusive to Verizon Wireless

As I first reported over a year ago, the Apple Tablet (Newton II) will ship on VZW for 3G access. This is a consolation concession given to VZW since they will never, ever get an iPhone, 3G or 3G S. They will get a LTE 'phone' (I say 'phone' because voice will still be handled over CDMA2000 1xRTT, as it is now), perhaps as early as Q1 2011. 

Its truly rare that little old me ever scoops any of the 'big guys', but when it happens, iGloat. Hah 

Exclusive: Apple tablet for VZW only

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A phone that trades hair-do for can-do

Verizon Wireless (majority owned by Vodafone Corporation in Europe) started to slang a lil’ mud towards the Death Star crew this past Holiday season and out of all the ads they ran, this one reminded me most of one of my favorites from the 80’s: SEGADOESWHATNINTEDONT! What do you guys thing, does the DROID melt the 3G S? Sound off!

Posted via web from Michael’s Blog

VZW does a bare knuckle punch to The Death Star

So as @boygenius first reported yesterday, Verizon Wireless is drastically reducing their rate plans as part of their combined smartphone offensive consisting of lower prices, network superiority & advanced devices. This is news in itself usually, but combined with the joint responses of T-Mobile and AT&T Mobility it actually starts to get seriously interesting as the Death Star responded by matching their overpriced rates along with T-Mobile lowering hardware prices! Count this one as the free market working for once, kids! Sprint meanwhile is expected to announce a device, launch it with bad hardware and expect people to remember they bought Nextel for some reason only known to the Dali Lama. Can you hear me now?

Posted via web from Michael’s Blog

Windows Mobile 7 delayed. Again.

Chalk this up to MSFT just absolutely having zero clue how to execute in the mobile space, especially since it took them almost TWO YEARS (!) to go from 6.0 to 6.1 then 6.5! And keep in mind, all of this is the same shitty Windows CE code that was originally WinMo 4 & 5! Windows mobile 7 was actually supposed to be out early last year but somehow Microsoft managed to fuck that up as well. 

Look, I am a die in the wool Microsoft guy. Well, at least I was now that I think about it! I Had an X-Box & a 360) until the 2nd 360 I bought died on me. I canceled my Zune HD pre order because it was very 'meh'. Also, when it came time to get a new phone last year, I didn't even consider Windows Mobile. I got a Palm Pre. Yeah, that was a genuine turd-ball hardware wise, but software wise, wow, Palm has a winner! Finally, I just gave in and said fuck it and bought a Droid for New Years. Windows what? Android is the future and its here, now.

What do You think? Please add to the discussion here or on twitter @SouthBay_Mike

Full details on Download Squad after the jump!

Posted via email from Michael’s Blog