July 3 - 11:05am EDT   Bell Canada today said it would be the first carrier outside of Sprint to carry the Samsung Instinct. The touchscreen cellphone will keep the same custom interface designed by the US carrier and will be Bell Canada's most direct answer to the iPhone 3G's appearance on Rogers with similar features. Bell's version of the phone should have the same EVDO Revision A-based 3G Internet access, true GPS, and full HTML web browser as the American model. [full story]

July 2 - 2:25pm EDT   Sprint may be shifting all its customers who want discounted data to opt into all-in-one plans that in many cases cost more than what they originally had, say reports from subscribers attempting to renew their contracts. The US carrier already requires a $70 monthly Simply Everything plan for the Samsung Instinct to use both its voice and data features but is now reportedly asking owners of Palm Centros and other data-centric phones to accept the same plan when they renew service, in many cases increasing the costs of using the phones regardless of the customer's actual intent. [full story]

June 26 - 8:55am EDT   Sprint today boasted that the Samsung Instinct is its fastest-selling device ever for the company's 3G network. The company notes that the touchscreen device is "breaking records" for first-week sales and touts that Samsung has had to step up production of the phone to meet a surge in demand; there are ongoing but allegedly temporary shortages of the Instinct at various locations in the US, according to Sprint. [full story]

June 20 - 7:35am EDT   Sprint today began shipping the Samsung Instinct, the carrier's primary challenge to the iPhone 3G. The close cousin of the Europe-oriented F490 is now known to be launching with a number of the same features as the Apple device due three weeks later, including full 3G Internet access (here through Sprint's EVDO Revision A network), true GPS navigation, and the last-minute addition of Exchange mail support despite using a non-smartphone operating system. [full story]

June 19 - 11:20am EDT   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. [full story]

June 18 - 10:45am EDT   Sprint today made the surprise announcement that the Samsung Instinct will sell for $130 on its June 20th launch date. The two-year contract price comes just over a week following the introduction of the rival iPhone 3G and significantly undercuts both the Apple device as well as an internal memo at the carrier which had suggested the same $199 subsidized price as for the iPhone. Sprint's price notably comes after an unusually steep $100 mail-in rebate and points to a more expensive price for the touchscreen phone outside of the deal. [full story]

June 12 - 4:00pm EDT   Sprint this afternoon has introduced changes to its cellphone plans it hopes will bolster its network. The US provider says it now has just two basic talk-only plans that offer 450 and 900 minutes of talk time at $40 and $60 respectively. Subscribers can add $10 per month to get unlimited messaging and also get access to a $90 plan at the same level that adds unlimited calling. The existing Everything plans are intact and give unlimited access to all of Sprint's subscription services, including data, navigation, and streaming media for the same amounts of minutes (including unlimited) at $70, $90, and $100 per month. [full story]

June 11 - 11:00pm EDT   Apple's announcement of a $200 iPhone has AT&T competitors looking to match the feature-packed device in price and expectations, with Sprint on Wednesday circulated internally a memo noting a $199 price point for the Samsung Instinct, after rebates. The phone normally costs $449, but will be subject to a $150 instant rebate for a two-year contract, as well as a $100 mail-in rebate for the Instinct. This provides Sprint with a high-end touch-screen competitor for the iPhone. [full story]

June 6 - 12:10pm EDT   Verizon's first all-touchscreen media phone has been spotted late yesterday in a working form and has accompanying new details to match. The LG Dare, also known as the VX9700, is now believed to have EVDO Revision A cellular data that should help it compete against both the Samsung Instinct on Sprint as well as the updated iPhone and other competing devices on AT&T's 3G network. The phone should also support Real's Rhapsody music service and use microSDHC cards for 8GB or more of storage. [full story]

May 22 - 3:25pm EDT   Sprint today gave the Samsung Instinct its official ship date. The phone is now due to launch on June 20 and will represent Sprint's first attempt at a direct competitor to the iPhone, with a custom-designed interface that emphasizes media playback. Sprint also touts the device as its first non-business phone to support EVDO Rev. A Internet access and integrates GPS, on-demand voicemail, and access to Sprint's Internet video streaming services. [full story]

May 12 - 7:55am EDT   Sprint this morning reported its results for the first quarter of 2008 and has revealed continued severe losses in its cellular business. The carrier says its net revenue declined nine percent year-over-year to $9.3 billion and that it lost a total 1.09 million wireless customers in the most recent period. The company says the poor results were "expected" but that it's continuing to rework its strategy, including more focused advertising, cost reductions, and larger strategic decisions. Its news last week of a team-up with Clearwire for nationwide WiMAX also points to a turnaround, according to the company. [full story]

April 29 - 3:25pm EDT   The Samsung U940 has shown up in Verizon's internal system and reveals most important details about the device before its launch, according to a tip handed to Phone Arena. Already known to be called the Glyde, this slight downgrade of the international F700 is now understood to have a lower-resolution 2-megapixel camera but will have a more customized interface and features, including access to Verizon's in-house music and video services as well as VZNavigator for assisted GPS navigation. [full story]

April 29 - 10:45am EDT   The next generation of Apple's phone should include a significantly smaller phone that may replace the existing model, according to claims by Taiwan Economic News. The paper echoes recent rumors in claiming that the device will use a plastic backing in place of aluminum but also contends that the device will be significantly smaller than the original, with a 2.8-inch screen replacing the 3.5-inch model used today. The combination of a lighter material and smaller frame is said to reduce the weight to between 3.9 and 4.2 ounces from the initial model's 4.8. [full story]

April 2 - 3:25pm EDT   Sprint unveiled the Samsung Instinct phone at CTIA 2008 on Tuesday, which is very close in appearance and function to Apple's iPhone. Unlike the iPhone, the Instinct's touchscreen features vibration feedback that replicates physical button presses. Common features between the two include a 2-megapixel camera and full-size headphone jack. Samsung added assisted GPS support, voice commands, and a USB tethering mode for data as well as microSD card storage. No prices are announced yet, but shipments start in June. [full story]