Sprint gives Instinct support for Exchange

Sprint today hoped to close one more perceived gap between the Samsung Instinct and the iPhone 3G with the launch of Mobile Email Work. The service gives users access to messages from Microsoft Exchange and IBM Lotus Notes servers without requiring a smartphone that already has built-in support. Like the more specialized clients, mail is pushed in real time to the phone while messsage deletes or replies are synchronized with other computers accessing the same mailbox.

The cellular carrier doesn't indicate that calendars or contacts are also updated at the same time, however, and potentially cedes an advantage to most Windows Mobile devices as well as the iPhone's Exchange and MobileMe accounts. Users can nonetheless search any associated contacts online.

Sprint makes clear its objectives for Work accounts and says the Instinct will be the first device to come with Work support already installed. The feature is non-exclusive and will come to 11 other phones in the near future, including the Motorola RAZR2 and KRZR, Sanyo's Katana line, and multiple LG and Samsung phones. Ohter phones will receive the extension later.

The feature is already included in the Everything plans that start at $70 per month and is also included in the data-equipped Share plans for families as well as the $30 Pro Pack; users with less expensive plans can also add the feature for an extra $10 per month.

Filed under: iPhone, gadgets, software
Other story tags: Samsung, sprint, Windows Mobile, MobileMe, Exchange, instinct