Google's Rich Miner to deliver keynote at Sprint's mobile developer's conference

by Laura June posted Dec 9th 2008 at 3:23PM

Remember not so long ago when Sprint CEO Dan Hesse said that Android was "not yet good enough" for the Sprint brand, and how weird and awkward that was, all things considered? Well, it turns out that Google's VP of mobile technology, Rich Miner, is set to deliver the keynote at Sprint's mobile developer's conference on December 12th. We assume he'll be there to talk about how much he loves hot dogs, or... an Android and Sprint teamup. So, does this mean that the platform is now approaching Sprint Speed, or what?

Filed under: Handsets, Sprint, Android

Tags: android, dan hesse, DanHesse, developers, google, oha, open handset alliance, OpenHandsetAlliance, rich miner, RichMiner, sprint

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Highly Ranked

PhilR8 @ Dec 9th 2008 3:33PM

Let's be honest here... *was* android ready for Sprint? I say no. Dan Hesse is trying to pull a 180 with Sprint, a company that has a history of releasing bleeding-edge devices that aren't always ready for prime-time. Remember the Mogul? I still have one, and it took a year to get GPS and Rev. A support - two features that were advertised on the box. Oh, and do I even have to bring up the Instinct? Or the UpStage. Barf.

Now let's look at another case study: Verizon, a company that routinely releases upderpower, ugly, and neutered smartphones months after the competition - but they rarely have problems with the devices (the Glyde is a curious aberration). And guess what? The companies seem to be going in opposite directions - Verizon into the stratosphere and Sprint crashing back down to Earth.

Or at least that's how things were. Maybe Dan just wants to change things - he's already overhauled the CS - perhaps he wants to overhaul the philosophy regarding bleeding-edge phones in the wake of the chic-and-sophisticated-yet-easy-to-use iPhone. Android, as the G1 has proven, is not the intuitive iPhone killer... yet. It's perfect for T-Mobile, what with its subscriber base full of young urban hipsters who like to try new things and might not mind a few hiccups as long as android delivers a new, exciting, and aesthetically pleasing experience... which it does. But is it ready for prime-time? Not yet, but hopefully soon. And hopefully on Sprint.

Highly Ranked

Achilles @ Dec 9th 2008 3:40PM

I hope it comes to Sprint really, really soon.

iphones still have the best UI on the market but that's it. I'm not really impressed with the rest of it, at all. Not hating on it but the UI is everything. If I was in marketing, I'd love to work for the iPhone project. It's the interface that has yet to be rivaled. Doesn't really matter that the rest of it is mediocre. They didn't find the next thing since sliced bread but they sure did get the toast and butter better than anyone else. Don't even get me started on the urban appeal of the iphone. It's a no-brainer and I'm really not an iphone fan at all. Just keeping it real. Touch-flo is very nice but it still doesn't have the smooth responsive feedback that you get from an iPhone. Close though, especially after flashing with a custom ROM.

Again, I hope Sprint gets Android really soon.

Neutral

civilian @ Dec 9th 2008 4:01PM

achilles couldnt say it any better, but some people who hate the iphone just for what it stands for would disagree to disagree. they dont like to keep it real.

Highly Ranked

Mobile Enthusiast @ Dec 9th 2008 4:45PM

Civilian, not to come out as a hater here, but what's wrong with hating what the iPhone represents?
Over the last decade, Apple has sold out and transformed itself from being the superior technology albeit under-estimated underdog (look at the hardware functions macs in the 80s and 90s had vs PCs), to a pure marketing machine that puts form over function. I used to love Apple, and still have some classic Apple Macs at home that continue to amaze me (a 1986 computer can operate smoothly, has full integrated sound and can read text).

I don't hate the iPhone, but I do hate what it represents- Apple Hype. A device that took a handful of features and pretended they were new and innovative, and marketed it as being superior- and the public bought it. THAT's why I hate it. It represents the way the public will choose something superficial and hyped instead of something powerful and more useful that may take more time to learn.

Android could bridge that gap, bring an easy and somewhat hyped platform to the masses, but one that could actually live up to the claim of being technologically superior because of the open development and no hardware limitations. Android could restore my the faith in the public that the iPhone stripped.

Neutral

Impaler @ Dec 9th 2008 4:59PM

I'm very hopeful that Android comes to Sprint. I'm about to dump my iPhone and come back to their network--I've always preferred CDMA phones, and a "G1"-like device for CDMA is only a matter of time.

Neutral

Kylex @ Dec 9th 2008 8:45PM

Dan Hesse: Foot, meet mouth.

Neutral

SPOKE @ Dec 10th 2008 6:57AM

I have said this before, so let me bore you once again:

Sprint will close its doors in 18 months or less.

Neutral

monkeyboy @ Dec 10th 2008 6:40PM

>>>Now let's look at another case study: Verizon, a company that routinely releases upderpower, ugly, and neutered smartphones months after the competition - but they rarely have problems with the devices (the Glyde is a curious aberration). And guess what? The companies seem to be going in opposite directions - Verizon into the stratosphere and Sprint crashing back down to Earth.

Neutral

monkeyboy @ Dec 10th 2008 6:42PM

===
Now let's look at another case study: Verizon, a company that routinely releases upderpower, ugly, and neutered smartphones months after the competition - but they rarely have problems with the devices (the Glyde is a curious aberration). And guess what? The companies seem to be going in opposite directions - Verizon into the stratosphere and Sprint crashing back down to Earth.
===

There are many reasons that Verizon is doing better than Sprint, but how they each handle their smartphones is not one of them...

And the notion that Verizon doesn't have problems with their smartphones, even after an overly long neutering and "validation" process, is laughable... did you forget the Kyocera 7135, nevermind the Storm right now (with its major problems)...

In the final analysis, I don't know anyone who prefers Verizon's approach to bring out smartphones over Sprint's... network/CS/coverage issues, sure, but approach to smartphones, no, Sprint's still a favorite in that regard (though eventually, I believe the GSM+LTE blizt will overrun Sprint)...

Neutral

PhilR8 @ Dec 10th 2008 10:13PM

You're right, of course. My point - which was about as clear as mud - was that there is a difference in priorities at the two companies, with Verizon obviously doing well at the things that matter and understanding what is less important. Sprint, hopefully, is about to do the same thing.

Neutral

Sean @ Dec 11th 2008 11:35AM

Count me as another person anxious for Sprint to come out with an Android device. Even if it had all the issues (are there that many?) as the G1. It would instantly be much better than the experience I'm getting with the Treo 755p I have on hand. Six lines ready for android. Dan...be a leader, Android is here to stay.

Neutral