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Sprint drops Phone-as-Modem plan to $15 per month, adds stipulations

So there's good news and bad news, and we're not even giving you the option of choosing which you'd prefer to hear first (hint: it's the good). Sprint has dropped the price of its Phone-as-Modem plan (capped at 5GB monthly) to just $15 per month. Now, the rest of the story. First off, you must own a Power Vision phone with connection capabilities to a laptop. Next -- unlike the old PAM plan which ran $49.99 / month all by itself -- this "attachable plan" requires you to have another data plan already on your account. For instance, the BlackBerry Personal Pack ($30 / month) or the Worldwide Data Plan ($70 / month). In the end, it looks as if tethering in and of itself got cheaper, but those newfound strings that are reportedly attached will likely cause some frustration.

[Via phonescoop]

Sprint bundles TeleNav with data

For some data subscribers, Sprint's TeleNav-sourced navigation service just got a little more accessible. The Power Vision "Ultimate Pack" and "Business Pack" bundled data packages now include unlimited nav use -- great for folks prone to getting hopelessly lost on a regular basis -- instead of paying for it a la carte. An entirely new package, Power Vision "Navigation Pack," also includes unlimited use plus the usual suspects (unlimited on-device data, mobile email, and so on, but don't even think about tethering) for $20 / month. Not worried about losing your bearings daily? Subscribers to any other Sprint data pack can now get their nav on for $2.99 per 24-hour period, too.

Samsung SPH-M500 now available from Sprint

Mid-range Samsung clamshell for Sprint, anyone? Cousin to T-Mobile's T619, the SPH-M500 shares most of the spec sheet (save the radio, of course) such as a 262k color internal and external display, 1.3 megapixel camera, 50MB of internal memory, and Bluetooth. It also picks up where the T619 left off adding expandable memory via microSD, Power Vision, and support for turn by turn driving directions and mapping your location using Sprint's Location Based Services. Expect this device to set you back $279.99 full retail or $79.99 on a two year contract after the instant and mail-in rebates.

[Via phoneArena]

Sprint launches first EV-DO Rev. A network

Sticking to its word, Sprint has lit up its first EV-DO Revision A mobile broadband network today, covering San Diego to start with 20 additional markets set to launch before year's end. The upgraded Sprint Power Vision network boosts real-life upload speeds to the 300-400 kbps level, kicking the current 50-70 kbps transfer rates back to 1995 where they belong. Observed download speeds also get a shot in the arm, albeit a more modest jump to 450–800 kbps, up from 400-700 kbps. While San Diegans get all the bragging rights for the time being, folks in New York, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and seventeen other markets can rest easy knowing that they'll be able to bask in some Rev. A goodness by the end of the year -- check the link below for the complete list. And if you're not on that list, Sprint says it should have its network completely upgraded by the third quarter of 2007.

Deets, pics emerge on Sanyo MM-8400 for Sprint

Sprint tends to roll fairly deep with the Sanyo clamshells, so it comes as no surprise that they're adding another midrange unit to their stable in the SCP-8400. The handset -- which could be called a spiritual successor to the Power Vision-christening MM-9000 -- looks to sport a slightly cleaner design, but the biggest news here for Sanyo fans could be the inclusion of Bluetooth. No word on availability, but with units floating around in retailers' hands, it can't be much longer now.

[Thanks, Nan]

Sprint-Nextel adds NFL Mobile to normal data subs

For those anxiously awaiting that beloved kickoff in September, Sprint-Nextel has put together an excellent off-season deal that will save you $5.99/month. For those in the know -- and those still curious about this pigskin obsession -- NFL Mobile has not been bundled in with the Vision and Power Vision data plans in the past. All that changes for the 2006-2007 season as any normal data customer can now access all the functions previously reserved for paying fans. You'll get (almost) up-to-the-second updates of scores, stats, injuries, game-changing alerts, and even video highlights from in-game and post-game content. If you're an NFL fan and aren't tied up in one of those pesky multi-year contracts with some other provider, now would probably be a good time to break off a couple defenders -- like your significant other, for starters -- and take advantage of the signing bonus.

[Via MobileTracker]

Treo launch rumor adds a price: $399 / $499

Last we heard from our insider in the biz, Palm was going to be launching their PalmOS-powered Treo 700p sometime around or on Monday, May 15th. Now it would seem Gadgets on the Go's gotten word from a source they deem reliable that the 700p's got a price: $399 for a new 2 year contract, $499 with a 1 year contract.  (Oh, they also confirmed the same release time frame we had -- mid May ideally, early June at latest.) That sounds about right if you ask us, but there's only one way to find out: wait for the launch. Ok, well, two ways: we'll keep on inquiring, ourselves. Stay tuned, Treo nuts.




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